Oshawa at a glance
- Region
- Durham Region, Ontario
- First things we check
- Main shut-off, floor drain, cleanout, water heater age
- Pipe we usually open
- Copper supply; ABS or cast iron drains; clay or PVC laterals by era
Have these ready
- The main water shut-off, usually by the meter
- A clear path to the floor drain and any cleanout
- The water heater label, for age and size
The older city
Oshawa grew quickly through the twentieth century around the automotive industry. Neighbourhoods near downtown, along Simcoe Street and King Street, and in the area around the old General Motors lands contain houses from the early 1900s through the postwar years. Many have been updated more than once, but older plumbing still lurks.
What we find in older Oshawa homes
- Galvanized supply lines restricting pressure.
- Possible lead service lines in very old homes, which the city has addressed through replacement programs at various times.
- Cast iron stacks and clay laterals.
- Low basement ceilings and tight crawlspaces.
- Patchwork past repairs that need tidying.
Postwar and newer areas
Further from the core, Oshawa's postwar and later subdivisions have the same copper, ABS and sump pit systems we see in Whitby. North Oshawa is newer still and covered separately.
Our approach
In older homes, we take time to understand the whole system before making a repair. A leak at a galvanized joint may be a sign of wider deterioration, and repairing one spot can disturb another. We explain the options and let you decide between a targeted repair and a broader update.
Drains and laterals
Clay laterals under mature street trees are common in older parts of the city. Roots and settlement lead to repeat clogs. Start with a camera, not a guess.
Nearby districts
North Oshawa and Courtice are close by. See repiping and sewer camera inspection.
