Well the weather outside isn’t quite frightful yet, but the cooler temperatures are a stark reminder that winter is on its way. Most of us equate fall with raking leaves and wrapping up our outdoor plants to protect them from the season ahead. While these are important steps to take to prepare for the weather ahead, it’s important to get your plumbing ready for the season before the mercury really starts dropping. Here are a few key steps to ensure your plumbing is ready for winter weather: Check all outdoor faucets. Make sure all of your faucets are in good working order and that there are no cracks or leaks. Having these little problems repaired in the fall can help to prevent even bigger ones by the time spring rolls around. Make sure the shut off valve is closed. Most homes have a shut off valve that leads to the outside water supply. Turning this off for the colder months is an easy way to protect your home from frozen pipes and potential water damage. Remove all exterior hoses. All of your garden hoses and exterior water lines should be disconnected from your home and stored for the winter. No matter how durable your equipment is, trapped water can freeze and damage not just your hose, but your home’s interior plumbing as well. It’s a simple step that can prevent a lot of big headaches later on! Schedule a maintenance call for your sump pump and hot water heater. These appliances are especially important during the winter months and should be inspected to ensure they will work properly for you all season long. Having minor repairs completed in advance can save on costly damage should your equipment fail when you need it the most. Prepare for plumbing emergencies while on vacation. Even if you are away from home, make sure the temperature on your thermostat is set high enough to prevent your pipes from freezing. It’s also a good idea to turn off the main water valve just in case an issue arises with your plumbing while you are away. If you need help getting your house ready for winter, call Rite Tech for a free consultation. We’re happy...
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Everyone needs to call a plumber now and again. Whether it’s a frozen pipe or a clogged drain, there comes a time when you have to make the call. So how do you know who you can trust when there are so many plumbers out there to choose from? By knowing who NOT to trust. Having a dependable plumber who can provide you with knowledgeable service is key to ensuring that your plumbing work gets done properly, and that the budget doesn’t spiral out of control! Here are a few things that should make you go “hmmm” the next time you’re looking for a plumber: No written quote: If your plumber can’t commit to the project scope and cost ahead of time, you could end up having added costs at the end of your job. It’s always best to have any fees listed upfront in writing, with an explanation of what, exactly, is being done. Lack of credentials: Your plumber should be able to tell you (or have advertised) their level of training and expertise. If you can’t see demonstrated experience or note a reluctance to provide you with references regarding their work, you might want to look elsewhere. Prices that are beyond compare: We all want to get the best deal, of course, but if one quote is significantly lower than the others, you should consider what that might mean. Chances are, you are getting sub-standard equipment, parts and service in order to accommodate that lower cost. Going with the cheapest option could end up costing you more to have shoddy work repaired later on. Pressure to sign: Most of the time when you call a plumber, you’ve got a bit of a stressful situation on hand. It can sometimes mean you have to make financial decisions quickly in order to avoid further damage. With that said, you should never feel pressured by your plumber to commit when you are unsure or unprepared. A good plumber knows how to explain your options without adding undue anxiety to the process. If you’re looking for a qualified plumber that is honest and reliable, give Rite Tech a call. We offer 24/7 emergency service, so no matter what plumbing issues arise,...
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Most people have some basic know-how about the plumbing in their home. It’s important to be familiar with simple maintenance and repair techniques to keep your plumbing working at its best. There are, however, a number of common misconceptions in the plumbing world that can cost you a bundle and cause a lot of hassle. Here are a few plumbing myths that you should definitely avoid: Hot water can dissolve grease in your drain. It’s true that hot water can melt grease. The problem is that somewhere along the line that grease will cool down and solidify again. Not only does this cause build up in your drains, it also is a perfect glue for any hair, lint, or food solids that happen to wash down the drain as well. Eventually, this can cause a blockage that leads to emergency repair service. Flushable wipes are actually flushable. Don’t believe it. Personal wipes, make up removers and baby wipes do not break down quickly enough to eliminate the potential for blockage, and should be discarded in a garbage bin every time. Nothing but human waste and bathroom tissue should ever go into your toilet. A brick in the toilet can save water. Lots of people think if you throw a good old-fashioned brick in the toilet tank, it can save on water usage. In fact, a brick in the tank can cause your toilet to work inefficiently. If you are concerned with water conservation, consider installing a low flow toilet instead. They are fairly reasonable to purchase and use a fraction of the water per flush compared to a regular toilet. Kitty litter is safe for the drain. Many pet supply companies claim that their litter is safe to flush. While these products probably do break down eventually, the risk is there for them to cause blockages in your plumbing system. Don’t take the chance of damaged plumbing – discard your kitty’s litter in the garbage bin instead. Drain cleaners are safe for clearing clogs. Most homeowners have used chemical drain cleaners at some point or another. There are, however, a few challenges with using these products. Firstly, if they don’t work, or don’t work completely, you have the hazard...
