Plumbing issues are pretty prevalent, especially in older homes and flats. So much so that many homeowners already have established routine "fixes" that make the problem disappear for a while. While these "fixes" are handy, there are occasions when fast repairs and do-it-yourself remedies aren't enough to mitigate the damage. Writing off these problems as "not worth my time" can also lead to irreparable harm in the long run. In such cases, calling the professionals becomes a necessity.

1) Smelly Pipes

If you catch a foul scent coming from your drains or pipes, don't dismiss it with a few spritzes of freshener spray. Pipe odours are a good sign of more severe issues, such as mould or bacteria buildup.

If left uncontrolled, this can disrupt your water flow, sanitation, and pipe integrity. Mould, in particular, might cause a clogged drainage system, which is another plumbing issue you don't want to deal with.

2) Frequent Clogging

A single clogged drain may not be a reason for alarm. However, if you discover that your drains are frequently clogged, these recurrent blockages should be handled by a professional plumber.

A clogged drain is most likely simply a symptom of a far more severe plumbing problem - a clog in your sewage system's main drain line. Over-the-counter drain cleaners will not remove clogs deep inside your home's plumbing system. These deep blockages must be cleared using hydro jetting or a deep auger. Professional plumbers have access to these instruments and cameras that can offer visual proof of a severe plumbing obstruction.

Frequent clogging indicates that your home's plumbing system is prone to sewage backup and floods in the future. Don't underestimate the necessity of resolving recurrent blockages as soon as feasible.

3) Low Water Pressure

Nobody loves low water pressure, especially in high-traffic areas of your house, but it's typically seen as little more than a nuisance. In certain situations, such as a short gap in your city's water supply, it may be precisely that.

The prolonged low water pressure might signal an issue with your home's plumbing. If it's coming from a single faucet, it might be a problem with the faucet itself, which is a simple fix. However, suppose multiple taps aren't providing the proper pressure. In that case, there might be a systemic leak in your pipe system, causing possible extensive water damage to adjacent fixtures and racking up your water bill like nobody's business.

4) Water Leakage

The continuous trickle of a leaky pipe is much more than an inconvenience daily. Leaking pipes will raise your water bill and, depending on the leak's location, may cause water damage in your home. Leaks are sometimes simple to repair. If tightening the faucet does not solve the problem, it is time to consult a specialist.

Conclusion
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It is always to your best advantage to address these plumbing issues as soon as possible. A professional will be required in many situations, so don't put off hiring a plumber if you catch wind of these "minor" plumbing problems in your house.

If you are looking for 24-hour plumbing service in Edmonton, 24 Hour Plumbing is the perfect business to call. Our team specializes in plumbing heating repair, renovation, and installation projects. Please browse through our website and schedule an appointment today!

Do you have problems with your plumbing system? The first thought that may spring to mind is to search YouTube for tips on how to fix it. With so many commercially accessible plumbing solutions on the market, it's understandable that it's tempting to try to do your own plumbing repairs. Also, plumbing emergencies can happen anytime, and your first response will always be to look for ways to fix them immediately.

Some minor repairs may indeed be completed by an ordinary person with a basic toolkit. However, some of these do-it-yourself hacks might cause more severe harm to your house and plumbing system.

Which do-it-yourself plumbing repair hacks should you avoid? Take a look at the list below.

1) Plumbing Tape
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Silicone tape and pipe thread tape are widely available and promoted as leak-repair products for various pipe problems. The former is meant to produce a watertight seal between plumbing joints, while the latter is used to close up crack leaks. They are, however, just temporary repairs, and leaving them on a defective pipe for an extended period will result in the material losing its adhesive properties. The leak itself will not be repaired and will continue to persist without professional efforts.

2) Epoxy Pipe Sealant

This product is similar to plumbing tape in that it is a stopgap solution. While the epoxy sealant will solidify against the damaged area, preventing water from leaking through the pipe, it will eventually fail. If you leave it in place, it will ultimately leak again, perhaps causing severe water damage depending on the severity of the problem.

3) Pipe Clamps

Speaking of stopgap solutions: pipe clamps are quite tough, but they are not meant to be used for a long time. It's fine to lay a piece of rubber over a leak and secure it with a pipe clamp, but you shouldn't leave this temporary repair in place for more than a few days. Call a professional plumber to take care of any leaks!

4) Repair Sleeves

Repair sleeves are ideal for joint pipes. They're also an excellent choice for minor leaks, but they shouldn't be left alone for too long because the problem can quickly grow beyond the point where it started.

5) Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners may be a tempting option if you have a clogged drain or toilet. If you want your pipes to last, though, it’s best to stay away from these products. They are designed to burn through anything that's blocking up your pipes, so they are incredibly corrosive. They can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. You may either hire a professional drain cleaner or use an enzymatic drain cleaner instead.

Conclusion

All of the above-mentioned do-it-yourself remedies are, at best, interim workarounds. While they may temporarily fix your difficulties, they are not ideal in the long run. They can potentially develop far greater challenges that will cost you more money after a few weeks or so.

Professional plumbing repair is the best approach to deal with your plumbing issues. If you discover a pipe leak, you should contact a plumber immediately. An examination and diagnosis will reveal both isolated and systemic faults that must be addressed to minimize water damage and keep your plumbing system running smoothly.

If you are looking for 24-hour plumbing service in Edmonton to take care of your plumbing repairs and fixes in Calgary, Alberta, 24 Hour Plumbing can do the job for you. Our team specializes in emergency plumbing, so we can surely solve all your problems. Contact us today!

The septic system must be cared for and regularly maintained since component repairs can be costly. It may appear to some that maintaining a home's sewage system is a difficult and unpleasant chore. It is, however, not the case. Even something as simple as being aware of what you're doing within the house can have a significant effect.

If you want to keep your septic system in good condition, here are some ways that can help:

Be Mindful of What Goes Down the System

Minimizing the usage of your garbage disposal in the kitchen can avoid solid build-up in the septic tank. This can cause a plumbing emergency, like clogging the drain field. Also, one of the worst things you can do is pour grease down the drain. It can build up and form gunk along the inner lining of your drainage pipes, causing them to clog. It may block the drain field over time, requiring costly repairs.

On the other hand, never flush anything other than human waste down the toilet. Hair, food scraps, cat litter, paper towels, grease, tampons, diapers, condoms, or cigarette butts should never be flushed down the toilet.

Avoid Heavy-Duty Cleaners

Because over-the-counter drain cleaners include chemical disinfectants, pouring them down the drain or toilet and into the septic system might kill the microorganisms needed to break down the solids in the tank. This might lead to problems in the future.

To reduce the disturbance to the microorganisms in the septic tank, use hot water, a drain snake, or environmentally friendly drain cleaners.

Protect Your Drain field

​The drain field is an essential component of your septic system. It cleans the liquid that comes out of your septic tank. To protect it, you should never park or drive over it. Storage sheds, patios, carports, and any sort of landscaping plastic should also be kept out of this area. This will prevent the soil in this region from compacting, which might lead to broken pipes. You must also prevent roots from sprouting into your septic system and keep all plants and trees a safe distance away from your drain field.

Inspect and Pump Frequently

A septic tank has to be maintained regularly to be functional and healthy. Solid waste, in particular, must be pumped out of the septic tank regularly, usually every three to five years.

When you contact a septic service company, they will inspect your septic tank for leaks and analyze the sludge layers. They may make recommendations that can improve the functions of your septic system.

Conclusion

The septic system is one of the most important yet often ignored functioning components of a home. The good news is that septic system upkeep does not have to be difficult, costly, or time-consuming. If you follow these simple maintenance guidelines, you can be assured that your septic system will continue to function effectively for many years.

If you are looking for 24-hour plumbing service in Edmonton to take care of your septic tank repairs and fixes in Calgary, Alberta, 24 Hour Plumbing can do the job for you. Our team specializes in emergency plumbing, so we can surely solve all your problems. Visit our website and make an appointment now!

Everyone’s excited about the warmth that summer brings. But although it’s the best time to relax and unwind, the same can’t be said for your plumbing systems. With humidity levels and temperature rising, you must be prepared to handle any plumbing emergency that might happen.
As a way to prepare yourself, here are four problems you might encounter in the summer months and what you can do to fix them:

1) Flooding Around the Property

Though summer comes with heat and humidity, it can bring in rains and flooding, too. May it be for residential or commercial properties, flash flooding and continuous rainfall will surely bring damage to your basement.
Plumbing experts can help prevent flooding by adding extra drainage systems to prevent water build-up. Moreover, they can install a sump pump for you as an extra safety measure.

2) Filled-up Sewage Lines

When summer storms rush in, local sewer lines can fill up quite quickly. In this case, you should think about sewer maintenance, especially if you live in a building with tons of occupants. For the best results, you can hire an expert industrial plumbing service to install drain plugs so that the draining will not flow back up through the pipes.

