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Riser Replacement: Renew Your Building's Infrastructure

Aging risers are ticking time bombs. Corrosion, pinhole leaks, and failing joints create water damage, mold issues, and emergency repairs that cost far more than planned replacement.

Whether you're dealing with heating risers, cooling risers, or domestic water distribution, we manage complete riser replacement projects from engineering through closeout. Our phased approach minimizes disruption while ensuring quality installations that will serve your building for decades.

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Riser replacement project Toronto

Minimized disruption

Floor-by-floor execution with water shutdowns limited to 4-8 hours per suite. We coordinate schedules and provide advance notice to keep residents informed.

Complete project management

From engineering drawings to final restoration, we manage every aspect. Single point of accountability for the entire project scope.

Quality materials

Modern piping systems rated for decades of service. Proper insulation, supports, and connections that meet or exceed building codes.

Types of risers we replace

Different riser systems require different approaches. We have experience with all common condo riser configurations and the specialized techniques each requires.

Heating Risers

Hot water supply and return lines feeding fan coils and radiators. Includes balancing valves, isolation valves, and air vents.

Cooling Risers

Chilled water distribution for fan coils and air handlers. Proper insulation critical to prevent condensation.

Domestic Hot Water

Hot water supply and recirculation lines. Often the first to fail due to constant thermal cycling.

Domestic Cold Water

Potable water supply throughout the building. Requires coordination with water authority for shutdowns.

Two-Pipe Systems

Combination heating/cooling risers with seasonal changeover. Common in Toronto high-rises.

Four-Pipe Systems

Separate heating and cooling distribution. More complex but allows simultaneous heating and cooling.

Corroded riser pipe requiring replacement

Why proactive replacement?

Aging risers don't fail gracefully. A single leak can cause $50,000+ in water damage, displace residents, and trigger emergency repairs at premium rates. Proactive replacement eliminates this risk while you control the timeline and budget.

  • Prevent catastrophic failure: Corroded pipes can fail suddenly, flooding multiple units and common areas. Planned replacement eliminates this risk.
  • Insurance considerations: Many insurers are increasing premiums or reducing coverage for buildings with aging piping. New risers can improve your insurance position.
  • Reserve fund planning: Planned projects can be budgeted and phased. Emergency repairs drain reserves and may require special assessments.
  • Improved performance: New risers restore proper flow rates, eliminate restrictions, and improve temperature control throughout the building.

Our replacement process

Riser replacement is a complex undertaking requiring careful planning, coordination, and execution. Our process ensures successful outcomes with minimal disruption.

1
Assessment
  • Building drawing review
  • Riser condition inspection
  • Access point evaluation
  • Scope definition
  • Engineering requirements
2
Engineering
  • Detailed design drawings
  • Material specifications
  • Permit applications
  • Shutdown planning
  • Phasing schedule
3
Preparation
  • Material procurement
  • Resident notification
  • Staging area setup
  • Protection installation
  • Access coordination
4
Demolition
  • System drain-down
  • Access opening
  • Old pipe removal
  • Debris disposal
  • Condition documentation
5
Installation
  • New riser installation
  • Branch connections
  • Valve installation
  • Insulation application
  • Pressure testing
6
Restoration
  • Drywall repair
  • Painting
  • System commissioning
  • Balancing
  • Documentation

Piping materials we work with

We select materials based on your application, building requirements, and budget. All materials meet applicable codes and are backed by manufacturer warranties.

Copper

Traditional, proven performance

PEX

Flexible, corrosion-resistant

CPVC

Cost-effective hot water

Steel

High-pressure applications

Material selection factors: Application (heating, cooling, domestic water), operating pressure, water chemistry, building code requirements, budget, and expected service life. We provide recommendations based on your specific situation.

Compliance & safety

Riser replacement involves permits, inspections, and coordination with multiple authorities. We handle all compliance requirements so you can focus on building operations.

Permits & Inspections

All required permits obtained before work begins. Municipal inspections scheduled and coordinated. Final approvals documented for your building records.

Water Authority

Coordination with Toronto Water for main shutdowns. Proper backflow prevention. Water testing and flushing before service restoration.

Health & Safety

Full OHSA compliance. Asbestos assessment where required. Proper containment and ventilation. WSIB coverage for all workers.

For property managers & boards

Riser replacement is one of the largest capital projects a condo corporation undertakes. We understand the governance, communication, and financial planning requirements that come with projects of this scale.

  • Board presentations: We attend board meetings and AGMs to present proposals, explain the process, and answer owner questions.
  • Reserve fund alignment: Projects can be phased across multiple years to match reserve fund availability and avoid special assessments.
  • Resident communication: Comprehensive communication plans including notices, schedules, and progress updates keep residents informed and minimize complaints.
  • Progress reporting: Regular updates through our dashboard showing completed work, schedule status, and any issues requiring attention.
  • Documentation: Complete project documentation including as-built drawings, warranties, and maintenance recommendations.
Project tracking in Hudson dashboard Project status tracking

Riser Projects Completed Across Toronto

We've completed riser replacement projects in buildings across Toronto—from 10-storey boutique condos to 20+ storey towers. See our portfolio for examples of our work.

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FAQs

Timeline depends on building height, number of risers, and access complexity. A typical 20-storey building with 4 risers takes 3-6 months. Work progresses floor by floor, with water shutdowns typically limited to 4-8 hours per suite on their connection day.

Water shutdowns are necessary but minimized. For domestic water risers, each suite typically experiences 4-8 hours without water on their connection day. For heating/cooling risers, service may be interrupted for longer periods but we schedule around seasonal needs when possible.

Access requirements vary by building design. Some risers are accessible from corridors, mechanical shafts, or utility closets with minimal in-suite work. Others require access through unit walls. We assess access needs during the proposal phase and include all necessary drywall repair and painting in our scope.

Yes. Many buildings phase riser replacements to match reserve fund availability—completing one or two risers per year rather than all at once. We help plan phasing to prioritize the most critical risers while maintaining building operations. Note that phased projects may have higher total costs due to repeated mobilization.

Material warranties vary by product but typically range from 10-25 years for piping materials. Our workmanship is guaranteed for 2 years. We provide complete documentation of all warranties and recommendations for ongoing maintenance to maximize system life.

Costs depend on building size, number of risers, material selection, access complexity, and restoration requirements. Typical costs range from $500,000 to $2,000,000+ for a complete building riser replacement. We provide detailed proposals after site assessment, and can help structure phased projects to match your budget.

Ready to plan your riser replacement?

Request a site assessment and detailed proposal. We'll help you understand your options, timeline, and budget requirements for a successful project.

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Renew your building's piping infrastructure

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