Showing posts with label Toronto plumber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toronto plumber. Show all posts

Monday, May 11, 2015

Choose Your Local Toronto Plumbers

plumbing-renovation-washroomIt is always a good idea to have the telephone number to your local Toronto plumber in your phone book. After all, you never know when you will need to give your plumber a call. You may be planning a major bathroom home renovation project, and plumbing emergencies happen at the most inconvenient times.
It is a good idea to have a working relationship with a plumber. It is better to know who will be coming to your home in an emergency. This is especially important for single women as they may feel vulnerable letting an unknown man into their home.

Best Value Plumbing

Before you decide on which plumber to contract, you should find out some basic facts. First of all ask if the plumbing service can handle emergency call outs and how much they charge. The best plumbers will always be upfront and honest about any costs related to call outs, and this is the kind of plumbing service you want to deal with on an ongoing basis.

Servicing

The best way to get to know your local plumber is to ask him to carry on some servicing for you. It is a fact that most breakdowns take place when homeowners don't service vital equipment such as boilers on a regular basis. It is sad but true most of us service our cars more often than we service the heating and water systems in our homes.

What makes a good Toronto plumber?

The best plumbers will not only be honest with you about their pricing structure and services provided. They will also be able to provide proof of their qualifications, and prove that they are fully licensed and insured.
It is important to make sure the plumbing service of your choice is licensed, bonded and fully insured - three important points that homeowners forget to consider. Most plumbers are qualified to do the job, but you do get some who are not. Plumbers who are not qualified to do the job can end up costing you a lot of money, and you will have to contract a professional plumber to fix the damage.

Available Services

Before you contact a local plumber, it is a good idea to make a note of all the relevant plumbing appliances in your home. Having a good knowledge of what appliances you have will help you to contract the right plumber. You can make sure that your contracted plumbing service has experience of dealing with your type of installations. The last thing you need in an emergency, or service situation, is to have to contact several different plumbers to help you fix the problem.
A quality plumbing service should be able to install your new washing machine as well as fix your septic tank if it backs up. An experienced plumber should be able to deal with clogged drains and toilets plus water heating systems.

Plumber's Advice

Most Toronto plumbers will be happy to give you ideas on how to cut down on water bills, and options for preventative maintenance. If, you live on a colder zone, preventative maintenance is essential. You want to make sure that all your pipes are in good working order for the cold weather. Plumbing services can also help to insulate pipes to make your home more fuel-efficient.
Plumbers have many services you should take advantage of, and will even be able to give you advice on how to reduce water and heating system running costs. Thanks to modern technology there are different ways to both recycle water and monitor water usage.
Toronto plumbing services have come a long way in recent years, and you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that your local plumber will be able to advise you on simple options how you can reduce your home's running costs.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Plumbing DIY: Successful Drain Cleaning at Home

Blocked plumbing can bring your house to a standstill almost immediately. Efficient and successful drain cleaning depends on the pipes that are blocked and the type of clog you are experiencing. Some issues are simple enough for the novice homeowner to resolve, and other issues will require the assistance of a professional Toronto plumber.
The standard plunger may be the only tool you need to perform drain cleaning of a clog. A plunger creates suction, which can break loose a blockage and allow water to flow through pipes once again. Ensure that you use the correct plunger: a cup plunger is the type of plunger to use in a sink, shower, or bathtub, while a flange plunger is the type of plunger to use to unclog a toilet. Never use a plunger in conjunction with chemical solutions, because it's likely you will splash water and chemicals out of the drain as you use the plunger, which can lead to injury.
Another option for drain cleaning involves pouring a homemade solution down the drain to break through the obstruction. A homemade solution of saltwater brine can be extremely effective for breaking through grease in a kitchen sink. Saltwater brine can also help eliminate odors in a sink. Baking soda and white vinegar can also break up an obstruction, thanks to the chemical reaction of the two ingredients. As the mixture fizzes and bubbles, the reaction often breaks up a sink clog. Baking soda and white vinegar can also reduce sink odors, and this solution will not harm plumbing fixtures.
Store-bought drain cleaning solutions contain strong chemicals that can power through pipes to clear them of a blockage. It's important to use these solutions carefully, however. If the solution comes in contact with skin or eyes, serious injury can occur. In addition, with repeated use, chemical drain cleaning solutions can damage plumbing systems over time.
For stubborn blockages, you can rent or purchase a plumbing snake to push through the drain and the pipes. Snakes come in a variety of lengths, depending on the specific configuration. Simply insert the end of the snake and maneuver it through the plumbing to break up the clog. After loosening the clog with the snake, flush out the pipe with a strong blast of water to remove all residual debris from the pipe.
If these methods do not eliminate an obstruction, call a professional Toronto plumber to resolve the issue for you. Although plumbers can be expensive, it's likely that the professional will resolve your plumbing issues faster and more readily than you can on your own. The money you spend hiring a professional will be time you save when you have full use of your water and plumbing systems once again.
Whether you have a slow-moving system or your water is at a standstill, you can use a variety of solutions to clear your plumbing system so the water runs smoothly once again.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.

Monday, September 15, 2014

DIY Pipe Cleaning and Repairs from Mister Plumber

Taking on drain cleaning tasks on your own can be entirely hit-or-miss, depending on whether or not you have the right tools and know-how beforehand. While it’s possible, or even likely in some cases, that your plumbing issues are an easy-fix, you should never go about DIY pipe cleaning and repairs blind.
If you’re not fully sure what you’re doing, or how the tools you’re using will affect your plumbing and drain pipes, don’t continue. Poor DIY plumbing can actually cause much more harm than good. When you’re truly in over your head with home plumbing problems, do not hesitate to call a Toronto professional.

However, if you’re feeling up to it and have the situation under control, here are DIY drain cleaning tips to help better prepare you for dealing with plumbing problems in your Toronto home.

- The Right Tools for the Job

When it comes to any DIY repair, having the right tools on hand is a must; this is still true with DIY plumbing repair and drain cleaning. Beyond the obvious plumbing tools (a plunger, wrenches, etc.), there are a few specialized tools you can pick up at your local home improvement store that are absolutely essential to any kind of home plumbing repair.
These tools include:
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Basin wrenches
  • Tongue-and-groove pliers
  • Hacksaws
  • Metal files
  • Tubing cutters

- Properly Diagnosing Your Plumbing Problem

With the right DIY plumbing repair tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to much more accurately diagnose your plumbing problems, such as the causes of clogged drains. With these tools (and the know-how to use them correctly), you’ll be able to reliably tell where a clog in your drains is located, or provide rough estimates for how extensive your plumbing issues are.
The best way to ensure your drains run efficiently continuously, and do not clog to begin with, is with these same tools; routine self-inspections are a key part of ideal home plumbing.

