Tag: Plumber

Is Your Home Ready for the New Year?

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

Happy New Year! At The Great Plumbing Co., we can’t believe that 2018 has already come and gone. We hope that you had a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family, and we also hope that today’s post finds you optimistically looking forward to everything 2019 has in store.

With a new year upon us, there’s no better time than right now to begin investing in your home and fixing those little problems that sprung up in 2018. Keep reading below to learn how we can help you improve your home this year, and schedule a residential plumbing appointment online if you’re ready to get started!

How Can We Help You This Year?

Bathroom Plumbing

Did you have friends and family members staying with you for the holidays? If so, then your bathroom may have seen more use in a few weeks than it saw in several months. We won’t get into the fine details, but if your bathtub isn’t draining as well as it used to, or if your toilet is clogging frequently, then give us a call and we’ll help you get everything back in working order.

Even if the only complaint you have about your bathroom is the leaky faucet, you should still schedule a bathroom plumbing appointment. We detailed the numerous negative effects of a leaky faucet in a previous post, and we hope that the information will prompt you to call us for residential plumbing as soon as possible.

Drain Cleaning 

If you’re like many Toronto residents, then it’s likely that you had at least a few holiday gatherings in your home. Between delicious dinners and tasty confections, your sink may have become clogged from all of the extra leftovers and food it processed in the last few weeks. If your sink is taking longer than normal to drain, then give us a call or schedule a residential plumbing appointment online. We’ll help you safely clear the drains in your home while keeping your plumbing system safe.

Frozen Pipe Thawing

A frozen pipe is a problem no homeowner wants to deal with, especially as the new year is just beginning. We know that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season kept you incredibly busy, but now that things have settled down, you should check to make sure that none of your pipes have frozen. We wrote a previous piece detailing the signs of a frozen pipe, so be sure to catch up on that information if you haven’t yet read it.

If you do notice any of the most common signs of a frozen pipe, then get in touch with us immediately and schedule a frozen pipe repair appointment. We can help you fix your pipes in a way that minimizes the damage to your plumbing system and prevents your home from flooding, and we’ll also provide you with helpful information that prevents your pipes from freezing again.

Keep an eye on our blog page, as we’ll be providing you with even more information about home plumbing in the coming weeks and months.

Are you ready to schedule an appointment and improve your home this year? Book your appointment online through this page! We look forward to speaking with you.

Why You Should Fix Your Leaky Faucet

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

Have you ever wondered if your leaky faucet is an issue that should be fixed immediately? The answer is “yes,” and in today’s post, we take an in-depth look at a few of the many reasons why you should fix your leaky faucet as soon as possible. If you have a leaky faucet in your home, then schedule a residential plumbing appointment with The Great Plumbing Co. and let us help you lower your utility bills and protect our global environment.

Read on to learn why you should make fixing your facets a priority!

How Much Does a Leaky Faucet Cost?

Almost all of us will rush to fix massive problems immediately, but we often delay and put off smaller problems if they don’t need to be addressed right away. For instance, we’re willing to bet that you’ll take your car to the mechanic as soon as you notice smoke pouring out from under the hood, but you’ve probably put off an oil change for a week or two because you didn’t want to make a trip to your local body shop. 

While it’s understandable to think of a leaky faucet as an annoying problem that won’t need to be addressed right away, the slow, insidious effects of a leak should prompt you to think otherwise. It’s been estimated that the average leak wastes anywhere between 5 and 10 gallons of water per day. Even at a fairly conservative rate of 6 gallons per day, you’ll be paying for almost 2,200 gallons of water that you didn’t use. When you consider that many Toronto homes have older fixtures that are prone to leaking, it’s highly likely that more than one fixture will be leaking.

If you still need to be convinced that calling a Toronto plumber to fix your leaking faucet is a good idea, then consider what happens when more than one home in the area has a leak. If 5,000 homes in the area had a leak of 6 gallons per day, then 30,000 gallons of water would be wasted every day. More than 1 million gallons would be wasted annually, and 5,000 homes with leaky faucets is a very conservative estimate when you consider Toronto’s population of just under 6 million.

