Some plumbing jobs can be done by the homeowner with the right tools and know-how. Others are best left to the experts. Installing an appliance, such as a dishwasher or washing machine or replacing or repairing taps, ball valves and plugs, are all jobs that can be done yourself.
The toilet supply lines in the couple’s rented home were only about ten years old. Within a year of each other, two of the three lines failed and flooded the floors with water, which found its way down the heating vents to the floors below. Luckily, this couple was home at the time and were able to shut off the water supply before it did too much damage.
If you’re planning on having plumbing work done that requires more than simply changing a faucet or installing a toilet, you should hire a plumber, not a handyman. The reason is that a handyman, while he/she can handle many different types of jobs, like patching a hole in the wall, painting a room or changing a hard-to-reach light bulb, they have no formal plumbing qualifications, licenses or certificates. Indeed, none are needed to be a handyman.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and that includes the pipes inside your house. Over the years, they gradually corrode rust and decay. When that happens, you’re going to eventually get leaks, maybe even a flood of water or raw sewage that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home and belongings. It’s far better to replace the pipes before a plumbing disaster happens.
The black plumbing pipes that stick up out of your roof are parts of the plumbing vent system. They can be made of cast iron, copper or plastic, depending on local code requirements. A plumbing vent is where you may need to look when a sink isn’t draining properly and the drain isn’t clogged.
You may have been putting off fixing a drippy faucet because you think it’s too hard, but the repair of a single-lever kitchen faucet is easy and can be accomplished in about an hour. Usually, the hardest step is finding the right replacement parts.
When you think of plumbing projects, “fun” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Usually, these jobs are just a lot of work that will never actually be seen.
But for you crafty folks, there is no shortage of enjoyable projects that use common plumbing supplies to create unique and functional household items.
Here are some of our favorite fun plumbing projects:
Not only does this unique towel rack look amazing, copper also has natural antimicrobial properties.
Even Martha knows that basic PVC from the hardware store can be spruced up into something amazing, like this sleek wine rack that will slip right inside an existing cabinet.
Water and electricity normally don’t mix, but we will make an exception for this stunning light fixture made from plumbing pipes.
Pipes are extremely versatile for making attractive and durable industrial-style shelving. With various lengths and fittings, the options are endless.
Why buy dollar store squirt guns that shoot tiny trickles of water when you can make an awesome water shooter using PVC pipe? This is a simple project that little kids – and big kids! – are sure to love.
Have you done any fun plumbing projects?
If you have a not-so-fun plumbing project that needs tackled, don’t hesitate to contact WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains at (647) 691-0022.
A garburator, known in other parts of the world as a garbage disposal, is a convenient appliance that grinds up food waste into particles that are
small enough to safely pass through your home’s plumbing system. They are extremely useful, and they’re generally pretty durable, but from time to time, problems do pop up. So, what are the signs that you might need garburator repair?
Some garburator problems are more obvious than others. If you are experiencing any of these issues, the unit likely needs to be repaired or replaced. Never ignore these common garburator problems:
In addition, if something went in the disposal that shouldn’t have, such as a cooking utensil, you should not attempt to use it until you have had it repaired.
In many instances, repairing your existing garburator is more cost effective than replacing the entire unit. Unfortunately, sometimes it is better to replace older models. When you trust a professional when you are having problems with your garburator, your technician will let you know whether garburator replacement or repair is your best option.
If you’re considering DIY garburator repair to save yourself a little bit of money, you may want to reconsider. Putting your hands inside a garbage disposal to repair it can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Accidentally engaging the unit with your hand inside can lead to severe injuries, so this is a job that’s best left to the professionals.
For professional garburator repair in Toronto and the surrounding areas, trust the experts at WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains. Our technicians have the skills and knowledge to repair your garbage disposal quickly and safely, and if we feel that your money would be best spent upgrading to a new garburator, we will get one installed in your home right away. If you’re in need of garburator repair or garburator replacement in Toronto, don’t try tackling this job on your own. Give us a call at (647) 691-0022.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water HeatersIf you’re in the market for a new water heater, one the biggest decisions you’ll likely face is whether to choose a traditional water heater or a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters provide homeowners with numerous benefits, but there are also some drawbacks that make them a less-than-ideal choice for some homes. Before you invest in a new water heater for your home, take a few minutes to learn about the pros and cons of tankless water heaters in Toronto.
