There are a plethora of reasons people may choose to purchase old, used homes rather than sleek, modern new builds. Some find them cheaper, while others simply love the vintage touch and personality that comes with older homes.
Unfortunately, owning an old home is not as simple as finding one that looks pretty. Many factors need to be considered, and one of the most critical factors you need to consider is the plumbing system. This is because an old home may be riddled with plumbing problems, and over the years, these problems may have gotten significantly worse.
To ensure that your dream of owning an old, classic home is not halted by bad plumbing issues, here are the things you must consider:

1) Worn-Down Fixtures

Fixtures such as faucets, showerheads, and other types of connection can slowly wear down over time. Whether by design or simply deterioration, old fixtures aren’t exactly water-efficient either, and leaks just make this fact worse. This can mean a big jump in water cost for your home, not to mention possible costly damages caused by the leaks themselves.

Inspecting the fixtures in the home is vital to help you spot old or worn-out fixtures to be replaced with new ones that are water-efficient and durable. You may want to keep that copper fixture because it looks aesthetically pleasing, but they are not efficient, nor do they last forever. If it’s the unique look you’re looking for, consider browsing for new fixtures of an older style on Etsy. These are often either preserved from years ago or custom-made and with some browsing, you should be able to find something that fits perfectly with the look you’re trying to achieve.

2) Damaged Sewer Lines

Old sewer lines are not built to work with appliances of today. Things like dishwashers can use a lot of water, and at a capacity at which old sewer lines may not be able to handle. Any issues in the sewer line can show up in the forms of backed-up sewage down to blockages. You can tell that this is happening when you smell a foul odour in the air. 

Not only that, but damaged old sewer lines can also put your home’s foundation at risk. To add to this, the material that makes up the old sewer lines can also present its own set of problems. For example, some sewer lines are made of clay that can easily be crushed or cast iron that is at risk of corrosion. For the above reasons, having the sewer lines inspected can ensure any problems can be found and solved before it becomes worse.

3) Old and Outdated Pipes

With pipes, many old homes are made out of dangerous or old pipes. This includes lead pipes that are highly toxic, galvanized pipes that can corrode or rust, and polybutylene pipes that are prone to cracking and flaking. You do not want to deal with old pipes, so always make sure they are thoroughly inspected. If you do find them utilizing these outdated materials, replacing them is a worthy investment. Not only will you get to work with new pipes that will perform for years to come, but you do not have to deal with fixing old pipes that can lead to more expensive damages.

Conclusion

Owning an old home may be a dream for you, but it can easily turn into a nightmare if you do not get its plumbing system inspected before you purchase it. To ensure you’re happy with your purchase, always hire a professional to take at the plumbing system the old house has, and invest in replacements and fixes to ensure a smooth-flowing plumbing system that boosts your quality of life, not hurt it. Of course, have other aspects of the home also inspected, such as its foundations, walls, roofs, and more. Giving the house a thorough inspection helps ensure you do not run into surprise problems that can easily become a financial nightmare.

24 Hour Plumbing & Heating offers plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning services in Calgary to fix up homes for a head-ache free living environment. Work with us today and get the plumbing services you need to inspect your to-be home!

A toilet is an important part of your bathroom because it has a flushing mechanism that provides you with a safe and hygienic way to dispose of urine and feces. Its tank usually refills in about a minute, depending on the water pressure in your house. But if it takes a lot longer than that, you may have a plumbing problem that can eventually lead to a plumbing emergency. When left unresolved, it can affect your comfort level and the overall bathroom experience.
 
A slow-filling toilet is a common problem among households. To troubleshoot the plumbing problem and ensure you use the suitable method, you must identify the root cause. Here are several possible reasons why your toilet water is too slow to fill the tank:

– Dislodged or Faulty Fill Valve

The fill valve is the most vital part of the standard flush toilet. This vertical tube-shaped component controls the water level in the tank. It can wear down, shift out of alignment, or get clogged over time, causing your toilet tank to take too long to fill with the amount of water needed to flush down waste effectively.
 
The best way to determine if there is something wrong with your fill valve is to look inside the tank and check for wear and tear or signs of incorrect positioning. It has to be placed on the left side of the tank and its tailpiece must be attached to the shut-off valve and supply tube. If you are unsure how to do this, contact a skilled emergency plumber near you.