Call a Toronto Plumber Today!

Many DIY guides purport to show you how to perform residential plumbing tasks on your own, but at The Great Plumbing Co., we always recommend calling a professional plumber for assistance. You can never be certain that the leak isn’t a sign of something more serious, and you don’t want to have an emergency on your hands if something goes wrong. Moreover, you’ve probably read or heard horror stories of people who tried to fix a simple problem and injured themselves in the process.

The Great Plumbing Co. is here to help you protect yourself, your home, and the environment. We provide a number of residential plumbing services, and we even offer 24-hour emergency plumbing response services if something goes wrong outside of our normal business hours.

Schedule your appointment through this page. We look forward to working with you!

4 Ways You Can Conserve Water

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

Water is a precious commodity. We use it every day, but we often don’t pay attention to how much of it we use. In today’s post, we’ll take a look at four ways you can become more water-efficient, lower your utility bills, and preserve the environment.

The Great Plumbing Co. can help you keep your home efficient with a number of different plumbing services. Schedule an appointment through our website if you need residential plumbing, and read on for easy water conservation tips!

Water Conservation Tips

Use Your Trash Can Instead of the Toilet

On average, toilets account for roughly a third of every household’s water consumption. Even if you plan to replace your toilet in the near future, you should get into the habit of only flushing your toilet when you’re actively using it. So, instead of tossing tissues you use to remove your makeup or blow your nose into the toilet, always make a conscious effort to throw them into the trash. You’ll almost certainly see a reduction in your monthly water bill!

Fix Your Leaks  

Leaks are one of the most insidious plumbing problems we address. Leaks are rarely so bad that they have to be fixed the moment they’re noticed, but this means that they often go unaddressed for months. In some cases, homeowners simply become used to them and never call a professional plumber to fix the problem. However, even small leaks can waste thousands of litres of water each year, so fixing a leaky faucet or showerhead should always be one of your top priorities.

Replace Your Toilet

If you have an older toilet, then it’s likely that it uses between 19 and 26 litres of water every time you flush it. This is much more than it actually takes to flush waste, and installing a low-flow toilet can reduce your consumption to roughly 4.8 litres per flush. Even if you opt for a toilet that uses slightly more water, both you and the environment will be better off in the long run.

While we’re on the topic of toilets, we noted a few of the most common signs that you need a new toilet in a previous post, so be sure to catch up on that information if you’ve been considering purchasing a new unit for your home.

Use Your Dishwasher

It might sound counterintuitive, but using your dishwasher instead of washing your dishes by hand is actually more efficient. Numerous studies have shown that it takes less water to clean a full load of dishes when they’re in a dishwasher, but it’s important to note that your dishwasher needs to be completely full. If it’s only partially full, then you’ll actually be using more water to clean fewer dishes.

Keep an eye on our blog page, as we’ll be adding even more water conservation tips in the coming weeks and months. If you need residential plumbing in Toronto or any of the surrounding areas, then schedule an appointment with The Great Plumbing Co. through our website!

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Garbage Disposal Tips for the Holiday Season

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

With the holidays just around the corner, you’re probably already thinking about all of the delicious food you’ll make for your friends and loved ones. At The Great Plumbing Co., we’re just as excited for the holidays as you are, and in today’s post, we’ll provide you with a few tips that will help you protect your garbage disposal this season.

When you’ve finished reading this post, head over to our website to schedule a residential plumbing appointment. Whether you need garbage disposal repairs or preventative maintenance throughout your entire home, The Great Plumbing Co. is here to help you with all of your residential plumbing needs!

Garbage Disposal Tips

Avoid These Seasonal Items

While you’re busy cooking delicious food for your friends and loved ones, be sure that you’re protecting your garbage disposal by disposing of these items in the garbage can or compost bin:

  • Pumpkin: Many Toronto homeowners will be baking pumpkin pies this year. If you’re preparing fresh pumpkin instead of using a canned product, then make sure that you’re disposing of the strands and skin in the trash. Fibrous vegetables like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and rhubarb will all clog your disposal.

