Plumber in Burnaby

Plumbing services in Burnaby

What we see in Burnaby homes

Post-war homes in South Slope, Cariboo, and Edmonds

A large part of south and central Burnaby was built between the 1950s and the 1970s, and many of those homes still have original plumbing. Galvanized steel supply lines narrow from the inside as mineral buildup accumulates, which shows up as low pressure, rusty water, or pinhole leaks. Clay and cast iron drain lines crack and corrode over the same timeframe. Neither fails suddenly — they fail slowly, and the first sign is usually a slow drain or reduced pressure that gets worse over time. The honest answer, once the pressure drop is noticeable, is usually replacement.

High-rise and strata buildings in Metrotown and Brentwood

Metrotown and Brentwood have added more high-rise units than almost any other area in Metro Vancouver over the last decade. In these buildings, plumbing is shared: a supply line in one unit connects to a stack that serves multiple floors, the main shut-off is in a common mechanical room, and a leak in one unit travels to the one below. We work with strata councils and property managers on these buildings, document everything for the building’s records, and coordinate scheduling so residents are not disrupted more than necessary.

Low-lying areas and groundwater

Burnaby sits between two watersheds — Still Creek on the west side and the Brunette River on the east — and the low-lying areas around both have more groundwater than most of Metro Vancouver. In these areas, sump pumps run more often, foundation drainage matters more, and any weak point in the drain system shows up faster during heavy rain. If a basement drain backs up during a storm, it is usually a drainage issue, not a fixture issue, and camera inspection is the way to confirm.

Older rental stock and multi-unit buildings

Burnaby has a substantial amount of rental housing built between 1955 and 1975, and many of those buildings still have original plumbing. Shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Water heaters past their service life. PRVs that have never been tested. For owners and property managers, the pattern is predictable: the systems work until they do not, and by then the fix is more expensive than the maintenance would have been.

Burnaby Mountain and elevation

Homes on and around Burnaby Mountain — including UniverCity and the neighborhoods near SFU — sit at higher elevation than the rest of the city. Water pressure here can vary more than in flat areas, and a failed or misadjusted PRV shows up faster. In some cases, the incoming pressure is high enough that a properly functioning PRV is not optional — it is the only thing standing between the city supply and the fixtures in the house.

Renovation and laneway activity

Burnaby has seen a significant amount of renovation and laneway construction over the last ten years, particularly in the older neighborhoods closer to Vancouver. Renovated homes usually need new rough-ins and upgraded supply and drain systems. Laneway homes need full new plumbing, from rough-in to final fixture. Both jobs require coordination with the framing and inspection schedule, and both are quoted individually rather than at flat rates.

Neighborhoods we serve in Burnaby

• Brentwood
• Willingdon Heights
• Capitol Hill
• Burnaby Heights
• Vancouver Heights
• Lochdale
• Metrotown
• Deer Lake
• Buckingham Heights
• Suncrest
• Central Park
• South Slope
• Cariboo Heights
• Edmonds
• Highgate
• Royal Oak
• Big Bend
• UniverCity
• SFU area
• Forest Grove

If your address is not on this list, call us anyway. If you are in Burnaby, we come.

Why homeowners in Burnaby call us

• Flat-rate pricing — the number you see is the number you pay
• Quoted in writing before any work starts
• 30-day workmanship guarantee on every job
• Red Seal technicians on every visit
• Same-day service for most repairs
• Emergency calls answered after hours
• No hourly billing, no surprises on the invoice

FAQ

Do you charge extra to come to Burnaby?

No. Burnaby is one of our core service areas. The standard $89 call-out fee applies, with no additional travel charge. The same applies to West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Lions Bay, and Squamish.

I live in a strata building in Metrotown. Who do I call for a plumbing issue?

Start with your strata council or property manager. In most strata buildings, plumbing inside your unit is your responsibility, but anything connected to the common system — the drain stack, the main shut-off, the shared water line — is common property. If the issue is inside your unit and does not affect shared lines, you can book us directly. If it involves common property, we coordinate with your strata or property manager and document everything for the building’s records.

My basement drain backs up during heavy rain. Why?

Three common causes in Burnaby. First, tree roots in the main line — common in older neighborhoods with mature street trees. Second, groundwater entering through a cracked or failed pipe — more common in the low-lying areas near Still Creek and the Brunette River. Third, a failed backwater valve. Camera inspection confirms which one it is, and the fix depends on what the camera shows.

My house was built in the 1960s and still has the original pipes. Should I replace them?

Depends on the pipe material. Galvanized steel supply lines narrow over time and eventually lose pressure — replacement is usually the right answer once the pressure drop is noticeable. Clay drain lines crack and let roots in — camera inspection tells you whether the line is still sound or needs spot repair. Copper supply lines from the 1960s can last decades more if they are in good condition. We inspect the system and tell you honestly which parts need attention now and which still have life left.

Do you work with property managers on rental buildings?

Yes. We work on common property plumbing and mechanical systems in rental buildings, strata buildings, and multi-unit residential buildings across Burnaby. Invoices are itemized for property management records, and we can coordinate scheduling to minimize disruption to tenants. For buildings with recurring needs, we can set up a maintenance agreement with scheduled service intervals.

Why does my shower pressure change during the day?

That is usually the pressure reducing valve. In Burnaby, elevation and the municipal supply both affect incoming pressure, and the PRV is what stabilizes it for the house. If the pressure changes noticeably between morning and evening, the PRV is either misadjusted or starting to fail. A pressure test will confirm it.

Can you handle an emergency call in Burnaby at night?

Yes. Emergency calls are answered after hours, and Burnaby is one of our core areas. The emergency call-out fee is $139, and any repair that follows is billed at 1.5 times the standard rate. Both numbers are confirmed before we start.

Ready to book a visit or get a quote?

Call, text, or send us a message. If you are not sure which service applies, describe the problem in your own words — we will tell you what it sounds like and what it usually costs to fix. You do not need to know plumbing terminology to reach us.