Does my Leslieville home have a lead water pipe?

Many homes constructed prior to the mid 1950’s still have one. This will include the majority of houses in Leslieville. Call 311 to check City records, or have a licensed plumber check the pipe at your water meter. Toronto Water offers free lead testing for drinking water.

How does the City replace its side of a lead pipe?

You start by replacing your side, or promising to do so. After that, you submit an application to the Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program with your contractor’s invoice. The goal is for the City to replace its side within 12 weeks from the date of acceptance. Toronto Public Health recommends replacing both sides. Partial replacement increases lead levels temporarily.

How much does Toronto pay toward basement flooding protection?

Toronto provides up to $6,650 per property in subsidy for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program where work has been performed since November 12, 2025. Up to 80 percent of the invoice for each item is subsidized, up to the limit per item. The limits are as follows: $500 for a home plumbing assessment, $1,600 per backwater valve for up to two valves, $2,250 for a sump pump, $300 for battery backup and $400 for weeping tile severance and capping. Applications should be submitted within two years from the date of the work.

Why does my basement floor drain back up during heavy rain?

Leslieville is served by a combined sewer system. When it rains heavily, the sewer overloads and pushes the water towards the lowest drain point inside the house. This is normally the floor drain in the basement. The backwater valve prevents the overflow of the water. Don’t flush or use any fixtures with the valve closed.

Do I need a permit for a backwater valve in Toronto?

Yes. It is mandatory to have a building permit for every backwater valve installation. The city’s inspector comes to examine the valve after its installation and hence should be kept open to view. The flood subsidy requires both the permit and the inspection.

Is there a buried creek under Leslieville?

Yes. The Leslie Creek used to start from the springs in Strathcona Avenue, flow down to Jones Avenue and end at Ashbridge’s Bay. It now runs underground. Local papers reported flooded cellars on Jones Avenue as far back as 1918. Homes along the old route need a working sump pump and clear weeping tiles.

Licensed Plumber in Leslieville

Leslieville Plumbers Who Know Old East End Houses

Everest Drain & Plumbing has been helping Toronto homes and businesses since 2013. The majority of the homes in Leslieville south of Queen were built in the late 1800s. Most homes north of Queen went up in the early 1900s.

Houses this old often hide lead water lines, cast iron stacks and clay sewer pipes. Our plumbing services Leslieville homeowners rely on cover all of them. We replace old pipes, clear drains, fix leaks and install flood protection.

306A Licensed

Non-Commissioned

Local Leslieville Team

Lead Water Service Replacement for Pre-1950s Leslieville Homes

Many homes in Toronto were constructed prior to the mid-1950s and may still contain a lead water service pipe. This applies to the majority of homes in Leslieville. The pipe from your property line to the house is your responsibility. The City owns the rest, out to the watermain.

Our plumbers confirm the pipe material at your water meter. We then replace your side with new copper using our lead pipe replacement service. Our invoice lets you apply to the City’s Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program. The City will work towards replacing its side within 12 weeks of approval.

Basement Flooding Protection and Toronto Subsidies in Leslieville

Most of Leslieville runs on combined sewers. One pipe carries both sewage and rain water. During a heavy rain, that pipe overflows and allows water to return to basements. A 2011 City study flagged two local trouble spots: Pape Avenue to Jones Avenue, and the blocks around Queen Street East and Logan Avenue.

We provide installation of backwater valves, sump pumps (battery backup) and weeping tile disconnections. Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy can cover up to $6,650 per property for this work. The City needs a licensed contractor and Everest has City licensed as T94-4306348.

Drain and Sewer Cleaning in Leslieville

Old cast iron and clay drains become narrow due to grease, scale and tree roots. We use an auger or high pressure jetting to clear them with our drain cleaning crew.

If the clog is recurring, a sewer camera inspection is done to determine the cause. We provide trenchless sewer repair, which requires minimal excavation in small front yards to replace broken sewer lines.

How Much Does a Plumber in Leslieville Cost?

Everest Drain & Plumbing charges a flat rate, not an hourly rate. All jobs begin with an on-site inspection. Price varies based on the repair, pipe material and access to the pipes. There is a fixed cost up front before any work is done. Flood protection work may be eligible for Toronto subsidies, and our invoices are detailed in the same format as requested by Toronto.

Why Neighbours in Leslieville Trust Everest Plumbing

Hard Jobs in Old Homes

Leslieville cottages and row houses hide tight crawl spaces and century-old pipes. We do the hard work that other crews refused to do and get it done right.

306A Licensed and WSIB Insured

All Everest technicians have a 306A licence from Skilled Trades Ontario. All our staff are insured and covered by WSIB.

City of Toronto Licensed Contractor

Everest holds City of Toronto plumbing contractor licence T94-4306348. This licence allows our flood protection work to qualify for City's Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy.

No Upselling

We repair what is necessary for your home. Before any work begins, you get one flat-rate price.

Talk Directly to a Plumber

No call centres. You talk to a licensed plumber, who tells you how to prevent the damage until our crew arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does my Leslieville home have a lead water pipe?
Many homes constructed prior to the mid 1950’s still have one. This will include the majority of houses in Leslieville. Call 311 to check City records, or have a licensed plumber check the pipe at your water meter. Toronto Water offers free lead testing for drinking water.
2. How does the City replace its side of a lead pipe?
You start by replacing your side, or promising to do so. After that, you submit an application to the Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program with your contractor’s invoice.
The goal is for the City to replace its side within 12 weeks from the date of acceptance. Toronto Public Health recommends replacing both sides. Partial replacement increases lead levels temporarily.
3. How much does Toronto pay toward basement flooding protection?
Toronto provides up to $6,650 per property in subsidy for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program where work has been performed since November 12, 2025. Up to 80 percent of the invoice for each item is subsidized, up to the limit per item.
The limits are as follows: $500 for a home plumbing assessment, $1,600 per backwater valve for up to two valves, $2,250 for a sump pump, $300 for battery backup and $400 for weeping tile severance and capping. Applications should be submitted within two years from the date of the work.
4. Why does my basement floor drain back up during heavy rain?
Leslieville is served by a combined sewer system. When it rains heavily, the sewer overloads and pushes the water towards the lowest drain point inside the house. This is normally the floor drain in the basement. The backwater valve prevents the overflow of the water. Don’t flush or use any fixtures with the valve closed.
5. Do I need a permit for a backwater valve in Toronto?
Yes. It is mandatory to have a building permit for every backwater valve installation. The city’s inspector comes to examine the valve after its installation and hence should be kept open to view. The flood subsidy requires both the permit and the inspection.
6. Is there a buried creek under Leslieville?
Yes. The Leslie Creek used to start from the springs in Strathcona Avenue, flow down to Jones Avenue and end at Ashbridge’s Bay. It now runs underground. Local papers reported flooded cellars on Jones Avenue as far back as 1918. Homes along the old route need a working sump pump and clear weeping tiles.

Your Local Plumber in Leslieville