Housing at a glance: Aurora
- Typical eras
- Historic downtown, 1970s to 2000s subdivisions, newer estates
- Common pipe
- Cast iron and galvanized downtown; copper, ABS and PEX elsewhere
- Watch for
- Sump pumps, frozen discharge lines, older drains downtown
Groundwater and sumps
- Parts of Aurora sit on the same water-bearing moraine soils as Oak Ridges. Sump pumps there can run for weeks in spring. Pumps that run that hard wear out sooner, so testing in March and replacing on age rather than on failure makes sense.
- Discharge lines that freeze in winter are a recurring call. The outdoor end needs to slope away and drain completely between cycles.
Downtown homes
- Many older Aurora homes off Yonge and Wellington keep cast iron drain stacks, threaded galvanized supply lines and vitrified clay laterals out to the street. Renovations here usually turn up at least one surprise inside a wall. Root intrusion in the main is common under the tree-lined streets.
- We camera the lateral before recommending repair or replacement.
What we check in these homes
- Sump pump age and spring test
- Frozen discharge lines
- Cast iron and clay downtown
- Poly-B in some subdivision homes
- Backup pump for finished basements
Subdivisions
- Subdivisions from the 1980s through 2000s have middle-aged plumbing: water heaters, shower valves, toilet parts, sump pumps on their second round. Finished basements are common, so backup pumps and backwater valves are worth considering.
- A few houses from around 1988 to 1993 may still carry poly-B supply.
Getting there
- Aurora is a short drive up Yonge or Bayview from Richmond Hill. The Town of Aurora has its own building department and water services.
- We serve Aurora regularly and know the local permit process.
Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.
Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.