By Sean Delaney
Tucked away on Toryork Drive, Carefree Plumbing stands as a testament to family legacy and community service. For more than four decades, this locally cherished business has been a cornerstone of reliability and expertise in Emery Village. Carefree evolved from a humble garage start-up to a full-service plumbing beacon under the watchful eyes of Joseph Bartolomucci and his father, Alfredo, affectionately known around town as Alfie.
The tale of Carefree Plumbing unfurls from 1982 when Alfie decided to set up his own shop after parting ways with a previous partnership.
“It started in a garage,” Joseph said. “He didn’t really have a good experience before and went on his own. He wanted something manageable, something he could put his name on.”
This vision of self-reliance and quality service has been the guiding philosophy of the business ever since. The company’s journey from its modest beginnings to its current prominence is a story of both growth and adaptability.
“My dad and I, we’ve grown this business together,” Joseph said. “From commercial to industrial and residential projects, we’ve done it all.”
Joseph stepped into the business full-time at 21. With Alfie, they expanded their offerings, delving into new avenues like backflow prevention and benefiting from city grants for backwater valves.
Their approach to business is deeply rooted in family values and community service.
“I apprenticed under my dad and our first worker, Phil. It was hard work, but it taught me everything,” Joseph said. This hands-on experience has imbued him with a profound understanding of the intricacies of plumbing and a dedication to the craft that goes beyond mere service.
Joseph’s narrative is punctuated with tales of challenges and achievements, like the temporary venture of his own company, ABS (Accurate Backflow Services), which later merged back with Carefree as it thrived.
“We had our ups and downs, disagreements, but never a fight after we merged our companies again,” he said with a chuckle.
Today, Carefree Plumbing offers a wide array of services, from new constructions and renovations to routine maintenance for residential and commercial sectors. Joseph emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing city bylaws and staying ahead of technological advancements in plumbing, which helps prevent issues like flooding—a growing concern in Toronto due to climate change.
A focal point of Carefree Plumbing’s expertise lies in their mastery of backflow prevention, a crucial service that protects potable water supplies from contamination due to reverse flow. Joseph elaborates on this specialty with the passion of an educator.
“Backflow preventers are vital for maintaining the integrity of our water system. We’ve honed our skills in this area to ensure we’re not just fixing problems, but preventing them.”
Their proficiency extends to installing both backflow preventers and backwater valves, which are designed to stop sewer water from backing up into homes during heavy rainfall common issues in areas with aging infrastructure.
Carefree Plumbing’s commitment to this specialized area of plumbing is supported by their proactive approach to utilizing city grants available for installing backwater valves. This not only underscores their role as industry leaders but also demonstrates their dedication to enhancing community safety and health. “We assist residents in applying for these grants, making it a smooth, cost-effective process,” Joseph said. “It’s about adding value to our services and ensuring peace of mind for our clients.”
With a deep understanding of municipal water systems and bylaws, Carefree Plumbing has established itself as the go-to expert in Emery Village for robust, reliable solutions to backflow and drainage issues. Their ongoing investment in the latest technology and continuous education in new regulations keeps them at the forefront of the industry, ready to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.
A significant part of their success lies in their honest approach to business. 
“We’re here to provide a service that’s fair and necessary,” Joseph asserts. “Educating our clients about their systems and not upselling unnecessary services is part of why our customers trust us.”
As Joseph looks to the future, he sees Carefree Plumbing continuing to innovate and serve the Emery Village community.
“It’s about staying true to our roots—honesty, hard work, and community service,” he concludes, encapsulating the essence of Carefree Plumbing, where caring is not just part of the name but the foundation of their operation.