3) Drain Systems Getting Clogged

Keep in mind that there are numerous substances that can go down your drain pipes. Beyond water, you might encounter grease, oils, gunk, and other things that might wind up through the local sewer lines. Cleaning can help you get rid of some of them, but some will still end up stuck within the building pipes.

To stop this gunk from accumulating, you have to schedule regular maintenance. If you fail to establish a better routine, the build-up can ruin and damage your plumbing as a whole.

However, when build-up happens, you can call in the plumbers from 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating to perform drain cleaning for you. They will be able to flush down through the drain system and use water pressure to get the stubborn gunk out. In other scenarios, plumbing snakes can help pull in clogs from down the drain.

4) Hose Bib Wear and Tear

Another part of your draining system that you should pay attention to is the hose bib. They serve as the bridge to connect water from outside indoors. Indeed, they play a very crucial role in maintaining a good water supply system. As a property owner, it is very important that you schedule regular maintenance so that you can check if they are still in the best state.

Other than that, you can add an extra level of care for your property by searching for leaks. Wear and tear are usually visible through rust and other damages, but sometimes that’s not enough. You can check for leaks by turning the hose and seeing continuous drips. If you find some damage, you can have plumbers replace the hose bibs before the leaks get worse.

Conclusion

Protect your property against summertime plumbing problems by taking preventative measures. By considering the common plumbing problems mentioned above, you can avoid them from getting worse. With most issues calling for particular skills, make sure that you have an emergency plumber ready to assist!
Here at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating, we are ready to help in case of any plumbing emergency in Calgary and other key cities in Canada. We have a team of experts who can lend their plumbing knowledge for quick, reliable, and high-quality repair. Call us any time, and we’ll head over to serve your needs!

When winter comes and transforms your neighbourhood into a winter wonderland, all the festivities can distract you from the impending doom that will likely fall on your home’s most vulnerable parts. Your pipes, for instance, are at high risk of freezing due to the cold weather.

Even if the cold doesn’t bother you, letting your pipes freeze can lead to costly consequences — one that involves burst pipes, flooding problems, and deeper holes in your pocket due to all the repairs you have to make.

Frozen pipes are a formidable problem with their destructive power, so here are some red flags that should help you identify freezing pipes before they wreak havoc on your home.

Tell-Tale Signs of Frozen Pipes

1) When you turn on the faucets and notice a significant reduction in the water pressure, then the likely culprit could be your frozen pipes. You can isolate and diagnose the problem without confusing it with other plumbing issues if all the faucets in your home produce little-to-no water since it means a part of your pipes have icy blockages inside.

2) When you see an icy residue covering your exposed pipes, it’s one of the easiest symptoms of frozen pipes. The condensation that coats the pipes means it’s completely frozen inside and out, leaving it vulnerable to bursting anytime soon.

3) When you get a whiff of unpleasant odours near your drains, it could mean the sewer line is frozen. Breathing in sewage smells is never a welcomed experience, and while it doesn’t mean your pipes are in trouble, it doesn’t get you out of the woods yet.

​Odours permeating throughout your home due to frozen sewage lines deserve emergency plumbing attention. If no one is taking the first step to call a professional, you should be the one to put them on speed dial since a frozen sewer line can bring more trouble to your neighbourhood.

4) When you see minor cracks along your exposed pipes, it means the water inside has completely frozen. This heightens the pressure and increases the risk of the pipes expanding, leading to cracks and weakened pipes. Be sure to turn off the water supply first as you wait for plumbing professionals since letting it thaw can cause the cracked pipes to burst open.

The Big Freeze: Spotting Early Signs of Frozen Pipes and Exploring Ways to Unfreeze Them

When it comes to caring for your pipes, time is of the essence when winter comes. Pipes can quickly harden and freeze in as little as six to eight hours, so overlooking the tell-tale signs can result in you waking up with a risky plumbing system. With that in mind, the list above should help you address the problem earlier by knowing what to look out for during the colder months.

How Can We Help You?

If you're looking for a 24-hour plumber, look no further because we're here to help. Here at 24 Hour Plumbing and Heating, we can solve your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems.

Our team of experts provides various emergency services, such as sump pump installation, water softener and filter installation, drain cleaning, heating and air conditioning, septic tank repairs, and more.
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Learn more about how we can help you by booking an appointment with us today!