Housing at a glance: Rouge Woods
- Typical eras
- 1990s and 2000s
- Common pipe
- Copper and PEX supply, ABS and PVC drains
- Watch for
- Sump pumps, original water heaters, basement suites
Near the valley
- Homes closer to the valley lands may have higher water tables, and sump pumps work harder. Sump discharge must drain away from the house without causing problems for neighbours or the ravine.
- If your pump runs frequently, a battery backup is a good idea.
Mid-life fixtures
- Toilets, taps and shower valves fitted in the nineties and two-thousands are wearing out. We see a lot of fill valves, flappers and shower cartridges in Rouge Woods homes.
- Original water heaters are being replaced, often rentals coming to the end of their term.
What we check in these homes
- Frequent sump pump cycling
- Dripping shower valves
- Original water heater
- Basement suite plumbing
- Slow basement bathroom drains
Basement suites
- Rouge Woods has many basement suites. Adding a suite requires permits for plumbing, and the plumbing must meet code for a separate unit, including proper venting.
- If the suite has its own water heater or laundry, those need proper drainage and safety devices.
Schools, families and fixtures
- With lots of families in Rouge Woods, the calls lean toward kids: toys in toilets, hair in shower drains, long showers that empty the tank. A closet auger handles most toy clogs, and a hair catcher in each shower prevents a lot of visits.
- Where hot water runs out every morning, we look at tank size, recovery rate and whether the dip tube inside the tank has failed.
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.
