Most Common Plumbing Problems

Common plumbing problems often start with a drip, a slow drain or a toilet that keeps running. The useful question is whether the fault affects one fixture or the whole home. That helps you explain the problem and decide how urgently to get help.

For Toronto and GTA homes, check accessible plumbing regularly, especially in basements and rooms with outside walls. First, learn where the main water shut-off is. Keep the route clear, and tell other household members where to find it.

Ten common plumbing problems to watch for

1. Dripping taps

A dripping tap may have a worn washer, seal or cartridge. However, the right repair depends on the fixture. Check beneath the sink as well as around the spout. A leak inside the cabinet can damage the base before you notice water on the floor.

2. A toilet that keeps running

Listen for water flowing after the tank should have filled. A faulty flapper or fill valve may be responsible. Avoid bending parts or forcing the handle. If the noise returns, arrange a repair rather than repeatedly adjusting the toilet without finding the cause.

3. A blocked toilet

Stop flushing if the bowl rises. Keep people away from overflow and use the fixture’s shut-off valve if you can reach it safely. When other drains also back up, stop using water and call a plumber; the blockage may extend beyond the toilet.

4. Slow sinks and showers

Hair, soap residue and grease can restrict a drain. Remove accessible debris from a strainer, but do not combine drain chemicals or add a second product after the first fails. Tell the plumber about anything already poured into the drain.

The City’s guide to what not to flush or pour down the drain explains how everyday disposal habits affect household pipes and Toronto’s sewer system.

5. Leaking pipes

Look for damp joints, stained ceilings and swollen cabinet panels. If a pipe is actively leaking, shut off its supply when safe. Then arrange the repair and assess nearby materials. Water leak detection can help investigate a source that is not visible.

6. Low water pressure

Compare several taps. One weak fixture may have a local restriction, while a sudden change throughout the house needs a broader check. Ask whether neighbours are affected and check for a municipal service notice. Do not adjust pressure equipment without understanding the cause.

7. Frozen pipes

Little or no flow during cold weather may signal a frozen line. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw pipes. A split can begin leaking as the ice melts. Get advice promptly, and review our frozen-pipe prevention guide before the next cold spell.

8. Water heater trouble

No hot water, unusual sounds or moisture around the tank deserve attention. Leave gas connections, electrical faults and safety valves to qualified tradespeople. If you smell gas, leave the building and contact the gas emergency service from outside.

9. Sewage backing up

Wastewater rising through a floor drain needs prompt assessment. Keep children and pets away, stop using fixtures and avoid contact with contaminated water. Plumbing work addresses the blockage; sewage cleanup addresses affected rooms and materials.

10. Unexplained dampness

A musty cabinet or recurring stain may come from a leak, condensation or another moisture source. Note when it appears and take photos from a safe area. Once the source is fixed, wet flooring and wall cavities may still need moisture checks and drying.

When plumbing problems need urgent help

Call for help with an uncontrolled leak, sewage backup or water near electrical equipment. Stay out of unsafe areas. For emergency plumbing in Toronto and the GTA, call 416-800-0000 and describe the source, affected rooms and any access concerns.