- Home Remedies Can Be the Effective Solutions

As it turns out, traditional home remedies to pipe clogging and drain repair do carry some real merit when it comes to resolving these minor problems. For starters, the plunger you have in your home right now could be the most effective tool at your disposal for eliminating clogging; it all depends on how well you use it.
For the best results, fill your clogged sink, tub or other fixture halfway with water, and form a tight seal around the drain entrance with your plunger (petroleum jelly can come in handy here, helping form a tighter seal around the drain in question). Once sealed, simply compress and decompress the plunger fluidly for around half a minute. The buildup of pressure will, in many cases, be enough to dislodge any clogged material in your drain pipe.
Another home drain cleaning technique involves the use of a baking soda and vinegar mixture. When combined, these elements react to one another and create a powerful dissolving agent, capable of clearing out more stubborn drain clogs. This solution is much safer than commercial chemical cleaner products, and delivers comparable, if not improved results.

- At-Home Drain Snaking

Even the professional drain snaking tools (or augers) that professional plumbing specialists use in the field are available for DIY cleaning tasks, and are very often found at home improvement stores across the country.
These tools, once only owned and used by the professionals, are actually very easy to operate, and can remove most clogging debris instantly. Professional-grade drain augers rid drains of clogs in one of two ways: by either latching onto the clogged materials, allowing the user to pull them out of the pipe directly, or by breaking away at the debris, sending it through your sewer system and out of your home plumbing.

- Clog Prevention is Simple

One of the best DIY drain cleaning tips we can provide is to avoid drain problems altogether with routine inspection and proper drain treatment. For the best results, we highly recommend self-inspecting your home drain pipes at least once per month, and having a professional inspection annually. With a consistent plumbing inspection schedule in place, you stand a much better chance of detecting, and resolving, drain performance issues early on.
Further, a wide range of drain pipe performance issues are the bare result of poor care and negligent plumbing behaviors; there are some things that just shouldn’t go down your sink or garbage disposal! By treating your home plumbing right, you can avoid many of the frustrating clogs and buildups that often result from poor care.

Namely, do not run the following through your drains or disposal system, as they are leading causes of common drain clogs:

  • Overly fibrous or starchy food products, such as celery, corn husks, potato and banana peels
  • Pasta or rice, which expand with water
  • Animal cartilage or bone
  • Paper or plastic products
  • Chemicals, grease or animal fat
source: expresssewer
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

General Pipe Lining or Pipe Bursting or Sectional Point Repair

Inside pipe toronto plumbingWhen it comes to damaged water lines, pipe connections and sewer lines on your property, finding the best possible solution can be a little tricky… especially when today’s most advanced solutions come in various specialized forms, each ideal for certain types of pipeline damage.
Such is the case for trenchless technologies, which use cured-in-place epoxy Perma-liners to coat and seal cracking, fissures and corrosion to home water systems. How can you determine what solution (directional boring, pipe bursting, sectional point repair…) is right for your exact needs?
To find this information, you can do one of two things: either contact your local Toronto trenchless technology expert and have them inspect your home pipe line damage, or continue reading this article.

General Pipe Lining

For general pipe damage, such as those caused by soil shifting, cracking, penetration or other environmental causes, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is quickly becoming the go-to solution for Toronto homeowner nationwide. By using epoxy resins and plastic Perma-liners, trenchless specialists can fully repair your damaged pipe lines in a mere matter of hours with these techniques.
In pipe lining applications, a small entry hole is drilled to the existing pipe, through which the epoxy resin and a compression air bladder are fed. This resin is coated along the pipe in question, and cured-in-place as the air bladder expands. After a short hours’ time, the damaged pipe is completely repaired, without excessive digging or excavation to your lawn. This has huge savings implications on corrective landscaping and property renovation.
Pipe relining is the ideal solution for situations where corrosion, cracking or damages affect a moderate to large portion of pipe, but not severely enough to require full pipe replacement.

Sectional Point Repair

For pipe damages localized around a smaller area of pipe, such as a joint or isolated crack, trenchless sectional point repair can almost always fully restore that pipe section with the same epoxy solutions as full relining.
In these applications, trenchless experts will use two small, controlled entry points to insert lining resin and the curing air bladder. Once in place, specialists will cure the resin to the localized pipe damage section, completely resolving minor damages without having to reline your entire pipe. Trenchless technology is all about efficiency; sectional point repair takes an already efficient process and improves upon it, granting the same benefits as standard pipe lining in circumstances where full lining would be impractical.
No matter the extent of your home’s pipe damage, there are innovative trenchless repair solutions that can return your pipes to peak performance in minimal time, and with minimal effects to your property; best of all, these solutions are affordable under any budget.

Pipe Bursting

However, sometimes a pipe will be damaged so thoroughly, or situations so dire, that pipe lining solutions will be ineffective in repairs. In these circumstances, homeowners are forced with fully replacing their existing pipe.
Traditionally, this would require costly, property-damaged excavations, and long hours of manual digging and labor; pipe replacement under conventional means is an absolute nightmare for homeowners in almost all cases. Fortunately, these replacement methods aren’t necessary for salvaging your plumbing, as today’s advanced trenchless repair technologies can fully replace your pipe without ever having to actually dig the damaged line out.
By using a sturdy, conical bursting head, specialists completing pipe bursting in your home will literally burst through your old, damaged pipe, and seamlessly install a replacement line at minimal risk to your lawn. The replacement pipes, in these cases, are physically attached to the burst head, and slides into place as the bursting head cracks, fragments and pushes away the damaged pipe.
Pipe bursting delivers all the performance benefits of digging replacements, and avoids the costly lawn damage, labor hours and risks associated with it. Don’t worry if your home’s pipes are too far damaged for relining to be effective; there are trenchless solutions available in Toronto area that can fully replace your pipe with the same speed and ease as lining.
Today, the best way to handle home pipe damage is by contacting your local Toronto trenchless technology expert. The solutions they provide can perform effectively for decades to come, while costing your far less than any other pipe renovation method. With large-scale, digging pipe repairs, you’re only robbing yourself of the easy benefits that trenchless technologies bring.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Friday, August 1, 2014

Hire A Licensed Toronto Plumber

Ivan-Mister-PlumberMost individuals think that any small plumbing job to be done occasionally at home is something that anyone can take over. So when something happens, the most common thing to do is to resort to anyone who knows anything about plumbing so that they solve the problem. The sad truth is that at the moment that you look for someone who is not licensed at plumbing, instead of saving money, you may be worsening the situation. When you hire an unlicensed contractor or handyman to do a plumbing task, you are increasing the numbers of problems that can bring some shoddy work.
If you look for long-term solutions and a reliable plumbing service, a professional Toronto plumbing service is the safest way to get a good return in your investment.

For the following reasons, you should invest your money and your time wisely and hire a professional Toronto plumber whenever you need a plumbing service:

Experience

Many times plumbing issues are not as simple or as easy as they seem to be. A problem may be linked to a few other issues that also require professional care. Right at the moment when licensed plumbers can identify what the problem is, they are able to fix it and this way they avoid other problems that may be linked to the main one. While unprofessional plumbers may not know the right way to fix your problem, the professional ones are able to get the job done correctly in a reduced amount of time.