– Damaged, Partially Closed, or Dirty Water Supply Valve

The water supply valve controls the water flow in your toilet tank. It may not deliver the right amount of water at the right speed if it gets damaged, is partially closed, or has accumulated debris that restricts the water flow.
To fix a partially closed, damaged, or dirty water supply valve, ensure it is open. You also have the option to get in touch with a licensed plumber for other issues if your fully opened valve still does not produce enough water to refill your toilet tank.

– Waterlogged Float Ball

The float ball is responsible for controlling the amount of incoming water in the toilet tank. Unfortunately, it can get waterlogged, slowing down the water flow or preventing a sufficient amount of water from entering the tank.

To check if you have a soggy float ball, remove the tank link and check the water level. A sign you have to watch out for is the water tank is only partially full, or the ball does not float. You can easily fix this by pulling the float ball off the float arm and replacing it with a new one. Additionally, take note that float balls are mostly used for old toilets. If this mechanism is already damaged beyond repair, it might be best to replace them.

Conclusion

If you have a slow-filling toilet, getting it to run optimally again as soon as possible should be your priority for your comfort and safety. You can efficiently resolve its issue by considering the reasons listed above. On the other hand, if you already followed the suggestions on troubleshooting your plumbing problem, feel free to call an experienced plumber right away.

For any plumbing emergency in Calgary and other locations across Canada and the US, reach out to 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating. Our professionals are ready to be at your service at any time and can handle any plumbing issue. We can also fix heating and air conditioning problems. Book your repairs with us today. 

Every homeowner wants a bathroom that is clean and smells fresh at all times. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case. In fact, for many homeowners, the odour that comes from their bathroom can be unpleasant at best.
If you are experiencing this problem as well, you definitely want to know what’s causing that foul smell. You’re also probably wondering if it is calling for a plumbing emergency. Well, as with all pipe issues, your next move depends on what’s causing the issue.

In the sections below, we will share three probable causes of your bathroom’s stink:
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Clogged Up Shower Drains

If your shower drains are not regularly cleaned, it’s possible that it’s where the terrible smell is coming from. You see, all the residue of your hair products, shower gels, not to mention those hair strands and dead skin will all accumulate in your drains. All of these can start to decay and give off that horrid smell over time.

If the drains are indeed the cause, you can try this quick fix. Boil two to three cups of water. Mix in the same amount of white vinegar and pour it down the drain. After that, pour two cups of baking soda and let that mixture work its magic. The bubbling action will dissolve all the sediment, and when you pour boiling water after two hours again, the smell should be gone.

After the problem is solved, you must ensure that you regularly clean your drain so that it won’t happen again. You can use a simple drain clog removal tool to remove any clogged debris.

Dry P-Trap

The P-Trap is that curved pipe under your sink, which is there to keep things from going straight down to the drain. But another purpose of the P-trap is to keep water in the pipe bend, which works as some type of seal to prevent foul-smelling gases from seeping into your home.

If your P-trap isn’t used regularly or if there’s too much movement of air in those pipes, the horrible smell can easily end up stinking the bathroom. Do you think it’s your P-trap that’s causing that dreadful smell? The solution is simple. Just let your tap water run for at least ten minutes to ensure there’s enough water in the trap and the water seal is established. If it doesn’t solve your problem, it might be time to call your trusted emergency plumbers from 24-Hour Plumbing and Heating to remedy the situation!

Damaged Wax Ring

The last thing you want causing problems is your toilet. The problem is it is a possibility – it is a simple malfunction, but the result can be a repulsive smell. You see, there’s a sewage drain pipe under the toilet, and between that pipe and your toilet’s base is a wax ring that seals the two together.

If that wax ring is cracked and damaged, unpleasant gases can seep through. Unlike the first two possible causes, if this is the reason your bathroom smells, consider it a plumbing emergency and call your trusted plumber to fix that broken seal immediately!

Conclusion

At this point, you now know three possible reasons there’s a horrible smell coming from your bathroom. And while it may be possible for you to do a temporary fix, it’s still a better idea to give your local plumber a call so that they can check your bathroom, determine the culprit, and fix it permanently!

24 Hour Plumbing & Heating can handle any plumbing emergency in Calgary and nearby areas. You can also schedule any plumbing, heating, or air conditioning repair that you might need. Get in touch with us today to learn out more about our services!