Apr 25

Signs Your Sump Pump Needs Maintenance

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Residential Plumber, Sump Pumps, Toronto Plumber | No Comments

Sump pump maintenance?

Many homes have sump pumps installed to prevent rainwater flooding in basements. When ground water starts to accumulate in a basement the sump pump will kick in and pump water out and away from your foundation. If you want to prevent flooding in your basement, you need to make sure your sump pump is always in working condition, the easiest way to ensure this is with regular maintenance. You should additionally watch for three signs that your sump pump needs maintenance beyond routine measures.

Noise: A large sign that you cannot miss hearing is noise. A sump pump does make a normal amount of noise as it pumps out water, but in a normal home, this noise should not be loud enough to hear in other rooms. If your sump pump suddenly makes an unusual noise such as grinding or suddenly louder than normal, it could be caused by strange matter making it is way into the pump. If chunks of dirt or grit get into your sump pump, they will clog the impeller so that it cannot rotate and pump water out of your basement correctly. A professional plumber can easily clear this blockage.

Rising water: If a sump pump is installed and you have rising water in your basement, there is a sign of trouble. A sump pumps main function is to keep water levels down, if the pump is not working, it means the impeller may be broker or the pump motor may be damaged. A sump pump can even stop working because of clog in its hoses or a faulty float switch. Rather than playing around trying to figure out what the issue might be as water is rising in your basement, you should call a plumber to tackle the issue.

Bad Smells: A basement normally smells somewhat musty, especially if it is an unfinished basement. If you smell a very unpleasant or overpowering odor in your basement, especially near the sump pump there is a good chance that you may have leaking seals or that a small foreign matter is clogging your pump. You need to get your sump pump repaired right away, first to prevent farther damage to your sump pump and second to prevent any health hazards.

Are you considering sump pump maintenance in Toronto or Toronto sump pump repair? Call WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains at (647) 691-0022 and make an appointment today!

Apr 01

How to Clean the Sump Pit

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Plumbing Advice, Plumbing Tips, Sump Pumps | No Comments

While sump pumps receive a lot of attention, sump pits don’t. The sump pit has to be given the same importance you would give to your sump pump. It is critical if you want the sump pump to do its duty optimally. You should clean the sump pit once a year at least. Here are a few steps on how to clean the sump pit.

The sump pit should be isolated

Before you go about cleaning the sump pit, disable the sump pump. Disconnect the power and remove its connection to the discharge pipe.

Lighting

Before you clean the sump pit, make sure that there is adequate lighting around.

Put the sump pump into a bucket

Place the sump pump in a bucket, if you are able to find one that is large enough. It is recommended that you take the pump outside to clean it, as you may not want to dirty the house in the process.

Remove water from the pit

Using a vacuum, remove any standing water from the sump pit. There may be sludge and you will have to scrape this out as well. The sludge might give off a nauseous smell, so make sure that there is adequate ventilation.

Clean the pump

Clean the pump as well as you can. Reconnect the pump with the discharge line. If the pump is boxed in and you open it, any warranties may become void. So be careful.

Reactivate the pump

Attach the power line to the pump. Next, reactivate the drainage system.

If you’re in need of a Markham Plumber to give you tips on sump pump maintenance. Contact WaterWorks Plumbing in Toronto at (647) 691-0022 to schedule an appointment!

Mar 25

Leak in Copper Water Pipe? Here Are the Possible Causes

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Plumbing, Plumbing Tips | No Comments

Copper pipes are actually designed to last for as long as 25 years. But like all metal pipes, copper can also corrode over time and cause leaky pipes. Here are the likely causes of corrosion of your copper pipes.Copper still remains the most popular material for water pipes because it is easy to use, it resists corrosion and it cannot be permeated by gases and liquids.Here are the most common causes of leaks in copper water pipes.

Pitting due to hard water

Hard water will cause corrosion in copper pipes and this type of pitting is more often associated with cold hard water.

