Areas / Toronto
Serving Toronto
Plumbing for Toronto homes and small businesses, from condos to century houses.
Toronto plumbing is a mix of eras. A downtown semi, a North York bungalow and a Scarborough townhouse can all sit a few streets apart, and each one has different pipes behind the walls. We start every visit by working out what is actually in your house, then explain the options in plain words before any work begins.
Rebates and programs in Toronto
Programs change and funding can run out. Amounts and conditions are as stated on each official page when we checked: confirm there before you apply.
Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy: backwater valves
Up to 80% of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $1,600 per device (two devices at most), for work completed on or after November 12, 2025. The program pays up to $6,650 per property in total.
- Owner of a single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplex home in Toronto
- Contractor and sub-contractors must hold a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of the work
- Apply within two years of the installation (one year for work done before November 12, 2025); original electronic invoices are required
- Downspouts must be disconnected from the City sewer or an exemption granted; no outstanding taxes or debts to the City
Toronto may cover up to 80% of a backwater valve, to $1,600 per device. Your licensed plumber can supply the invoices it needs.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy: sump pumps and battery backup
Up to 80% of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $2,250 (one device) for work completed on or after November 12, 2025, plus up to 80% to a maximum of $300 for a battery backup. Before that date: up to $1,750 for a sump pump.
- Owner of a single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplex home in Toronto
- Contractor and sub-contractors must hold a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of the work
- Apply within two years of the installation (one year for work done before November 12, 2025); original electronic invoices are required
- Downspouts must be disconnected from the City sewer or an exemption granted; no outstanding taxes or debts to the City
Toronto may cover up to 80% of a sump pump, to $2,250, plus $300 for a battery backup. The invoice must itemize the work.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy: weeping tile severance and capping
Up to 80% of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $400, including labour, materials and taxes.
- Owner of a single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplex home in Toronto
- Contractor and sub-contractors must hold a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of the work
- Apply within two years of the installation (one year for work done before November 12, 2025); original electronic invoices are required
- Downspouts must be disconnected from the City sewer or an exemption granted; no outstanding taxes or debts to the City
Toronto may cover up to 80% of severing and capping your weeping tile sewer connection, to $400.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy: home plumbing assessment
Up to 80% of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $500, for a one-time home plumbing assessment.
- Owner of a single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplex home in Toronto
- Done by a licensed plumber on the City's Home Plumbing Assessment Form; you are not required to carry out the recommendations
- Applies to work completed on or after November 12, 2025; applications accepted from May 1, 2026
Toronto may cover up to 80% of a plumber's home flood-risk assessment, to $500.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
Loans of up to $125,000 for home energy improvements, repaid through the property tax bill. Fixed rates valid until December 31, 2026: 3.83% (5-year), 4.43% (10-year), 4.85% (15-year), 5.12% (20-year), plus a 2% administrative charge. Projects with solar, windows, geothermal or heat pumps can take a 20-year term.
- Own a detached, semi-detached, row house, duplex, triplex or low-rise building of up to three storeys and six units in Toronto (postal code starts with M)
- All owners on title must consent; written mortgage lender consent if there is a mortgage
- No more than three instances of a property tax or utility account 60 days past due in the last three years
- Loan, interest and admin charge cannot exceed 10% of the property's current value assessment or $125,000, whichever is less
Toronto lets homeowners finance a heat pump or other energy upgrade through the property tax bill.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program
The City replaces its side of the lead water service, from the watermain to the property line, at no cost when the owner replaces the private side. The private side is the owner's cost.
- The pipe must be confirmed as lead; the page says a licensed plumber can confirm it
- Option one: the City's contractor replaces both sides at once. Option two: replace the private side with your own contractor, then apply with proof
- The City is not responsible for work on private property
Replace your private lead pipe and Toronto replaces its side on a priority basis.
Source: City of Toronto ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Home Renovation Savings: heat pump water heater
$500 on a qualified heat pump water heater.
- Rebate requires a home energy assessment first, with two or more upgrades
- Heat pump water heater must be an ENERGY STAR certified model
Ontario pays $500 toward a qualifying heat pump water heater when it is part of an assessed upgrade bundle.
Source: Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas (Province of Ontario) ↗ · Checked 2026-11-13
Local conditions
What Toronto plumbing looks like
Not every house in the city has the same problems. These are the patterns we see most often.
Century houses and old pipe
Many older Toronto homes still have original galvanized steel supply lines or old fittings. They tend to narrow with age, which shows up as weak pressure or rusty water.
