Housing around the observatory
New subdivisions near the observatory park have modern PEX supply, PVC drains, sump pumps and often backwater valves. Nearby older streets have 1970s and 80s copper and cast iron. That mix keeps our calls varied in this part of town.
Jobs we do here
- Commissioning and servicing backwater valves in newer homes
- Sump pump alarms and backup pumps
- Tankless water heater servicing and descaling
- Shut-off valve and fixture repairs in older homes
- Kitchen and laundry plumbing upgrades
New-build manifolds explained
Many newer homes near the observatory lands use a PEX manifold: a row of small valves, each feeding one fixture. When a single toilet leaks, you can close its valve at the manifold without turning off the house. We label each valve during service visits. In the older streets nearby, we still find copper risers with multi-turn stops under every sink, which we replace with quarter-turn valves on request.
New homes here often have high water pressure from the municipal supply. If faucets spit and toilets fill loudly, we check pressure at an outdoor tap and adjust or add a pressure-reducing valve to protect fixtures.
Related
See backwater valves, water heater flushing and South Richvale.
Quick checklist before we arrive
- Pencil the install date on the water heater and the sump pump
- Pull the pop-up stopper and clear the hair every couple of months
- Pour a pail into the sump pit before the thaw and watch it cycle
- Close the inside valve for the hose bib before the first frost
Local note: York Region tap water is fairly hard, so scale builds up early in tank heaters, faucet cartridges and shower valves in Observatory Hill.
Your questions, answered plainly
Do new homes need plumbing maintenance?
Yes: valves, sump pumps and water heaters all benefit from yearly checks.