Homes and streets in Thornhill (Markham side)
Thornhill is split between Markham and Vaughan along Yonge Street. The Markham side lies east of Yonge, between Steeles Avenue and Highway 7, and includes the Old Thornhill heritage area with houses that pre-date the twentieth century, alongside large swathes of bungalows, side-splits and two-storey homes from the post-war decades.
Many of those post-war houses have had their kitchens and bathrooms redone, but the bones of the plumbing often remain: cast iron stacks, galvanized or early copper supply lines, clay or early plastic laterals and basements that were never designed to be dry living space.
Plumbing problems we see there
- Basement dampness or seepage in houses without a sump pit.
- Galvanized lines with reduced flow, rust-coloured water and leaks at threaded joints.
- Ageing water service pipes between the curb and the house, sometimes still original.
- Cast iron drains with cracks or scale, leading to slow drains and odours.
- Floor drains with dry traps that let sewer smells into the basement.
Seasonal concerns
Spring is the testing time here, when snowmelt and rain push groundwater toward older foundations that were never fitted with drainage tile. Winter cold reaches pipes in crawlspaces and along uninsulated exterior walls in side-split homes. Mature trees, while a big part of the area's charm, are steady sources of roots in old laterals.
Services most requested
Sump pump installation often comes up when owners finish a basement in an older home and want protection against groundwater. Water service line repair is another frequent request, as original service pipes reach the end of their useful life. If your basement has a lingering odour, our guide to getting rid of smelly drains explains dry traps, vents and biofilm.
Calling us from Thornhill (Markham side)
When you call, tell us whether the house is in the heritage area, what the basement is used for, and whether you have noticed rust-coloured water or weak pressure. Those clues help us decide what to check first. We also serve neighbouring Grandview, where houses were built in a similar era and share many of the same issues.
Older homes in this part of Thornhill sometimes still have a lead or galvanized water service from the curb. If you are curious about yours, a simple look at the pipe as it enters the basement is a good start, and we can confirm it when we visit.
For a house with decades of changes, we start by understanding what is already there. Sometimes that means tracing a supply line through the basement ceiling or locating an old cleanout under a later floor. Phone (365) 414-5810 and we will take it from there.
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
Should I replace galvanized pipes in my Thornhill home?
If you have rust-coloured water, low pressure or leaks at threaded joints, replacing galvanized lines usually makes sense. We can look at how much remains and plan the replacement in stages if that suits your budget.
How do I know if my water service pipe is old?
Look where the pipe enters the basement before the meter. Threaded grey steel suggests galvanized, while a soft, dull grey pipe could be lead. If you are unsure, we can identify it during a visit.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.