Plumbing in York University Heights

York University Heights housing and pipes

The neighbourhood grew mostly in the 1960s and 1970s alongside the university. Housing ranges from detached homes and semis to townhouse complexes and high-rises. Supply lines are typically copper, drains are cast iron or ABS, and laterals may be clay or concrete.

Many houses here are rented to students, often with more occupants than the plumbing was designed for. Heavy daily use wears out fixtures and loads drains in ways a single family would not.

Common calls here

• Clogged bathroom drains and toilets from heavy use, through bathroom drain cleaning.
• Water heaters that run out of hot water too quickly, see water heater replacement.
• Urgent repairs between tenancies under emergency plumbing.

A rental house with five or six people may need a larger tank or a different heater type. Sizing depends on how many showers run back to back in the morning, not on the size of the house.

Flooding and sewers

The area drains toward Black Creek and the West Don tributaries. Some low-lying streets have taken water in intense storms. Landlords should make sure floor drains are clear and that every tenant can find the main valve.

Clear instructions at move-in about who to call for a leak also save time. Tenants who know the landlord's preferred plumber, and where the main valve sits, limit damage when something fails at night.

Notes for landlords

Student rentals turn over each year, and each turnover is a chance to check the plumbing before new tenants arrive. Running every tap, flushing every toilet, checking under sinks and testing the heater takes little time and catches problems while the house is empty.

Hair, grease and food scraps account for most rental drain clogs. Strainers in tubs and sinks, and a clear note about what not to put down the drain, prevent many calls. Our guide on what not to put down your drains is easy to print.

Tenants often do not notice slow leaks or report them until they become severe. A quick look at the water meter between visits can show if something is running continuously.

For family homes in the neighbourhood, the calls look more like the rest of North York: aging water heaters, worn toilets and occasional sewer clogs. Homes near the campus edge have also seen extra construction during the subway extension, which can affect underground services.

Getting to York University Heights

We reach the area from Keele, Finch or Steeles West, and the subway extension has made the campus area busier. Townhouse complexes and towers need entry details. For Jane and Finch and others, see our enclaves.