Water velocity

The copper pipe can get eroded at areas where turbulence develops, such as when water changes direction suddenly, as is the case at sharp elbows and turns. If the distribution lines are not large enough, the copper pipe may get eroded quickly when the circulation pumps are oversized and the system is improperly balanced.

pH value of the water

If the pH value of water is more than 8, copper oxide will begin to form on the walls of the pipe. This film will act as a barrier and resist corrosion. But if the pH falls below 8, this film will be dissolved, leaving the copper exposed to corrosive action. As the wall weakens, pin hole leaks will begin to form.

Oxygen

Oxygen is dissolved in water to the extent of nearly 30%. Oxygen will react with metals by an electro chemical process and convert the metal into an oxide. This weakens the pipe. The rust like substance deposits in the pipes and slows down the flow of water, requiring repair. This type of corrosion is more in the presence of hot water.

If you’re in need of a Mississauga Plumber to fix your leaky copper pipes. Contact WaterWorks Plumbing in Toronto at (647) 691-0022 to schedule an appointment!

Aug 01

Things Not To Flush Down Your Toilet

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Plumbing Advice, Plumbing Tips, Toilet Repair | No Comments

Fun fact: Did you know that the first flushing toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington in 1596 for Queen Elizabeth I? Since then, toilets have grown to be part of our every day lives. We use them every day, but seldom are they ever the topic of conversation. That is, unless you are a certified Toronto plumber!

At WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains, we love talking about toilets, drains and pipes. It’s what we do. It’s what we’re good at. However, sometimes we find the strangest things in peoples’ drains and are amazed at some of the things people have flushed down the toilet. Just because something will flush, doesn’t mean that it should be flushed.

We’re fortunate to live in North America where we enjoy an abundance of clean water (so clean that we relieve ourselves in it)! In that light, Water Works presents to you a list of things never to be flushed down toilets. This is to help you avoid drain pain! If you follow these recommendations, you are far less likely to experience clogged drains and pipes! It’s also to help you take care of the precious environment we live in. On to the list!

What Not To Flush Down The Toilet

Baby Wipes: “Flushable” or not, throw away with diapers. They can cause clogging in sewer facilities.

Bandages: These are not biodegradable and belong in waste bin.

Bobby Pins: Never flush metal objects.

Cigarette Butts: These contain harmful chemicals and should not be flushed.

Condoms: Never flush rubber down toilets. Rubber is not good for your septic system and not good for environment.

Cotton Balls: Dispose of these in garbage along with other trash.

Dead Animals: Please no. Bury them.

Dental Floss: Floss is not biodegradable and can cause tangled messes.

Diapers: Diapers expand when wet, clogging even the best drains; landfill please.

Fabrics: Fabric is a tremendous culprit. Never ever flush clothing.

Hair: Gather cut hair and throw in compost bin. Hair is not good for drains.

Hair Clips: These are not biodegradable and are known to clogs drains.

ID/Credit Cards: Protect your identity and dispose of these properly but cutting or shredding them.

Insects: A dead or live insect is not worth wasting 3 gallons of water to flush. Just take them outside.

Kitty Litter: Kitty litter has binders that block your sewage.

Medicines: Return unused pills and other medications to local pharmacy for safe disposal.

Perfume Sample Bottles: Not biodegradable.

Potatoes: Potatoes can be shot out of potato guns, but not flushed down toilets.

Q-Tips: These are not biodegradable and are found all the time in clogged drains.

Razors & Blades: Not biodegradable or safe to flush.

Syringes & Needles: Dangerous to have in septic or sewer system, and they are not biodegradable.

Tissues: Unlike toilet paper, tissues are made to hold together when wet.

Tampons: Many types expand and have water absorbing chemicals. Wrap with toilet paper and dispose of properly in a waste basket.

Tooth Brushes: Liquid Draino will suffice. There’s no need to send tooth brushes down to clean your pipes.

Toys: Here’s one is for the kids. Never flush plastic down toilets.

Simply put, toilets are designed to flush away human waste. Kitchen disposals are designed to dispose of certain types of kitchen waste. Trash receptacles are designed for trash.

Just remember, when in doubt, throw it out! Even if a product says that it’s disposable, it doesn’t guarantee no blockages. In fact, the majority of foreign objects found in clogged sewage drains comes from disposable items. Most sewers are not designed to cope with all of today’s disposable items.

