The routine, in order
- Read the warranty documents you got at closing and note the deadlines.
- Walk through the house and test every fixture, drain and valve.
- Write down every drip, slow drain, noisy pipe and water stain with photos.
- Submit the list to the builder in writing, using Tarion's forms if required.
- Keep copies of everything and note the dates you sent them.
- Follow up if repairs are not done within the stated time.
Why this matters in Pickering
New homes in Ontario are covered by warranties administered by Tarion. Coverage is tiered: a first-year warranty for workmanship and materials, a two-year warranty that covers items such as water penetration and plumbing, and longer coverage for major structural defects. The exact terms, forms and deadlines are set by Tarion and the builder agreement, so check them against your own paperwork.
Drains clogged with construction grout, loose supply connections, low water pressure from a debris-blocked aerator and sump pumps cycling more than anyone expected.
Slips worth avoiding
- Fixing builder-installed plumbing yourself during the warranty period without checking first
- Waiting until after a deadline to report
- Reporting by phone only, with no written record
- Finishing a basement before confirming the rough-in is correct
Common first-year issues
Drains clogged with construction grout, loose supply connections, low water pressure from a debris-blocked aerator and sump pumps cycling more than anyone expected. Seaton and Duffin Heights see many of them. For rural homes on wells, well water testing applies too.
Time to ring a plumber
Call us if you need an independent opinion on a leak or drain problem, written notes to support a claim, or help with work the warranty does not cover. For leaks that are hard to trace see leak detection.
Questions callers ask
Will my warranty still apply if I hire my own plumber?
Altering builder-installed systems can affect coverage. Check with the builder and Tarion before work on covered items.