Homes and streets in Buttonville
Buttonville sits in west Markham near Woodbine Avenue and 16th Avenue. The original hamlet dates to the nineteenth century, and a few older houses still stand along the historic streets. Around it, residential pockets were built from the 1970s onward, many on generous lots with mature trees. The former Buttonville airport lands nearby are being redeveloped, so the area is changing.
That spread of ages means plumbing varies widely from house to house. A century-old home may have been replumbed in stages, while a 1980s house on a big lot may still have its original water heater location, long supply runs and a lateral shaded by large trees.
Plumbing problems we see there
- Gas water heaters in older venting arrangements that need checking at replacement time.
- Long drain laterals on larger lots, where tree roots have had decades to find a joint.
- Mixed materials in older homes, with copper joined to galvanized or older plastic.
- Basement water during heavy storms, especially on lower-lying properties.
- Outdoor taps and irrigation lines left charged into the first frost.
Older houses deserve a gentle hand. We take time to understand how a system was changed over the years before cutting into anything.
Seasonal concerns
Mature trees are lovely in summer and demanding underground. Root growth in late spring and summer tends to show up later as slow drains. Autumn leaves fill eavestroughs and window wells, adding water near foundations. In winter, larger houses with long runs to outdoor taps or garages are more exposed to freezing.
Services most requested
Gas water heater replacement is one of the most frequent jobs here, given the number of homes with ageing tanks. Backwater valve installation is another, often after a storm has reminded a household what a sewer backup looks like. If your water bill has crept upward with no obvious cause, our guide on using your water meter to find a leak is a good first step.
Calling us from Buttonville
When you call, tell us the approximate age of the house, whether it has been renovated, and if you know what the main line is made of. For heritage-listed properties, mention any restrictions you are aware of, since exterior changes such as new vent terminations may need to respect them. We also work in nearby Victoria Square, another community with deep roots in Markham's past.
Large lots also mean long distances between fixtures. A shower at the far end of the house may wait a while for hot water, and an outdoor kitchen or pool house may have its own supply line that nobody has looked at in years. Mention these extras when you call so we can plan the visit properly.
Our number is (365) 414-5810, and we are glad to talk through a problem before you decide on a visit.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
Does my older Buttonville home need a backwater valve?
If the basement has fixtures and the house connects to the municipal sewer, a backwater valve is worth considering. The City of Markham has offered subsidy programmes for them in the past; check what is currently available.
Why do roots keep returning in my sewer line?
Clearing removes roots but not the gap they came through. Until the joint is repaired or lined, they will grow back, usually within a season or two.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.