  • Coffee grounds: While coffee is certainly a year-round drink for many Toronto residents, it’s especially nice to sit down with a warm cup of coffee when your friends and family are in town. Coffee grounds tend to compact and become hard as they dry, and this is the last thing you want in your drain.
  • Egg shells: As you’re cracking eggs to use in cookie dough, pies, and other delectable holiday treats, be sure that you’re composting or throwing your eggshells away. Much like coffee grounds, they can easily jam your garbage disposal.
  • Grease: As we mentioned in one of our previous posts, grease is one of the worst things you can put down your drain. Whether you’re cooking bacon for your friends and family or frying pastries for an upcoming party, you should never dispose of grease in your sink.

Never Use Ice

You may have heard that putting ice down your garbage disposal will sharpen the blades, but this is a myth that will actually harm your disposal over time. The vast majority of garbage disposals in Toronto homes do not actually have blades, but, instead, have grinding mechanisms that spin in a circular motion. Ice jams the mechanism and will actually dull the metal components over time, so reach out to a professional plumber if you think you need new blades.

Call a Toronto Plumber If You Have a Jam

At The Great Plumbing Co., we know that the holiday season tends to be expensive. Between shopping for your friends and family, traveling, and taking time off of work, the costs of the season can quickly add up. That being said, you should never attempt to repair a clogged garbage disposal on your own. The mechanisms in your garbage disposal require the attention of a professional plumber, and you don’t want to risk your personal safety just to save a few dollars.

Do you need residential plumbing in Toronto or any of the surrounding areas? Click on the button below to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 541-709-5381.

Four Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

With the Toronto weather getting colder by the day, every homeowner should be preparing to protect their plumbing as the temperatures dip below freezing. We provided you with a few frozen pipe signs to watch out for in a previous post, so be sure to catch up on that information if you haven’t yet read it. In today’s post, we’ll provide you with four easy and effective ways to prevent frozen pipes in your home this winter.

The Great Plumbing Co. provides reliable frozen pipe thawing and a variety of residential plumbing services in Toronto — schedule your appointment online today!

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Insulate

Poor insulation is one of the primary causes of frozen pipes. Many homes in the Toronto area were built decades ago and consequently have less-than-ideal insulation, so take some time to evaluate your home as the temperatures continue to drop. If you know that your home is vulnerable during cold snaps, then you should purchase some foam blocks from one of your local home improvement stores. You can place the foam in your home’s crawl space and inside your kitchen cabinets to keep your pipes working efficiently. Invest in a temporary patch kit if you want to be extra cautious, as you can use them to temporarily seal a cracked or fully burst pipe while you wait for a plumber to arrive.

Consider Heating Cables

Heating cables are a fantastic way to further protect your home during the winter. As you can infer from their name, heating cables are designed to be either wrapped around or placed near your pipes to prevent them from freezing. Some heat cables will need to be cut and hooked up to a power source, while others will be ready to be plugged in from the moment you purchase them. While heating cables are a great preventative measure, they are not a recommended substitute for residential plumbing and professional frozen pipe thawing. Always call your local plumber if you suspect that your pipes have frozen.

Turn Off the Water 

Turning off the main water valve in your home is another effective way to prevent frozen pipes. If you know that temperatures will be dropping drastically throughout the night, or if you will be gone for a span of several days, then turning off your water is probably a good idea. If your pipes do freeze and subsequently crack, your cleanup will be limited to the water currently in the pipes instead of a free-flowing stream.

Use a Space Heater

Space heaters can be an effective addition to any of the tips we’ve listed so far. You can open your kitchen cabinets and place a space heater near the entrance, or place one near your crawl space. Keep in mind that space heaters have the potential to cause a fire if they are placed too close to flammable materials, so use them only in open spaces and be sure to monitor them whenever they’re in use. The goal is simply to keep your pipes above freezing, so you may not need a space heater if you have already insulated your pipes or outfitted them with heating cables.

Do you need frozen pipe thawing in Toronto or any of the surrounding areas? Schedule an appointment with The Great Plumbing Co. today — our residential plumbing services can help you keep your home safe this winter.

