Posts Tagged ‘plumber vancouver’

Easy Answers To Your Tough Plumbing Questions

Posted on: June 29th, 2012 by Damon Cuthbert
0

Even if you only have one choice, research your plumber before he arrives. You’ll be more comfortable with the plumber if you read about other customers’ experiences with him.

Save time by grouping your plumbing problems into the same call. Prior to seeking out a professional plumber, write out a laundry list of all plumbing issues that need to be addressed. This limits your up front expense to one call and also saves you the time and stress of a second call.

If, when you’re installing your new water heater, you notice that a pipe is extending from your draining pipe, make sure it’s reconnected. This pipe, the recirculation pipe, helps keep your water heated without wasting water.

For The DIY Handyman

Tightening a pipe too much is just as bad or even worse than not tightening it enough. You can harm its threads or crack it, so tighten it to where the leak stops, and then stop.

Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Clean the overflow holes when you can, like when doing periodic checks for various other repairs and problems.

The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This could prevent you from a tons of trouble, and it can also prevent fires. Search the lint trap to see if there are any tears or holes, this helps to prevent lint from getting into the pipes, which can cause clogs and many other problems.

As has been previously written, knowing some knowledge about plumbing will help you when things go wrong, whether they are small or big problems. The information in this article should help to prepare you to face those problems with knowledge and confidence.

Hire An Expert Plumbing Company

Quality work is always the better option. Too many of us get ripped off by going with a cut-rate quote. That mistake frequently ends up costing you extra later on when shoddy materials or sloppy work causes more troubles and the work has to be redone by a experienced contractor. Get the work done right the first time and employ one of the local Vancouver Plumbers listed on CertifiedLocalPro.com. They have all worked hard to get awarded an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and guarantee their work.

Tags:.

Five Tips For Hiring a Plumbing Contractor

Posted on: November 1st, 2011 by Damon Cuthbert
2

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

Tags:.

Tankless VS Traditional Hot Water Tanks

Posted on: August 18th, 2010 by Damon Cuthbert
0

Installing a Hot Water Tank

Every homeowner is eventually faced with the prospect of replacing the hot water tank at some point. Where you live determines the average lifespan of a hot water tank because of the water content. So for instance, living on the west coast means you have to deal with corrosive water because of the alkalinity.

You have a few choices when buying a water heater, the two basic choices being the traditional tank type or the newer tankless water heaters. Asking around will reveal a variety of opinions on the tankless water heater, and ultimately you will have to decide if the extra cost for this type of water heater is worth it.

From conversations I’ve had with a few plumbers the choice boils down to either the short term cost or long term savings. If you are not planning on living there too much longer then it might be wise to go with the water tank hot water heater. If you have set down roots where you live then the tankless is the better choice for long term savings.

Energy Usage

The basic difference between the two is the amount of energy needed to heat the water. Traditional hot water tanks continually use energy to keep the water at a constant temperature, whereas the tankless type uses energy on demand.

Number of Occupants

You also need to consider the number of people in the house. The tankless water heater is great if there are three or fewer people living in your home. If there are four or more people in your home then chances are good that the tankless water heater will not be able to handle the demand.

There is also the possibility that everyone will want to shower at the same time unless you have rules for when to shower. Doing laundry would have to be later in the day and running the dishwasher at the same time someone is showering will probably cause a problem. On the other hand a hot water tank can be sized up to match the number of people in your home.

So when your hot water tank pops a leak and you need to call a plumber, think about your options and do a little research online to price out the options. Knowing what you are talking about when discussing this with your plumber will tell him you are knowledgeable in this area and he will respect your choice without trying to sell you the most profitable hardware according to their connections.

Hot Water Tank Maintenance

To help extend the life of your tank, it is a good idea to flush it every couple years.  Here are the four steps broken out for you.

1. Turn Off The Water Supply

If you have an electric water heater turn off the power at the main switch.  If you have a gas heater, turn the thermostat to “pilot” setting. Using your garden hose attach it to the drain valve near the bottom of the tank.

2. Drain The Water

Turn off the water supply and drain the tank into the sewer line. (get a bucket or run the hose outside if you don’t have a sewer drain close by)

3. Flush The Tank

Once you have drained the tank, close the valves and re-fill it to flush. Drain once again and repeat until the water runs clear

4. Test The Pressure Release Valve

Wait until the tank has re-filled before turning on the power to the electric water heater. Once the water temperature has been brought back up, test the pressure-relief valve. This is a safety device designed to prevent excess pressure build-up or overheating. If the pressure relief valve is faulty, you may need to have it replaced by a licensed plumber.

Tags:.

Plumber In Vancouver Talks About Hot Water Systems

Posted on: January 13th, 2010 by Damon Cuthbert
0

Plumbing & Hot Water Systems

Hot water tanks need regular attention for longevity and maximum savings. When replacing hot water systems your choices are initial costs or long term savings.

Some plumbers in Vancouver prefer to specialize in one area, especially if they are comfortable with the type of work or have built a reputation for themselves. Hot water is one of those areas where theres a never ending supply of worn out water heaters. Advances in technology have made new installations or replacement water heaters a lucrative area to get established in.

If a new water heater is in your near future plans then you will probably be considering the type of heater to install. If youre planning on moving soon, then a traditional water heater with the tank and gas heat system will be more reasonable.

If you plan on staying for a decade or more and theres a number of people to consider, then the high efficiency tankless hot water system can provide endless hot water on demand. Even though tankless hot water can cost a lot more than traditional, savings can be as high as 75% by comparison.

Long term saving with a high efficiency hot water system will pay off the added installation costs in time and continue to run for years after. Utilities will not be going down any time soon so planning future saving into household expenses is always a wise move.

There are other hot water systems too like electric heat, so plan on discussing the benefits of each with your contractor to get a birds eye view of the choices. Its always good to look back on a major appliance purchase like that knowing you made a good choice.

For a great contractor resource, visit our site to find a plumber in Vancouver

Tags:.

Busy Season For Plumbers in Vancouver

Posted on: January 13th, 2010 by Damon Cuthbert
1

Book Ahead For  Plumbing Problems

I found an interesting article about how so many plumbers are busy these days because of the recent round of cold weather.  Luckily for us Vancouverites, we’ve been blessed with an exceptional warm winter this year. Something to do with the “Pineapple Express” It think they call it.

Here’s a quote from the article.

Speaking to the BBC, the body’s chief executive Clive Dickin commented that its members have been reporting that they are extremely busy at the moment, with the cold snap playing havoc on people’s homes, causing freezing pipes and resulting water damage.

He added that the increase in workload has generally been good news for professionals.

“After a period of deep recession and little work either in construction or domestic renovations this is a welcome and possibly business-saving busy period for many plumbers,” he said.

He went on to encourage homeowners who plan on thawing out frozen pipes to consult a Gas Safe Registered worker if gas is involved.

– End of Quote –

Even though we’ve had this warm spell it doesn’t mean you won’t have problems with your plumbing. I talk to Vancouver plumbers in the lower mainland all the time and they’re into their busy season too right how.

So it’s especially important to be careful if you need a plumber for something, that you take the time to do a little due-diligence if you think the bill is going to stretch your budget. Check out the BBB, talk to your neighbors and ask around. Someone you know might have a great referral.  If not you can always check out the plumbers at www.CertifiedLocalPro.com

The Vancouver plumbers listed there have all the right credentials.

Tags:.