Archive for the ‘Coquitlam Plumbing ’ Category

Why Vancouver Drains Get Plugged

Posted on: August 30th, 2012 by Damon Cuthbert
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Vancouver drains tip. If you see dirty water all of a sudden, do not panic. It could be the simplest of solutions. Sometimes the city flushes their systems, breaking up debris and sending it into your home. Fixing this requires flushing the drains and strainers until the water runs clean again. If this municipal flush caused a problem like a drop in water pressure though, that could mean your drains need to be flushed to clean out mud and debris. Or it may also mean your drainage system has root intrusion and may need a roto-rooter machine to cut out the roots. In extreme cases you may have to replace the perimeter drains or even have the pipes leading to the sewer system replaced.

In Case of a Flood

If water is flooding your home, immediately switch off the main electrical power. If water comes into contact with any electrical components, it can become a fatal situation. Once the power is off, then deal with the flood water. Put your own and your family’s personal safety first, and show each member of the family how to shut off the power.

To help you find a good plumber, you should get recommendations from people whom you trust. Asking a friend or a neighbor is usually more trustworthy than picking a random plumber out of the phone book. You need a competent plumber, otherwise you could be in for a much bigger problem down the road. Another resource is our website CertifiedLocalPro.com. We only host local plumbers with excellent track records.

The Main Water Shut off Valve

Make sure you know where your home’s water shutoff is located. You never know when there might be an emergency involving a broken pipe or damaged connection that requires you to turn off the water right away. In addition, knowing where the shutoff is located is vital before you start any plumbing project, in case anything goes wrong.

For a clogged drain try using a plunger first, as your clog may simply be a build-up of hair and debris. If this doesn’t work you may have to clear the drain with a snake. Feed the snake into the drain line as far as it will go. Turn the crank gently which will either collect the blockage or loosen the clog. Remove the snake, and run water down the drain to see if the clog has been removed. You may have to use the snake a couple of times, before the clog is cleared so don’t give up!

How to Retrieve a Lost Ring

If you drop a small item like a ring or earring into a sink drain, hope is not lost. By carefully removing the U-shaped trap underneath the sink, you can probably retrieve the item. Be aware that the trap will be full of water, though, so have something under it to catch the spills.

If all esle fails call one of the Vancouver drains contractors listed on our site and they will dispatch a technician right away if it’s an emergency. If it can wait we usually book an appointment that’s convenient for both.

Plumbing Supplies Every Home Should Have

Posted on: July 25th, 2012 by jakeo
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When you become a homeowner, you will discover very quickly there are quite a few things in your home that can very easily go awry. From heating to roofing to floods and more, it can be quite daunting at first. However, experienced homeowners will always tell you that having first-hand knowledge of a few simple home repair skills can truly be a lifesaver.

This can be especially true when it comes to plumbing. As many homes will have any number of toilets, sinks, washbasins, dishwashers, baths, and more in their home, there can be problems just lurking around the corner. So, the very best thing a new homeowner can do is to get yourself a few simple supplies that will enable you to fix any minor issues that may come up. Save the big problems for your trusted local plumber.

The number one supply in any home should be the plunger. Let’s face it, things with drains clog, for a variety of reasons, it is one of the most common plumbing issues out there, and you don’t need to be stumped when it happens to you. Make sure you have a good quality plunger that forms a really tight seal and get pumping.

Another indispensable tool is an auger. You may not have heard of an auger, but you probably have seen one, another term used for it commonly is a plumbers snake. Essentially it is a very long steel cable that gets cranked out to untangle a clog. The benefit of this is that it can reach clogs that are further down the toilet or drain than you cannot get to manually. Augers can come quite in handy, so it is a great tool to have.

Pliers and wrenches are also good to have around the house, not just for plumbing, either. Pliers and wrenches come in a few different types, so it’s a good idea to take a peek around your home to see which kinds you will need, but generally speaking having a nice set of pliers and wrenches will be able to tackle any sort of loosening or tightening that you would need to perform on any pipes, nuts or bolts around your home.

Teflon tape is one of the best things to have in your toolbox in case of a plumbing emergency. If a pipe springs a leak, get your Teflon tape out and wrap it around the leak as well as the surrounding area, this will make a huge difference in stopping water damage, and should be able to hold the situation steady until a professional plumber arrives.

As you can see, all it takes are just a handful of tools to get yourself started. This way, you will be able to tackle a variety of small issues right away before they might become big problems down the road, saving you quite a bit of time, energy and money later on.

This article has been provided by the Plumb Store, a contemporary company that services both homeowners and installers, providing high quality supplies and equipment for plumbing and home central heating supplies. To view more of their products please consult their website.

Five Tips For Hiring a Plumbing Contractor

Posted on: November 1st, 2011 by Damon Cuthbert
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When you need to hire a plumbing contractor you should check their references first. It is not common but city inspectors are human, and have been known to miss the odd detail during building and code inspection.

Here are Five Steps You Should  Know About When Hiring a Plumbing Contractor

1 – Hire a contractor who has been around a long time and has good references.

2 – Do some research on plumbing, electrical, and building codes so that you can recognize if someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

3 – Take pictures of the work and mark items such as sanitary sewer line and storm sewer.

4 – Write down any problems you have in a notebook, so you can ask the contractor and the inspector about your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask too many questions. A good contractor will take the time to answer your questions.

5 – Always check to see if the inspector looks at all the important points that you learned during your research so you can ask any other questions that may come up.

Remember

Even if a house has been inspected and the contractor goes bankrupt, it is the homeowner who gets stuck with the cost of repairs. Spend a few hours doing your homework. By doing so you could possibly save yourself thousands of dollars in the long run.

For a reliable Vancouver Plumber click this link to see who we recommend