4 Signs You Need a New Toilet

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

The toilets in your home get a lot of use throughout the year, but it’s only when they start to malfunction that you notice just how much you depend on them. In today’s post, we’ll take an in-depth look at four of the most common signs that you need a new toilet. When you’ve finished reading, be sure to schedule a residential plumbing appointment through our website. Many Toronto plumbers are taking the holiday season off, but you can count on us for fast and dependable service, no matter what time of the year it is!

Signs You Need a Toilet Replacement

Frequent Clogs and Overflows

Frequent clogs and overflows are two of the most common problems homeowners experience with their toilets. It’s completely expected that your toilet will clog every now and then, but if it’s happening more and more frequently, then you need to call a Toronto plumber for an inspection. The pipes connecting your toilet to the city’s sewer system could be blocked, or your toilet could be having water pressure problems.

Constant Running 

A toilet that constantly runs isn’t just annoying, it’s expensive, too. The problem is generally that your fill tube isn’t working properly, and thankfully, this is a fairly easy fix that can be implemented by your plumber in a matter of minutes. However, if the problem persists, then it may be more cost-effective to shop for a new, more efficient toilet. As we’ll explain in the next section, constant running is often a sign that your toilet has a crack in the porcelain.

Cracks and Wobbling

Cracks and wobbling are two related, but distinct, problems. Cracks in the toilet’s porcelain can allow water to leak into the walls and floor surrounding the toilet, eventually leading to mold and mildew growth.

More often than not, wobbling is caused by loose screws that simply need to be tightened by a plumber. However, wobbly toilets are sometimes caused by the floor surrounding the toilet becoming unstable due to rotting wood and mold growth, so don’t hesitate to call a plumber the moment you notice that your toilet is shifting.

Frequent Repairs

Much like your car, HVAC unit, or anything else you depend on in your day-to-day life, there comes a time when you need to weigh the cost of repairing something against the cost of a new model. If you’ve had to call a residential plumber several times this year due to toilet problems, then it may be time to consider investing in a replacement.

As Toronto’s residential plumbing experts, our mission is to provide homeowners in the area with accurate and reliable information that helps them make an informed decision. We can come to your home and inspect your toilet, diagnose any problems, and make a recommendation about whether you should repair or replace the unit.

Call a Toronto Plumber Today!

We hope that today’s post will help you determine if it’s time to invest in a new toilet. With the holidays just around the corner, there’s no better time than right now to invest in preventative residential plumbing. Schedule your appointment through our website — we look forward to speaking with you soon!

Four Common Plumbing Problems

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

Your home’s plumbing is a lot like your HVAC system in the sense that you depend on it daily, but you don’t often stop to think about how well it’s working. In fact, we tend to only notice our plumbing and HVAC systems when they’re not working properly. In today’s post, we’ll review four of the most common plumbing problems homeowners in the Toronto area experience. If you are experiencing any of these problems, or any kind of issue with your plumbing, then schedule an appointment with The Great Plumbing Co.

Stubborn Drains

Stubborn drains are one of the most common problems homeowners experience throughout the year. Maybe your kitchen sink isn’t draining as well as it used to, or perhaps your shower drain is completely clogged. The good news is that while clogged drains can be frustrating, they’re often not difficult to fix. Instead of taking your chances with a drain cleaner from your local hardware store, call an experienced Toronto plumber and let us ensure that your entire plumbing network is working efficiently. We’ll perform an inspection and make sure that your drain is the only problem with your kitchen plumbing and that everything is in working order.

Leaky Faucets 

A leak of any kind will slowly but surely drive up your monthly water bill. Leaks are generally caused by a loose washer that leads to a broken seal, allowing water to slowly trickle out. Repairing a leaky faucet isn’t a difficult task in and of itself, but it’s always best to have a professional plumber perform the work. You may not have the proper tools and hardware to repair the leak yourself, and you may even inadvertently cause more damage.

Strange Noises

Strange noises whenever you flush a toilet, run the faucet, or turn on the shower are almost always a cause for concern. With the temperatures now dropping below freezing, clunks and bangs are often indications that there is ice in your pipes. During the summer, odd noises can be a sign that there is a blockage somewhere in your pipes, or that water is leaking somewhere in your system. Regardless of the season, you should always schedule a residential plumbing appointment when you hear odd noises coming from your home’s plumbing system.

