Housing at a glance: Mill Pond
- Typical eras
- Mid-20th century homes plus newer infill
- Common pipe
- Clay or cast iron laterals, galvanized and copper supply
- Watch for
- Root intrusion, galvanized lines, lead service possibility
Roots in the sewer
- Big maples and willows grow along the streets around Mill Pond. Those roots hunt out every joint in the old clay laterals and grow inside the pipe. The result is a main drain that slows down every year or two, often toward August, when roots are growing hardest.
- Cutting the roots restores flow. A camera inspection afterward tells you whether the pipe is otherwise sound or whether a spot repair or replacement would stop the cycle.
Older supply lines
- Some homes here still have galvanized steel supply lines, which rust inside and reduce water pressure over time. Houses older than about 1955 might still have lead water service pipes; checking where the service enters the basement is a quick way to find out.
- Replacing galvanized with PEX or copper restores pressure and removes the rust source. We plan the route to minimise wall openings.
What we check in these homes
- Main drain slowing every year
- Large trees near the sewer line
- Low pressure from galvanized pipe
- Possible lead service
- Cast iron stack corrosion
Renovations and infill
- Newer infill houses on the larger lots are common here. Builders connect new plumbing to the existing municipal services, sometimes reusing an old lateral. If you are building or buying infill, it is worth having the lateral camera-inspected.
- Older homes undergoing renovation often need their drains updated to modern standards, particularly where cast iron stacks have corroded.
Working around the pond
- Lots near the pond and its park have mature willows and wet ground, and some houses have basements that take on groundwater in spring. Where there is a sump, it often runs more than owners expect. Where there is none, a damp corner may be a weeping tile issue rather than a plumbing leak.
- We check the difference with a meter test and a look at where the water is coming in before recommending anything.
Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.
Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.