Save money

The experience is not improvised. People often hire an unlicensed plumber or a handyman to make minor plumbing work in order to save money. What they do not know is the fact that these savings can be more expensive than they thought. If you hire an unlicensed plumber, you run the risk that the person that you looked for will not solve the problem the right way, or that the work they do will not be as qualified as the one you expected. Professional plumbers know the situations of each job (such as pipe fittings, water pressure, leaks and other plumbing problems) and as they have seen it all, they are going to solve any problems that may arise.

Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time and when you least expect it. To avoid the stressful situation and the great damages that it can come with it, professional contractors offer emergency plumbing services. The benefits of this useful tool are that it makes the plumbers available for the customers at any time an emergency occur and also this resource saves time, awkward moments, and thousands of dollars in water harms.

Prevent damage

One of the least expected consequences of little plumbing issues is the great damage that it can cause if it is not solved on time. As regularly the professional plumbers know the side effects of every plumbing problem, at the moment of fixing any issue they make sure to do a qualified work. In addition, professional plumbers verify to prevent or fix any other potential problem related to it in order to avoid future damage.
If you are still looking for trusted, licensed plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.

Mister Plumber with 15 years plumbing experience are Toronto Licensed Plumbers and Drain services company. Our plumbing company specializes on plumbing and drain systems services in Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Oakville and GTA.

More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Flood Damage Repair by Mister Plumber

The biggest nightmare for any Toronto home-owner is to experience the floods, be it is a result of natural disaster or plumbing failure. If you have been an unlucky victim of the flood damage, you need to follow a number of procedures or processes to undertake the task of flood damage repair. If you are in the middle of water damage cleanup, here's a shortlist of tips to follow in order to restore your residence back to its pre-damaged condition.
Safety should be the top most priority:
Any moment your residence can experience flood. Remember, in such circumstances, you should evaluate your residence condition or take experts guidance to know what you have to do in such situations. If the reason for flooding is busting water pipes, try to seal the broken pipe to control the raising water level. Switch off the main electric supply and unplug the electronic appliances. Call in water removal service providers to evaluate the extent of damage your residence has incurred. The water damage repair experts check the residence for structural damage and make sure that the residence has no electrical issues. The professional take the initial data of the severity of the destruction and potential health problem that may occur due to basement flooding. This data is very essential for the experts to move ahead in the flood damage repair process. Once they are sure that the flooded area is safe enough to enter, the professionals start cleaning procedure.
Documenting each and every step:
Document each and every step of restoration with photograph. This is very important for insurance purpose. Take the photograph of the damaged furniture and other belongings to get claims properly. However, if you call the certified water damage company to restore your property, they will document each and every step of restoration and work with insurance company, as well. It will help you in getting the maximum claims for the damage sustained by the flood. Being fairly compensated to flood damage is a tricky business, which can be easily done by the experienced water damage repair companies.
Cleaning the flooded area:
Once the documentation procedure is completed, the process of cleaning the flooded area begins. It is quite important to clean and dry the residence as early as possible to prevent secondary water damage such as development of mold and fungus. The secondary water damage may lead to serious health problems and larger remediation works. Pump out the stagnant water completely, set up driers, and run as many as fans in high-speed as early as possible. Hiring water damage removal service providers is the best idea to get rid of the possible secondary water damage related problems. They are specially trained to deal with this situation and as they are the professionals, they can easily identify the problematic area. The professionals are equipped with the state of the art equipment to pump out the standing contaminated water, dry and sanitize the flooded area. The experts can restore your residence within a short period. They remove the airborne contaminants and sanitize the entire area in order to make the atmosphere safe for living.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Monday, July 14, 2014

Toronto Plumbers: DIY Hints for Your Plumbing Repair

All Toronto household sinks, toilets, garbage disposals, and other plumbing utilities occasionally malfunction. But it's not always necessary to call your local Toronto plumber to solve problems. With a little research and ingenuity, almost anyone can take care of small plumbing snafus. And there's nothing like the feeling of self-sufficiency that follows fixing a broken utility through your own industriousness.

While there literally might not be enough space on the entire internet to include every possible handyman's solution to plumbing issues here, we've provided some strategies for do it yourself, or DIY, plumbing repair.

Patching a Leaky Pipe

For many people, an inevitable leaky pipe will immediately prompt them to dial-up their plumber, but the equipment necessary for temporarily plugging small leaks - pipe patches and plumber's epoxy - should be available at your local hardware store. Just make sure to buy patches intended for contact with "potable water" if you're fixing a sink or shower. Obviously, certain types of industrial adhesives should be kept away from anything you might end up eating or drinking.

Stopping a Running Toilet

A gratuitously running toilet tank will waste plenty of water that won't go to any good use, but it's one of the easiest plumbing problems a person can resolve on his or her own. The online resource Do It Yourself explains that it's usually as simple as checking into what's amiss inside the tank. After a flush, if the tank isn't filling, but water continues to flow, the flush valve at the bottom of the tank probably needs to be replaced. If the tank is becoming more than 3/4th full, the ball-cock assembly is likely the culprit. In other words, if the water isn't getting stored in the tank, the plug that's supposed to keep it there needs fixing, and if the water isn't traveling to the bowl when it is supposed to, the unplugging mechanism is the issue.

Reducing Leakage of Showerheads

Perhaps one of the simplest plumbing home remedies is also one of the most common problems. If a shower head continues to drip regardless of whether it is in use - assuming the head itself isn't the problem - odds are good that the washers in the faucet need to be replaced. To do that, all that's necessary is turning off the water supply to the house, unscrewing the faucet, and replacing the circular, tiny metal washers. After that relatively quick set of actions, extra drips should cease to cause any headaches.
But keep in mind, some issues are too complicated for a plumbing layman to handle on his or her own. If you start to feel in over your head by any household utility problem, there's never any shame in calling an Toronto plumber.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Checking Your Plumbing is an Important Diagnostic and Preventative Measure

Because your home is likely the single largest investment you will make in your lifetime, it is important that you take measures to protect your investment. Whether you have just purchased your home or you have lived in your home for most of your life, there are important inspections that must be performed to ensure there are no potential problems that could cause damage and expensive repair. One such inspection is the plumbing system.

Nothing is more frustrating then burst pipes, collapsed septic tank, or a backed up sewer line. A plumbing inspection by a licensed Toronto plumber will involve the use of sophisticated diagnostic plumbing technology to identify any weaknesses, flaws, and serious damage. By identifying such problems, it will ensure that you will be able to get it repaired before a serious and expensive problem occurs.

The plumbing system is concerned with both water and gas. When you have your plumbing inspected each year that includes the septic tank and drain field, it will help extend the life of your plumbing system. Depending on the complexity of the septic system, it can take just a couple of hours to perform a thorough maintenance inspection. Professional certified plumbers normally offer a variety of inspection packages. In general, you can have the following plumbing system mechanisms checked: above ground plumbing such as the pipes, shut-off valves and traps in the laundry room, bathroom, and kitchen, basement floor drains, as well as an inspection of the hot water tank. Such fixtures as the toilet, showerheads, and faucets, will also be checked. As well, the plumber will check to make sure there is proper drainage and that the venting systems are not compromised.
When performing the plumbing inspection, the sump pump will be inspected to make sure there are no obstructions and that the horsepower output is sufficient to prevent basement flooding. The plumber may also perform a special video camera inspection of sewer pipes and underground drains to identify any misalignments, damage, and cracks that can cause a drain blockage. If you have not had your septic tank recently pumped, the plumber may suggest having it pumped.

