Blog

Winter is here, and a lot of things in your home may be under unique stress. Your septic tank may be at risk during this time due to the cold weather, snow, and the guests that come to your house. Surely, you don’t want to deal with a septic tank problem, especially in the middle of winter! Here are some potential issues you may encounter and how to avoid them: 

• Tank Components Are Frozen

When snow gets deep into your septic tank’s components, it can freeze them, or worse, the entire system. Frozen tank components will slow down the metabolic rate of anaerobic bacteria in the tank. In turn, the waste will not be broken down. 

Avoid this by adding an insulating cover or blanket to your tank to keep it warm during the winter. It will also help to run your water and use the septic system every day to reduce the risk of freezing. 

• Snow and Soil Are Compacted

Driving over snow with your vehicle can compact the snow above the tank. Combined with the cold weather, this can make the soil above the tank dense and compact. When this happens, it won’t be able to insulate your tank effectively, which will lead to a frozen septic system.

Avoid this by aerating your soil before winter and as much as possible, avoid driving over the parts of your lawn. 

• Pipes Are Not Functioning Properly

Leaky or clogged pipes often lead to improper drainage. Moreover, leaks during winter can cause the water to freeze, which can damage the septic system. On the other hand, clogs can cause wastewater to build up in the pipes, which can also freeze. When wastewater freezes, it can damage your system and contaminate the water you drink at home. 

Avoid this by fixing leaky pipes before winter and address any clogs as soon as you notice them. 

• Overworked System 

If you have guests during the holiday season, your septic system can become overworked because there will be an increase in showers and laundry. Also, the preparation of holiday meals can contribute to an overworked septic system as well. 

You can avoid this by staggering showers and laundry usage. It will also be a good idea to stagger food preparation over a few days. 

• Difficulties in Pumping the Tank

You will find that it’s more challenging to pump your septic tank in the winter. This is because the ground is hard and frozen, and the snow on the lawn makes digging into the yard even more challenging. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t perform maintenance during this time of the year. You still can, but you can save yourself from the hassle by having your tank pumped the moment you realize it’s about to be full. Early pumping before the ground is frozen will decrease the chances of necessary maintenance during the cold months. 

Conclusion

Knowing the potential septic tank issues in the winter and how you can avoid them are important. Should you come across any of these problems, make sure you have a professional handle them. 

Here at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating, our emergency plumbers in Calgary, AB can help you out. Contact us today.  

It’s 11:00 pm, and you’re getting ready for bed. You turn on your sink faucet, but then it suddenly bursts. Water is flying everywhere. Now, what do you do?

The first thing you need to do is to turn off the main water system and calmly call a 24-hour plumber. Yes, 24-hour plumbing services exist, and they are a godsend at times like this.

Instead of not being able to use water in the middle of the night or early the next day, calling a 24-hour plumber can get the job done right away. Here’s a list of benefits that they also provide:

1) Round-the-Clock Plumbing Support

Some plumbing issues can turn for the worse when not addressed right away. If burst pipes are your problem in the middle of the night, a 24-hour plumbing service can get the job done regardless of the time. 

2) Flexibility At Its Finest

If you have a full schedule but badly need to have your home’s plumbing checked, you can set a schedule at night with a 24-hour plumber. That way, you don’t have to go all the way home in the middle of the day to accommodate your plumber. You can do it when it’s most convenient for you, even after work, and you can guarantee that a plumber will be at your service. 

3) Get Real-Time Solution

With a 24-hour plumbing service, you get a real-time solution. There’s no need to wait until the next morning to have your plumbing issue addressed, reducing the chances of the problem getting worse. A 24-hour plumber can fix the issue right away, which will give you peace of mind. All you need to do is make that call. 

4) Guaranteed Reliable and Trustworthy Service

Not all plumbers are available 24/7 because it’s not an easy job. Therefore, you can expect companies that offer 24-hour plumbing services to have full dedication to the job. Moreover, it’s a guarantee that it’s the kind of company that you can rely on for trustworthy services. It’s not easy to do plumbing work when you’re half-asleep, after all. 

5) Technical Expertise

Regardless of the type of plumbing issue you have at home or office, plumbers are knowledgeable and are equipped with the right skills to resolve the issue. They are trained to resolve all types of plumbing issues and can also educate you on all things plumbing. 

Conclusion

When it comes to plumbing, whether it’s at home or at the office, you never really know when a pipe is going to burst or when a drain will clog that will cause a flood in certain areas. It’s even worse when these things happen at night, and you feel like you can’t have a plumber at that hour. 