Let’s start with the pros of tankless water heaters. As you likely already know, they provide significant energy savings. In fact, a tankless water heater uses 30% to 50% less energy than traditional water heaters with tanks. For the average household, this translates to an average energy saves of around $100 per year.
If you currently have a traditional water heater, I don’t have to tell you that they take up a lot of room in your home. Tankless water heaters, however, have a considerably smaller footprint, and they can fit just about anywhere.
Tankless water heaters also provide a constant supply of hot water whenever you need it. While draining a water heater with a tank requires refilling the tank and reheating it, hot water is constantly available with a tankless heater. This is especially beneficial in large families where multiple showers are needed in fairly rapid succession.
The primary disadvantage of a tankless water heater is the upfront cost. Tankless heaters cost considerably more to install than heaters with tanks, and it can take several years to recoup the cost in energy savings.
Though hot water is always available within seconds when you use a tankless heater, it may only be available from one faucet at a time. So, if you plan on having multiple family members showering simultaneously in different bathrooms, or if you need to do dishes and laundry at the same time, a tankless heater may not be your best bet, unless you install individual heaters at several points throughout your home, which can be a very costly endeavor. Installing a larger tankless heater is also an option, but again, these models are very expensive.
Installing a Toronto tankless water heater also requires special venting due to their high-powered burners. For this reason, professional installation is always required, and installation is almost always more expensive for tankless heaters than heaters with tanks, furthering the initial investment. On a positive note, though, opting for professional plumbing installation of any type of water heater is recommended because it ensures that the job is done correctly and preserves any manufacturer warranties that may be in place.
Deciding between a tankless water heater and a traditional water heater can be a challenge. On one hand, you have considerable energy savings and a much smaller footprint in your home; on the other you have additional upfront costs and more difficult installation. Despite the drawbacks, many families find that tankless water heaters work well for their home.
If you have decided to take advantage of the benefits of an energy-saving tankless water heater, the Toronto plumbing professionals at WaterWorks can help you decide upon the model and size that will best suit your home, and they will install it at a time that is convenient for you. To upgrade your water heater in Toronto, call WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains at (647) 691-0022
If your basement smells like a sewer, I’m sure you want to take care of it as quickly as possible. The good news is that, unlike many other plumbing projects, eliminating unpleasant odors in the basement is usually pretty simple. The odor has typically has one of five causes, most of which can be corrected fairly quickly.
The most common cause of unpleasant basement odors is a water trap that has dried out due to lack of regular use. The trap may be located under a wash basin, floor drain or laundry tub. When a drain is not used regularly, the water in the trap eventually evaporates, allowing sewer gas to come up the drain into your basement. To fix this problem, simply dump water into the drain to restore the water level in the trap. To keep the water from evaporating so quickly, add a few tablespoons of cooking oil.
Though it’s less common, it’s also possible for the water in a toilet trap to evaporate if the toilet has not been used for an extended period of time. In this instance, simply flushing the toilet will replenish the water and solve the problem.
Check your floor drain to see if the cleanout plug is missing. If it is, sewer gases can bypass the water trap and enter your home. To check, remove the grate covering the opening of the drain, and look for a plug inside the drain bowl. If yours is missing, a replacement can be purchased at any hardware store.
A bad seal between the base of the toilet and the toilet flange can also cause unpleasant odors. If the seal leaks, sewer gas can escape from under the toilet. Solving this problem requires removing the toilet and replacing the ring. If your toilet rocks, placing plastic shims between the toilet base and the floor and caulking the floor joint can help prevent rocking from damaging the replaced wax seal.
Though rare, more serious plumbing problems like broken or cracked sewer lines can also cause sewer smells in the basement. There could also be a loose connection in the ceiling or behind a wall. If the most common problems aren’t causing your issue, more serious plumbing issues may be at hand. Check out all the visible joints in your plumbing, and look for leaks. If you can’t find the leak, or you are unsure how to perform the necessary repair, you may need the help of a professional.
The expert plumbers at WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains can help you get rid of Toronto sewer smells. Whether you need a simple repair or you need help tracking down a leak or finding a cracked sewer pipe, we can help. Give us a call today at (647) 691-0022 for expert plumbing repair in Toronto and the surrounding areas.
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