Plumber in Cambridge, Ontario: Locally Owned and Operated Plumbing Team

It depends on where the problem is located, but you can start with a clear rule of thumb. The City of Cambridge says property owners are responsible for water and sewer piping from the property line all the way into the home, so issues on the private side are typically the homeowner's responsibility. The City also says that if you detect a sewer blockage at your property, you should call Public Works and that a crew will investigate after required clearances.

In most cases, if the backup is happening only at your home and not affecting your neighbors, the blockage is on your private lateral. If multiple homes on your street are affected, it's more likely a City main line issue. A plumber tip: if multiple drains are affected at once, treat it like a main line issue and avoid using sinks, tubs, toilets, and laundry until it is checked, because every gallon you send down the drain has nowhere to go and will come back up through the lowest opening, usually a basement floor drain or shower.

Yes, in many cases you do, and Cambridge is very direct about it for sewer blockage investigations. The City of Cambridge states that if you have a sewer blockage, the property owner must call Ontario One Call at 1(800) 400-2255 for a Sewer Safety Clearance, and there is no charge for this service. That clearance helps keep everyone safe around buried utilities. A plumber tip: call Ontario One Call as soon as you suspect a sewer issue, especially if you think any digging may be needed, because it keeps the job moving once your plumber has inspected and confirmed the repair approach.

Yes, that is a common winter symptom, especially during long cold snaps. The City of Cambridge notes that poorly insulated or shallow water services can freeze and you may notice reduced water pressure or no water at all. The City also instructs residents who suspect a frozen water service to call the City of Cambridge Environment Services Department so a licensed water operator can help, and it adds that if the freeze is on private property, the property owner will need to contact a plumber to have the service thawed. A plumber tip: avoid open flames on pipes; controlled heat and proper thawing methods protect your piping and reduce fire risk.

You can lower the risk a lot with a few practical steps. The City of Cambridge recommends turning off outdoor faucets and hose bibs in the basement and draining them before temperatures fall below freezing, and keeping areas with water lines above freezing with heaters or insulation. The City also notes that for a permanent correction, service lines should be lowered below frost depth and that new service lines are required to be buried at a minimum depth of 1.8 metres (6 feet). A plumber tip: identify and insulate any piping along exterior walls and in cold zones like a cold cellar, because those areas often freeze first.

You also face freeze-thaw cycles every winter that put pressure on your pipes. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can cause cracks that don't leak until the ice melts. Cambridge sits in the Grand River watershed, and older neighborhoods were built before modern frost-depth standards, which means many service lines were installed at depths that made sense in the 1940s and 50s but are now vulnerable during prolonged cold snaps. The City of Cambridge now requires new water service lines to be buried at a minimum depth of 1.8 metres (6 feet) to stay below the frost line, but homes built before that standard may still have shallow lines that freeze when temperatures stay below -15°C for several days. That's why we recommend having your plumbing inspected before winter and knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located.

Cambridge splits responsibility at the property line. The City of Cambridge states it owns and maintains the first section of the water pipe running from the watermain to the property line, and homeowners are responsible for maintaining the second section running from the property line into the house. That matters when you are trying to figure out who should be called for a leak or a frozen line. A plumber tip: if you notice water pooling in your basement near where the service enters, shut off your main valve at the water meter if you can, then call for service so the leak does not cause structural or mold issues.

Yes, and you should feel comfortable asking about it. Skilled Trades Ontario states that plumbing is a compulsory trade in Ontario, and to practice, a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, a Provisional Certificate of Qualification, or a Certificate of Qualification, and be listed on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register. Skilled Trades Ontario also sets plumber apprenticeship training at 9,000 hours total, including 8,280 hours on the job and 720 hours in school. A plumber tip: for anything involving drains, water lines, or water heaters, hire a qualified pro so the work is safe, code-compliant, and built to last.

It is possible in older areas of Cambridge, and it is worth checking if your home's age suggests it. The City of Cambridge explains that prior to the mid-1950s, lead was commonly used to build pipes that deliver water from the watermain into residential homes, and it runs a Lead Sampling Program under provincial requirements. The City notes the regulated limit is 10 parts per billion (ppb) and that results are provided to homeowners or occupants within 14 days of sample collection. A plumber tip: if you are concerned, contact the City to ask about testing and next steps.

Not every home needs the same setup, but many basements benefit from flood risk planning. The Grand River Conservation Authority recommends flood-preparedness steps, including installing a sump pump and "zero reverse flow valves" in basement floor drains. Those measures can help manage groundwater seepage and reduce the chance of water coming back through floor drains during heavy wet weather. A plumber tip: if you already have a sump pump, test it before spring and make sure the discharge line is clear and directed away from the foundation, because a working pump does not help if the water is sent right back toward the house.

