Who shuts the water off at the street in Toronto?
The City. If your main valve will not close, call 311 and the City will shut the water off at the property line. It charges a fee for this, staff arrive within two hours, and someone must be home (City of Toronto). Your own main valve is typically on the foundation wall where the water pipe enters the home, just before the meter, and closing it yourself is faster.
Whose pipe is it in Toronto?
| Section | Owner |
|---|---|
| Watermain to the property line | City of Toronto |
| Property line into the home | The property owner |
Source: City of Toronto. A leak on the owner's side, and every pipe inside, is a plumbing repair.
Could my Toronto home have a lead water pipe?
If it was built before the mid-1950s, it may. The City says those homes may have lead service pipes, recommends replacing the City's side and the owner's side at the same time, offers free lead testing, and gives a free faucet filter when it replaces its side (City of Toronto).
Does Toronto help pay for flood protection?
Yes. The Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program pays 80% of the invoice for eligible work done on or after November 12, 2025 (City of Toronto):
| Work | Up to |
|---|---|
| Backwater valve | $1,600 per device, at most two |
| Sump pump | $2,250, plus up to $300 for a battery backup |
| Pipe severance | $400 |
The City's conditions include a contractor holding a City of Toronto business licence, a building permit for a backwater valve, and an application within two years of the work. Read the City's page before work starts.
Do I need a permit for plumbing or heating work in Toronto?
Often. Toronto Building issues stand-alone permits for new fixtures, buried piping, backwater valves, backflow devices, and furnace or boiler replacement, with set 2026 fees. The permits guide has the table.
What about North York?
North York is part of the City of Toronto, so everything on this page applies there: 311, the same pipe ownership, the lead pipe program and the flooding subsidy. Toronto Building has a North York District office at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, first floor, and an in-person appointment about a property must be made in the district the property is in (City of Toronto).
What about no heat in a Toronto rental?
Landlords must keep rental units at 21°C or warmer from October 1 to May 15 (City of Toronto). The rental heat guide covers who calls whom.
What does Jackman Mechanical do in Toronto?
Everything on the homes and businesses pages: water heaters, leaks and plumbing repairs, drains, gas lines, furnaces and boilers, and the same trades for restaurants, shops and rental buildings. Jackman Mechanical prices each job directly with you; no prices are published on this site.