When a toilet is in working order, no one thinks too much about it. However, if things go wrong, it’s important to act quickly. When water is involved, avoiding dealing with the problem can lead to bigger issues down the line, so it pays to be pro-active. How do you know when your toilet is in need of repair? Look for these warning signs: Water on the floor around the toilet Leaking Slow filling or emptying of water Phantom flushing Strange hissing noises These may be symptoms to larger problems that, if left untreated, could lead to a hefty repair bill. Common toilet problems A Broken Seal Standard toilets have multiple seals, each of which can potentially leak over time. If a seal on a toilet is broken, your toilet may leak and pool water onto the floor. If this collected water makes its way through the tile or linoleum and into the floor itself, the underlying floor around the toilet may suffer unnecessary damage. Therefore, it’s important to deal with the leak early and head-on. Your plumber will be able to find which seal is leaking and fix the issue before it gets out of control. Toilet Emptying Issues A toilet bowl that is emptying slowly may be the first sign of a clog somewhere underneath the rim of the bowl while a toilet overflow after a flush may be a sign of a clog further down in the drain. In either case, having someone come to take a look and remove any build-up will help your toilet run properly and protect your bathroom from disastrous water damage. Hissing Noises Emanating from the Tank Constant hissing noises from within the toilet are most likely caused by water trickling into the tank via the supply line. A plumber will be able to ensure the refill tube isn’t inserted too far into the overflow tube and can check to see if the float is sticking or in need of adjustment. Phantom Flushing “Phantom flushing” is often caused by a small leak from the tank to the bowl and is typically the result of a faulty/worn flapper valve or flapper seat. A professional plumber is able to drain the tank and...
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With warmer temperatures and wetter conditions on the way, some homes are at risk of seasonal basement flooding. While you can’t control the weather, there are a few things you can do as a homeowner to help keep your basement dry. Ensure Water Flows Away From the House Occasionally, the landscaping around your home is to be blamed for water buildup around the foundation. Ensure that water is graded in such a way that it slopes away from your home to prevent the accumulation of water. Surround the Basement With Rocks and Gravel Adding layers of rocks and gravel around the periphery of the basement is an inexpensive but effective way to help water drain away from your basement quickly. It also reduces moisture accumulation around the house. Install Window Wells Around Basement Windows Basement windows can collect and retain water if they haven’t been properly constructed. However, by installing window wells and lining them with gravel, homeowners can prevent water retention and seepage through the windows that can end up pooling on the basement floor. Install a Basement Drainage System Chronic basement leaks may require homeowners to install drainage tubing below their basement floor. This drain is connected to your sump pump and will drain the water away, helping to keep your basement nice and dry. Install a Sump Pump When it comes to preventing flooding, a sump pump is one of the best options homeowners have. Sump pumps pick up water from a hole positioned at the lowest part of the basement floor and pump it away from the home’s foundation. By hooking your basement drainage system to your sump pump, excess water will be pumped away before it can do real damage to your basement. It’s important to inspect your basement and find the root cause of the leaks if your basement is taking on water. While basement floods can sometimes be attributed to elements outside the home or within the foundation (like cracks that let moisture seep through), there may also be issues with pipes as well. If your basement is finished, look for signs of leaks behind the drywall, such as stains, peeling paint, or damp plaster. If you have a bathroom in the...
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Although the weather is still pretty frosty, spring really is going to be upon us in no time. We all relish the warm weather and happily accept the showers that come along with it. Your plumbing, however, can be severely impacted by the changing season. Melting snow, rain showers and growing tree roots can all wreak havoc on your main sewer line, causing clogs and potential back ups. What Happens When the Sewer Line Backs Up? If your sewer gets blocked or clogged and is not properly cleared in time, you can end up with that sewage making its way up through your sinks and bathtubs, or even onto your front lawn! Not only is this unpleasant at best, it is a real safety hazard to come into contact with raw sewage. Sewer back ups can lead to costly abatement and repairs to your home – unexpected expenses and hassle that no home owner wants to deal with! So, how do we prevent this disgusting debacle? We know you aren’t in the habit of inspecting your sewer lines on a regular basis, so here are 4 symptoms of a possible sewer back up for you to look out for: Slow drains – slowly draining tubs, showers and appliances like dishwashers and washing machines could be an important clue that the water level in your sewer is abnormally high. Smelly drains – if you notice an unpleasant smell in most or all of your drains, you could be headed for trouble. This could mean that sewage is already backing up in your lines, or at the very least, is not draining properly. Soggy or wet spots around your underground sewage or vent pipe outside – this could be a sign that the raw sewage is seeping out of cracks or vents in your plumbing. Water back-ups – if your drains back up when you use a different water source in your home, this could indicate that the sewers aren’t clearing properly. An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure If you notice any of these signs, don’t hesitate to call Rite Tech right away. We will come assess your plumbing, and let you know if you have any...
