Home Buyer Plumbing Inspection Toronto 2025: What to Check Before Closing

Why a Plumbing Inspection Matters for Home Buyers

Standard home inspections cover plumbing, but often superficially—running faucets, flushing toilets, checking for visible leaks. They don't assess pipe condition inside walls, sewer line health, or remaining lifespan of the system.

A dedicated plumbing inspection goes deeper, revealing problems that could cost you thousands after closing:

The $300-$600 inspection fee is minimal insurance against these major expenses.

What a Plumbing Inspection Covers

1. Water Supply System

Pipe Material Identification:

• Copper (good): Durable, 50+ year lifespan if water chemistry is favorable
• PEX (good): Modern, flexible, freeze-resistant
• Galvanized steel (concern): Corrodes from inside, common in pre-1970 homes. Lifespan 40-50 years—many are now failing
• Polybutylene (major concern): Used 1978-1995, prone to catastrophic failure. Replacement recommended
• Lead (critical concern): Health hazard, especially in service lines (street to house)

Water Pressure Test: Should be 40-80 PSI. Low pressure (under 40) indicates supply problems; high pressure (over 80) stresses fixtures and can cause leaks—needs pressure regulator.

Shut-Off Valves: Every fixture and the main shutoff should operate smoothly. Stuck valves are a problem during emergencies.

2. Drain and Sewer System

Drain Flow Test: Running multiple fixtures simultaneously reveals slow drains or vent problems (gurgling sounds).

Sewer Camera Inspection: A camera snaked through the main cleanout reveals the sewer line's true condition—roots, cracks, bellies, offsets. This is the most valuable single test for older homes.

Cleanout Location: Verify the home has accessible sewer cleanouts. Some older Toronto homes lack them—adding one costs $500-$1,000.

3. Water Heater Assessment

• Age: Decode serial number for manufacturing date
• Condition: Rust, corrosion, leaks around base
• Anode rod: Should be checked (protects tank from corrosion)
• Safety: Pressure relief valve, proper venting (gas units)
• Capacity: Adequate for home size (40-50 gallons typical)

4. Fixture Condition

All faucets, toilets, showers, and tubs are operated and checked for leaks, proper function, and age-related wear. While fixtures are relatively inexpensive to replace, numerous failing fixtures suggest deferred maintenance throughout the home.

Sewer Camera Inspection: Essential for Older Homes

We strongly recommend sewer camera inspection for any Toronto home built before 2000. Here's what the camera reveals:

Common Problems Found

• Root intrusion: Tree roots entering through joints or cracks—very common with Toronto's mature trees
• Bellied sections: Low spots where debris accumulates, causing repeated backups
• Offset joints: Misaligned pipe sections from ground movement
• Cracks and fractures: Age-related deterioration of clay, concrete, or cast iron
• Orangeburg pipe: Tar-paper pipes used 1940s-1970s, now collapsing
• Previous repairs: Quality of past work, potential problem areas

Interpretation and Negotiation

Red Flags by Home Age

Pre-1955 Homes

• Lead water service line: Check at meter—City of Toronto has lead pipe map
• Galvanized steel pipes: Likely failing or failed
• Clay sewer lines: Prone to root intrusion and breakage
• Cast iron drains: May be corroding internally

Expected costs if full updates needed: $20,000-$50,000

1955-1975 Homes

• Galvanized pipes: 50-70 years old—replacement due
• Copper with solder: Check for lead solder (banned 1986)
• Cast iron stack: May be developing cracks/scale
• Outdated water heater: Often original, definitely needs replacement

Expected costs: $10,000-$30,000 for repiping and updates

1975-1995 Homes

• Polybutylene pipes: If present, budget for full replacement
• Mixed materials: Often renovated with various pipe types
• ABS drains: Generally good condition unless improperly installed

Expected costs: $5,000-$15,000 if polybutylene present

1995-2010 Homes

• PEX or copper: Generally good materials
• Water heater age: May need replacement soon
• Sewer line: Usually PVC, less concern for roots/cracks

Expected costs: $2,000-$5,000 for water heater and minor updates

Post-2010 Homes

Modern code-compliant plumbing with PEX and PVC. Minimal concerns unless defects exist. Focus on water heater condition and warranty transfer.

Lead Pipes: Critical Check for Toronto Homes

Toronto has an estimated 30,000+ lead water service lines remaining—mostly in homes built before 1955. Lead is a serious health hazard, especially for children.

How to Check

• Look at the service line: Where the water line enters the house (usually basement). Lead is dull gray, soft (scratches easily with a key), and doesn't ring when tapped
• City records: Toronto maintains a lead pipe map—check your potential home's address
• Water test: Get a water test for lead ($50-$100)

Replacement Options

Full replacement: $5,000-$15,000 depending on length and access. City of Toronto offers partial cost coverage through the Lead Pipe Replacement Program.

Negotiation: Lead pipes are a significant negotiating point. Request seller credit of $5,000-$10,000 or full replacement before closing.

Using Inspection Results to Negotiate

Strategy 1: Request Repairs Before Closing

For significant issues (sewer line problems, water heater failure), request the seller complete repairs before closing. Advantages:

• Work is done before you own the problem
• Seller pays directly—no reduction in your mortgage
• You can verify quality before closing

Risk: Seller may choose cheapest option; specify minimum requirements in the agreement.

Strategy 2: Price Reduction

Request reduction equal to estimated repair costs. Advantages:

• You choose the contractor
• You control timing and scope
• May be more acceptable to seller

Risk: Reduces your down payment/increases mortgage slightly.

Strategy 3: Closing Cost Credit

Seller provides credit toward closing costs. You use savings for repairs after closing. Similar to price reduction but structured differently.

What's Reasonable to Request

• Safety issues: Water heater venting, lead pipes—reasonable to request full correction
• Major systems: Sewer line, repiping—reasonable to request 50-100% of estimated cost
• Deferred maintenance: Worn fixtures, minor issues—often as-is, but reasonable to request some credit
• Normal wear: 10-year-old water heater—not typically negotiable unless failing

Walk-Away Situations

Sometimes the right decision is to walk away from a property. Consider this if:

• Total plumbing updates exceed $30,000: Lead service + galvanized repipe + sewer line = deal breaker for many buyers
• Seller won't negotiate on critical issues: Unwillingness to address safety concerns is a red flag about disclosure in general
• Multiple major systems failing: Plumbing problems often accompany electrical, HVAC, and structural issues in neglected homes
• Scope exceeds your budget/tolerance: Major renovations aren't for everyone—be honest with yourself

Your inspection conditions in the offer protect you. Use them.