Clogged Toilets

While many homeowners believe that toilets should be able to flush anything, non-flushable items like baby wipes, paper towels, and cotton balls can all contribute to toilet clogs. Even in instances in which you’re only flushing toilet paper, mineral deposits that build up over time can often cause a plumbing system to slow down significantly. The problem could also be that your sewer line needs to be repaired, or that your home’s toilet is simply outdated and needs to be replaced. Every situation is different, and we’ll work with you to find an ideal, cost-effective solution for your home.

Residential Plumbing in Toronto

Keep an eye on our blog page, as we’ll continue to add information about residential plumbing and common plumbing problems in future posts. The Great Plumbing Co. is proud to be your Top Rated Local® plumbing company — schedule with an appointment with a Toronto plumber today!

Plumbing Tips for the Holiday Season

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

With the holiday season just around the corner, you’re probably preparing to host your friends and family for parties, or leave for a fun holiday vacation. No matter where you go or how you spend the holidays, it’s important to ensure that your home’s plumbing is protected. In today’s post, we’ll provide you with a few tips that can help you keep your plumbing in optimal condition this holiday season.

Get in touch with The Great Plumbing Co. today to schedule a residential plumbing appointment for your home!

Store Your Fat

There’s no shortage of delicious food to be found during the holiday season. From oven-roasted turkeys to delicious cookies and other sugary confections, your home will smell nothing short of amazing as the holiday season kicks off.

Be conscious of how you’re disposing of cooking byproducts like grease, as improper grease and oil disposal can quickly lead to serious plumbing problems. You’ve probably seen how grease solidifies after it’s been cooked, and this will happen inside your pipes if you simply rinse it down the drain when you’ve finished cooking. Set aside a jar or plastic container in which you can store leftover fat and cooking oil, and contact your local waste management center for further disposal instructions.

Take Care of Your Disposal 

Your garbage disposal is designed to handle small bits of leftover food from your plate, but many people use their disposals as a catch-all way to dispose of any leftover waste. Garbage disposal clogs are one of the most common residential plumbing problems experienced during the holiday season, as homeowners and their guests often put hard-to-grind leftovers straight into the disposal when they’ve finished eating. You don’t want to have to call a plumber in the middle of your holiday celebrations, so remind your guests that large waste items need to be thrown away or composted.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Cold weather and falling snow make for a magical holiday season, but below-freezing temperatures can also put your home’s plumbing at risk. Check under your kitchen cabinets, in your crawl space, and anywhere else that isn’t highly insulated to see if there are any signs that your pipes have begun to freeze or have already frozen. If certain areas feel colder than others, then try insulating them yourself or turning up your home’s thermostat while you wait for a plumber to perform an inspection. We noted some of the signs of a frozen pipe in a previous blog post, so be sure to catch up on that information.

Make sure that your home’s temperature never dips below 12.7 degrees Celsius, and don’t be shy about asking a friend or neighbor to check on your home if you plan on leaving for a few days.

Choose a Reliable Plumber in Toronto

The Great Plumbing Co. provides residential plumbing services in Toronto, Ajax, Etobicoke, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need a routine checkup or you need emergency plumbing, you can count on us to protect your home this holiday season. Schedule your plumbing appointment online today!

What Happens When a Pipe Freezes?

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

As a homeowner, you’ve probably heard horror stories about frozen pipes. Maybe you’ve known someone who dealt with extensive water damage after a burst pipe, or perhaps you’ve even seen the damage first-hand. Many people are unaware of exactly how devastating a frozen pipe can be, so in today’s post, we’ll walk you through exactly what happens when a pipe freezes. We noted four signs of a frozen pipe in a previous post, so make sure that you review that article to stay informed.

If you need frozen pipe thawing in Toronto, then schedule an appointment with The Great Plumbing Co. Read on to learn more about frozen pipes!