24-hour emergency plumbing services guarantee that they will be there within minutes whenever you have a plumbing emergency, regardless of the time of day. All you need to do is give them a call, and they’ll have the skills and tools needed to fix your plumbing problem once and for all.

If you have a plumbing emergency in Calgary, don’t hesitate to call 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating. Our professional plumbers can resolve any plumbing issues at any time of the day and night. 

In some situations where you can tell that there is something wrong with the water from your plumbing, you may be compelled to look into the problem and deal with it yourself. You might have the tools you need and even some basic plumbing knowledge, but is that really the best course of action?

In most cases, calling an emergency plumber might be the smarter choice. This article helps you figure out what clearly constitutes immediately calling your local plumber to fix the pipes. After all, you don’t want to resort to quick fixes here or make any expensive mistakes along the way. In situations like the following ones, you really need to leave it to the professionals. 

1) Water Supply and Pipeline Issues

A few minor leaks here and there may just be a pipe sealant’s job to fix. But what if the leak that sprung is major and suddenly floods your whole basement? You can’t D.I.Y. out of situations like that. Plus, you may screw up something in the pipelines without getting to the root cause of the leak. 

Another issue worth mentioning is when your home suddenly has no more water. For starters, you can check on your main water meter to see whether there is supply. If the readings say yes and yet the open sink doesn’t have any water, you really need to call the plumber. 

The main issue here may be the main pipeline that is either leaking or missing a piece connected to the reservoir. If you are also witnessing a change in the water pressure, like the showers are only giving you drops, that’s another issue only a professional can fix.

2) Water Heater Issues

Aside from a reliable water supply, the ample use of hot water during the colder months is also something that you need to account for. If you suddenly turn on the hot water tap and smell something bad, that’s a warning sign for a possible gas leak. If you have deduced that the weird gas smell is not coming from your stove or oven, it’s highly likely that the water heater is broken. 

This issue needs the immediate attention of an emergency plumber, but you also have to immediately turn off the gas. If you can’t, keep all the windows and doors open to get the fumes out. Then, consider either calling your gas provider about the issue and staying outside the house until everything has been taken care of. At this point, your safety is of utmost importance, and it’s far better to let the professionals handle this situation. 

3) Sewer Line and Drainage Problems

If the smell does not come from the water heater, it might not be gas but wastewater in the pipelines. The drainage and the sewer lines can be clogged up, causing the problem to either settle in the pipes or relocate to the basement or near the garbage disposal. The wastewater can even find itself in your front yard and become a nasty mix of fecal matter and mud. 

Aside from dealing with a potential biohazard, your plumber will have to look into making sure this situation doesn’t happen again. They will use a drain snake to remove the clogs in the drainage and possibly dig out broken pipes and replace them. This is a professional fix because one wrong move with the sewage can easily domino into other issues like a clogged toilet. 

Conclusion

If you have a plumbing problem that needs immediate attention and a cost-effective solution, don’t attempt to solve it yourself or look for other so-called fixes. Look no further than to the aid of your local emergency plumber. 

Are you in need of an emergency plumber in Alberta? We’ve got your back at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating. We are equipped to fix your pipes and HVAC system. Consult with us today!

Plumbing systems are often simple in operation. This is why many people look at their plumbing issues and only see nothing more than a few pipes and faucets. Because of this, many homeowners think that they can merely buy a few tools, read up How-To articles, and fix the problem by themselves.

However, despite its rather simple-looking appearance, plumbing emergencies are best left for professionals who are trained to fix issues without causing more problems. Without proper training and tools, keep in mind that simple issues can quickly escalate to disasters.

In this article, we will share four reasons you should stop fixing plumbing issues by yourself and work with a professional plumber instead:

You Can Flood Your Home

One particularly common mistake made by homeowners is forgetting to turn off the main line before performing the plumbing repairs. Many people don’t realize it until they’ve removed a faucet or dislodged a pipe. The danger of flooding their home becomes real when homeowners realize that they don’t even know where the water shut-off is.

If you live in a separate house and lot, it’s relatively easy to locate your main water shut-off line. However, if you live in a shared building where multiple tenants depend on one line, it’s best to leave the repairs to your property owner or the respective emergency plumber.

You Can Break Your Pipes

While plumbing systems can look simple at first, keep in mind that they are actually under lots of pressure. Aside from supplying your home with clean water and getting rid of the waste, your pipes and faucets are also the only piece that’s keeping water from flooding your home.