No, it is a good idea to keep them out of your plumbing, even if the package says flushable. The City of Cambridge lists wipes and baby wipes and notes that even "flushable wipes can cause problems." In real homes, wipes tend to snag inside building drains and contribute to blockages that show up as slow drains, gurgling, or sewage backups. A plumber tip: treat your toilet like it is designed for toilet paper only, and put wipes in the garbage. If you already have repeated clogs, a camera inspection can help confirm whether the restriction is wipes, roots, grease, or a damaged section of pipe.

When you call with a plumbing issue, the first thing we do is listen and ask the right questions. How many drains are affected? When did you first notice the problem? Have you had this issue before? Those answers help us narrow down whether you're dealing with a single fixture clog, a main line blockage, or a venting issue.

Once we arrive, we start with a visual inspection and often use a sewer camera to see inside your pipes. The camera feeds live video as we guide it through your drain line, and you can watch with us. We're looking for specific signs: tree roots show up as white tendrils growing through pipe joints, grease buildup appears as a thick coating that narrows the pipe opening, and cracks or separations in clay pipe sections are visible as gaps or offsets in the pipe wall. If we find roots, we know they entered through a crack or joint and that the pipe integrity is compromised. If we see grease, we know the blockage is from what's been going down the drain, and hydro jetting can clear it. If we find a belly or sag in the line where water pools, we know that section may need repair or replacement because it will keep catching debris. That level of diagnosis matters because it tells you exactly what's wrong, what caused it, and what will actually fix it for the long term. You get options, upfront pricing, and a clear explanation before any work starts.

Cambridge's climate puts different demands on your plumbing throughout the year, and knowing what to watch for each season can help you avoid emergency repairs. In late fall, before the first hard freeze, turn off outdoor faucets at the indoor shut-off valve, open the outdoor tap to drain any remaining water, and disconnect hoses so water doesn't freeze in the hose bib and crack the pipe. Check that your sump pump is working and that the discharge line is clear, because fall rain and spring snowmelt both put pressure on basement drainage systems.

In winter, keep your home heated to at least 13°C even if you're away, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes. If you're leaving for an extended period, consider shutting off your main water supply and draining your lines, or have someone check your home regularly. In spring, watch for signs of leaks that may have developed during freeze-thaw cycles, and test your sump pump before the heavy rain season starts. In summer, be mindful of what goes down your drains, because hot weather accelerates grease buildup and increases the chance of clogs when combined with higher water usage from guests, gardening, and laundry. A little seasonal awareness goes a long way toward keeping your plumbing running smoothly year-round.

Some plumbing problems can wait for a scheduled appointment, but others need immediate attention to prevent serious damage or health risks. Call a plumber right away if you see sewage backing up from floor drains or toilets, because that means your main sewer line is blocked and continuing to use water will worsen the backup and spread contamination. Call immediately if you smell natural gas near your water heater or any gas appliance, and leave the house without turning on lights or creating sparks.

Call if you see water pooling around your water heater, because a failing tank can release 40 to 60 gallons suddenly and cause extensive water damage and mold growth. You should also call quickly if you have no hot water in winter, because frozen pipes can burst once they thaw, or if you hear water running inside walls when no fixtures are in use, because that usually means an active leak.

On the other hand, a slow drain in one sink, a toilet that runs after flushing, or a dripping faucet can usually be scheduled within a few days. If you're not sure whether your situation is urgent, call us and describe what you're seeing and hearing. We'll help you assess the risk and get you on the schedule that makes sense for your situation.

Heavy rain can overwhelm both your home's drainage system and the municipal sewer system, especially in older neighborhoods where sanitary sewers and storm sewers were sometimes connected or where groundwater can infiltrate cracked sewer pipes. When the ground becomes saturated, water can seep into your sewer lateral through cracks or failed joints, and that extra volume can cause backups.

Some older Cambridge homes also have foundation drains or downspouts that were illegally connected to the sanitary sewer years ago, and during heavy rain, those connections send large volumes of water into a pipe that was designed only for wastewater. The City of Cambridge and Region of Waterloo have been working to separate sanitary and storm systems, but many older areas still have combined systems. A plumber tip: if you get backups during or right after heavy rain, have a camera inspection done to check for cracks, root intrusion, or illegal connections, and consider installing a backwater valve to prevent sewage from flowing backward into your home during heavy flow events.