To keep your septic tank and entire septic system functioning properly, the best thing you can do is employ septic system maintenance practices throughout the year. Not only will you ensure the system performs properly, but you will also extend the life of the septic system.

Because plumbing failures can happen without any warning, having your plumbing system checked will give you peace of mind. A plumbing inspection should be performed once a year to detect any problems or the potential of a problem occurring. If problems are addressed early, you will most likely save a lot of money on repair bills. Whether it is a new home or an existing home, a plumbing inspection is a vital preventative maintenance tool. It is well worth investing a couple of hundred dollars to prevent an emergency that could result in a repair bill of thousands of dollars.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Tips to Save Money On Your Next Plumbing Repair

modern-kitchen-plumbingPlumbing repairs could quickly start to accumulate if you find yourself calling in for a professional Toronto plumber more than once in a year. It could be an expensive project if you do not know the ways on how you can possibly save yourself some money. If you have tried diagnosing the plumbing problems yourself and trying your hand out on its repairs, you might just make the task worse which will cause you spending more money and wasting time. Learning how to save money for plumbing repairs could be your best bet when it comes to hiring a professional more than once a year.

The guide below could help you with saving expense when it comes to plumbing services.

Be knowledgeable about plumbing jobs and fixtures

It is a smart choice to learn as much as you can about plumbing repairs in general so that you are not fooled by plumbing professionals. Although you may not work on the repair yourself, it is a good idea to know what the problem is so that you are not charged for problems that do not even exist. You could learn from books and even the internet so that you could supervise the plumber that you have hired to get the job done for your home.

Look for discounts, deals and coupons for plumbing services

There are some plumbing businesses that offer special deals and discount so that they can generate more customers and also give their existing customers a good deal every once in a while. You could ask the company if they have any seasonal discounts because who knows, they might actually have some right when you call.

Try regular maintenance of your plumbing

Another good way of saving money is by regularly maintaining your plumbing. Hire someone to do a monthly inspection of your home's plumbing such as water pressure, slow drains, leaks, drips, cracks and temperature problems and get them fixed right away so it does not get worse throughout the months.

Replace old and worn out plumbing appliances and fixtures

If you have some extra cash on hand, try to go through all plumbing appliances and fixtures to see if there are any that are old and too worn out to be used. You could replace these with new ones so that you could save money in the future on repairs.

Hire professional and effective plumbers

Do the necessary research when it comes to hiring the right professional Toronto plumber for your home. Create a list of possible companies to get in contact with so that you could have more choices. Make sure that the Toronto plumber company is licensed and ask for their references. You could also check out customer reviews to get feedback about their past plumbing jobs.
With this simple guide, you could save a few extra dollars when it comes to your plumbing services. It is not at all hard to follow the guide because it is all pretty much common sense. Saving a few extra bucks is always good because it could be spent on other things that you need done around your home.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Friday, June 20, 2014

About Sewer Lines: Causes of Damage, Renovate, Repair


water-pipe-installation-TorontoSewer pipe lines perform crucial functions in Toronto home and business plumbing, and problems with such systems will often result in frustrating, expensive repairs. If everybody stayed informed on how their sewer lines work, as well as common damage causes, these damages could often be either fully avoided, or at least limited.
In the unfortunate event that sewer line damages still occur, however, there are innovative, new solutions that can fully repair these pipes with minimal costs and hassle for Toronto homeowners.

Sewer Line Damages

When dealing with home or business sewer lines, it’s important to know all the unique factors and conditions that can put your pipe lines at risk, so you can better avoid them, or limit their impact on your sewer lines. By knowing what to look out for, and any warning signs your pipes may be damaged or corroding, you can assess these problems before they grow severely, and require more costly, extensive repairs.

The most common causes of business and Toronto home sewer line damage are:

  • Poor installation, or faulty materials, joint seals and connections
  • Chemical corrosion
  • Frozen pipes, and the pipe cracking that cold can cause
  • Plant and foliage root penetration to nearby pipe lines
  • Deterioration with age, such as is often seen in Orangeburg pipe systems
  • Clogging and rust
Be on the lookout for decreased sewer performance, changes in water flow or concentrated dampness around your lawn; these are common, telltale signs of sewer pipe damage. It’s always best to stay ahead of the curve and informed when it concerns the condition of your sewer pipe line.
If you suspect line damage, we suggest having a professional sewer pipe inspection right away. With today’s technology, specialists can run small cameras into your sewer line using a snaking, wire tool; this visual inspection can detail the extent and severity of sewer line damage. By knowing the exact condition of your sewer line, you can make better, more appropriate repair decisions.

Renovation

Once sewer line damage has been positively identified by a professional plumbing service, Toronto homeowners and business system planners must consider their repair options. If they go the traditional route, they will hire a pipe repair team to excavate their damaged sewer line and replace, seal or remove damaged sections. In these operations, the repair team will physically dig out lawns and soil surrounding the sewer pipe to assess damages.
This traditional repair method, also known as “trenching” repair, results in significant, expensive lawn damage, which will often require a professional landscaping service to fix. Not only that, but these methods can also be dangerous for both repair workers and yourself, as harmful mold and asbestos may be lurking underground; unhealthy substances at risk for exposure during digging. With so much labor involved in trenching sewer line renovations, one can expect significant overhead costs and a lengthy repair, often spanning several days. It’s due to these requirements and risks that many have sought out new solutions for repairing their sewer lines; specifically, trenchless technologies.

Innovations

Trenchless pipe repair technologies are called such because they eliminate the trenching of traditional methods, instead using cured-in-place pipe solutions to renovate sewer line damage. Trenchless methods have rapidly grown in popularity across the country, performing as a widely available, non-intrusive remedy for virtually any type of pipe damage.
As trenchless methods pertain to sewer line damage, the repair process begins immediately following professional video inspection, which indicates exactly where trenchless specialists should focus their repair efforts. Using epoxy liquid resins, specialists coat the inner walls of affected pipe areas; these resins are the adhesives that mold new pipe walls to damaged areas. After application, a Perma-liner solution is fed through a small ground opening to your existing pipe, where it cures in-place to damaged areas.
After mere hours, these new Perma-liner sewer line walls cure and effectively seal any intrusions and pipe damage. Furthermore, by manipulating these trenchless repair technologies, specialists can focus liner application on concentrated areas of pipe, in a process known as sectional point repair, or even fully replace pipes damaged beyond repair, in an application called pipe bursting.

