Whether you're dealing with a clogged drain, planning a bathroom renovation, or facing a plumbing emergency, your local Mr. Rooter team has the expertise and equipment to handle it. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Markham, including Stouffville, Unionville, Buttonville, Angus Glen, Cathedraltown, Berczy Village, and surrounding areas, with the same commitment to quality workmanship and upfront pricing that has defined our service since 1970.
Our residential plumbing and commercial plumbing services in Markham include everything from routine plumbing maintenance to complex plumbing installations and emergency repairs. When you call, you speak with a licensed, insured plumber who treats your home with respect. We wear shoe covers, protect your floors, and clean up before leaving. We arrive on time, explain what's happening in plain language, and walk you through your options so you can make the best decision for your home and budget.
Drain Cleaning and Sewer Services
Slow drains and sewer backups don't happen overnight. They're the result of years of buildup. Grease, soap scum, hair, and mineral deposits can narrow your drain lines, causing water to move slowly or stop completely. In older Markham homes, tree roots infiltrate clay or cast-iron sewer lines through tiny cracks, forming major blockages that cause backups during heavy rain. Our drain cleaning services use video camera inspections to see what's happening inside your pipes, then clear the blockage with professional-grade tools like hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to scour pipes clean without damaging them. We also handle drain repair, sewer line repairs and replacements, including trenchless options that minimize disruption to your property.
When diagnosing a drain issue, we look at the pattern. If only one fixture drains slowly and the rest work fine, that usually points to a local clog in the fixture's trap or the branch line serving it.
If multiple fixtures on the same floor back up together, or if your basement floor drain backs up when you run upstairs fixtures, that indicates the blockage is further down in the main drain or the sewer lateral. In older Markham neighbourhoods built in the 1960s through 1980s, we often find original clay tile sewer laterals with offset joints or root intrusion at the connection points. A camera inspection shows exactly where the line has failed, enabling us to recommend a targeted repair rather than replacing the entire lateral.
Water Heater Repair and Installation
If your showers are running cold or you're hearing rumbling noises from your water heater, something's wrong. Sediment buildup, especially common in areas with hard water like Markham, settles at the bottom of the tank, reducing efficiency and eventually causing leaks or complete failure. A failing heating element, corroded anode rod, or faulty thermostat can also leave you without hot water. Our plumbers diagnose the issue, advise on whether repair or replacement is more appropriate, and install both traditional tank models and tankless water heaters. Tankless units provide endless hot water and use less space, making them ideal for Markham homes with finished basements.
The decision between repair and replacement often comes down to age and the actual failure. If your tank water heater is under 8 years old and the issue is a heating element, thermostat, or pressure relief valve, repair is usually cost-effective. If it's 10 or more years old and you're seeing rust-coloured water, a slow leak from the tank itself, or repeated failures, replacement is the smarter investment because the tank lining is likely compromised. One thing most Markham homeowners don't realize: flushing sediment once a year and replacing the sacrificial anode rod every 3 to 5 years can add years to a tank's life, but by the time we're called in, the anode is often completely dissolved and the tank is already corroding from the inside.
Burst Pipe Repair and Pipe Replacement
Frozen pipes are a real concern during Markham winters. When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside uninsulated pipes expands, creating pressure that can crack or burst the pipe. Burst pipes can cause significant water damage if not addressed quickly. You might not notice until the pipe thaws and water starts flooding your basement or crawl space. In Markham, the pipes most vulnerable to freezing are exterior hose bibs, pipes running along exterior walls, especially on the north side of the house, and any plumbing in unheated spaces like garages or crawl spaces. When we experience a deep freeze below -15 degrees Celsius for more than a day, service calls spike.
The best prevention is a layered approach: First, disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses and shut off interior valves to hose bibs; second, insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas using foam sleeves; third, if you have pipes in exterior walls that you can't insulate, let a small trickle of water run during extreme cold to keep your water supply moving. If you're leaving town in winter, set your thermostat to at least 13 degrees Celsius and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
Aging galvanized or cast iron pipes are also prone to corrosion, which narrows the pipe opening and reduces water pressure throughout your home. Our team handles everything from emergency burst pipe repairs to full repiping projects, using modern materials such as PEX or copper that withstand freeze-thaw cycles and last for decades.
