Posts Tagged ‘plumbing in Vancouver’

Plumbing Tips That Can Save You A Fortune

Posted on: July 6th, 2012 by Damon Cuthbert
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If you start to have sewage backup inside your toilet, it is because of blockage that is inside the branch line which connects the sewage line and the main line. If you have tried and cannot remove the blockage, you will need a plumber to come to your home and run the plumbing snake down into the toilet to clear the blockage.

Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. Either kind of toilet tablet might break down obnoxious smells in your toilet, but they might also break down the rubber parts, resulting in malfunction.

Enzyme based pipe cleaners work really well at unclogging your pipes. These cleaners employ helpful bacteria which process the sludge lining your pipes, and turn it to liquid. Enzyme cleaners should be your first choice.

You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. Your kitchen sink strainer must be cleaned whenever it catches anything. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.

If you are starting to install a water heater and see a pipe going out from the drainage area, be sure to reconnect that pipe. This pipe, the recirculation pipe, helps keep your water heated without wasting water.

Installing a water heater with no tank is a great idea if you like to be environmentally friendly. Tankless water heaters only heat water when needed because they aren’t used to store water. You will save some money on your energy bill.

If you see unwanted water that keeps draining into your dishwasher, the problem is most likely a hose running to your kitchen sink that was not correctly installed. The hose between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to have a peak in the middle so that the water can’t wash back in the wrong direction.

Being prepared for plumbing problems is essential. If you own a home, you should have some basic plumbing equipment, and the knowledge of how to use it. When the time comes for you to deal with a plumbing problem, hopefully, the advice from this article will see you through it.

Hire An Skilled Plumbing Technician

Quality work is always the better choice. Too many people get ripped off by going with a economical estimate. That oversight frequently ends up costing you more later on when cheap parts or sloppy workmanship causes more troubles and the work has to be redone by a qualified contractor. Get the work done right the first time and hire 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.

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.

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Tankless VS Traditional Hot Water Tanks

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