Trenchless Solutions

For those skeptical toward these innovative new techniques, they should learn the great benefits of trenchless repairs, in both the short- and long-term. Trenchless repair operations can typically be completed in a single day, significantly lowering overhead labor costs and returning sewer line performance to normal in unmatched time.
The very nature of trenchless methods eliminates the risk for asbestos and underground mold exposure, keeping workers and yourself safe. As the entire process is completed using small entrance points in your lawn, major landscaping hassles are avoided, resulting in further time and budgetary savings.
One common concern we hear regarding trenchless solutions in sewer line repair is over their durability, and expected performance life.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Protect Your Basement Against Flooding

Toronto-Backwater valve InstallationBasement flooding can be a serious problem. In addition to the obvious mess, inconvenience, and general chaos it can add to the household, there are other negative effects as well:
  • Chronically wet houses are linked to an increase in respiratory problems.
  • Restoration of a finished basement may cost thousands of dollars.
  • Insurance rates or deductibles may rise to compensate for repeated basement flooding claims.
  • Property value may depreciate because the basement is prone to frequent flooding.

Why Do Basements Flood?

Aside from a natural disaster, flooding is most likely to occur during periods of heavy rainfall, or when snow is melting rapidly during a spring thaw. In these cases, your basement can be wet because of:
  • Leaks in your home's basement walls
  • Poor lot drainage
  • Failure of the weeping tiles (foundation drains)
  • Over-saturation of the soil, which causes rising ground water
  • Overflowing gutters, leaking or plugged downspouts
  • Basement flooding may also occur because of:
  • A blocked connection between your home and the main sewer in the street
  • Back-ups of wastewater in the sewer system or a combination of wastewater and rainwater from the sanitary or combined sewer system
  • Failure of a sump pump used to pump weeping tile water

How to Avoid Basement Flooding

Your property drains through an interconnected system that must function properly from beginning to end to prevent flooding. You usually can best diagnose a flood problem by working your way down from the gutters and downspouts to the lot and foundation drainage, and then to the plumbing systemâ€"both inside your home and beyond its connection to the municipal sewer system.

Gutters and Downspouts

Water pours off the gutters and into downspouts. Your home's downspouts must be disconnected from drain tiles and directed over land away from your home so that water doesn't pool next to the basement walls or basement windows. Make sure downspouts extend at least 6 ft. from your basement wall, so that the water does not drain back toward the house, and are not directed toward your neighbor's property.
If your downspouts are connected to your home's sewer system or weeping tile, disconnect them.
Clean debris from gutters regularly. If they overflow even when clean, replace them with larger size gutters and downspouts.

Lot Grading

If the land around your home slopes toward the foundation, rainwater heads right for the weeping tile around the basement and can overload your foundation drainage system. Land tends to settle over time, causing the earth to slope inward toward the foundation. If your lot slopes inward, you'll want to fill in and grade the lot so that, for at least 6 ft. out from around the foundation, the land slopes away from your house and water drains away from the basement walls. Also, examine sidewalks, patios, decks, and driveways. These can settle over time and cause water to drain back towards your basement walls.
Be sure that any drainage improvements you make do not cause water to flow onto your neighbor's property.

Use Flood-Proofing Devices

If your Toronto home or neighborhood drainage system is prone to flooding, you should have flood-proofing devices, such as a sump pump or back flow valve, to keep rainwater and sewage from backing up. Each installation is unique, and some devices might require a plumbing permit. Check with your local government or talk to a qualified plumber before you proceed with any installation.

Sump Pit Drainage System

  • A sump pit drainage system includes a sump pit, a sump pump, and a discharge pipe. The sump pit, set into the basement floor, collects water from the weeping tiles around your basement. The pump pushes the water outside your house through the discharge pipe.
  • Place your sump pump discharge pipe far enough away from the house so that it drains somewhere onto your property where water can be absorbed and not drain back into the housesuch as the lawn or flowerbed. Do not allow water from your sump pump to drain directly onto neighboring properties, sidewalks, or streets. Installation of systems like this can be labor-intensive. You might want to consult a basement waterproofing professional on how to properly install the system based on local ground conditions.
  • Here are some helpful sump pit maintenance tips:
  • Clean the sump pit each year after freeze-up.
  • Check and test the pump each spring before the rainy season begins, and also before leaving your house for a long time. Pour water into the pit to trigger the pump's operation.
  • Remove and thoroughly clean the pump at least once a year.
  • Check the discharge point regularly to make sure that nothing blocks the flow.
WARNING: Disconnect the pump from the power source before you handle or clean it.

Backwater Valve

A backwater valve prevents sewage in an overloaded main sewer line from backing up into your basement. The valve automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer. A properly installed backwater valve must be placed so that sewage backup is stopped and does not come out through other outlets in your basement, such as sinks, toilets, and showers.
Make sure that you can get at the valve at all times. Check the valve regularly and remove material that might prevent it from operating properly.

Plumbing Fixture Maintenance

Have a qualified plumber inspect the flood-proofing devices and plumbing fixtures regularly to ensure proper operation. Check the operating instructions for more detailed information and safety guidelines, or ask your local Toronto Mister Plumber to explain the details of your system to you. A Mister Plumber give you free estimates so you can consider the flood protection options.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Curtain Drains, Gutter Drains, Storm Drains and more

When most people think of plumbing services, they think of someone who will come inside their house and clean out a clogged kitchen sink or toilet drain. They think of someone who will install new toilets or faucets. But plumbing services include exterior work as well - they will clean curtain drains, storm drains and gutter drains.
It is essential that these drains be cleaned on a regular basis - whether by the home owner or by a professional Toronto plumber - because the integrity of your roof, attics, and basement depend on rainwater being directed away from your house instead of being allowed to insinuate its way into walls or onto floors and cause mold, mildew, or even worse destruction.

Curtain Drains in Toronto

In the Middle Ages, the aristocracy of Europe built castles to keep out intruders. One of the lines of defense against marauding knights on the side of the enemy was the "curtain wall", a defensive wall enclosing the living quarters. This wall had to be extremely high so that the enemy couldn't climb over it, and extremely thick so that cannon balls couldn't get through. A typical curtain wall was about 10 feet thick and 40 feet high, and presented a formidable barrier.
The principle is the same for a curtain drain. A curtain drain encircles your house - or at least part of it - and prevents water from seeping into your basement.
As a matter of fact, when people set out to purchase a house, that is one item that should be checked first - does the area get a lot of rain water over time, or is it subject to storms every now and then that dump several inches of rain on the ground. Does this water drain away from the home or does it periodically end up in the basement?
When water does enter the basement it can be cleaned up - but not after doing a lot of damage. The best thing to do is keep the water from ever getting in in the first place, and that means installing a curtain drain - and keeping it clean.
A curtain drain does not protrude above the ground, of course (still less 40 feet high!). It is simply a trench surrounding your home - or the water-endangered parts of your home, anyway - in which a perforated pipe is laid and angled so that it collects water and directs it away from the house. For easy access so it can be cleaned by a plumber, the trench is covered with gravel or even designer rock, not sod.

Gutter Drains in Toronto

A clue to whether or not a region gets a lot of rain is if every home in the neighborhood has gutter drains to ensure that water hitting the roof will be directed down the gutters and out into the yard away from the home. Leaves from trees looming over the home can clog these drains in the fall and cause havoc in the winter... or they can become clogged by bird's nests. Whatever the reason, you can hire a plumber to clear the gutters for you.

