Avoid City Fines by Keeping Your Plumbing in Order

The City of Toronto is constantly working to improve the water delivery and sanitation infrastructure, however, they place the onus of taking care of the pipes that run from the municipal system on the sidewalk to your home, squarely on the shoulders of the homeowner. As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your home's plumbing in a state of good repair. Just like taking care of your kitchen drain, furnace or roof, you have to ensure that your pipes are in good working order, or you might face a fine.

If your pipes are corroded or not within the bounds of regulated plumbing standards, and they are unable to withstand the required work, the City may not be able to install a new water meter. The City approved the mandatory Water Meter Program and as such, you have to ensure that the City is able to do what they need to do by fulfilling your side of the bargain by keeping your pipes in good working condition. You also have to ensure that all asbestos is removed from the area.

The City of Toronto will not reimburse you for repairs on private property. However, if you don't perform the necessary repairs required for installation of a new water meter, a Bylaw Officer will stop by and you may face fines as high as $50,000.

How to Keep Your Pipes In Good Order

Master plumbers recommend that, if you're buying a house, you should insist on a plumbing inspection before sign on the dotted line. A full inspection will include all fixtures, sewers and the pipes running from your home to the municipal meter. This will either give you peace of mind that all is in good working order, or it will show you whether you should expect repairs in the near future. For a small investment, you could potentially save a small fortune in repairs and fines.

Water pipes deteriorate over time. Rust, corrosion and roots in pipes are some of the most common issues. During winter, when you experience frozen pipes, the pipelines contract and expand, sometimes causing hairline cracks. The nearby trees and plants can cause roots in pipes that further push the cracks wide open. As water continues to run down the leaking pipes, your water bill will continue to get higher.

There are a few things a City of Toronto licensed plumber can do to repair these issues and help you avoid a fine:

1. Replacing the existing pipes

Your cracked, leaking, or burst pipes can be replaced in a number of ways. Modern technology doesn't require trenches, as cured in place piping only requires two small holes on either side of the strip of pipe that is being replaced. This technique places a new pipe inside of the old one, giving you a brand new pipe in no time.

2. Remove roots in pipes

Using a state-of-the-art piece of equipment, your Toronto plumber can clip the roots in pipes into small pieces, washing them down the sewer.

There are many benefits to having regular plumbing inspections and maintenance visits, as it ensures that your plumbing system is in tip-top shape. From improving your water pressure to delivering healthier water and reducing your water bill using non-invasive, modern plumbing techniques, there really is no downside.

Don't wait until you get a fine. Call Anta Plumbing today and have a City of Toronto licenced plumber take a look at your system.