Why this matters
Plumbing repairs in an older house can be some of the most costly surprises after closing. A failing sewer lateral, galvanized supply pipe, a lead water service or an ageing water heater can turn a careful budget upside down. A general home inspection covers a lot of ground, but it rarely looks inside the sewer or behind finished walls.
Much of Markham's older housing dates from the 1950s to the 1980s, in areas such as Thornhill, Markham Village, Milliken Mills and Bullock. These homes are often well built and well loved, but their plumbing has had decades of use and, frequently, several rounds of renovation by different hands.
What to inspect in a resale house
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Water service | Material where it enters the basement: copper, plastic, galvanized or lead |
| Supply pipes | Galvanized, poly-B (grey plastic) or copper with visible corrosion |
| Drain stack | Cast iron with cracks or rust stains, or mixed materials |
| Sewer lateral | Clay or older pipe with roots, sags or breaks, best seen on camera |
| Water heater | Age on the data plate, rental status, venting condition |
| Main shut-off | Type, condition and whether it turns |
| Basement | Signs of past water, a sump pit, a backwater valve |
Our crew would go about it like this
- 1
Find and test the main shut-off before opening anything.
- 2
Locate the fault at the fixture, the wall or the line.
- 3
Repair with matching parts and proper fittings.
- 4
Run water, test every joint and clean the work area.
Step by step
- Read the listing and disclosure for any plumbing notes.
- During the viewing, run taps and flush toilets, watching for slow drains or low pressure.
- Look at the basement walls and floor for water stains or efflorescence.
- Book a home inspection and ask the inspector to note pipe materials.
- Consider a sewer camera inspection, especially for houses with mature trees.
- Check whether the water heater is rented, and get the contract details.
Handing it over to us
A plumber's look before closing is worth it when the house is older, the lateral runs under mature trees, or the inspector flags something unusual. We can identify pipe materials, run a camera through the sewer and give you a clear picture of what may need doing. That picture is useful in negotiation too: a documented problem in the lateral or a galvanized supply system is a fair point to raise with the sellers, rather than a surprise you discover after moving in. Laundry rooms are another area worth checking, especially when moved during renovations; our laundry plumbing page explains common issues.
If you have noticed a high water bill in a home you already own, our guide to using the water meter to find a leak is a helpful start. We see many resale homes in Middlefield where these checks pay for themselves.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
Should I get a sewer camera inspection before buying?
For older homes, especially with mature trees, it is one of the most useful checks you can make. Problems in the lateral are not visible during a normal viewing.
How can I tell if the house has lead pipes?
Look at the water service where it enters the basement. Lead is dull grey, soft and does not attract a magnet. If you are unsure, have it identified.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.