Storm Drainsin Toronto

Just as every city street has a storm drain set into the sidewalks to give rainwater a channel in which to receive runoff, so homes can have these drains as well... and of course they too can get clogged.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

In the Plumbing World a Small Leak is a Serious Problem

Unfortunately, many Toronto homeowners do not feel the same way. They are under the impression that a small problem like this will take care of itself; this is not usually the case.

How can such a small leak turn into such a big problem? Well, here are simple ways:

Over time a small leak will eat away at the floor, walls, and pretty much anything else it comes in contact with.

This will not happen overnight, but over the course of several months standing water which is constantly added to will cause damage. This is even more so the case if you cannot see the leak and clean it up from time to time.

Mold is a major problem, and the main culprit is moisture.

A small leak can lead to mold and related issues in no time at all. Mold is a health hazard for those living in the house. To go along with this, it will also make your home nearly impossible to sell if the time ever comes.

Nobody wants to buy a home that has been affected by mold. It is expensive to repair, and if left alone, harmful to your health.

A leaking pipe can lead to poor performance.

This may not be a huge problem, but when you turn the water on it will feel like something is a bit “off.” This may be the least of your concerns, but one that should tip you off that something is going on.

Don’t let anybody tell you that a small leak is no big deal.

Instead, hire a professional Toronto plumber to come to your home, identify the problem, and implement the proper solution. This will cost you some money, but will put your mind at ease sooner rather than later.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Monday, June 9, 2014

Toronto Trenchless Sewer Repair: Advantages and Disadvantages

Many Toronto homeowners cringe at the thought of having to replace their water lines or pipes, and for good reason; this process is both arduous and unsightly. Traditional sewer repair involves the digging of trenches, which can mean a ruined driveway or lawn, in addition to an ugly trench in your front yard.
Thankfully, today there is an alternative to the messy sewer repair process, which is to go trenchless. This type of line and pipe repair replaces traditional digging and underground work with pipe rehabilitation. Pipes can be rehabilitated by injecting an epoxy liner into damaged lines, which seals all cracks and holes once it cures. Rehabilitation can also occur via pipe bursting, where new pipe is pulled into a small hole in the ground as a tool breaks up or bursts the old pipe ahead of it.

Trenchless Sewer Repair: Advantages

Rehabilitating pipes means that new drain lines don't need to be created. This means that your water doesn't have to be re-routed or turned off.
Another benefit is that when a plumber is called to conduct trenchless sewer repair, it can make it much easier to correct future issues with your lines, because any video inspections can be more easily done with updated pipes and lines. Also, access to make any future repairs will only be required from the small access points located at the ends of the pipeline, with no further digging being necessary.
A plumbing system that has gone through the rehabilitation process will last for much longer than its traditional counterpart. As well, water flow is greatly improved with rehabilitated lines.

Trenchless Sewer Repair: Disadvantages

As with anything, there is a downside to choosing the pipe rehabilitation alternative. One is the cost; the equipment used in trenchless sewer repair is more expensive than that used for traditional pipe and line work.
Some additional digging may be required with the rehabilitation option if no damage to nearby gas, electrical or other lines has to be confirmed by workers prior to beginning the process. However, this can usually occur with hand-digging.
If your yard contains shrubs, trees or other landscaping elements, these may need to be removed prior to beginning the rehabilitation process.
Some types of pipe and line rehabilitation may not be possible. Some states have prohibited pipe bursting. In other cases, pipes that are jointed are not able to be rehabilitated via the pipe bursting process.
In addition, your pipes may be too old to be rehabilitated, which could end up in double costs in calling out a Toronto plumber to do trenchless replacement, and then requiring more equipment for full pipe or line replacement.
The best advice is to seek out a Toronto professional in any case, because both the traditional and trenchless line replacement or rehabilitation options require specific knowledge. Neglecting to do so can result in dual costs, as the second plumbing company will have to clean up the mess made by the first company before replacement or rehabilitation can begin.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Friday, May 30, 2014

Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York Plumbing Emergencies

Toronto-shut-off-valve-repairIt's like a scene from a slapstick comedy – the kitchen faucet breaks off in your hand and water is spraying everywhere up to the ceiling and running down the walls.

What do you do?

Clue: Your options do not include going back in time to make better plans for this moment.
The most important thing you need to know about your home's plumbing is where to shut off the water. If your home is supplied by municipal water, the water meter and main shutoff valve are often within close proximity to each other, so finding the meter is a good first step.
Water meters are often in an underground hatch near the street or along an easement between properties. Look along the edge of your property for a metal lid (like a small manhole cover) marked "water meter" or just "water." You can usually remove the water meter hatch cover by unscrewing a single bolt.
Underneath, you'll find a rotating valve similar to an outdoor spigot, or a valve with a metal flange. The latter may require a pipe wrench to operate. In either case, turn the valve clockwise until it stops to shut down the water supply.
Warning: Although you may need to do this quickly in an actual emergency, if you're just testing you may need to first turn off the water intake valves to appliances like water heaters to ensure that your test does not cause any damage. Check your owner manuals on these devices and take appropriate steps before shutting off your home's main water supply.
You may, of course, also have a water shut-off valve in your basement or crawlspace. Usually this would be along the pathway of the main water line and just inside the house.

Other shut-off valves

Each plumbing fixture, such as dishwashers, faucets, water heaters and toilets, will often have its own dedicated shutoff valve. For freestanding fixtures, such as toilets or pedestal sinks, the shutoff valve can be easily located on the water supply line between the floor or wall and the fixture. Kitchen sinks, dishwashers and cabinet-mounted sinks would normally have their shutoff valves under the kitchen sink.
Shutting off water to fixtures mounted flush against the wall -- bathtubs, showers, etc -- may be harder to do locally because the valves (if they exist) may be hidden behind drywall.
Of course, finding the valve is one thing; whether you can turn it off with your bare hand is another. Because they are so rarely used, these valves may be hard to turn without a wrench. Try loosening each of these valves with some household spray oil so you'll be able to shut them off quickly if you ever need to.

