Why it matters here
Oshawa grew quickly through the twentieth century, and many streets near the downtown, around the old General Motors plants and in neighbourhoods like Central Park, O'Neill and McLaughlin, are lined with houses built between the 1910s and the 1960s. Those homes are solid, but the plumbing materials of the era do not last forever, and some were later patched in ways that do not meet today's standards.
Step by step
Walk the house with a flashlight and look for these:
- Galvanized supply pipe. Grey threaded steel lines. A magnet sticks. Expect low flow and eventual leaks.
- Lead water service. Soft, dull grey pipe entering at the front wall, often with a bulb-shaped joint.
- Cast iron stack. Look for rust streaks, cracks and bulging joints along the large vertical drain.
- Clay sewer. Cannot be seen, but a history of root clogs suggests it.
- No backwater valve. Check for an access lid near the front wall.
- Old shut-off valve. A gate valve with a round handle that will not turn freely.
- Amateur additions. Flexible drains, odd slopes and mismatched pipe in a basement bathroom.
A slight sag or wobble in a cast iron stack is a warning. Those pipes are heavy, and failed supports can crack joints.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an inspection report covers the sewer line; most do not.
- Finishing a basement before checking the drains and supply under it.
- Fixing one leak after another on galvanized pipe instead of planning a replacement.
- Ignoring a slow drain in an older house; it can mean a failing line.
When to call a plumber
Phone for an assessment before buying, before renovating, or when you notice more than one of these signs. A camera can check the sewer; a walk-through can help you set priorities. Major items often include sewer line repair and pipe leak repair. Buyers should also see our plumbing checklist for home buyers.