Cliffcrest checklist
- 1Sewer laterallook for roots at the clay joints under the front lawn
- 2Cleanout accessfind or install a cleanout on the main drain
- 3Floor draincheck for cracks and backups
- 4Supply linesnote any galvanized remaining in walls
- 5Basement suitesreview drainage for added bathrooms
01Roots and laterals
Cliffcrest streets were laid out with generous boulevards and the maples have had seventy years to grow. Feeder roots creep through every bell joint on the old clay lateral and pack it solid. The first sign is a slow toilet or a gurgling floor drain; the second is a backup. We clear the roots with a cutting head and camera the line to see how bad the joints are.
Lining or replacing the worst stretch is often the long-term answer.
| Typical housing | 1950s and 1960s bungalows and side-splits |
|---|---|
| Biggest issue | Tree roots in clay sewer laterals |
| Nearby | Bluffer's Park, Kingston Road, Midland and Brimley |
02Bungalow basements
Many homes here have finished basements with added bathrooms. Some were done with permits and some were not. When we work on one, we check that the drains are properly vented and that a toilet below the main sewer has an ejector pump.
03Cold rooms and pipes
The cold room under the front porch is a classic feature of these bungalows. Pipes running through it can freeze; we reroute them when needed.
04Common calls
Root clearing, floor drain repair, toilet replacement.