Overview: Plumbers
Plumbers look after the water coming into your house and the waste going out. In Canada, winter drives a lot of that work. Pipes split in unheated crawl spaces and along cold outside walls, and an outdoor tap left full in the fall can burst inside the wall. You'd also call one for a water heater that's quit, a toilet that runs all night or weak pressure at one tap.
Who can do the work depends on the province. Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario and Alberta, so the person on the tools needs a trade certificate or has to be a registered apprentice. In Quebec, the company you hire must belong to the CMMTQ, the corporation of master pipe mechanics, and hold the right licence. Members mark their vans with its logo.
Older houses can hide one more job. Health Canada says lead was allowed in service pipes and solder for decades, so it turns up most in older neighbourhoods. In most communities, the municipality is responsible for part of that pipe and you're responsible for the rest. Replacing both sections at the same time is the clean fix.
Our listings show what each company states on its own website: hours, licence claims and whether estimates are free. Work down through the province and city lists to reach plumbers in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Could my older house still have a lead water pipe?
It could. Find the pipe that comes through the basement wall to your water meter. Health Canada describes lead as a soft, greyish-black metal that dents or scrapes easily with a knife. Until it's replaced, drink and cook with cold water only. Toronto owns the section up to the property line and leaves the rest to the homeowner, so ask your city about replacing both parts together.
Does a plumber need a licence or registration?
In Ontario and Alberta, the person doing the work needs a trade certificate or has to be a registered apprentice, because plumbing is a compulsory trade in both. Ask to see the certificate. In Quebec, the licence sits with the company, which must be a CMMTQ member holding the right licence subcategories. Gas work has its own rules, so ask separately about anyone touching a gas water heater.
What does my insurer expect if I'm away in winter?
Heat in the house and someone checking on it. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard policies cover burst-pipe damage when the pipes are in a heated part of the home and you took reasonable steps to keep the heat on. Most policies also want a competent person to check the house while you're gone, and your policy says how often. If it'll sit empty, shut off the water and drain the lines.
Should the outdoor tap be shut off before winter?
Yes, and take the hose off too. Close the indoor valve that feeds the tap, then open the outside tap so the line drains. A hose left attached traps water, and a frost-free tap can still split behind the siding that way. The damage often stays hidden until spring, when someone turns the tap on and the basement ceiling gets wet.
When is a water heater due for replacement?
Rusty hot water, a tank that weeps at the base, or rumbling as it heats all say it's near the end. A leaking tank can't be repaired. If yours is rented, read the contract's buyout and return terms before booking anyone. In Ontario, a gas water heater has to go in through a TSSA registered contractor, and the technician needs a gas certificate. Ask to see both.