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Happy New Year from your friends at Rite Tech Plumbing!! We hope the year ahead brings health and happiness to you and your family! The new year is a time to reflect on the things that are near and dear to us, and how to improve our lives going forward. Many people think about being more fiscally responsible, achieving personal goals or becoming more physically fit – all admirable choices for self improvement! While you are contemplating how to bring positive change into your life, it is also a good idea to consider how to help your home run more efficiently and to proactively prevent unforeseen problems throughout the year. Here are just a few plumbing “resolutions” that you might entertain to bring practical changes into your home for the coming year: Be more efficient. Make the switch to energy efficient appliances where you can, and use your local ‘time of use guidelines’ to help reduce energy use while also minimizing your hydro bill. Save water. Water waste is an unnecessary evil that is simple to remedy. Make sure your taps and faucets are leak free, install water saving shower heads, consider an on-demand water heating system, and develop a rainwater collection system to use for watering lawns and gardens. Fix faulty toilets. A toilet that runs can not only damage your floors and walls, but it also wastes a whole lot of water. Fix or replace leaky or running toilets to save water and to protect your home from damage. Improve water pressure. Low water pressure doesn’t have to be an accepted reality in your house. There are many ways to address water pressure issues without breaking the bank. If cleaning out sediment from your fixtures or changing shower heads doesn’t work, your plumber can help to determine the culprit, enabling you to enjoy maximum flow in your shower or bath. Schedule annual maintenance checks. Avoid costly repairs and potential damage by having a professional plumber inspect your lines, taps, appliances and drains. Getting ahead of any problems can save you both money and hassle later on, so put a plumbing check on your “to do” list for each January. Whether you are looking for maintenance and advice...
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Most of us know to routinely inspect our faucets and drains, follow our winter weather checklists and generally have a fairly good handle on the status of our home’s plumbing. Unfortunately, many of our senior family members, while still healthy enough to stay in their own homes, do not have the ability to do the same. This is easily overlooked by other family members and caregivers whose main priorities are to ensure proper diet, heath care and housekeeping for their loved ones. The fact is, however, that improperly maintained plumbing can pose serious risks for seniors. Tips For Home Plumbing Inspections For Seniors Here are just a few things you can check to keep your elderly family member safe: Check for leaky toilets, showers and drains that could be leaving water on the floor. This poses a slip and fall risk for anybody, but can be particularly dangerous for our most experienced family members. Ensure the hot water tank temperature is regulated properly. There’s a fine balance between maintaining a temperature that discourages bacteria growth and ensuring that the water doesn’t come out of the shower or faucet at a temperature that can scald. A mixing valve can help to prevent fluctuations and keep temperature consistent. Make sure the seniors in your life have pressure and temperature valves that can prevent water from becoming very hot or cold when other water sources, such as a toilet, are used. While it may seem like a simple inconvenience to wait a minute for consistent temperature or water pressure, these fluctuations can lead to burns very quickly – especially for those with more delicate skin. Check for back up or signs of flooding around the sewer pipe. Your loved one may not be checking things out in the basement as often as they once did, so take a look to see if any maintenance is required. Not only can sewer back-ups cause costly flooding, but they pose a serious health risk if not properly repaired and expertly cleaned. Professional Plumbing Help For Maintenance and Repairs Of course, the best way to ensure that your senior family member’s plumbing is working at its best is to book a maintenance call with Rite Tech...
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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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