If you’re dealing with a clogged toilet in Toronto, call the clog removal experts at WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains. (647) 691-0022

Jul 26

Different Types Of Plumbing Pipes

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Plumbing | No Comments

When plumbers talk about pipes, there are two different types of plumbing pipes that can be used for all of your plumbing needs. Whether you are putting together sink, a water heater, a complete kitchen or bathroom or doing some remodeling yourself, it really comes down to what will be going through those pipes. Do we need a gas pipe, water pipe or waste (drainage) pipe? Answering those questions first help us determine the pipe’s material.

The materials can be broken down into two categories. Metal pipe and plastic pipe.

Metal Pipe

Why so many different types of pipe? Each pipe is suited for different applications and the trick is knowing what pipe will work best for each.

Copper Pipe

Copper pipe is a luxury pipe. It’s durable, corrosion-resistant and light-weight, which makes it one of the most expensive types of plumbing pipe on the market. But that doesn’t mean that it’s uncommon. In fact, it’s probably the most common type of water pipes used for hot and cold water lines!

One way people try to cut back on copper pipe costs is by using CPVC to carry their hot water. It would be very impractical to plumb an entire house with copper pipe since there are other types of pipe that can be used efficiently.

Stainless Steel Pipe

It is not very common to find stainless steel plumbing in homes as it runs more expensive and is generally harder to find than the others. Stainless material is used in areas that come in direct contact with salt water such as marine environments, because it is better able to resist the corrosive nature of salt.

Galvanized Pipe

This type of water pipe is used most commonly as a means of taking water away from the home. It’s thicker and heavier and often buried underground. It has a coating that makes it rust resistant.

In the end, metal pipes are the very best choice for certain applications (such as water pipes) and not so great a choice for others. Nowadays contractors and home owners are trying to move away from galvanized pipe by using plastic pipe simply because plastic pipe is easier to work with and it does not rust!

Plastic Pipe

Plastic pipes include a good variety of pipes designed well for high pressure water (hot and cold). Let’s have a look at the different types.

Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe (PVC)

PVC is most often used for plumbing high-pressure water, usually cold. Sprinkler systems are constructed using this handy type of pipe. It’s inexpensive and capable of the most common plumbing needs such as cold water pipes and waste pipes.

Polyethylene Pipe (PEX)

PEX pipe is specially designed as a hot water pipe. It has a high resistance for heat which makes it suitable for showers, sinks and washing machines. This plastic pipe is also very flexible, which makes it easy to work with!

Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene Pipe (ABS)

This rigid plastic pipe is designed well to serve as a waste pipe, drain pipe and ventilation pipe. You see ABS pipe most commonly in bathrooms.

Chlorine Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe (CPVC)

As the name denotes, CPVC pipe is simply PVC pipe that has been made more chlorinated. It’s one of the most common substitutes for copper pipe as it shares the same outer diameter as copper pipe.

Jun 14

20 Must-Have Tools For Plumbing & Home Improvement

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Plumbing, Plumbing Advice, Plumbing Tips | No Comments

As a homeowner, you face the possibility of frozen or leaking pipes, toilet and sewage problems, clogged drains and more. There are also all sorts of non-plumbing related dilemmas. While many of these home disasters require the help of a certified plumber, there are other repair jobs that can be remedied on your own if you have the right tools. Go through this list of must have common plumbing tools that every homeowner ought to have so you can tackle basic DIY plumbing projects.

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly for bending or for compression. A good pair will serve you a lifetime, ask any WaterWorks plumber in Toronto!

Hammer

Hammers are used for driving nails, fitting parts together and breaking up objects.

Voltage Tester

Also known as a test light or test lamp, a voltage tester lets you know if there is a presence or absence of electricity in a piece of equipment such as a battery or power strip.

Pipe Wrench

A pipe wrench is designed to turn round pipes. A plumber’s favorite!

Power Drill

Commonly used for drilling holes or fastening materials together with screws. Drills can also be used in woodworking or metalworking. Various attachments are sold for power drills for different purposes.

Stud Finder

Stud finders help you determine the location of the wooden framing (studs) behind walls.

Screwdriver Set

Screwdrivers are most commonly used for driving screws or bolts, but can also be used for a wide variety of purposes like prying and widening.

