Fairy Lake
Plumbing in Fairy Lake
The houses that ring Fairy Lake range from storey-and-a-half cottages to tidy postwar brick, and almost all of them sit close to the river valley water table.
- We know the pipe behind the walls in Fairy Lake
- Drains, heaters, sump pits and leaks handled on one call
- Floor protection and clean-up on every visit
- Phone answered by a plumber, any hour
Homes and pipes in Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake is the dammed pond on the East Holland River just east of Main Street, and the streets around it are some of the oldest residential blocks in town. Many houses date from the early and middle twentieth century, with additions built later. Inside them we find cast iron stacks, galvanized supply branches that have been partly swapped for copper, and the occasional clay lateral heading out to the street.
Being near the valley means groundwater sits higher than on the ridges to the west. Basements here were often dug shallow and later lowered or waterproofed, so sump pits and perimeter drainage vary a lot from house to house.
Pipe you will likely find in Fairy Lake
- Supply pipe
- Galvanized steel, patched copper, sometimes a lead service from the street
- Drain and stack
- Cast iron hub-and-spigot, clay sewer to the road
- Usual call
- Rust-choked supply, cracked stack, roots in the clay main
- First thing to check
- Whether the service line is lead or copper at the meter
Jobs we do most on these streets
- Root-blocked laterals. Mature trees along the park send roots into old clay joints. Repeat backups call for a camera.
- Kitchen line clogs. Narrow galvanized branches catch grease; see kitchen drain cleaning.
- Tank replacements. Plenty of homes still run small electric tanks; see electric water heater replacement.
- Damp basements. Sump pumps that run long into spring.
Freeze, thaw and storm calls here
Spring is the season to watch here. Snowmelt and rain raise the water table near the river, and pumps that sat idle all winter suddenly cycle every few minutes. Test yours in March. Late fall brings outside taps that freeze if hoses stay connected; our guide to winterizing outdoor taps covers it.
Getting the van and tools to your door
We reach the Fairy Lake streets quickly from anywhere in Newmarket, using Davis Drive or Water Street. Curb space is scarce on those slim blocks, so mention if there is a lane or driveway we can use. Neighbours in Gorham-College Manor just to the north are on the same routes.
Asked on site
Roots again? Why won't they quit my lateral?
Cutting them clears the pipe but leaves the open joint. Roots return to the moisture. A camera shows whether a liner or spot repair is the better long-term fix.
Is my basement more likely to flood near the lake?
Groundwater tends to sit higher near the valley, so a working sump pump and backup matter more here than on higher ground.