Glenway

Plumbing in Glenway

Glenway's winding crescents grew up around a former golf course in the west end. The houses are roomy, mostly from the late 1980s and 1990s, and their plumbing is reaching the age where parts begin to wear out.

We know the pipe behind the walls in Glenway
Drains, heaters, sump pits and leaks handled on one call
Floor protection and clean-up on every visit
Phone answered by a plumber, any hour

Homes and pipes in Glenway

Two-storey detached homes dominate here, often with a main bath, ensuite, powder room and a laundry room upstairs or on the main floor. Copper supply lines and ABS drains were standard when these were built. That is a durable combination, but by now the original fixtures, valves and water heaters have aged out. Many homes have a power-vented gas water heater that exhausts through the side wall, and some have already moved through their second tank.

Green space is a big part of the area, with the Glenway trails winding through the former course lands. Those slopes and low spots also mean some backyards drain toward the house, which puts extra work on sump pumps.

Pipe you will likely find in Glenway

Supply pipe: Type M copper, some Poly-B from the 1980s
Drain and stack: Cast iron in the stack, early ABS in later additions
Usual call: Pinhole leaks in copper, scaled kitchen arms, tired water heaters
First thing to check: Grey Poly-B fittings near the heater and laundry

Jobs we do most on these streets

Water heater trouble. Power-vent fans, igniters and pressure switches fail; see water heater repair.
Ensuite leaks. Second-floor showers and tubs that leak at the drain or valve show up as stains on the kitchen ceiling.
Sump and backup worries. Homeowners finishing basements here often ask about a backwater valve installation before the drywall goes up.
Toilets and fill valves. Thirty-year-old toilets running constantly, or rocking on a soft flange.

Freeze, thaw and storm calls here

In winter, snow drifting against the side of the house can block the intake or exhaust of a power-vented heater or high-efficiency furnace, shutting them down. Clear the vents after every big storm. Spring runoff tests the sump. Summer brings irrigation season and the leaks it reveals. Fall is the time to drain hose bibs and check that the sump discharge line is not pointed at a neighbour's yard. You can read more about planning a replacement in our guide to water heater lifespan.

Getting the van and tools to your door

Glenway sits in west Newmarket, between Yonge Street and Bathurst Street, a quick drive for us. Nearby Stonehaven-Wyndham has similar homes and similar issues. Call (365) 517-0623 with what you are seeing. We will tell you what is likely going on and what a visit will cost before we head over.

We know the layouts here well enough to guess where your shut-offs and cleanouts are, but we always check rather than assume. Every house has had a few owners and a few renovations by now.

If you have just bought here, consider a walk-through visit: we can label the main shut-off, check the sump, and note the age of the water heater and toilets. It turns a list of unknowns into a simple plan you can budget for over the next few years, instead of a string of surprises.

Asked on site

Does a power-vented water heater need maintenance?

Yes. Keep the vent clear of snow and debris, and have the fan, igniter and relief valve checked when the unit is serviced.

Is it worth adding a backwater valve here?

If you are finishing the basement, it is a good time. Check whether Newmarket currently offers a subsidy before you book.