For this reason, you should never try to dislodge or replace a pipe by yourself. This is especially true for older homes with worn-out pipes, which can be fragile after years of use. Attempting to fix a problem of this scale could easily turn a small issue into a plumbing emergency, which you will need a plumber for.

You Can Wrongly Use Harsh Chemicals

Even a simple problem like a clog can be exacerbated by trying to repair it yourself. Common home solutions, such as snakes or augers, can be ineffective and damaging when used by inexperienced hands. However, perhaps the most dangerous home remedy for clogged drains is chemical drain cleaners.

Most commercially-available chemical cleaners use a highly corrosive chemical called sodium hydroxide, which can cause skin and lung irritation if improperly handled. While these cleaners can be effective at dissolving particles, they can also damage pipes due to corrosion. Despite that, the biggest danger is to the environment because at high enough concentration in the water, sodium hydroxide can even harm aquatic life.

You Can Incur Additional Costs

Most homeowners often try to fix plumbing issues by themselves to save on costs. Unfortunately, any cost that you could have saved would easily be eaten up by added costs due to faulty repairs. Besides, know that handling plumbing issues correctly requires ample resources. Depending on the nature of your problem, the cost of acquiring professional plumbing tools can easily overshadow the cost of hiring an expert plumber.

Conclusion

Due to natural wear and tear, plumbing problems are inevitable over time. The only way to avoid them long-term is by having repairs done correctly in the first place without causing additional damage. Likewise, the only real way to do this is by hiring a professional plumber near you.

24 Hour Plumbing and Heating caters to any plumbing emergency in Calgary, Alberta. With our 20 years of experience in this industry, we have a quality advantage over the competition that allows us to address any plumbing issues. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

How serious are you about maintaining your home’s plumbing system? Plumbing is one of the most vital parts of your home infrastructure. Even one pipe leakage can create great havoc and lead to substantial loss of your house assets. Some plumbing problems like frozen pipes are caused due to fairly chilly weather of Canada; however, some issues are consequences of your wrongdoings. Your one wrong move can lead you to dialling numbers of various plumbers in Toronto to get that one fix done. You might now think about the major things you do that are affecting your plumbing system severely. However, following you’ll find the minor things that you weren’t aware can damage your home’s plumbing.

1) Fixing your Home Plumbing Yourself

Many homeowners tend to think that they are fairly adept in their overall home management and want to test their expertise at each level. Plumbing is majorly a category where homeowners believe that they know major fixes for problems. They, therefore, resort to some noncredible applications that they find on the internet and are satisfied with mere temporary repairs. There are some of the best plumbers in Toronto who can provide you with quick fixes for small problems, so it’s best to call them and get your fix done.

2) Pouring Grease or Oil Down the Drain

Grease or oil has possible fatty substances that can clog your drain. When you pour the oil or grease down the drain, it solidifies, thus clogging the pipes. Some particles of the grease also tend to stick to the pipe walls, creating a buildup, which is enough to create havoc and backing up of water. People also tend to run the food grease or oil down the drain that, in turn, is stuck in the pipes and can ultimately damage the pipe if not treated.

3) Pushing Down Harsh Chemicals

There are many drain cleaners available in the market claiming to remove the clog from the pipes. However, these harsh chemicals can damage the pipes in the long run. Apart from these, the harsh chemicals in cosmetics are also fine enough to create significant clogging problems. Chemical products, as gentle as detergent, soaps, face wash, etc. can cause your pipes to clog. Some of the chemicals can’t be avoided, which is why it is essential to call a credible plumber who will provide you with trustworthy routine checks.

4) Disposing Trash in Plumbing System

In spite of many claims of disposing or flushing the toilet papers cause clogs, people continue to do so. Any solid items that go down the pipes are prone to damage your plumbing systems. Your plumbing systems are not designed to handle large amounts of trash. Doing so, you are being the main culprit of causing damage to your plumbing system. Things like bones, corns, egg shells, or any such substances are also prone to damaging your plumbing.

There are already many pre-existing problems that cause great havoc to your home’s plumbing. All you can do is prevent problems that are possibly the result of your habits. The best you can do is avoid these habits from now and always keep your plumbing systems in check by calling 24Hour Plumbing and Heating – one of the best plumbers in Toronto.

Taking into consideration the chilly climate of Canada, it is extremely important for homeowners to have their water heaters in best working conditions all the time. It is important to get your storage heater tanks washed at least once a year if you don’t want them to give up on you when you need them the most. With time, a lot of calcium deposits and other unwanted sediments settle at the bottom of your water heater, which leads to clogging or loss of heating power. You can hire a good plumbing service provider for systematic cleaning of your water heaters or do it yourself. The steps are very simple to follow.

