Tam O'Shanter checklist
- 1Cast-iron stackcheck for rust lines and weeping
- 2Clay lateralroots at joints under mature trees
- 3Galvanizedany remaining in walls or the basement
- 4Basement renovationdrains and venting for new bathrooms
- 5Main valvetest or replace
01Bungalow anatomy
A typical Tam O'Shanter bungalow has a cast-iron stack rising through the middle of the house, a cast-iron building drain under the basement floor, and a clay lateral to the street. Each part has done its job for over sixty years. The stack can rust through at the back, where you cannot see it. The building drain can rot along its bottom. The lateral can fill with roots.
A camera inspection sorts out which part is failing.
| Typical housing | 1950s and 1960s bungalows, some rebuilt |
|---|---|
| Typical issues | Stacks, laterals, galvanized supply |
| Nearby | Tam O'Shanter golf course, Sheppard Avenue, Kennedy Road |
02Rebuilds
Some lots have new custom homes. These have entirely new plumbing, but they connect to the same old city sewer.
03Basement renovations
We often see older renovations with poorly vented drains. Slow, gurgling drains in a finished basement are a clue.
04Planning a renovation
If you are opening walls, replace the galvanized and inspect the stack.
05Main valves
Original gate valves at the meter are common and often seized.