Plumbing Issues Every Real Estate Investor Must Know

You found what looks like the perfect investment property. Fresh paint, nice finishes, everything looks great. But what’s hiding behind those walls? What’s buried underground? These are the questions that can make or break your investment.

Ryan Giles, owner of RFG Plumbing in Windsor-Essex County, comes from four generations of plumbers. He’s seen it all—and he’s here to help you avoid the costly mistakes many investors make.

The Biggest Mistake Investors Make

Here’s a scenario Ryan sees all the time: investors from Toronto or other cities buy properties in Windsor and rely on “a guy” to check things out. Maybe it’s their real estate agent’s recommendation, maybe it’s a friend. The problem? That guy doesn’t always know what he’s talking about.

“Putting lipstick on a pig” is how Ryan describes many properties on the market right now. They look beautiful on the surface, but underneath? That’s where the expensive problems hide.

The nightmare happens after you’ve bought the property and placed tenants. That’s when you discover major plumbing issues that require expensive emergency repairs.

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Why Windsor Properties Need Extra Attention

Windsor faces particular challenges that make professional inspection even more critical:

• The city’s infrastructure is aging

• Many houses were built decades ago

• Previous owners often did their own work over the years

• Lots of repairs are just band-aid fixes or done incorrectly

This doesn’t mean Windsor is a bad market—it just means you need to do your homework before buying.

The Smart Investor’s Approach

Ryan offers a specialized service where he personally visits properties to conduct thorough assessments. This goes way beyond just checking the plumbing.

He does a complete visual inspection, identifies issues across all trades, takes detailed photos of every concern, and communicates directly with you—no matter where you’re located. You get an honest, professional assessment of what you’re really buying.

Fix It Right the First Time

Here’s Ryan’s investment philosophy, which he applies to his own properties: fix everything properly at the beginning, especially underground infrastructure.

Think about it this way: the minute you spend money on flooring or other finishes, you’ve made an investment. If major plumbing problems show up five years later, what will it cost you then? Way more than fixing it now.

With inflation constantly pushing costs higher, repairs five years from now will cost significantly more than addressing them upfront. Do it right at the start, and you should get about 50 years of problem-free operation.

Sure, you’re working within a budget. Everyone is. But those little emergency bills add up fast. They’ll cost you twice as much—or more—than one proper fix at the beginning.

The Windsor Subsidy Program Every Investor Should Know About

Here’s something that could save you thousands: the City of Windsor offers a $2,800 rebate for backwater valve and sump pump installation.

This program helps offset costs for preventing basement flooding—a real issue in Windsor. The subsidy can be applied to:

• Backwater valve installation

• Sump pump installation

• Disconnection of the collection box where storm and sanitary systems meet

How RFG Makes This Easy

RFG uses camera equipment to locate your sewer line precisely and identify the best locations for equipment. They don’t just stick things in the most convenient spot—they think about your property’s future.

Could you add another bathroom later? Convert the basement to an apartment? What will appeal to future buyers? They plan for all of this.

The best part? RFG handles all the paperwork. They take the photos, complete the city forms, and provide all documentation. You just pay them upfront, then submit the “paid in full” invoice to City Hall for your rebate.

What Does It Actually Cost?

For a typical inside backwater valve and sump pump installation, RFG charges around $4,500 plus tax. After the $2,800 rebate, your actual cost drops significantly.

Outside installations cost more because they require locates to identify underground utilities, excavation contractors, and more extensive digging. But the subsidy still applies.

One thing Ryan emphasized: RFG kept their pricing consistent even during the pandemic when some companies jacked up their prices. Their view? “It sucks that your house flooded. You didn’t ask for this. Now you have to deal with it.” Fair pricing matters.

The “Three Feet From Gold” Principle

Ryan learned a powerful lesson from his family: when everybody is willing to give up, you’re seconds away from success.

He shared a perfect example from right before our interview. He was clearing a clogged drain, and the work was getting harder. He felt tempted to switch equipment. But he pushed for just two more seconds—and that’s exactly when the clog cleared.

This connects to the famous story from the book “Three Feet from Gold.” A miner sold all his equipment and land after finding nothing valuable. The new owners discovered one of the biggest gold mines just three feet from where the previous owner stopped digging.

This matters in real estate investing too. The tough properties, the challenging deals, the problems that seem impossible—these are often where the real opportunities hide. You just can’t give up three feet from gold.

What Makes RFG Different

RFG Plumbing started in 2016 when Ryan and his father had a conversation about building something together. They chose the name to honor Ryan’s grandfather—Ralph Franklin Giles—and continue a tradition spanning multiple generations.

The memorable tagline? “Real F***ing Good Plumbers.” Ryan initially worried it might turn people off. Instead, it became their greatest marketing asset. Once you hear it, you remember it.

People literally chase their trucks down the street asking for branded sweaters and hats. The company even landed a spot in a Rogers commercial for Hockey Night in Canada—one of the most-watched programs in Canadian television.

In 2018, they expanded to add RFG Electrical. The reason? They were referring customers to electricians, but as those companies grew, RFG’s referrals became low priority. Service suffered. So they decided to bring electrical services in-house to maintain quality control.

The next planned expansion? HVAC services, creating a true one-stop shop for customers.

Breaking Down Your Property Issues

When RFG assesses a property for an investor, they don’t just hand you a scary list of everything wrong. They break it down into categories:

• Major fixes that must be addressed immediately

• Minor fixes that can potentially wait

• What needs to happen now versus what can be scheduled for later

This helps you make smart decisions about where to put your money while understanding the long-term implications of delaying certain repairs.

The Real Talk About Business

Ryan shared something important for anyone thinking about starting their own business: there’s no business school for real business.

It’s like parenting—nobody gives you a manual. You learn on the go. Business ownership demands way more hours than most people expect. Success isn’t a straight upward line. It’s built gradually through hard work.

When you first start, you wear all the hats. You’re the marketer, accountant, customer service rep, technician, and janitor. There’s no delegation in the early stages.

But if you stick with it—if you don’t give up three feet from gold—you can build something real.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Written by

LendCity

Published

December 22, 2025

Tags

Due Diligence Property Management Canadian Investing Risk Management Investment Strategy

Key Terms in This Article

Due Diligence

Due Diligence

The comprehensive investigation and analysis of a property before purchase, including financial review, physical inspection, title search, and market analysis.

Property Management

Property Management

The operation, control, and oversight of real estate by a third party. Property managers handle tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and day-to-day operations.

Hover over terms to see definitions, or visit our glossary for the full list.

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