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Every home owner experiences a clogged drain at some point or another. Many choose to try to clear it on their own to save the cost of professional plumbing services. Once all of the at-home techniques and drain products have failed, some DIY enthusiasts turn to the powerful jaws of a drain snake to finish the job once and for all. These can be manually operated, or electrically powered, and can be rented from most large home improvement stores. Seems like the perfect fix, right? Think again. Here’s why DIY drain snaking is a bad idea: Bigger isn’t always better. It’s important to have the right tool for every job. Using a large drain snake to clear a bathtub will almost certainly cause significant damage, while using a snake that is designed for kitchen and bathroom drains (referred to as a top-snake) won’t do a whole lot to help clear your basement sewer pipes. Damaged pipes and traps can result in serious repair costs. If too much force is used in clearing your drains, you could end up with cracks or breaks that could lead to full or partial replacement of your pipes. This often involves costly excavation and significant man hours. Professional equipment just works better. Drain experts have all of the right tools and know how to use them. One significant advantage is a camera system that allows plumbers to scope out the problem and develop a strategy to repair it effectively, while eliminating the risk for damage to your home’s plumbing system. It’s clear to see that DIY drain clearing can end up costing home owners way more than hiring a plumber. Knowing when to call in professional help can be the most cost-effective option in the long run. If you have a stubborn drain that you just can’t seem to clear, don’t take on the snake. Give the drain experts at Rite Tech a call...
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If you’ve got a basement, you should probably have a sump pump. That’s because heavy rainfall, melting snow or even faulty plumbing can cause extensive damage to your home and your belongings in a very short amount of time if left unattended. Even more concerning is the dangerous mould and mildew that quickly begins to grow in wet environments. What does the sump pump do? The sump pump is installed in the lowest part of your basement, which is where moisture will begin to accumulate during a flood. As soon as the water reaches the device, it will automatically turn on and begin diverting (or pumping) fluid out of your basement. Once the water has been successfully removed, the pump turns itself off. A sump pump may seem like an unnecessary investment that you may never use, but when you compare the cost of repairs to your home and replacement of belongings, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to ensure your house stays dry in the event of a flood. If you don’t already have a sump pump in place, consider having one installed. Think of it as insurance for a rainy (or snowy) day. Does a sump pump need any maintenance? It’s a really good idea to have your sump pump inspected once a year to make sure it is in good working order. There’s no sense in having equipment that won’t work when you need it. A quick maintenance call is all you need to make sure that everything is in good shape and that your sump pump will work the way you need it to when the time comes. Whether you need a sump pump installed, or you want to make sure your existing one is in good repair, give Rite Tech a call to protect your home from costly water damage in the event of a...
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Has the cold weather got you dreaming of a trip to the sunny south? If so, you’re in good company. Many Canadians flock to warmer climates for a reprieve from our harsh winters. Many of those people, however, will return home to a plumbing disaster that will take the trip from fab to drab in a hurry. Here’s how you can avoid that miserable fate and protect your home while you are away. Keep the Heat On It can be tempting to turn the heat off since you won’t be home to use it, but that could turn out to be a costly mistake. If the temperature drops below freezing outside, your pipes could burst. This is a major problem at any time, but is most especially concerning while no one is at home. Turn the Water Heater Off One appliance you can turn off is your water heater. There’s no need to keep your water at shower temperature when there’s no one there to use it! This is also helpful in protecting your element in the unlikely event that your water heater leaks or your pipes burst. Close the Main Water Valve If you plan to be away for any length of time, this is the one step that should not be missed. Turning off the water coming into your home can help mitigate any damage from plumbing leaks or problems anywhere in your house. Draining your lines after you turn off the valve will mean less water damage if there are any issues while you are on vacation. Have a Neighbour Check In It’s a good idea to have a friend or neighbour come in to check on your home during extended absences. This ensures that even if there is a problem – plumbing or otherwise – it does not go undetected for days or weeks on end. Cleaning up leaks and floods as soon as possible helps to prevent further damage to your...
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