Clay and cast iron drains
Older streets often have clay or cast iron laterals. Tree roots find the joints, so slow drains that keep coming back are worth a camera look.
Basement flooding risk
Heavy storms can push water back through floor drains in low-lying or older parts of the city. A backwater valve and a working sump are the usual first lines of defence.
Condos and tight access
Condo units and narrow semis mean shut-offs shared with neighbours, shared stacks and limited space. We plan around building rules and keep the mess contained.
Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhoods we cover in Toronto
We also cover the rest of the city. If your street is not listed, call and ask.
Downtown
Condos and mid-rise buildings where shut-offs and stacks are shared.
North York
Mixed housing from postwar bungalows to newer builds, so pipe age varies by street.
Scarborough
Many postwar homes and some low-lying lots where drainage deserves attention.
Etobicoke
Older and newer homes side by side, with lots of mature trees near laterals.
East York
Compact brick houses, many with original plumbing and finished basements.
The Annex
Large older homes with character, and the older supply lines that sometimes come with them.
Leslieville
Narrow Victorian and Edwardian rows, often with tight basements and old drains.
Roncesvalles
Semis and rows with mixed renovation history and tight mechanical rooms.
Services
What we do here
- Emergency repairsBurst pipes and backups do not wait. We prioritize active leaks and flooding.
- Drain cleaningRecurring slow drains in older homes often point to roots or aging lines, so we explain what we find.
- Pipe repairReplacing worn galvanized or damaged sections, with clear options for how far to go.
- Leak detectionUseful in semis and condos where a leak can travel before it shows.
- Water heatersSwaps that fit tight basements and utility closets.
Projects
Recent work in Toronto
Reviews
What Toronto clients say
Our semi has old pipes and we were nervous. They explained what was worth fixing now and what could wait, and the price held.
Slow basement drain in an old house. They found the cause, showed us, and left no mess.
These are sample reviews written for a demo site. PlumbFlow is a fictional business.
Read all reviews →Through the year
A year of home plumbing in Toronto
Toronto plumbing follows the weather. This is the rhythm we usually see.
Spring · Mar to May
- Check the sump pump before heavy rain
- Look for damp spots after the thaw
- Test outdoor taps for winter damage
Summer · Jun to Aug
- Watch for backups after big storms
- Check washing machine hoses
- Keep floor drains clear
Fall · Sep to Nov
- Shut off and drain outdoor taps
- Flush the water heater
- Look at exposed pipes before the cold
Winter · Dec to Feb
- Insulate pipes along cold exterior walls
- Know where your main shut-off is
- Call early for a frozen pipe
Permits
Permits & local rules
Some work needs sign-off from the municipality or another authority. These are general pointers for Toronto; the official pages below are the source, and rules change.
Basement flooding protection subsidy
The City of Toronto pays up to 80% of the invoice: backwater valve up to $1,600 per device (two devices at most), sump pump up to $2,250, battery backup up to $300 extra, foundation drain capping up to $400 and a plumbing assessment up to $500, with a $6,650 limit per property. Your plumber must hold a City of Toronto business licence, and a valve needs a building permit and inspection. Downspout disconnection is not eligible. Last checked November 2026. Programs change, so check current eligibility with the program.
Source: City of Toronto, Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy ↗Backwater valve permit
A standalone drain permit applies for a backwater valve in a house with one or two units. No plans are required and the fee is $38.67 (effective January 1, 2026). Last checked November 2026.
Source: City of Toronto, backwater valve permit ↗Building permits
The City says a building permit is generally required for most construction, demolition, additions or major renovations. Whether a particular plumbing job needs one is best confirmed with the City before work starts.
Source: City of Toronto, building permits ↗Call before you dig
Any project that breaks ground needs underground locates first. The request is free and is required by law.
Source: Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) ↗Questions
Toronto plumbing FAQ
Do older Toronto homes need all their pipes replaced?
Not always. We look at what is actually in your house and tell you which parts are worth replacing and which can wait.
What is a backwater valve?
It is a one-way valve on the drain line that helps stop sewage from flowing back into the house during heavy storms. We can talk through whether it makes sense for your home.
Can you work in a condo?
Yes. We ask about building rules and shut-off access when you book so there are no surprises.
Is there help paying for flood protection?
The City of Toronto has had a subsidy program for flood prevention devices. Check the City page linked above for current details.
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