Plumbing

Famous physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein once wrote a letter to a magazine declaring that if he could be a young man again, he’d try to become a plumber, not a scientist. Source Read on to find a few more interesting facts from the plumbing world. Meanwhile, to contact a 24-hour plumber in Calgary, who can immediately fix an ongoing plumbing woe, please click HERE. The concept of plumbing is thousands of years old The earliest instances of planned plumbing were found in the Indus valley civilization, also called the Harappan civilization. Discoveries revealed interesting insights, including that they used earthen plumbing pipes to transport water and direct drain wastes to designated areas.  For your information, experts believe the civilization could be 8000 years old. Source Our favorite video game character Mario was NOT born as a plumber The popular and hardworking video game character Mario debuted in Donkey Kong as a carpenter named Jumpman to support the game’s setting which was a construction site. In Mario Bros, his creator chose to give him a plumber’s look – again to adjust the new setting which now was full of pipes, sewers, and underground. 6 drops of water from a leaking tap make a loss of 1200 liters of water yearly. A tap that drips six drops of water per minute, will eventually lose a staggering 12,00 liters of water annually, equaling to seven bathtubs.  (Source) So, the next time you hear a dripping noise, seek professional plumbing services in Calgary immediately. Manhole covers are circular so that they can’t fall through the opening Ever wondered why manhole covers are circular? Because round shapes are easy to manufacture, and being round they can be effortlessly transported from one place to another. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that being round in shape, they can’t fall through a circular opening – no matter how hard they are turned sideways. 30 mins a day in the bathroom Let us conclude the first part of unbelievable plumbing facts with this interesting information. The average person spends nearly 30 minutes in the bathroom daily. Source This is not a small number when multiplied by the total number of days a person lives. Don’t repair a plumbing leak on your own Okay, it is not an expected fact, but it is still a fact. A good number of average homeowners often decide to repair a plumbing leak themselves using things as commonly available as duct tape. This actually makes the problem worse and will lead to costly professional repair. A duct tape might not completely close a leak and when the water pressure will increase, the temporary solution could quickly become an unsafe experiment. To avoid such situations, always choose to call a professional plumber in Calgary. Experienced plumbers will easily identify the problem, present a realistic solution and fix an issue quickly while preventing scope for future ongoing repairs. For example,  ProStar Plumbing & Heating is often recommended by homeowners and commercial institutions as their number 1 choice for 24-hour plumbers in Calgary. They don’t charge for overtime, provide a clean, and satisfactory service, add personal attention to every project, and are available around the hour every day to respond to emergencies. Also, special discounts are available for seniors.

Any plumbing issue to do with a toilet is bad news. It can be particularly frustrating in households that primarily use one bathroom. If you’re faced with a toilet that won’t flush, however, count yourself lucky. It’s a common issue that’s easy to fix in most cases, and it can be done without the help of a Calgary, AB bathroom plumbing technician. Want to learn how to fix this simple bathroom plumbing problem? Here are three ways to handle a toilet that simply won’t flush. 1. Check the Flapper in the Tank Thankfully, the most common cause of a toilet that refuses to flush is the easiest one to fix. Most of the time, the problem is caused by a poorly seated flapper, which is a device located at the bottom of the toilet tank. The flapper is what opens up and allows the water from the tank to flow into the bowl when you flush before closing up again so the tank can re-fill. It’s connected to a chain, which is attached to a rod that’s part of the handle. When the handle gets pushed, the rod lifts up the chain, which opens the flapper. You can tell if the flapper isn’t seated well over the opening if you try pushing the handle and no water flows into the bowl, but you hear water running anyway. The culprit is often one of the components of this contraption. Perhaps the flapper is worn out, the chain is loose, or the chain got caught beneath the flapper and is stopping it from closing. Jiggling the handle can sometimes fix the problem. Try it, and if you hear the tank filling up, you’ve solved the problem. If that doesn’t work, you will need to take a hands-on approach. Remove the lid of the tank and see what’s stopping the flapper from closing. Depending on the source, you may need to reseat the flapper, attach the chain to the rod or pull the chain out from under the flapper. Afterward, the tank should begin to fill up. As soon as it’s done, flush the toilet and make sure the flapper goes back down correctly. If it does, you’ve fixed the problem. Put the cover back on and resume as normal. 2. More Water Into the Toilet Bowl There’s an alternative way to flush a toilet if you’re unable. If you pour a large volume of water into the bowl itself, you can force it to flush down any waste. Find a bucket or container, fill it with water and use it for this procedure. The trick is to make sure you’re not pouring too slowly, or else the water level will simply rise. It’s a simple yet effective way of getting a toilet to flush, and it may solve the problem.   3. Get in Touch With a Plumber to Search for Clogs If you can’t figure out what’s wrong, you may want to call in a bathroom plumbing professional to inspect your toilet for clogs. You can try using a plunger or snake to take care of it, but if there’s a clog in the toilet flange or drain it will have to be fixed by a technician. Don’t hesitate to contact an expert if you suspect your toilet is clogged.  