Overflowing toilet

You've just completed a satisfying natural bodily function and flushed the toilet. You're still pulling up your pants when you realize the toilet is clogged and the water is rising closer and closer to the rim. Quick - what do you do?
  • It's always recommended to immediately turn off the water using the valve behind the base of the toilet. Unfortunately, in most homes these valves are rarely used so you may find it is too stiff to turn by hand.
  • Don't panic and remember that the water supply line's job is to fill the tank, so what truly matters most is preventing any more water from going into the bowl. Take the lid off of the tank (but don't drop it on the tile floor because it will break) and make sure the rubber flapper has fallen back into place. If it's still open, reach in and push it back in place to stop the water flow. (This is no time to be squeamish; tank water is not yet sewer water).
  • If you are unable to prevent water from flowing from the tank to the bowl you absolutely need to make the water stop coming in, and if you already have the tank lid off the fastest way to do that is to lift up the float ball until the refill valve shuts off. If your toilet does not have the classic float ball, look for other moving parts (usually on the left) that slide upwards with the water level. Lift up any part that moves freely until the water intake valve shuts off. Keep it held up with one hand while you struggle to close the stubborn shutoff valve. (Note to self: Spray some oil on this for next time).
Once you have prevented further water flow into the bowl you have some time to figure out the next move. If the bowl did overflow onto the floor, clean it up before you proceed or else you will track bacteria from sewage water elsewhere in the house. Now you are no longer in a plumbing emergency situation and can focus on how to unclog a toilet.
source: angieslist
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Top Ugly Plumbing Home Improvement Projects

Toronto sewer clean-outs installationIf you’re a first-time Toronto homeowner, the thought of home improvement probably conjures visions of installing a state-of-the-art kitchen with the latest appliances, or a sprawling patio that transforms your backyard into an outdoor oasis.
Not only do these projects boost the value of your home, but they’re functional and fun to show off to friends and family.
Your fantasies probably didn’t include sump pump failure, backed-up toilets, overflowing gutters or black mold lurking in your crawl space.
The reality is that home ownership often proves extremely unpredictable. However, one thing you can count on is spending a considerable amount of money on unglamorous maintenance projects you can’t show off to neighbors, but will keep your home healthy.

Cleaning gutters.

This seasonal task involves climbing on a ladder and scooping out decaying leaves, animal waste and other random sludge that have been marinating in your gutters for months. But you’ll have bigger problems when a blockage sends water spilling down the sides of your home, which can ruin siding, flood your basement and rot the fascia boards that hold the gutters.

Installing windows.

Adding one window will set you back a couple hundred dollars, and a major window replacement job can cost thousands. New windows offer increased efficiency and should lower your energy costs, but unless you install stained glass or security bars, your neighbors are unlikely to comment.

Repairing the foundation.

You might crack up at the thought of spending hard-earned money to repair the slow-growing crack that stair-steps up the basement wall, but foundation fissures are no joking matter. Not all cracks signal impending collapse, but have it checked out before it’s too late.

Removing mold.

Eliminating the patch of black mold hiding behind the bathroom wall may not be at the top of your to-do list, but failure to remove mold can cause serious respiratory problems. Make sure to hire a remediation company that pinpoints the source of the mold. Avoid the contractor who wants to paint over it.

Fixing the toilet.

Although the insides of some toilet tanks resemble the cockpit of a fighter jet, resist the temptation to put off toilet repairs. You’ll be glad you called a plumber the next time nature calls.

Adding insulation.

Insulation stays out of the spotlight, but performs an important role. It’s dirty and expensive to install, but offers a good return on your investment through lower utility bills and increased comfort. Just don’t count on anyone showing up to your insulation viewing party.

Replacing the sump pump.

You won’t be pumped when your basement floods because you failed to replace your sump pump. Make sure to install a sump pump with a battery backup and alarm system for extra security.

Updating electrical wiring.

It costs several thousand dollars to rewire a home or modernize an aging electrical system, and what do you get to show for it besides a bunch of wires hidden in your walls and attic? You should at least sleep better knowing there’s a decreased risk of fire because you removed the 1920s-era knob-and-tube system.

Pumping the septic tank.

Pros recommend pumping your septic system every three to five years to prevent backup. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s better than sewage backing up in your toilets and spilling on the lawn. Just don’t be like Cousin Eddie from “Christmas Vacation” and empty it into the sewer.

Replacing the sewer line.

This unsexy situation starts with raw sewage backing up in your home and ends with contractors digging up your front yard and landscaping to bury a new sewer line. Trenchless replacement methods exist that bypass the backhoe, but often come at a higher cost.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Monday, May 26, 2014

Tips on Finding a Water Leaks In your Toronto Home

water Leak detection torontoWhile many Toronto homeowners know the tell-all signs of a water leak within their home’s plumbing, such as high water bills, lawn damage and in-home leaking, often finding the leaks themselves can become a frustrating challenge. This primarily due to the many areas, individual pipes and systems in which a leak can occur, and for whatever number of reasons.
Fortunately, there are several, relatively simple diagnostic steps your can take to better identify, or at least estimate, where a water leak resides within your Toronto home’s plumbing. These steps can inform you not only of the specific areas and likely causes of your home water leak, but also the best restorative actions for your unique plumbing pipes.
Do you need to contact a plumbing professional to evaluate your plumbing for water leaks? Use the below diagnostic steps to gauge the severity of your leak problem.

Water Meter Tests

One of the most decisive ways to identify whether a leak resides in your Toronto home plumbing is by testing your home water meter. While this test will not tell you where exactly a leak exists in your home, it will inform you with 100% accuracy whether the leak is inside your home (a leak from faucets, bathroom plumbing or kitchen drains) or outside (as in, your irrigation system, lateral lining, etc.).
Begin by noting where your water consumption level is before diagnosis, and then shutting off all the water-consuming appliances, drains and fixtures in your home. Wait a few moments and check your water meter again; if your meter features a small-volume water use gauge, this will likely have moved in the case of a leak. If your meter lacks this handy gauge, standard consumption gauges will also move slightly in leak conditions.
Next up is determining whether the leak is within or outside your home, which follows much of the same small steps as above. In this test, make note of your water meter level, and then shut off your home water valve completely; this valve cuts off all water from your home. Assess your water valve again after about 20 minutes, give or take a few. If the water consumption meters are still moving, with all water cut-off from your home, you likely have an irrigation leak, or even more troublesome, cracking or damage to your lateral lining.
If this is the case, contact your local plumbing professionals right away. Not only can they identify the exact location and severity of pipe damages with video inspection technology, but they can also repair your Toronto plumbing with innovative, non-destructive new technologies, and limit any long-term water damage and mold in your home.

Finding a Leak Within Your Toronto Home

Effective in-home leak detection can be done before the need to call a plumbing specialist even arises; all you have to do is know what to look for. There are numerous, telltale signs of a water leak that many homeowners may overlook from time to time. By catching these signs early, you can prevent leaks from growing into more harmful plumbing failures, or from facilitating mold spread within your home.

Here at Mister Plumber, we’ve seen it all; because of this, we recommend that homeowners in Toronto self-check their home’s plumbing once a month at the very least, and have a professional inspection annually.

When evaluating your home’s plumbing for leaks, or trying to identify the cause of a leak, keep a sharp eye out for the following:
  •  Water corrosion or buildup around plumbing fixtures
  •  Water discoloration when run from water heater to fixtures
  •  Drains acting slowly, or clogging
  •  Strange or unpleasant odors coming from pipes and drains
  •  Loss in flow of volume of water output
If you notice any of the above in your home’s plumbing system, do not hesitate to act; getting the professional, expert help you need now could save you significantly on later, more intensive and thorough repairs.
Professional leak detection specialists can use a combination of video snaking tools, hydro-jetting tools and trenchless technologies to resolve any leak in your home, no matter the severity. Best of all, these solutions are more affordable than you may be led to believe, and are certainly most effective when completed as soon as possible. If you notice any water leak signs, act sooner rather than later; you won’t regret it.

