You pull the plug in your sink or bathtub, and your toilet starts gurgling and bubbling, then a foul smell wafts up the drain after the water goes down—or the water doesn't go down at all and just sits there. These are all signs of trouble with your wastewater disposal lines that may indicate it's time for drain replacement. Toronto property owners who catch the warning signs early on and call their local Toronto plumber for help can avoid the more catastrophic symptoms of deteriorated drain pipes, such as a full-on sewer backup.

If your wastewater lines are giving you indications that they're struggling and have reached the end of their serviceable years, count on the reliable team of plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto for expert workmanship combined with customer service that goes the extra mile.

Our Trusted Toronto Drain Replacement Services

When it comes to drain replacement in Toronto, you are never excited to get the news that you need this particular plumbing service. Sometimes a big part of the reason they're reluctant is that they're worried their drywall will need to be cut open and a big, muddy trench will need to be dug across their lawn—but there is a silver lining to drain replacement when you call the experienced plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We use trenchless Toronto drain replacement methods that, as the name implies, eliminate the need to dig a trench or cut into walls.

Our professional plumbers will show up on time and in uniform for your scheduled drain replacement in Toronto. You can trust our skilled team to complete a thorough assessment of the problem and offer an honest, upfront quote before we begin work, so you know exactly what needs to be done and how much it will cost. We'll then complete the work efficiently and without cutting corners because it's important to us that the results be durable, functional, and long-lasting.

Plumbing Inspection and Assessment

If they discover they need drain replacement, Toronto residents typically don't know what caused the problem or which part of their drainage system the issue is located in. That makes sense—after all, the vast majority of our wastewater disposal lines are hidden away under floors, behind walls, and buried underground. That's why a careful drain inspection is always the first step before drain replacement. Toronto plumbers need to know the nature of the problem and where it is in your system before they can come up with the right strategy to take care of drain line replacement. The process often involves video camera inspection, in which a camera is moved through the lines on a cable. Once your plumber reviews the footage it records, they can interpret it to figure out exactly what's going on and how to handle the drain repair or replacement work.

Hydraulic Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is a highly effective method of drain replacement in Toronto. Property owners are usually relieved to learn that it actually is possible to replace a buried sewer line without the time, expense and hassle of digging a huge trench—in fact, with hydraulic pipe bursting, we usually only need to dig two small holes at either end of the section being replaced, and the work can typically be completed in one or two days. Basically, the damaged pipe is broken apart with hydraulics, and the new line is threaded into the gap left behind in the soil. We then hook up each end of the new section to the existing lines, cover up the two holes, and your Toronto drain replacement is finished.

Let Our Experts Tackle Your Drain Replacement in Toronto

Is your plumbing system due (or possibly overdue) for services such as drain replacement? Toronto property owners can rely on the experienced professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto to deliver the highest standards of quality in everything they do, from minor plumbing repairs like fixing a clogged drain or a leaky faucet to major projects like drain replacement. Toronto residents can also count on our team for a wide range of other plumbing services, including drain pipe repair, trenchless sewer line repair, professional drain cleaning services, and much more.

Don't settle for anything less than stellar when it comes to local, reliable plumbing services, including drain replacement. Toronto and York homeowners have easy access to trustworthy, experienced plumbers—just give us a call any time to schedule a service appointment or learn more about our services from our knowledgeable customer service representatives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drain Replacement in Toronto

If you have some questions about drain replacement, Toronto plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing have the answers! Get in touch with us today to get all your questions answered and find out more about our trustworthy plumbing services. You can also find our replies below to a few of the questions our plumbers are most commonly asked by local homeowners and business owners.

What are the Signs My Plumbing System Needs Drain Replacement?

You may be pretty sure you already know the signs of a failed drain pipe, but if you're picturing a flood of raw sewage spilling across your floor, that's actually the worst-case scenario. There are usually a lot of more subtle signs of trouble that appear before the worst happens, and if you're familiar with the warning signs that drain replacement may be necessary, you can call your local Toronto plumber for help before you find yourself dealing with a nasty, unsanitary, destructive flood. Some of the key indications that you may need Toronto drain replacement are:

  • Slow Drains: Everyone has to deal with a clogged drain from time to time, and while they are annoying, they're not usually a sign of a major problem. Suppose multiple drains are taking a really long time to drain water out of your fixtures, and there don't seem to be any obvious clogs. In that case, this is a sign that there's some deeper trouble that warrants investigation by a professional plumber.
  • Disgusting Smells: If you can smell sewage odors in your yard or coming from plumbing fixtures and floor drains, that's a big indication that something's not right, and you may need Toronto drain replacement. Even if the problem doesn't call for replacement, it still needs to be checked out and resolved by an experienced Toronto plumber.
  • Unusual Sounds: Does your toilet gurgle or bubble when you run water in the bathroom sink? Strange gurgling noises from fixtures or one fixture reacting when you use another are issues that are generally caused by either a serious blockage or a broken pipe.
  • Excess Water Pooling on Lawn: If there's a big puddle of water on your lawn, and you're not sure where it came from, this is a big indication that you've got a cracked or broken pipe that is leaking water underground. Rather than a pool of water, you may notice that there are patches of grass that are suddenly much more green and lush than the rest because they're getting extra "fertilizer" from your sewer lines.
  • Sewer Backups: When there's visible raw sewage pooling in low-lying fixtures like your toilet, shower, bathtub, or floor drain, you probably don't need us to tell you that's a bad thing. Sewer backups are disgusting, unsanitary, and can pose a risk to the health of your family. Stop using your system immediately and call Mr. Rooter’s emergency plumbing service.

Do I Need Drain Replacement If I Have Orangeburg Pipes?

