The first five minutes
- Shut the suite valves, usually near the water heater, laundry or kitchen sink.
- Call the building's concierge or management. They can shut risers and check the suite below.
- Photograph the leak and any damage.
- Then call a plumber, or the building's contractor if management directs it.
Who owns what
It depends on your condo's declaration and bylaws. In many buildings, pipes and fixtures inside the suite after the suite shut-off are the owner's; risers, stacks and common lines are the corporation's. Read your declaration or ask management.
| Typical owner item | Typical building item |
|---|---|
| Faucets, toilets, dishwasher hoses | Water risers between floors |
| Suite water heater (unless rented) | Drain stacks |
| Washer hoses and box | Common area and garage piping |
It depends on your condo's declaration and bylaws. In many buildings, pipes and fixtures inside the suite after the suite shut-off are the owner's; risers, stacks and common lines are the corporation's.
From the counter
Common condo leak sources
- Washing machine hoses
- Dishwasher supply connections
- Toilet supply lines
- Water heater tanks in a suite closet
- Caulking around a tub that lets water into the slab
North York towers
Along Yonge between Sheppard and Finch and around Bayview Village, many towers are now old enough that original suite water heaters and supply lines are reaching the end. Replacing hoses and checking the tank age is a sensible move.
Questions
Who pays for damage to the unit below?
It comes down to where the leak started, what your declaration says and whose policy responds. Report it quickly and keep records.
Am I allowed to bring in my own plumber in a condo?
For work inside the suite, generally yes. Expect the building to ask for notice, an insurance certificate or an elevator booking.