Toronto is the heart of our service area and where we handle the highest volume of calls. The city\'s housing stock spans over 150 years of construction — from Victorian-era homes in Cabbagetown and The Annex with original clay sewer laterals and lead water services, to early 1900s brick semi-detached homes in Leslieville, Riverdale, and the Danforth with cast iron stacks and galvanized supply lines, to post-war bungalows and apartments in the inner suburbs, and modern condominiums downtown. Each era brought different pipe materials, different drainage designs, and different failure patterns. Toronto\'s combined sewer system — where stormwater and sanitary sewage share the same pipes — covers a significant portion of the older city, making basement flooding during heavy rainfall a persistent risk for homes without backwater valves.
Toronto\'s plumbing infrastructure reflects its layered history. In older neighbourhoods like Cabbagetown, The Annex, High Park, and Roncesvalles, the original clay sewer laterals are 80 to 120 years old. These pipes were designed for much smaller households with far less water usage than modern families generate. The joints between clay pipe sections are where root intrusion begins — tree roots from Toronto\'s mature urban canopy find the joints, enter the pipe, and expand until they cause recurring blockages or complete failure. Annual camera inspections and hydro jetting are standard maintenance for homeowners in these areas.
Lead water service lines remain a concern in parts of Toronto built before 1955. If your home has never had the water service line replaced, there is a reasonable chance the pipe running from the city main under the street to your home\'s water meter is lead. The City of Toronto offers a lead pipe replacement program, and we handle the private-side replacement (from your property line to the meter) regularly.
Downtown Toronto\'s condo towers present different plumbing challenges — shared risers, limited access for repairs, and building management coordination requirements. We work with property managers and condo boards on both emergency calls and scheduled maintenance across multiple downtown buildings.
The Junction, Parkdale, and Liberty Village have experienced intense residential development over the past decade. New builds connecting to aging municipal sewer infrastructure can create capacity mismatches that show up as slow drains during peak hours or backups during storms. Camera inspection of the lateral before purchasing a home in these areas is strongly recommended.
Toronto\'s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program provides up to $3,400 per property for backwater valve installation (up to $1,250), sump pump installation (up to $1,750), and weeping tile disconnection. We are a City of Toronto licensed contractor experienced with the permit process, required inspections, and rebate paperwork.
Typical starting prices across the GTA. We quote after diagnosis so you know the price before work begins.
| Service | Starting from |
|---|---|
| Main drain snaking | $125 |
| Fixture drain cleaning | $145 |
| Hydro jetting | $315 |
| Camera inspection | $180 |
| Backwater valve (interior) | $1,440 |
| Sump pump installation | $720 |
| Battery backup sump pump | $1,080 |
| Sewer line repair | $2,250 |
| Burst pipe repair | $360 |
| Water heater repair | $180 |
| Tank water heater replacement | $1,080 |
| Tankless installation | $2,250 |
Emergency Plumbing
Drain & Sewer Services
Basement Waterproofing
Water Lines & Upgrades
“Serhiy and his crew replaced our entire main sewer line in a century home near High Park. They dug through the front yard, replaced the old clay with PVC, installed a backwater valve, and restored the landscaping. The whole job took three days and the result is excellent.”
— K.M., High Park (Google)
“Emergency call on a Sunday morning — sewage backing up through the basement floor drain during a heavy downpour. Tornado Plumbing arrived within two hours, cleared the main line, and did a camera inspection that showed root intrusion at three joints. Professional, fast, no price surprises.”
— A.L., Leslieville (Google)
“Had Tornado replace our lead water service line in Cabbagetown. They coordinated with Toronto Water, handled the permit, did the dig, made the new connection, and restored the front walkway. Water quality improvement was immediate.”
— S.W., Cabbagetown (HomeStars)
“We manage a 40-unit condo building downtown and use Tornado for all plumbing emergencies and scheduled maintenance. They understand the access requirements, communicate with our concierge, and always leave the common areas clean.”
— Property manager, King West (Google)
180+ five-star Google reviews. HomeStars Best of 2019-2025. BBB Accredited.
We dispatch from Etobicoke, so most of central Toronto is within 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. For emergencies, we prioritize same-day dispatch. Call 647-784-8448 for current availability.
Not necessarily. A camera inspection ($180-$400) shows the actual condition of each section. Many clay laterals have failed at specific joints while the rest remains functional. Targeted spot repairs are often more cost-effective than full replacement.
Yes. The City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program reimburses up to $1,250 for a backwater valve, up to $1,750 for a sump pump, and up to $3,400 total per property. We handle the permit, inspection, and paperwork.
Yes. We work with property managers and condo boards on both emergency calls and scheduled maintenance. We are experienced with high-rise plumbing systems and coordination requirements.
Main drain snaking starts from $125. Fixture drains start from $145. Hydro jetting starts from $315. Camera inspection starts from $180. We quote after diagnosis so you know the price before work begins.
Rain-related basement flooding in Toronto is almost always caused by sewer backflow through the floor drain when the combined sewer system is overwhelmed. The fix is a backwater valve and potentially a sump pump. Both qualify for the city\'s $3,400 rebate program.
Book online for scheduled service, or call (647) 784-8448 for emergencies. Licensed master plumber on every job.