It goes without saying that engaging in ongoing home repairs can extend components of your home’s lifespan and save you money at the same time. However, when do you know if a component is salvageable, or if repairs even make financial sense? For many of your home’s plumbing components, age is a factor, but there are other signals that tell you to repipe rather than repair. Replace the Washing Machine? If your washing machine is more than eight years old, right off the bat, it may not be worthwhile for you to sink any more money into fixing it. Other trouble signs include a machine that shakes, leaks a lot or makes banging noises. Don’t forget to check your washing machine’s connector hoses. They need to be replaced every 5-7 years. If they decay and rupture, you could be faced with major water damage. For extra peace of mind, put in braided stainless steel hoses rather than rubber. Replace the Sink? What’s wrong with your sink? Is it smelly? Get a drain cleaning done to fix that? Leaky faucet? You can likely fix that. However, if you are dealing with a leak, check out the plumbing beneath the sink. Is it rusty or covered in mineral deposits? This is a circumstance where it makes far more sense to replace than to repair. As plumbing ages, it gets rusty and starts to deteriorate, hence the leaks. When to Replace Your Shower If you see black mold anywhere on your shower, alarm bells should go off. Replace it immediately because it is toxic for your family. Also, if your shower head is full of sediment, or has uneven water pressure, get yourself a new one. If you’ve got low water pressure everywhere in your home realize that it isn’t a showerhead problem, but that you probably have a hidden leak somewhere. Water Heater Replacement? If your tankless heater is close to 20 years old, or if your storage tank heater is 10-15 years old, don’t bother trying to fix it. It is at the end of its lifespan. Other problems that will require major repairs include corrosion and large leaks. If you have a storage tank heater, no matter how old it is, you may want to upgrade it to a tankless heater, which works on demand and saves you money. If you aren’t sure what you should do with your plumbing, you can always call on your trusty Calgary, AB plumbers for help.

For Calgary, AB plumbers, getting permits from the city for work is second nature. But did you know that even if you are thinking of tackling some home renovation tasks all on your own, or maybe even looking for a plumbing career, you need to get a permit? To obtain a permit, you apply through the city. In many cases, you need separate permits for different jobs (i.e., one permit for electrical work, one permit for plumbing, etc.). It’s not simply enough to have the tools and the time to tackle DIY jobs. As we’ll discuss below, you need to have the right permits for a number of reasons. When Should I get a Plumbing Permit? Although requirements for permits vary from city to city, for the most part in Calgary, simple jobs don’t require a permit. For example, if you are putting in a new toilet, hot water tank, repairing a leak or installing a new shower head. Other home renovation jobs that don’t require a permit are painting, decorating, installing cabinets (without plumbing) putting up siding on your home or building a small shed. Generally, if you are doing work that alters the structure of your home (or in the case of the plumbing has to do with municipal sewer lines or water supply) you need a permit. For example, if you are doing anything that alters your heating/cooling or plumbing systems, you need a permit. If you are putting in a sprinkler system, remodeling your bathroom/kitchen with major plumbing work or putting on an addition to your home. How Does a Plumbing Permit Keep Me Protected? At the very least, having work done with proper permitting will give you peace of mind, because you know that work is being done right. As permitted work has to be done to a certain standard of care, it will probably last longer and be of higher quality in general. Having a permit to do work can protect you against liability and fines in the future, especially if you sell your home. Permits also help to ensure your family’s safety. Unpermitted, DIY work may not be done correctly and can result in dangerous living conditions, including fire and flood. How Much Does a Plumbing Permit Cost? When you are not building a building from scratch, there is a sliding fee based on what the value of the project is. You can estimate how much it will cost by using the City of Calgary’s trade estimation calculator.

