The Top Signs You Need Drain Repair in Toronto, Ontario

Toronto homeowners and commercial property owners use their plumbing systems frequently, sometimes dozens of times per day, and rely on them to work perfectly every time. If you take your plumbing for granted, it can be a rude shock to suddenly have to deal with an unpleasant, unsanitary problem like a clogged drain or much worse, a disgusting and hazardous sewer backup.

Drainage issues can indicate a wide range of potential problems with your plumbing system, and there is a wide range of Toronto drain repair services available to deal with those issues. Whether you need a simple plumbing service such as drain snaking, or a more complex solution such as trenchless drain repair, Toronto plumbers are standing by, ready to get the water flowing again so you can rest easy.

If you require drain repair, Toronto has a lot of options available for plumbing service-and Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto is the best choice for reliable, high-quality workmanship and customer care that goes above and beyond.

What Are the Signs I Need Drain Repair in Toronto?

Since most of our plumbing systems are underground or hidden behind walls and floors, it can be difficult to notice problems that require repair early on. The signs that your property requires drain repair in Toronto could range from simple wear and tear to flooding and sewage backup. Even the most experienced homeowner may not know there is a drain problem until a flood has caused thousands of dollars of damage and insurance costs.

You may think you know exactly what a broken drain pipe in need of repair is like wastewater won't go down. But there are actually some more subtle and lesser-known signs that trouble is coming down the pipe, and if you know what they are, you'll be able to identify the issue early on and get help from a Toronto plumber who can find repair solutions to get the water flowing again.

Wondering if your system is in rough shape? Keep a watchful eye for the following 11 signs that you should look into getting drain repairs.

1. Bad Smells

Having a kitchen or bathroom that doesn't smell right is one of the first signs your home or commercial property requires drain repair. Toronto homes can suffer from foul odors for a number of reasons. You may have a clogged main drain that is backing up the pipe, thus causing a buildup of sewage and waste. Sometimes the smell comes from sewage leaking, and sometimes it comes from water that has been sitting in your plumbing.

Bad smells related to drain problems may not always be in the home. Even strange odors around your home, especially outside near sewer lines or in the basement, could be a sign that you have a drain problem.

2. Slow Drains

The last thing you want before a special occasion like a Thanksgiving dinner or birthday party is to realize that your dishwasher isn't working or your sink isn't draining. This is often one of the first signs you need drain repair, but it doesn't mean that the problem has just started recently.

A sink, shower, or bathtub that won't drain is often a sign of a clogged pipe, but it could also be a sign of a bigger problem like pipe damage. In some cases, tree roots can even cause the blockage, but you won't know this until you call a plumber to isolate the source of the problem. In addition to a sink draining slowly, you may also see backup pouring coming out into the sink. That points to not only a drain problem but a potential sewage problem as well.

3. Strange Noises

Do you hear that? Your pipes should be carrying wastewater away from your house pretty much silently, so if you hear odd sounds from blocked drains such as gurgling, sucking, grinding, or banging, that is a clear indication that something is not right, and you likely require drain repair. Toronto plumbers will be able to determine if the problem is a cracked pipe or a more run-of-the-mill clog, and get it resolved so you don't have to listen to your pipes complain every time you try to use your fixtures.

4. Leaking Pipes

The most obvious sign that you need drain repair is a leak, which can happen anywhere in your home. When you begin to suspect a drain problem, look underneath your bathroom or kitchen sink with the water running slowly to see if you can spot any leaks in the pipes. Even the smallest leak needs professional and immediate attention or it will turn into a waterfall-sized problem. It's important to get to the leak right away before more water builds up, or you could begin to see signs of water damage such as mold, mildew, and wood rot in certain areas of your home near the leak.

If you spot a leak in your home, begin the cleanup process immediately. Place a bucket under the leak if possible-even wrapping a towel around the pipe is better than nothing for a temporary measure. Take before and after pictures of the leak and any corresponding damage, and make sure you get any valuables away from the leak before you call a plumber.

5. Corroded Pipes

Metal is corrosive and susceptible to rust, and you may see signs of rust or oxidation visible on the outside of your pipes. While pipes are meant to be durable and long-lasting, it is a matter of time before metal will eventually corrode. It isn't necessarily going to look like orange rust-the appearance of corrosion may be more like white or greenish crusty build-up around the areas where one section of pipe is connected to another.

Iron pipes will rust and copper will corrode when exposed to chlorine and formaldehyde, both of which are chemicals found in house water. As time goes on, the corrosion process will weaken a pipe to the point where it will leak or burst. Corrosion is easier to resolve with early detection. If the damaged line can be replaced before it begins to leak, you can avoid costly water damage. Regularly check the visible parts of your pipes, usually located under or near fixtures such as sinks and toilets, for any signs of corrosion.