Flooding and Water Damage

Flooding and subsequent water damage are two of the most destructive events that can befall a home. Water expands when it freezes, and your pipes are only designed to handle liquid water. Frozen water will cause the pipe to expand and potentially break, which then leads to free-flowing water wherever the break occurred. No matter where a burst pipe occurs, the damage can be devastating. Pipes that have burst inside of a wall, for instance, may require that the wall be replaced due to extensive water damage. A burst pipe under the kitchen sink, on the other hand, can easily allow water to make its way into the adjacent rooms.

Mold 

As if water damage weren’t problematic enough, a flooded home can quickly develop a mold infestation. Consider the following scenario: a pipe bursts on the main level of a home and is stopped before serious water damage occurs in the area. However, water seeps into the basement walls and ceiling, creating the ideal conditions for mold and mildew. Homeowners may not notice mold growth if the basement is only used for storage or as a guest space, which allows the problem to worsen over time. Mold remediation can be just as inconvenient as repairing water damage, so be sure that you call a professional plumber for frozen pipe repair if you notice any odd problems with your plumbing this winter.

Displacement

In some cases, the damage to your home may be so severe that you have to relocate to a hotel or friend’s house while your home is repaired. The expenses may be covered depending on your insurance company, but even when they are, relocating is a major hassle. You need access to your clothing, food, and everything else you use throughout the day. The stress of relocation is only compounded if you have young children or pets, as they will be understandably confused and upset by the situation.

Don’t Perform Frozen Pipe Thawing Yourself

Many DIY guides will tell you that you can save money and time by thawing your pipes yourself, but doing so could be spell disaster for your home. A professional plumber will be able to diagnose the extent of the damage and provide you with an individualized plan that minimizes the damage to your home. Don’t take the risk of damaging your home — schedule frozen pipe repair in Toronto with The Great Plumbing Co. today.

Four Signs of a Frozen Pipe

Posted on | by The Great Plumbing Co.

With the weather in Toronto and the surrounding areas becoming colder by the day, preventing the pipes in your home from freezing is likely one of your top concerns. In today’s post, we’ll provide you with four of the most common frozen pipe indicators. If you suspect that your pipes are at risk of freezing, then schedule a plumbing appointment with The Great Plumbing Co. using our easy online scheduling application. We perform frozen pipe thawing that can minimize the damage to your home, so schedule your appointment today!

Visible Ice or Frost

It might sound obvious, but check the visible pipes in your home for signs of frost and ice as the weather begins to dip below freezing. Many homeowners believe that frost or small ice crystals are expected as the weather cools down, but this is actually a sign that your pipes are in the process of freezing. Check under your kitchen cabinets, under your bathroom sink, and anywhere else that you can see the pipes in your home, and call a professional plumber as soon as you notice any signs of icy pipes in your home.

Strange Noises

Are you hearing odd noises whenever you flush the toilet or turn on the faucet? Air that has been trapped by ice will often make a bubbling or gurgling noise as it slowly makes its way through the pipes. This is generally a sign that a pipe has frozen, but not yet burst, so schedule frozen pipe thawing immediately if you hear either of these noises. In some cases, the water making its way through the blockage will emit a whistling noise, so be on the lookout for that as well.

Damp Walls

Many homeowners panic and assume that a pipe has burst when they discover damp walls, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Your pipes might be freezing during the night and then warming up as the temperature increases throughout the day, causing your walls to become wet in the process. Be on the lookout for puddles on the floor as well, as condensation will often drip into the space between your walls and then into your home.

Frequent Plumbing Issues

Are you having persistent problems with your plumbing? Many older homes in Toronto have inefficient plumbing, but you should keep an eye on your plumbing’s functionality as the weather cools down. Water may take longer than normal to come out of the faucet, or your toilet may clog almost every time you flush it. Instead of chalking new issues up to outdated plumbing, schedule a residential plumbing appointment to err on the side of caution. Even if the problem turns out to be minor, you’ll be reassured that your home is safe throughout the winter.

Frozen Pipe Thawing in Toronto

The Great Plumbing Co. is proud to provide a number of residential plumbing services in Toronto and the surrounding areas. From frozen pipe thawing to drain repairs, we do it all! Book your appointment with a Toronto plumber online today.