One plumbing problem that every homeowner should be concerned about is water leaks. Even a dripping pipe, if left undetected for a long period of time, can cause vast amounts of water damage. Depending on how much water escapes, the cost of conducting repairs can go through the roof, and the price of your water bill may skyrocket. Luckily, residents of Calgary, AB have access to water leak detection service. But is there a way of stopping leaks before they start? To find the solution, one must understand the nature of leaks. Here are some of the most common reasons water leaks happen. Very High Pressure Having too much water pressure in your home can actually be a bad thing. It might feel pleasant while also making washing and bathing more efficient, but high water pressure can add strain to the pipes and boost the odds of a burst or leak. It’s also key to note that every faucet and fixture is designed to operate within specific parameters. If the water pressure is too high, they may not function. Those who are uncertain about the water pressure levels in their home should reach out to a professional. Pipes Are Getting Old Pipes can only last for so long. As they age, they can exhibit signs of deterioration and become more vulnerable to damage. Debris inside the pipes can also accumulate over time, resulting in clogs and a rise in water pressure. This could lead to leaks. Corrosion and Rusty Pipes It’s possible that corrosive substances have made their way into your plumbing, which can increase the rate of decay and compromise the water pipes. Depending on what materials they were made from, water pipes may also begin to rust after a while. Either of these may lead to damage resulting in a leak. Go check on your pipes. If they’re warped or discolored, it’s probably a good idea to have them inspected by a technician. Water Quality Is Critical One way to help your home’s plumbing flow smoothly is by running clean water. If you water isn’t pure, substances can leave behind a residue that can build up and develop into clogs. Hard water, which is safe to consume, is chock-full of minerals that tend to accumulate within plumbing. Installing a water filtration system or water softener can help combat these symptoms and prevent leaks while keeping your water pipes healthy. Water leak repairs are available when you need it most, but a responsible homeowner may want to take measures to ensure such services aren’t needed. By calling in a professional to inspect your water pressure, the status of your pipes and quality of the water, you’re taking steps to help prevent a future emergency. Any potential problems on the horizon could be identified and solutions applied if necessary. Be proactive when it comes to avoiding water leaks in your home.

Plumbing normally works without issues, and with complete reliability for decades. That’s because the technology behind it is simple, well-understood, and the workmanship and materials used for plumbing are built to last. But that doesn’t mean that plumbing will last forever, or always work at peak levels of efficiency. Things can and do go wrong for a variety of different reasons. Some plumbing emergencies are more common than others, but we’ve got some tips to help you avoid these issues. Leaky Fixtures Probably the least serious of the threats to your plumbing that will appear on this list. That doesn’t mean, however, that a plumbing leak is harmless. In addition to the irritation it can cause in a home from the incessant dripping, it adds up on your water bill as well. Leak prevention is normally a simple matter of just making sure that taps on faucets are properly shut. But if a leak is still occurring despite this, you may need to replace either the O-ring or the washer inside the fixture. Both of these parts are small, cheap, and designed to be easily switched out, so get a wrench and get these parts to see if that doesn’t do the trick. Drains That Are Blocked If you’re proactive about your plumbing, you are unlikely to be at risk from this emergency. A blocked drain usually occurs when matter—it could be food in a kitchen sink, or hair in a bathroom sink or tub—doesn’t flow down the pipe and into the sewer. Instead, the matter gets caught in the pipe, and gradually catches other matter, building up. You’ll get an early warning that a blocked drain is on the way when you experience a “slow drain,” which is just water emptying out of a sink at a slower rate than normal. The careful, minimal use of drain cleaners can clear up small, partial blockages before they get serious. Never go all out with drain cleaners, as these are corrosives that can actively break very old pipes, and even melt or warp modern PVC pipes if too much is used. Mechanical solutions like plungers and plumber snakes are good for prevention too. Toilets That Overflow It usually takes something quite drastic to block the pipe of a toilet so that flushing causes it to back up and overflow onto the floor. The easiest way to avoid this is to respect the design requirements of your toilet. It is supposed only to flush down human waste and toilet paper. Even paper towels from the kitchen can block a pipe because they weren’t designed to break down in water the way toilet paper does. Everything from needles to disposable diapers have been flushed down toilets, and these can block the pipe! A Pipe That Bursts This one can be a major hazard in winter in Canada. It’s not uncommon for a water pipe to burst because the temperatures dropped too low, causing the water in the pipe to freeze. That freezing into ice expands in the pipe, then causes the pipe to break. Insulate any pipes that are in danger of freezing from exposure. Plumbing in Calgary, AB usually works without issues. But you can help to make sure your plumbing continues in that way by not abusing your system and keeping it in good shape.