6. Pooling Water

Anytime you see liquid pooling in or near your home, there's a good chance that you have a drain problem. Pooling liquid is not supposed to happen with normal working pipes. You might see pooling on your lawn or the ground, near your foundation, or inside your home around the basement, or near plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, water heaters, or appliances such as dishwashers and laundry washing machines.

When a sewage line leaks, it will result in a sudden waste pool. The wastewater will then rise to create more pools around your home. Call a Toronto plumber as soon as you can to investigate the source of this plumbing problem before your pool becomes flooded.

7. Sewage Backing Up in Low-Lying Fixtures

When you notice raw sewage backing up in low-lying fixtures or pipes such as a toilet, shower, bathtub, or floor drain, it's a serious sign of a sewer system backup. It's gross and smelly, but that is the least of your problems-a sewer backup is unsanitary and can pose a hazard to the health of your family. It also indicates that something is blocking off your sewer line.

Tree root intrusion is one of the most common causes of sewer backups in Toronto. Even if you don't have trees on your property, your neighbor's trees can have surprisingly far-reaching roots that wrap themselves around your buried sewer lines and constrict as they grow, squeezing the pipe until it cracks. Once the roots make contact with the water inside the burst pipe, they begin to grow rapidly, partially or completely blocking the flow of wastewater and forcing the cracks to open further.

8. Sudden Lush Spots on the Lawn

If you have a section of your lawn that appears greener or more lush than usual, that could be a sign that your lawn is using sewage waste as fertilizer. These spots will look like patches of grass that are greener than other areas of your yard.

This happens because sewage water contains fertilizer, and fertilizer, of course, feeds plants. It will likely be patchy spots here and there or one big, suspiciously lush area. If you notice your plants, lawn, or backyard appear more lush than usual, you may have a drain problem that's releasing sewage under the soil, which will require underground work to repair.

9. Increased Wildlife Activity

If you see more wildlife than usual around your home, it could be a sign of a potentially serious drain problem. Insects and rodent pests are particularly fond of sewage and can be attracted to the smell of a leaking or broken sewage line.

Seeing a mouse or rat around your home where there were none before, or a major insect infestation that seemed to come out of nowhere, can be signs of a major drain problem. Once they find their way into your home, they'll bring dozens of their nasty little friends along with them. You don't want to add an exterminator bill to your plumbing bill if you can avoid it. If you suspect a leak, call Mr. Rooter first to confirm that is what's causing the infestation.

10. Water Stains

There is never a good time to have water infiltration in your home. Sometimes, this may show up as a backed-up drain or a water pool, but you may also see brown moisture stains in the lower levels of your home on walls, floors, or the ceiling.

This can happen when water backs up, drains, and then backs up again, or it can spread from a small leak as the moisture seeps into drywall. There is usually an unpleasant, musty odor attached to the stain. If you see outward signs of moisture damage on your wall or ceiling, there's a good chance a significant amount of mold and wood rot is lurking on the other side. Remove all belongings from the area that could be damaged by excessive moisture before you bring in qualified professionals.

11. Higher Costs on Your Utility Bill

You should always pay attention to your water bills and make note of any changes that happen. If your water bill is going up at a steady rate, it is often a sign that you have a water problem somewhere in the home. The problem could be anything from a slow and steady leak to a massive pool somewhere on your property. This is often the result of a deteriorated water line that has sprung a leak somewhere in the pipes. But, it could also be caused by a broken fixture such as a dripping faucet or a constantly running toilet.

What Do Toronto Drain Repairs Involve?

When you need drain repair, Toronto plumbers are equipped with an arsenal of advanced tools and state-of-the-art technology that will get your system back to the same condition as the day it was installed. The type of drain service your property needs will, of course, vary according to the cause and symptoms of the particular issue your Toronto home or commercial property is experiencing. Here are a few of the plumbing repair tools and techniques your professional plumber may use to get your plumbing running smoothly again.

Video Camera Inspection & Diagnosis

Have you ever wished you could peek inside your pipes and see what's really going on in there? With drain camera inspection, you can! A small video camera with a bright LED light is attached to a flexible cable and lowered into your sewer drain line. Your Toronto plumber will then maneuver it through the line while it records footage of everything it "sees." Once the drain inspection camera has been retrieved from the pipe, your plumber can play the footage back and interpret it to uncover the exact nature and location of the problem. If you have a hidden leak, especially if it is buried under a concrete slab, other diagnostic tools such as acoustic listening equipment, infrared cameras, and soil probes may be necessary as well.

