01A year in Scarborough plumbing
January brings frozen hose bibs and split pipes in exterior walls. Spring thaw and April rain fill sump pits and test backwater valves. Summer thunderstorms overload sewers in low streets. Autumn is the time to shut outdoor taps and flush the water heater. The almanac follows that rhythm.
02How to use the almanac
Each entry is written to be read before a problem becomes an emergency. The winter notes cover frozen lines and the autumn shut-down routine. The spring and summer notes deal with sump pits, storm surges and what to do after water gets in. The equipment notes look at tank rentals, tankless heaters and the effects of Lake Ontario water on fixtures. The old-house notes explain lead services, tree roots in clay pipe, permits and what to check before you buy a sixty-year-old bungalow. Everyday care covers the small habits that keep drains open and water bills sane.
If an entry describes something happening in your house right now, skip the reading and phone the shop.