Wire Cutter/Stripper

Wire strippers like the ones shown here can also be used to cut wire. It’s a great combination.

Tape Measure

Tape measures are a common measuring tool and an absolute must for homeowners.

Level

A level uses a bubble meter to determine whether or not a surface is level.

Multi-purpose Saw

Saws can be used in the home to cut through objects like PVC and wood.

Crescent Wrench

An adjustable wrench used to turn bolts or square objects.

Plunger

Plungers are one of the most commonly used tools in the home. When used right, they usually do an outstanding job unclogging drains.

Utility Knife

A utility knife is a cutting tool that has a retractable and interchangeable blade. Replacement blades are sold separately.

Allen Key Set

A type of screwdriver that has a hexagonal head for driving Allen screws.

Step Ladder

Commonly used to fix light fixtures, repair windows and gutter maintenance.

Vice Grip

Vice grips are used to clamp onto objects, gripping them firmly for turning or physical compression.

Basin Wrench

A basin wrench is designed for tight spaces. When you use one, you’ll really appreciate its functionality.

Carpenter’s Square

For a superior finish and a job well done, use a carpenter’s square to make sure your angles are perfectly square.

Putty Knife

Also known as a spackle knife or scraper, this tool helps smooth surfaces when applying putty or spackling in preparation for painting and finish work.

Image Sources:

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http://www.daviddarling.info/images/carpenters_square.jpg
http://media.merchantcircle.com/22643878/spackle%20knife1_full.jpeg

Dec 28

Environmentally Friendly Drain Cleaner

By Waterworks Plumbing & Drains | Drain Cleaning, Plumbing | No Comments

If the environment and its changes are of concern to you and the proper use of substances to clear drain lines, waste-water lines and other potential drainage systems, BioOne is the environmentally friendly drain cleaner you have been looking for.

BioOne is available only to professional plumbers and pumping professionals. The professional sale and administration of BioOne makes it the safest product to use on home sewer systems, septic systems, drain fields and water collection systems. Over time treatment and drainage systems will clog due to oil, fat and grease. Take it from a certified plumber in Toronto, these substances build and clog systems on a regular basis.

An environmentally safe product is available and it’s use is encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA seal is present on every container and BioOne liquid has met all of the challenges for biological grease trap, septic system and drain lines. It is time to step up to the criteria set down by the Environmental Protection Agency standards and provide safe clearance of all areas.

BioOne is safe and economical. It contains no added enzymes, surfactants or emulsifiers. It easily replaces products with caustic chemicals effectively. BioOne contains no caustic chemicals. Home owners and municipalities will appreciate the lower cost and total effectiveness of this product.

Residential drainage systems eventually clog form soaps, shampoos, detergents and other commonly used household products. Sewer systems and septic systems will clog and cause major issues with homeowners. BioOne can be placed directly into the septic system with the knowledge that you are using a safe effective product that will have your customer recommending you to other homeowners. Word of mouth recommendations are the best advertising you can get.

Instead of simply liquifying waste, BioOne digests the waste and eliminates the problem safely, both for the consumer and the environment. It is sold only by professionals and is available in all states and Canada. Natural ingredients contained in the product act efficiently and less costly than much more caustic and expensive chemicals.

Being performance ready and needing no pH balancing makes the product easier to use. This is due to the fact of its environmentally safe make up with no emulsifying agents or added enzymes. Septic systems will be a problem at some point in the owners life and this is a wonderful product to make those issues less painful for the owner and less expensive than costly repairs or replacement.

The natural microbes in BioOne will inexpensively and effectively ease the problems of drainage clogging due to the accumulation of organic matter and the elimination of natural bacterias due to the use of common household products. Systematic maintenance will prevent further problems.

Commercial kitchens frequently have clogged drains due to the improper disposal of fats and grease. Maintenance with BioOne will prevent lengthy delays in the clearance of these pipes and drainage systems. The systemic application of BioOne automatically introduces the proper amount of product to keep drain lines, grease traps and drain fields from clogging and interrupting commercial productivity. The natural enzymes make it safe to use in these situations. It does not just liquify these substances but rather eliminates them by digesting them and creating an environmentally safe method of clearance and further prevention of clogged drain lines.

Waterworks Plumbing & Drains