HydroScrub® Jetting

There is nothing more effective and efficient than HydroScrub® jetting for drain cleaning service, not even a drain snake. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure jets of water to blast away fat, oil, grease, and clog-causing debris that is blocking the flow of liquid through your pipes. When it comes to clogged drain repair, Toronto plumbers such as the team at Mr. Rooter use hydro jetting not only to dislodge clogs but to scour the inside of your pipes clean, making it more difficult for blockages to form up again right away. This has the added bonus of extending the lifespan of your pipes, so you can avoid replacing them for longer. In fact, even if you don't have any trouble with your system, it's a good idea to get regular drain cleaning done by a licensed plumber so you can make sure you don't experience problems with your Toronto property in the future that will require drain repair.

Trenchless Sewer Repair

If you've gotten the news that you need to have your sewer pipes repaired or replaced, you may be dreading the thought of having your walls cut open and a huge, ugly trench dug across your lawn. While that was usually how it went in the past, Mr. Rooter's plumbers now have access to non-invasive, highly effective methods of plumbing repair and replacement that are a lot faster and less damaging to your property.

As the name suggests, trenchless repair techniques eliminate the need to dig a big trench in order to access buried pipes that are in need of repair. Instead, usually, only two small holes need to be dug at the beginning and end of the sewer pipe that needs to be repaired or replaced. Trenchless methods include pipe bursting, in which the old, damaged line is broken apart and a new one is threaded into the space left behind, as well as pipelining, in which a flexible "sleeve" is fitted into the pipe where it cures and hardens, creating an impervious barrier.

Emergency Service

It's one of the great truths in life: plumbing emergencies always happen at the most inconvenient times. Clogged drains and sewer backups don't limit themselves to business hours, and neither do Mr. Rooter's service professionals. Our Toronto emergency plumbers are standing by 24 hours per day, seven days per week and yes, that includes holidays. Just give us a call any time of the day or night, and we'll be at your door with a smile as soon as possible to wrestle your plumbing system into shape and deal with any drain repairs you may need.

How Much Does Drain Repair in Toronto Cost?

It is understandable that you want to know right now how much you'll need to budget for drain repair. Toronto homeowners and commercial property owners can experience a wide range of issues with their sewer lines, and the cost to get it fixed will vary considerably based on factors such as the age of the system, how well it has been maintained, and the extent of the damage. That is why it's not possible to give an accurate quote, or even a ballpark price, without knowing more about what's happening on your particular property.

Waiting to call the plumber until the problem has gotten worse is only going to increase the cost of service. The bigger the problem, the longer your plumber will be on-site to repair it. Catching a problem early lowers the amount of time that it takes a plumber to fix it, meaning you'll cut your labor fees and save money.

Pro Tip: Check Your Home Insurance

The best time to ensure that you have homeowners insurance is before you have a water problem. Before you think you need a plumber, check your homeowner's insurance to determine if you have the right coverage in the event of a water catastrophe. Insurance coverage on everything from overland water to sewage problems is available, but not when it is too late.

Water problems are one of the leading causes of home insurance claims, and an unattended water problem is going to cost you more in several ways. From replacing water tanks to overhauling a plumbing system to cleaning up a massive water mess, a drain problem always starts small and ends up being expensive unless it gets repaired immediately. If your home is prone to basement flooding, it makes sense to have a sump pump installed to mitigate potential damage.

One study notes that in 2011, 48 percent of home insurance claims were related to water damage, with the remainder of 2011 claims divided into theft, fire, and other loss damage. Water damage is something you can not usually repair when it comes to lost personal effects. Consider adding overland coverage to your home policy. You can also add a backup sewage protection rider to your policy to protect you and your home's contents from a major water problem. The worst time to call for this coverage is after you've already had to call a plumber for drain repair. Toronto homeowners, whether or not they've already had a drain issue with their plumbing system, should make sure they have water damage coverage included in their policy.

Need Drain Repair? Toronto Plumbers Will Get the Water Flowing Again!

From soaked floors to dangerous mold, water damage is the one problem that will only get bigger and worse with time. Also, you may see your home insurance rates increase, your deductible increase, and the added cost of replacing belongings in your home. If you get a big rain or dump of snow in Toronto, your slow leak could quickly become a flood.

Whether you're in Toronto or a nearby part of the Greater Toronto Area, you can rely on the plumbing professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto to provide expert workmanship and exceptional customer service for your plumbing and drain repair needs.

Pick up the phone today and give us a call to book a service appointment, or to chat with our friendly customer service representatives about what we can do to get your plumbing system back in perfect working order and give you back your peace of mind!