Finding a Leak Outside Your Toronto Home

If diagnosing leaks with your water meter suggests that a leak exists outside your home, there are also a number of signs you can look for when determine where a leak exists, or what caused a leak.
First and foremost, you’ll want to check your lawn’s irrigation system for serious leaks, noting any of the following if they are present:
  •  Shifting lawn soil, indicative of ruptured irrigation
  •  Dense grass growth concentrations, which occur when abnormal volumes of water are exposed beneath your lawn’s surface
  •  Dampness or wet patches on your lawn
  •  Clogging in your lateral pipe, which may indicate a material buildup between your home and municipal sewer systems
For irrigation pipe damage, inspections and complete repairs can be done relatively simply, so long as you find the right professional help in a quick manner. For lateral pipe damages, a unique, new approach can be the perfect solution for you: consider trenchless technologies. These innovative pipe renovations make the use of epoxy, liquid Perma-liners and trenchless air pumps to mold a cover over any pipe damages, or even completely replace broken lining pipes.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530

Friday, May 23, 2014

Toronto Plumbers Tips: Fix A Clogged Drain Yourself

Drain clogs, while a conventional Toronto home plumbing problem, so how can you deal with these problems quickly, and put them behind you in an affordable manner?
Fortunately, there are a number of at-home remedies you can try, which often help homeowners completely resolve their drain clogging issues. By knowing what techniques, preventative measures and tools you can use right now to eliminate frustrating clogs, you can greatly limit how a clog may affect your home plumbing in the future.

Simple Hot Water Application

One of the most simple and conventional ways to handle a home drain clog is through an easy hot water flush. The heat, along with growing water pressure and force, will often burst through clogged drain pipes, freeing whatever had become lodged within the pipe. This solution should be your first unclogging attempt, as it requires nothing other than a working faucet and heated water (something you should already have available).
Run hot water through your drain pipes for 10-15 minutes, and reassess the clogging. If this first step proves unsuccessful, don’t worry too much; there is a number of other, at-home methods of drain unclogging you can try before the need to contact a professional arises.

Homemade Chemical Solutions

One of these additional methods is a homemade chemical mixture (NOT those hazardous, chemical solutions you can buy at your local home improvement stores; those can, in fact, damage your pipes, while also posing great personal health risks).
At Mister Plumber in Toronto, we offer a less dangerous, and far more convenient solution: a tried and true baking soda and vinegar mixture can do wonders in relieving a clog from your home drain pipes. When these mixed elements react, they will often dissolve through clogged gunk or other materials. This often performs the same duties as chemical cleaners, but without the health risks and pipe damaging agents that come with commercial cleaners.

DIY Drain Snaking

One incredibly valuable tool many homeowners don’t know they can find for home use are the drain snakes, our augers, which professional plumbing specialists use to dismantle and free clogs. These tools, often found at home improvement stores, can knock away clogged substances in a matter of seconds, and pull out any stubborn gunk concentrations that may be affecting your drains.
Effective at either breaking away clogged materials, or pulling larger lumps out through a drain entry point, these handy tools are often the perfect solution to moderate clogging, and are relatively simple to use.

Using Your Standard Plunger

One solution you may not have even considered for unclogging home drain pipes and general drain cleaning is your standard, home plunger. All you have to do is fill your sink or tub with about three inches of water, form a tight seal around the drain entrance with your plunger, and push back and forth rhythmically.
Continue this for about a half-minute to one minute, and at a steady pace; this builds air pressure in your drain pipes with every individual push, which can effectively dismantle most clogged materials. Additionally, specialized sink plungers are made specifically for these applications, which can be found at your local home improvement store for an affordable price, making them a tool easily worth the investment.

Cover Up Overflow Vents

However, while plunging alone can be an effective clog remedy, there is one critical step many homeowners forget when trying this method: cover your overflow vents! These are the air slits and holes along the brim of your sink, which keep overflows from occurring. As they are direct opening to your drain pipes, leaving these open while plunging a clog away with only result in the physical force from plunging escaping.
Using a plunger to eradicate a drain clog is only effective if these openings are tightly sealed; try using a wet close, a flat, hard surface (if the vent surface itself is flat), or even duct tape to seal these vents.

Out Of Ideas? Try Soda!

Much like the homemade solutions we’ve talked about earlier in this blog, another perfect clog-clearing solution may be sitting right under your nose, in your home refrigerator. Carbonated soda products can actually be used to dissolve clogged materials, with astounding success.
The dissolving agents, such as phosphoric acid, within sugary soda products eat away at grease and clogs, eliminating any clogging in a much safer manner than with commercial cleaners. Once completed, simply flush your drains out with water to clear the loose materials out of your drain.

Check Your Plumbing Traps

Often, the everyday clogs homeowners are faced with can be completely removed by removing and cleaning your drain fixture’s plumbing trap. These traps are the curvatures a short way along drain pipes, which use gravity to form a natural water seal between your home’s air and harmful sewer pipe gasses.
While these pipe sections perform a crucial role in keeping your drains running efficiently, and keeping your family safe from sewer gasses, clogs can, and do, develop at the bottoms of these curves, as they are low-points in a drain system. Fortunately, plumbing traps can usually be removed and cleaned out with little effort (a process we go into further here), restoring your drains to their normal state.

Get A Toronto Professional’s Help

When all else fails, do not hesitate to call a professional! If you notice warning signs of a clog, or develop grime accumulation, contact your local plumbing service professional right away for an expert evaluation. Acting now can help you avoid more severe drain clogging and damages, as well as more expensive repairs, in the future.
Drain cleaning professionals have the right experience and tools to take on virtually any drain pipe clogging, no matter the circumstance. Best of all, these services are affordable under any budget, and well worth restoring your drains!

Avoid Clogs Altogether

Of course, one of the easiest ways to fix a drain clog problem is to avoid developing one altogether; this can be done with the right prior consideration and care for your plumbing, saving you in the long-run. Most of all, be wary of what you throw down your garbage disposal; despite its name, it is not a garbage can.

Avoid running the following through your garbage disposal:

  • Fibrous food products, such as food skins and stringy vegetables
  • Animal bones and cartilage waste
  • Plastic wrappers or household paper products
  • Food wrappers, or anything non-biodegradable
  • Expandable food products
  • Kitchen grease and oil

Check Your Drains Regularly

The best way to prevent clogs from developing in your home’s plumbing is to check your drains semi-regularly, and take precautionary note of any performance problems. Notice strange odors coming from your drains, or water backup when running your sink? Try the above methods, or contact a plumbing service professional right away.
If you are still looking for trusted plumber, Mister Plumber in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York specializing sewer repair, upgrade waterline, water service upgrade, drain cleaning, backwater valve installation, lead pipe replacement, re-piping and emergency plumbing, Mister Plumber uses the latest technology to effectively troubleshoot and quickly repair any plumbing problem and offers a fast response and free estimates.
More Info: www.misterplumber.ca 
Reliable and Trustworthy Plumbing services.
Call a fully-licensed, bonded and insured Toronto plumber at 416 939 1530