Step 01: Turn Your Water Heater Off

Whether you have an electric water heater or a gas water heater, it is important to turn it off before beginning your washing process. In case of a gas water heater, you need to turn the thermostat to pilot setting. This allows the water to cool down and gets your heater ready to undergo this maintenance or cleaning process.

Step 02: Turn Off the Cold Water Valve

The cold water valve needs to be turned off so the water flow force stops. Cold water valve is turned on to displace the hot water. If you don’t want to waste excess water while washing your water heater, it is best to turn off the cold water valve.

Step 03: Attach a Hose to the Drain Valve

Let the water inside the heater cool down for about two hours before draining it off. When you think the water is cool enough, attach a hose on the drain valve opening. Be sure if it has been attached perfectly or it could cause leakages. Place a heat-proof bucket on the other end of the hose or wherever the water is safe to be drained.

Step 04: Turn On the Faucets and the Drain Valve

Turn on one or more faucets to hot mode in order to release vacuum from the pipes. The faucets won’t release a lot of water since the cold water valve is turned off. Turn on the drain valve. You’ll need a screwdriver to turn on the drain valve. Keep the water flowing until it comes out all clear and free of all the sediments.

Step 05: Turn On Everything

Once the sediments and the waste is all flushed out, turn on the thermostat in case of gas heaters. Turn on the cold water valve and the heater switch.

These steps are very easy to follow. However, you might not have all the time in the world to actually do all the cleaning. This doesn’t have to mean that you can never get your water heaters cleaned. Hire 24 Hour Plumbing Heating for the best water heater cleaning or any plumbing services at any time of the day. Give us a call and we will be there at your service.

Water is a great asset. It is an indispensable source. Water is an inevitable energy without which many amenities will result in a crunch of water resources. But what if you had to settle with low water pressure in your house for several days in a row? That would be irritating, right? If you are already facing this issue, the following can be the reason behind it.

Clogged Pipes

When water travels through pipes that make the water channel at your home, the water deposits pollutants, dirt, sticky substances, greasy dregs, and so on in your home pipes. Even a small amount of this can cause stubborn blockages in the piped system at your home. Moreover, when the main water supply system, connecting your hindmost exit pipe from your house to the public water system underground the street across your home, gets disjointed, the mineral buildup in the pipe mains leading to your house lands up with debris causing clogged pipes. This averts the water pressure in your home.

Corrosion

The steel and galvanized water system pipes need either no repair or replacement for almost twenty years or less. These piping systems end up with deep corrosion inside the pipes which block the smooth flow of water supply. The natural corrosive shreds or materials form in the pipes which impede the water flow or supply. Repairs and maintenance will not help at all. However, the replacement of all pipes in your home will prove to be beneficial to a great extent. The procedure to replace the pipes will cost profusely; however, once replaced, you don’t need to look after it for the next twenty years, comprising a few times for the rest of your lifetime.

Plumbing Leaks

If you spot a leak in your home’s common plumbing system, turn off all your taps and valve knobs either inside or outside of your house. This way, the water will be controlled and then measure on your water meter. Come back intermittently for a few hours. Then record the detail or scale on your meter. If the meter reading has changed, indicating a rise in water pressure, there is a water leak for sure. Call a professional plumber to fix the leak.

Municipal Water Trail

Many times, the hurdle in the public water system is caused by the same causes of low water pressure at your home. There could be clogged pipes, effluents hindering the water flow, the debris, mineral buildup sediments, corrosion within the pipes leaving semi-solid, solid and greasy wet material, water leaks, public plumbing misses and fails, and so on in the mainline too. This hampers the smooth water stream from the public water channel into our homes.

For all of these issues, we have the right solutions that will improve the water pressure by leaps and bounds. If you are seeking for a spike in water pressure control, visit or call us. We are equipped with 24/7 emergency platform in place to serve you around the clock.

Functionality is something we look for in every utility we employ in our homes. But being functional, it isn’t necessary for the generic fixtures in your home to look dull, or lack aesthetic value. When you build a home, the bathroom is one place where you want to be in peace whenever you enter. You want to make the brushing experience more aesthetic for those Monday mornings rather than having the same boring leaky and rusty faucet designs. When you look at the bathroom sink, you must feel the urge to use the faucet with a happy mood. And a faucet that defines the kind of person you are makes it even more aesthetically pleasing to you and to the guests that might arrive at your place for a get-together. Designer faucets that match the themes from the Victorian era or Persian architecture are a thing of the past. You wouldn’t want the same nickel made bent over valves to accompany your marble finish sinks. Having some eye-widening designs over your bathroom sink does increase self-worth when your guests and relatives admire the peculiarity of the models.