With all the many items you need to accomplish with spring cleaning, it may seem like a bit of a hassle to deal with your outdoor plumbing. Rest assured though that this time well spent. Much like with your indoor plumbing, proactive maintenance makes your system more reliable and more efficient, which is going to save you money in the long run. Here are some essential plumbing maintenance tasks for you to complete. Gutter Cleaning Get those leaves out of your gutter because they are blocking proper water flow. As the rain falls, it needs to reach the downspout in order to flow away from your home. When the path is blocked, the water is in danger of leaking through the roof, or down towards your home’s foundation. Either way, these structures need protection from water damage. Make sure that gutters are free and clear. Check the Sprinkler out Inspect your sprinkler this spring to catch any leaks or other problems before you get too far into the season. If you notice puddles of water around your lawn, bubbling water or sunken patches, call your San Jose, CA plumber for help, because you have a leak. Also, attend to the valve boxes. Rodents like to crawl inside and gnaw on the wires. This is also another place to check for leaks. If there is water in the boxes, that is a cause for concern. They should be dry. Check that nozzles aren’t bent or broken; replace as necessary. Replace controller batteries and ensure that the settings are for when you want watering. Ideally, try to water in the evening and early morning, because less water evaporates. Check the Outdoor Faucets A dripping tap indoors is a cause of water waste; the same can be said for your outdoor faucets too, which is why you need to check them out. Turn the faucet on and off. Does water appear where you wouldn’t expect to see it? To see if there is a leak deeper in the supply line, turn the spigot on. Place your hand on the opening. If you can hold the water back with your hand, then you should call your plumber for a full leak inspection. Weak water pressure like that probably indicates that you’ve got a leak deep down. Replace Hoses if Necessary Garden hoses don’t last forever, which is why you need to check them out every season to make sure that they are operational. Patch up small holes as you can. Even a pinhole can leak a lot of water, which is wasteful and expensive. To keep your hoses lasting longer, store them properly. Unkink them and roll up, either to hang on the wall or a hose caddy.

It’s hard to cover all your bases as a homeowner, which can create a lot of stress. You’ve got to stay on top of repairs, keep costs down and protect your home best you can from potential damage. You can help alleviate some of that stress and cut operating costs by doing preventative maintenance. A good place to start is with your plumbing system. It doesn’t take a huge financial or time investment to make sure that your plumbing is healthy to prevent leaks. Make Sure Water Pressure is Regulated You get the concept of checking your own blood pressure as a measure of your health, right? The same can be said for your plumbing systems. You need to have your water pressure in a healthy range to avoid undue stress on your pipes and fixtures, which can cause leaks. Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure. If it’s too high (much over 60 psi), it is a good idea to have your Calgary, AB plumber install a water pressure regulator professionally. How to Identify a Leak You can save yourself a lot of trouble if you can develop a system to find small leaks before they become bigger problems. You can visually inspect your pipes for moisture, mineral deposits or dripping water. Another way to check if you have a leak is to use your water meter for reference. Make sure that there is no water running in the house. Take a meter reading and wait a couple of hours and take another one. If the meter has been running, then you’ve got a leak. Deal With Corrosion One thing that will cause water leaks for sure is corrosion. When certain minerals interact with your plumbing, they corrode. The corrosion causes them to decay and then leaks start. You can take steps to slow the process. If you’ve got older copper pipes, switch them out for PVC because age and pipe material are a factor in how quickly corrosion sets in. Install a water softener. Make sure to run water often, because standing water in pipes is the perfect place for rust to happen. Don’t Use Commercial Cleaners for Clogs Frustrated by a clog? Don’t reach for the commercial clog remover to clean it out. The acid that you are relying on to break down the clog is also going to attack your pipes. It won’t be long before you’ve got leaks. Focus on clog prevention with regular drain cleaning instead. Healthy plumbing means leak-free living, so commit to this plan for peace of mind.

