Where is the main water shutoff?
Find it before you need it. The City of Toronto says the main valve is typically on the foundation wall where the drinking water pipe enters the home, just before the water meter (City of Toronto). Peel Region, which runs Mississauga's water, asks homeowners to operate their shutoff valve every 6 months and replace it if it breaks (Peel Region).
What if the main valve will not close?
Then the water has to be shut off at the street, and the city or region does that. In Toronto, 311 can shut the water off at the property line; the City charges a fee for it and someone must be home (City of Toronto). Mississauga, Markham and Ajax each have their own number and rules, on their city pages.
Whose pipe is leaking?
| Section of pipe | Owned by | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| The watermain to the property line | The City of Toronto | The City. Call 311. |
| The property line into the home, and every pipe inside | The property owner | The owner's plumber |
Source: City of Toronto, pipe leak or burst. The split is similar in the other cities; each city page quotes its own.
What will the request form ask about a leak?
| Question | The choices |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Ceiling · Under a sink · Toilet · Wall or floor · Basement · Outside tap |
| Is the water shut off? | Yes · No · Cannot find the shut-off |
Photos that help. The most useful are where the water is coming from, and any damage around it.
Do you do renovation and new construction plumbing?
Yes. Plumbing installations, renovations and new construction are part of the work, from supply lines and fixtures to the drain piping laid before a floor is poured. For a renovation, choose "A quote to replace or install" on the request form and add photos or drawings of the space. Toronto Building issues stand-alone plumbing permits for new fixtures and some piping; the fees are in the permits guide.
A frozen pipe?
Never thaw a pipe with a blowtorch or any open flame. The City of Toronto's safe methods, and how to stop it happening again, are in the burst or frozen pipe guide.
Jackman Mechanical prices each job directly with you; no prices are published on this site.