Fixture Installation and Repair
Leaky faucets, running toilets, and dripping showerheads waste thousands of liters of water each year and increase your utility bills. Our leak detection services help identify hidden leaks before they cause water damage. The trick is figuring out what's actually failing. If a faucet drips from the spout after you turn it off, it's usually due to a worn cartridge, washer, or valve seat. If water leaks from the base of the faucet or around the handle, the O-rings or seals have failed. For toilets, a constantly running tank usually means the flapper isn't sealing, or the fill valve isn't shutting off. We repair and install faucets, sinks, toilets, and shower fixtures for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. For older fixtures, 15 or more years old, replacement often makes more sense than repair because parts availability becomes an issue and you're usually one failure away from the next. If you're upgrading to low-flow or touchless fixtures during a bathroom renovation or kitchen remodel, we'll ensure everything is installed correctly, the supply lines are in good condition, and the shutoff valves function properly.
Backwater Valve and Sump Pump Installation
Heavy rain and spring snowmelt can overwhelm Markham's sewer system, causing sewage to back up into basements. A backwater valve prevents this by automatically closing when the sewer system surcharges, protecting your home from flooding and contamination. A properly functioning sump pump is also essential for keeping your basement dry and preventing water damage. The City of Markham offers rebates of up to $2,000 for backwater valve installation and up to $5,000 for sump pump installation through its Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Program. Our team handles the entire process, from permit applications to installation and city inspections, so you can take advantage of the rebate and protect your home.
Plumbing Issues by Home Age in Markham
The plumbing problems your Markham home faces often depend on when it was built. Homes built before 1960 in areas like Markham Village sometimes still have original galvanized steel supply lines that corrode from the inside, causing low water pressure and discoloured water. By the time you notice the pressure drop, the pipes are often 70 percent blocked. Homes built in the 1960s through 1980s in neighbourhoods like Unionville and Milliken Mills typically have copper supply lines that last 50 or more years, but clay tile or cast-iron sewer laterals that are now reaching the end of their lifespan.
Root intrusion and joint separation are common, especially if you have mature trees near the sewer line. Homes built in the 1990s and 2000s often have PVC or ABS drain lines and PEX or copper supply lines, which are more durable, but we do see issues with older plastic shut-off valves that become brittle and crack, and with polybutylene supply lines, used briefly in the 1990s, that are prone to failure. If you're not sure what your plumbing system consists of, a licensed plumber can identify your pipe materials during a service call and advise you on what to watch for as the system ages.
Emergency Plumbing Services
Plumbing emergencies don't wait for business hours. A burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a sewer backup can cause serious water damage within minutes. That's why we offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services. When you call, you reach a live person, not an answering machine, and we dispatch a licensed and insured plumber to your home as quickly as possible. You get the same upfront pricing, professional service, and quality workmanship no matter what time of day or night you need emergency plumbing service.
We also provide commercial plumbing services for businesses throughout Markham, from routine plumbing maintenance to complex installations and emergency repairs. Whatever your residential plumbing or commercial plumbing needs, your local Mr. Rooter team is ready to help.
Contact us today or schedule service online to experience the Mr. Rooter difference.
Why Markham Homeowners Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing
You have options when it comes to plumbing service. What sets Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Markham apart is the combination of national brand standards and local, family-owned service. We've been part of the Markham community since 1995, and our reputation is built on doing honest work at fair prices, backed by guarantees you can count on.
When you choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Markham, you get upfront, flat-rate pricing before any work begins. You see the cost and approve it before we start, so there are no surprises when the job is done. We don't charge overtime fees, even for emergency calls at night or on weekends. Our team of licensed plumbers shows up on time, in uniform, and ready to work. We protect your home with shoe covers and floor protection, and we clean up completely before we leave.
Every job is backed by the Neighbourly Done Right Promise®. If you're not satisfied with the service, we'll make it right. If we can't resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you receive a refund. We also offer payment plans and financing options for larger projects, such as water heater replacements, sewer line repairs, and whole-home repiping, so you don't have to delay necessary work due to budget constraints.
Our team has earned the trust of thousands of Markham homeowners. You can read customer reviews from your neighbours who've experienced our service firsthand. Whether you live in Unionville, Stouffville, Cornell, Markham Village, Milliken Mills, Buttonville, Angus Glen, Cathedraltown, Berczy Village, or anywhere else in Markham, you can count on your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing team for expert service and lasting results.
Schedule a time that works for you. Contact us today to get started.
When to Call the City vs. When to Call a Plumber in Markham
If the issue is clearly inside your home, like a leaking faucet, a running toilet, a clogged kitchen sink, or a water heater problem, you'll want a plumber. If you suspect the problem is beyond your property line, like a neighbourhood-wide issue or a suspected main break affecting the water supply, your municipality may need to investigate. York Region explains that homeowners typically own and maintain the sanitary sewer line from the home to the property line, while the local municipality is responsible for the portion between the property line and the main sewer. A plumber can help you confirm where the problem is by checking your cleanout and diagnosing the line, and then you can contact the City with clear information if it turns out to be on the municipal side.
