New Year Plumbing Resolutions Toronto 2025: 10 Goals for a Leak-Free Home

Schedule an Annual Plumbing Inspection

Think of a plumbing inspection like a physical for your home. A licensed plumber checks water pressure, inspects visible pipes for corrosion, tests shut-off valves, examines water heater condition, and identifies potential problems before they become emergencies.

Cost: $150-$250 for a comprehensive inspection
Time: 1-2 hours
Best timing: Fall (October-November) before winter freeze risk

During my inspections, I commonly find issues homeowners never knew existed: small leaks behind walls, corroding water heater anodes, stuck shut-off valves, and early signs of sewer line problems. Catching these early saves thousands compared to emergency repairs.

Learn Your Shut-Off Valve Locations

In a plumbing emergency, every minute counts. Knowing exactly where your main water shut-off valve is located can mean the difference between minor water damage and a flooded basement.

Your home has three critical shut-off points:

• Main shut-off valve: Usually in the basement near the front wall where the water line enters
• Curb stop valve: Near the street, requires a special key (consider buying one for $15-$20)
• Individual fixture shut-offs: Under sinks, behind toilets, behind washing machine

Test your main shut-off valve now. Turn it off and on a few times to ensure it works and hasn't seized. If it's stuck or leaking, call a plumber to replace it before you actually need it in an emergency.

Install a Backwater Valve

Toronto's aging sewer infrastructure and increasingly severe storms create real basement flooding risk. A backwater valve automatically closes when sewage tries to back up into your home, preventing devastating damage.

Why this is essential for Toronto homes:

• Average sewer backup cleanup costs $30,000-$100,000
• Toronto offers rebates up to $3,400 through the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
• Many insurance policies now require backwater valves for sewer backup coverage
• Installation takes 1 day and costs $2,500-$4,000

If you don't have a backwater valve, make 2025 the year you protect your basement. Call (647) 554-4356 to schedule an assessment and learn about City rebates.

Fix All Dripping Faucets

That annoying drip isn't just wasting water - it's costing you money and potentially damaging fixtures. A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year.

The math:

• One dripping faucet = ~20 gallons/day wasted
• Annual water cost: $50-$100 per dripping faucet
• Repair cost: $75-$150 (or $20-$40 DIY for washer replacement)
• Payback: Usually within 6 months

Most drips are caused by worn washers, O-rings, or cartridges - inexpensive parts that any homeowner can replace with basic tools. If DIY isn't your thing, a plumber can fix most faucet drips in under 30 minutes.

Test Your Sump Pump Quarterly

Your sump pump is your basement's last line of defense against flooding. Yet most homeowners never test it until a storm hits and it fails.

Quarterly testing takes 5 minutes:

1. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit
2. The pump should activate automatically when water rises
3. Listen for unusual sounds (grinding, rattling)
4. Verify water discharges properly outside
5. Check that the backup battery (if you have one) is charged

Best testing schedule: March (spring thaw), June (before summer storms), September (before fall rains), December (before winter freeze).

Flush Your Water Heater Annually

Sediment buildup in your water heater reduces efficiency, shortens its lifespan, and can cause rumbling noises. An annual flush keeps it running efficiently and can extend its life by 3-5 years.

Signs your water heater needs attention:

• Rumbling or popping noises when heating
• Rusty or discolored hot water
• Taking longer to heat water
• Water not as hot as it used to be
• Visible rust or corrosion on tank exterior

While you can flush a water heater yourself, consider having a plumber do it during your annual inspection. They can also check the anode rod (sacrificial rod that prevents tank corrosion) and T&P valve for proper operation.

Upgrade to Water-Saving Fixtures

If your toilets, showerheads, or faucets are more than 20 years old, upgrading to WaterSense-certified fixtures can reduce your water bill significantly while helping the environment.

Potential annual savings:

• Low-flow toilets: Save 13,000+ gallons/year per toilet
• Efficient showerheads: Save 2,700 gallons/year
• Faucet aerators: Reduce flow by 30% for $5-$10 each

Toronto families typically save $200-$400 annually with water-efficient fixtures. The fixtures pay for themselves within 1-2 years, then continue saving money for decades.

Create a Plumbing Emergency Kit

When a pipe bursts at 2 AM, you don't want to be searching for supplies. Assemble a plumbing emergency kit and store it somewhere accessible.

Essential items ($50-$100 total):

• Pipe repair clamps (various sizes)
• Plumber's tape (Teflon tape)
• Plumber's putty
• Adjustable wrench
• Plunger (one for sinks, one for toilets)
• Bucket and old towels
• Flashlight with fresh batteries
• Emergency plumber's phone number (Water Pro: 647-554-4356)

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most common and expensive winter plumbing emergencies in Toronto. Insulating exposed pipes in your basement, garage, and crawl spaces is a simple weekend project that prevents disaster.

High-risk areas for Toronto homes:

• Pipes on exterior walls
• Pipes in unheated garages
• Pipes in crawl spaces
• Pipes near windows or vents
• Outdoor hose bibs (disconnect hoses before freeze)

Cost: Foam pipe insulation costs $2-$5 per 6-foot section. A typical home needs $20-$50 in materials. Compare that to $500-$3,000+ for burst pipe repairs.

Build a Plumbing Maintenance Fund

Every plumbing system eventually needs repairs or replacements. Building a dedicated maintenance fund prevents financial stress when those needs arise.

Recommended savings targets:

• Minimum: $500 emergency fund
• Goal: $2,000-$3,000 for major repairs
• Ideal: $5,000+ for water heater replacement, sewer repairs, or pipe repiping

Suggested approach: Set aside $50-$100 per month into a dedicated home maintenance account. In 2-3 years, you'll have enough to handle most plumbing repairs without going into debt or delaying critical fixes.