Drought, pollution from fires and the devastation of the city infrastructure due to flooding a few years ago has caused the water bills of Calgary, AB residents to escalate higher than ever. Thankfully, there are some simple ways that you can lower the cost of your water bill substantially through retrofitting and fixing leaking faucets and pipes. It is also quite easy to make a couple of changes to your regular household routine by changing your usual habits. Wash Your Car Less Often and Take It to a Car Wash Washing a vehicle can use up to a thousand gallons of water, and you will see this as a huge expenditure on your water bill. It is much more reasonable to take it to a car wash, where the water used is recycled and where the expense is minimal. If you do wash your car at home, try to let it go as long as possible to prevent outrageous hikes in your water bill. Recycle Greywater to Your Garden With Soaker Hoses One way to conserve water is to ask your plumber to attach hoses to your washing machine, dishwasher and washbasins so that slightly used water, called greywater, is channeled outside into your backyard. You will never have to turn on your outdoor faucet again if you do this plus collect rainwater in barrels. You can also collect water manually from sinks and bathtubs using watering cans and buckets and use that greywater to water houseplants. Always Take a Shower Instead of a Bath Filling your bathtub uses about 40 gallons of water whereas taking a shower only uses about 15 gallons. The rule of thumb is that the shorter your shower is, the more money you are going to save. Make it a solid rule in your home that nobody stays in the shower for more than eight minutes and this will result in big savings on your water bill. Ask Your Plumber About the Latest Leak-Proof Water-Saving Gadgets Every year the plumbing industry is coming up with new, interesting hacks for helping you to save water. Have your plumber over for an inspection and also a check up to make sure your pipes and fixtures are not leaking. Every little drop of water wasted by a leak adds up so it is crucial to make sure every pipe is popularly sutured together and that there is no water seepage from anywhere. After every leak in the house has been patched up, then inquire as to how you can have such water-saving fixtures as motion-sensor water dispensers, faucet aerators and point-of-use water heaters installed in your home. Other gadgets that come in handy when it comes to saving both heat and water are adjustable flappers for your toilet tank that adjust the amount of water that flows into the bowl, cycle diverters, and a tankless water heater.

Western Canada gets some of the worst, most brutal winters in the country, and while Calgary can still enjoy the occasional chinook to bring some warmth in, that doesn’t mean things are easy. With winter coming, most homeowners should start thinking about preparing their residences for the winter, and this checklist should you get off to a good start. Check the Alarms in Your House Depending on how up to date your alarms are, you may either have a separate alarm for fires and another one for carbon monoxide. Newer models may even have alerts that notify you when battery power is running low so that you can replace them with fresh batteries. Regardless of what kind of situation you have, make sure the alarms work. This is especially important at this time of year for your carbon monoxide alarms. The majority of central heating systems in Alberta burn gas. If anything goes wrong with your system, carbon monoxide may be a by-product that then leaks into your home. Unfortunately, not only is carbon monoxide lethal, it has no smell and no color. So your carbon monoxide alarm is your first—and last—line of defense against this. Start Stacking Up On De-Icing Salt They’re heavy, and they take up some space in your house or your garage, but a bag or three of de-icing salt can be an efficient solution during the lighter parts of winter. While it’s true that heavy snowfall means you pretty much have to use a shovel or snow blower, salt still has its place under a variety of other circumstances. When there’s ice on the sidewalk, driveway, outdoor plumbing, or the snowfall is light, de-icing salt is perfect. It melts the ice and keeps it from re-forming even when it’s below zero outside. That means that everyone has an easier time walking past your home, and if you sprinkle it on your driveway, it means good traction getting into and out of the garage too. Just sprinkle it evenly and try not to overdo it. A little salt goes a long way. Check Your Insulation & Ventilation You can’t have a comfortable home life in Canada without decent insulation. Or, if you choose to do so, your comfort will come at the cost of very high monthly heating bills. Without insulation, all the heat in your home escapes into the outdoors, and your furnace has to keep working to maintain a decent temperature. Check your insulation to make sure it’s still in good shape, or, if you’ve got the budget, upgrade it with new insulation and add more value to your home, as you get rid of that old fiberglass. When it comes to your ventilation, this needs to be clear. You can have a qualified technician come down and inspect—and clean out—your vents if you need to make sure heat is traveling efficiently throughout your home. It’s also important to ensure that the exhausts that vent waste from your furnace, as well as any intakes you may have, are also clear and unobstructed to maintain good efficiency for your HVAC systems. The winters can sometimes be quite harsh in Calgary, AB, but we can all enjoy the season more comfortably and efficiently at home by taking a few steps of preventive maintenance before it sets in.