Red Tag Clearance in Toronto and the GTA

Riverflow HVAC provides red tag clearance support for homeowners, condo residents, and light commercial clients across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Scarborough. Red tags exist for occupant safety – gas-fired appliances need to be treated with care, and the goal is to prevent unsafe operation.

If your furnace, water heater, fireplace, unit heater, or other gas appliance has been tagged, we’ll help you understand what it means, confirm what needs to be corrected, and guide you through a clear path back to safe, compliant operation.

Service call and pricing

Diagnostic and assessment fee: $175 (includes up to 1 hour on site for inspection and troubleshooting). Additional time is $130 per hour after the first hour. Repairs are billed for time plus parts and materials.

Category A vs Category B notices

Your notice will indicate Category A or Category B.

• Category A (immediate hazard): The appliance is considered unsafe to operate. Gas is typically shut off right away, and the distributor (for example, Enbridge) is notified so the hazard is documented until the issue is corrected and verified.

• Category B (corrections required by a due date): The appliance is not compliant and must be corrected by the deadline on the notice. A copy of the notice is provided to the distributor (for example, Enbridge), and the issue must be corrected and cleared by the due date to avoid a possible shutoff.

Who is notified and when

In Enbridge territory, the issuing technician is expected to send a copy of the notice so Enbridge receives it within the required time frame. After the repair is completed, the clearance details must be submitted through the distributor’s process so the correction can be verified by the due date.

How red tag clearance works

1. Assessment and explanation – We review the notice and inspect the equipment to confirm what needs to be corrected. If you have a photo of the notice, that helps.

2. Clear options – If repairs are required, we’ll explain what’s involved and provide options before any work proceeds.

3. Correction and clearance support – Once the issue is corrected, we document what was done and provide the clearance documentation needed for your records and for the distributor process. For Category B notices in Enbridge territory, this typically includes completing the correction report and submitting it before the due date.

Our goal is simple – help you restore safe operation efficiently, with clear communication. You’re always free to choose whichever licensed contractor you prefer for repairs and clearance.

Systems and assemblies

Some red tag issues involve parts that work as a system, not a single “swap this one piece” repair. A common example is venting and air intake piping – one visible leak or one incorrect fitting can indicate a broader installation problem, and partial repairs can leave hidden issues behind. In those cases, the safest approach may involve inspecting the full run and, when needed, updating sections so the venting system is sound and properly installed.

What we check beyond the notice

A red tag notice is an important starting point, but it doesn’t always capture every issue. During our assessment, we confirm the tagged item and also do a practical safety review of the related setup. If we identify additional concerns that affect safe operation or code compliance, we will explain what we found and why it matters. If something needs to be corrected, we’ll outline options and next steps before any work proceeds.

Code compliance and repair standards

If we perform repairs or clearance work, it must be completed to current Ontario requirements and applicable code standards. That means fixing the issue properly and bringing the repaired work up to today’s safety requirements. You may hear different opinions from different contractors – our approach is to repair and update in a way that supports safe operation, proper documentation, and a smooth clearance process.

Gas line issues and gas leaks

Sometimes a notice involves gas line concerns, such as corrosion, damage, improper fittings, or a suspected leak. These situations can take additional diagnostic time to locate the issue and confirm the safest repair approach. If more time is needed beyond the first hour, we’ll let you know before proceeding. Any repairs are billed for time plus parts and materials.

For property managers and building staff

We’re familiar with in-suite access procedures and building requirements. If needed, we can provide proof of insurance and WSIB coverage, and we can share clear service notes and photos to support building records. We coordinate around work hours, access rules, and site requirements to keep the process straightforward.

Red tag clearance FAQ

Can you clear both Category A and Category B notices?
Yes. The process depends on what was tagged and why. Category A issues typically require immediate correction before the appliance can be used again. Category B issues must be corrected by the deadline on the notice.

Do I have to use the company who issued the notice?
No. You can choose whichever licensed contractor you prefer to complete the work and help with clearance.

Why can’t you always replace only the part that’s leaking or failing?
Some components are part of an approved assembly – for example, venting and intake piping. If one part was installed incorrectly, there may be other sections showing the same issue. We’ll explain what we can confirm visually, what may require further inspection, and the safest way to correct it.

What if you find an issue that wasn’t mentioned on the notice?
We’ll tell you. Our job is to confirm the tagged issue and also look for related safety or compliance concerns. If anything else needs attention, you’ll get a clear explanation and options before any work proceeds.

How quickly can this be cleared?
Some issues can be corrected quickly, while others depend on parts availability or the scope of work. After the assessment, we’ll tell you what’s realistic and outline next steps.

If you’d like, you can send a photo of the notice (with personal details removed) and we can confirm the best next step based on what the notice says.