Split-level check
- 1Bathroom over garagecold floors and freezing pipes
- 2Drain routeslong runs between levels
- 3Ventingcomplex vent paths
- 4Outdoor tapson lower levels
- 5Laundryoften on the lowest level
01Bathroom over the garage
In many side-splits, a bathroom sits above the unheated garage. Pipes in the floor between can freeze in cold snaps. Insulating the garage ceiling and sealing air leaks helps; rerouting the pipes is sometimes needed.
This is one of the most common split-level calls in January.
| Common in | Guildwood, Agincourt and other sixties neighbourhoods |
|---|---|
| Freezing risk | Bathrooms over garages |
| Drain routes | Longer and more complex than a bungalow |
02Drain routes
Drains from upper levels travel through several floors to reach the building drain. Clogs can be harder to reach.
03Venting
Complex layouts can mean poor venting and slow drains. A plumber can assess.
04Laundry on the lowest level
Most split-levels put the laundry on the lowest floor, sometimes below the level of the sewer connection. If the washer drains into a laundry tub that has its own small pump, that pump needs attention every few years.
05Access tips
Split-levels often hide cleanouts behind panelling or in crawl areas under the upper levels. If you already know where it hides, mention it on the phone. If you do not, we will find it, and suggest adding an accessible one if needed.
06Hose bibs on two levels
Many side-splits have outdoor taps on both the upper and lower levels. Each needs its own winter shut-down, and the upper one, often fed through a cold wall over the garage, is the more likely to freeze.