5 DIY Plumbing Fixes That Save Canadian Landlords $400 Each
A plumber call-out in most Canadian cities is $180 minimum, before the work even starts. These five fixes take under 30 minutes each, cost less than $40 in parts, and cover ~70% of the plumbing calls a landlord typically gets.
1. Replace a worn toilet flapper
Symptom: toilet runs randomly. Fix: drop a Fluidmaster 502 flapper ($8) into the tank, snap it on the chain. 5-minute job. Saves ~12,000 litres/year per toilet — your tenant's water bill (and your reputation as 'the eco landlord') benefits.
2. Clean the P-trap (sink not draining)
Bucket under the trap. Unscrew the two slip nuts by hand. Empty into bucket. Reverse. 10 minutes. Replace gasket if you see corrosion ($3).
3. Replace a leaking shut-off valve
1/4-turn ball valves are bulletproof and replace any compression-style angle stop. Turn off the supply (main shut-off if needed), unscrew old valve, wrap PTFE tape on new fitting, hand-tight + 1/2 turn with a wrench. Done.
4. Quiet water hammer
Symptom: bang in the wall when the washing machine fills. Fix: install a Sioux Chief MiniRester ($12) at the supply lines. 15-minute install with the supply lines off.
5. Test the vacuum breaker on the outdoor faucet
Spring season prep. The breaker prevents back-siphoning of contaminated water into your potable supply (and frozen-pipe rupture). $14 part, screw-on replacement, no plumber needed.
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Start free trialCommon questions
QWhat's the deadline to file rental income to the CRA?
Rental income is reported on the T776 form filed with your personal T1 return. The deadline is April 30 of the year after you earned the income (June 15 if you're self-employed, but any balance owing is still due April 30).
QDo I need to charge GST/HST on rent?
Long-term residential rent is GST/HST-exempt. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are taxable once you exceed the $30,000 small-supplier threshold across all your business activities.
QCan I deduct mortgage payments?
You can deduct the interest portion (and most carrying costs) of your mortgage on a rental property, but NOT the principal repayment. Central Rentals splits this automatically inside your T776 export.