Your residential plumbing in Montréal

Describing a leak

Note where water appears and whether it runs constantly or only when a fixture is used. Take a photo of the whole area and the affected connection if you can do so safely. A damp mark does not always identify the source.

If water is actively causing damage, mention it at the start of your call. Do not dismantle anything to complete your description. Keep people and electrical equipment away from the water.

A fixture to connect

Explain which fixture is involved, where it is and whether it replaces existing equipment. Dimensions, connections and access to the cabinet may affect the work required.

Keep the fixture model and supplied instructions handy. A photo does not replace the measurements and checks needed before installation.

A kitchen or bathroom project

Distinguish replacing a fixture from changing the layout. Moving a sink, shower or toilet raises different questions from a straightforward replacement in the same location.

Specify the work already decided and other planned work. This helps you discuss the order of steps and the information to confirm.

Distinguish replacement from modification

A fixture installed in the same place and a new layout require different preparation. List what will stay, what will be removed and which connections you want to move. Do not assume an existing connection will fit the new equipment.

For a basin or sink, gather the cabinet dimensions, faucet model and number of holes required. For a toilet, keep the model reference and describe the space around it. These details help prepare the discussion; measurements and compatibility must be checked before work begins.

Clarify the scope before deciding

Ask the person you are considering hiring what the proposal includes: travel, diagnosis, parts, removal, connection, testing and cleanup. Clarify what still depends on an on-site inspection and what could incur an additional charge.

• What problem or replacement does the work address?
• Who supplies the fixture, accessories and parts?
• What access to the dwelling or building must be arranged?
• How will changes to the scope be approved?

In a shared building, ask the building manager how to arrange access to shared pipes and any possible water interruption. This page replaces neither an installation check nor the terms agreed with a contractor.