Without question, the answer is yes—if you still have Orangeburg pipes installed, it's absolutely necessary to get drain replacement. Toronto homes that were built between the 1940s and 1970s had these types of sewer lines installed, which are called Orangeburg pipes because they originated in Orangeburg, New Jersey. They are essentially made of wood fibers that have been impregnated with coal tar, and the reason they stopped being used is that they aren't durable and tend to break down much faster than other types of piping material.

Orangeburg pipes are only meant to last 50 years at a maximum, and it's been about 50 years since plumbers stopped installing them. That means if you still have them in place, they need to go before they cause a serious problem—if they haven't already. They're already at their maximum life expectancy and may be well beyond that if they were installed prior to the 1970s, so they may already be leaking underground or causing other severe issues that need to be corrected with Toronto drain replacement.

What Caused the Problem That Requires Drain Replacement in Toronto?

There are several potential reasons why your plumbing system may be exhibiting signs that you need drain replacement, such as a broken or cracked drain line, and our plumbers won't know exactly what caused the issue with your wastewater disposal system until we've had the opportunity to inspect it thoroughly in person and come up with a diagnosis. That being said, the majority of Toronto drain replacement problems are caused by intense pressure, whether it's coming from the water inside the drain line or it's an external problem from the soil surrounding the buried pipe. Possible causes include:

  • Severely clogged drains caused by a buildup of stuff such as food scraps, paper towels, hair clumps, hygiene products and other items that really don't belong in drain lines
  • Tree roots have found their way into the pipe and grown rapidly, cutting off the flow of wastewater
  • Vibration caused by seismic activity or heavy construction
  • Soil shifting over the years from landscaping changes or settling of the building
  • Wastewater lines have passed their prime and are deteriorated

Is Drain Replacement Covered By My Home Insurance?

That's a good question to ask because there's no sense in paying out of pocket for something that is covered by your homeowner's insurance—that's why you have it, after all. In past years, coverage for plumbing projects such as Toronto drain replacement was never included on a standard home insurance policy. Instead, it had to be added to the policy as a separate endorsement. That's often still the case, but some insurance companies do include coverage for drain replacement on a standard policy that may or may not be subjected to special limits.

If you're not sure exactly how your homeowner's insurance policy is written, the best course of action is to contact your insurance representative and find out exactly what you can expect in terms of insurance compensation for issues like drain replacement in Toronto. If you have coverage, you should document the problem with photos or video, if possible, and make sure to keep your receipts from any plumbing services so you can file a claim with your insurance provider.

Do I Need a Plumbing Permit for a Toronto Drain Replacement?

For bigger plumbing projects like drain replacement, Toronto does require a stand-alone plumbing and drain permit. However, that's not something homeowners or business owners need to concern themselves about when our qualified plumbers are on the job. We've completed dozens of Toronto drain replacement projects over the years, so we know precisely which permits are necessary, and we will obtain them before we begin work to make sure everything is in full compliance with municipal and provincial regulations. We value a safe workplace and want to make sure the results of our work serve your household well for many years to come.

How Long Do Wastewater Lines Last Before They Need to Drain Replacement?

The answer to this will vary based on the type of material your lines are made from. If you have cast iron pipes, you can expect them to last around 75 to 100 years. Clay, cement, or PVC pipes may be able to hang on for up to 100 years as well, though they often don't make it to that finish line before they need drain replacement. Toronto residents should be aware, however, that Orangeburg pipes can only be expected to last 50 years—sometimes less—before it will be necessary to look into services for drain replacement. Remember that wastewater disposal lines can be struck down by unexpected sudden damage from shovel impacts, seismic activity, heavy vibrations from construction, and other causes, and of course, that sort of wastewater line damage will drastically shorten their serviceable years.

Is Trenchless Drain Replacement Always the Best Choice?

In most cases, trenchless methods are the fastest, non-destructive, effective, and long-lasting way to take care of plumbing projects like drain replacement in Toronto. Every homeowner should be aware, though, that there are a few specific situations where trenchless techniques are simply not possible. It's important to keep in mind that trenchless methods of drain replacement, such as hydraulic bursting, rely on the fact that there's already a gap in the soil that can be utilized because a trench was dug for the original installation when the plumbing system was first put in while the house was being constructed. But if that trench is no longer there or wasn't dug properly in the first place, there's no space available to use, and the trench will have to be dug again.

Another reason why trenchless drain replacement may not be a viable option is if the initial sewer line installation was not done correctly and the trench doesn't have an adequate slope to keep the wastewater moving away from your house. Of course, we all know water flows downhill, so a drain line trench needs to be dug with a steep enough slope to keep wastewater flowing, or it'll just sit there and can cause nasty problems like sewer backups. If the trench wasn't oriented correctly when it was first dug, or the soil has shifted to the point where the slope is no longer sufficient, trenchless drain replacement won't solve the issue because the trench itself is the problem, not the pipe. In that situation, it's necessary to dig the trench again and correct the slope issue.

How Long Does It Take for Drain Replacement in Toronto?

That does depend on a number of factors, such as whether the replacement can be done with trenchless methods. For trenchless drain replacement, Toronto property owners can rest assured that our methods are much faster than traditional methods that involve digging a trench, and the project can typically be completed within two to three business days.

Does Your Plumbing Need A Drain Replacement? Toronto Can Depend On Mr. Rooter Plumbing!

Are you searching for the right team of licensed plumbers to handle efficient, effective services like drain replacement in Toronto? Homeowners and business owners can rely on the plumbing professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto to provide outstanding service and customer care that goes above and beyond. We have the skill and experience to take care of your entire plumbing system, from the water supply main to the sewer disposal line.

Get in contact with our friendly customer service staff today to find out more about our reliable services in Toronto and the GTA, including East York.

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