1) The Ring Faucet

This minimalistic, platinum polished design is a noteworthy way of experiencing the flow of water in your sink. Designed by Sun Liang, this design has an eccentric hollow ring on a metal plate making the water flow in a circular fashion from the faucet, instead of the same old gush of water with bubbles. The waterfalls off the edge of the ring and the clear hole on the top give space for the light to pass through the water, making it a pleasing sight to see when you use it. The water looks as bright as a glass tube while flowing from this faucet and the sunlight hitting the water surface from the inside will give you a new vision every time.

2) Triflow Tap

Designed by Zaha Hadid for a British manufacturer, the triflow design was called the tap of the future. If you’re interested in enhancing your bath experience with an enigmatic enchantment, you can have this tap with curves that defines the geometries of the flow of water in a continuous motion. The name triflow describes the patented three-way water flow innovation, that sends filtered water through the faucet, separate from the hot or cold water streams, preventing any plumbing emergency. The knob on the valve is quite discreet, and the filtered water runs through a touch sensing button.

3) +Shifter Faucet

Are you fascinated by motor sporting events? Or do you simply love your car? Then this faucet can be a dazzler for your bathroom sink or bath-tub. The +Shifter faucet has been cleverly built on the design of a sleek gear shift handle from a luxury car. This design has an alternative water flow and temperature on every different gear on the handle. Now when you’re running late, you can shift to turbo like Vin Diesel from Fast and Furious and be on your way after washing that foam off your face.

To make your bathroom look appealing but crisply, you need not only unique faucets but also an excellent plumbing service that makes sure the faucets are correctly fixed and can assist you in any plumbing emergency. Make sure you go for the sinks that match the look and feel of your queer faucets. For faucet fixtures or any other plumbing emergency, contact 24 hours Plumbing and Heating.

Somethings just don’t belong to the toilets! And people who fail to understand this end up with backbreaking clogged toilets to deal with. If you don’t want to face any of such tiring situation of getting your drains cleaned, make sure you keep these things out of the toilet, and even basins and sinks.

1) Bleach

Perhaps the most surprising thing you shouldn’t flush is bleach. It might be a part of your regular toilet cleaning routine, but bleach is actually too harsh a chemical for your toilet and septic system. So use a mild toilet and drain cleaning products or try DIY cleaners instead.

2) Hair

Flushing down hair is a big NO-NO! Hair won’t ever dissolve with water and will always float no matter how hard you try. Floating hair will attract germs that cause various health issues. And even if hair gets drained, they will get stuck in the passage, trap more waste products, block the passage, and result in nightmare-like situations.

3) Baby Wipes

People often think that it is okay to flush these in toilets. But actually, you shouldn’t, even if they say they are flushable on the packaging. “Flushable” wipes don’t disintegrate the way toilet paper does, which can eventually cause plumbing issues, majorly clogged toilets.

4) Dental Floss

Not only can dental floss clog your pipes, but it can also cause environmental damage. Floss threads turn into a net when flushed, catching and holding onto other debris. Moreover, it can even wrap around parts of your septic system and burn out the motor. You surely don’t want a net-like think trapping more waste and causing clogs.

5) Chewing Gum

If you didn’t know, chewing gum doesn’t break down in water. Plus, it’s sticky and can easily adhere to the inside of your toilets and pipes and cause a clog. You should always throw gum out in the wastebasket. The same rule applies to any other sticky and chewy food.

6) Cotton Pads, Swabs, and Q-tips

Again, these things don’t break down and disintegrate as toilet papers do. These cotton balls and pads just clump together in your pipes and cause clogged toilets and drains. And Q-tips should always be kept out as the plastic portion in them can easily get trapped in the cracks and crevices of the system, causing leaks.

7) Diapers and Menstrual Products

These products are meant to absorb water, not break down in it, meaning they’ll only expand when you flush them down your toilets. Plus, they are impossible to break down, and they will definitely cause clogged toilets. Therefore, keep tampons, sanitary pads, diapers, and any other related products out of the drains.

If you are already experiencing a clogged toilet in your home, you know that it can be because you drained one or more of these into it. But it’s not too late yet. Hire our reputed plumbers right now so that they can handle the situation professionally. And be careful now onwards!