Emergency Services

 Pipes are the most vital component of the plumbing system . Even the smallest problem can prevent the system from functioning as it should. It is sometimes difficult to tell when pipes have problems, because they are usually hidden behind walls and underground. If you notice any of the following signs, you may need to repair your pipes. LOW WATER PRESSURE Low water pressure is one of the most common signs of faulty pipes. If the pressure in the shower is lower than usual or the sink seems to lack the pressure it used to have, it could be a sign of a major leak somewhere in the line or that the pipes are on the verge of failing. DIRTY WATER Is the water coming out of the taps not as clear as it should be? Cloudy or murky water could be a sign that the pipes are corroding and breaking. Be especially careful if the water takes on a rusty appearance. The presence of rust in the water indicates a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. HOLES OR CRACKS If pipes have visi...

 Emptying the toilet Turn off the water to the toilet. If you do not have a corner stop valve near the toilet, you must turn off the water at the main stop valve in your home. Flush the toilet several times to remove water from the bowl and the tank. Then absorb the remaining water with a cloth or sponge. Remove the supply hose Disconnect the water supply hose . This is the hose that connects from the stop valve to the toilet tank. Unscrew it from the tank. Remove the tank If the toilet is in two pieces, you will first have to remove the tank. Inside the tank, unscrew the bolts that secure it to the toilet. Use an 8″ spanner to grip the washer under the tank and use the screwdriver to turn the bolt. You should now be able to remove the tank by lifting it up. Remove the tank from the floor Prepare to dirty the floor with some water. Remove the plugs that are above the bolts in the floor. Unscrew the nuts using the 8″ spanner. If they are corroded, you may need a hacksaw to remove th...

  A slow drain is when the sink does not drain efficiently for more than two minutes. The problems that cause a slow draining sink can be different. It is therefore necessary to understand what the cause might be and find out how to solve the problem. Although there is no particular solution to clear a clogged sink, you have several options to try. You may choose to start with the simplest option. Cleaning the sink plug The sink plug is prone to catching hair and other debris because of its position at the mouth of the drain. The trapped debris can swell, causing a slow drain. You can easily unscrew the modern sink cap to clean it. To remove the sink cap for cleaning, you can follow the instructions below: Check under the sink, where it connects to the pipe. You will see a rod, a nut and a clip. Using pliers, turn the nut to unlock it. Tighten the clip to release the small rod, then lift the plug from the drain. Use a rag to remove and thoroughly clean the dirt and debris. Dissolv...

 There are two main areas where a bathtub leak can occur: the dripping faucet or the pipes underneath. Other areas to look out for are the grout, the tub body and the drain. Depending on the nature of the leak, there are various repair options. However, signs of problems remain constant for both types of leaks. Watch out for curling vinyl floors or loose tiles, peeling or flaking paint, worn wood trim, water stains on the ceiling, mould on the walls or floor, or general stagnation around the base of the tub.  FINDING THE CULPRIT First of all, it is necessary to locate the leak before repairing it. It is relatively easy to determine whether the tap or the leaks: just check if water is leaking from either area. To check whether the tub has a leak, clean the outside until it is completely dry and line the area with newspaper. When you start to fill the tub, keep an eye on the areas of the newspaper that start to get wet. To test the drain, fill the tub completely with water. Once...

 One of the parts of the toilet tank that often needs to be replaced is the toilet tank lever. Since the lever is normally made of metal, it rusts quickly when in contact with water and therefore does not last long. Knowing how to replace the toilet tank lever is an added advantage so that you do not have to call the plumber or a technician to replace it. If you have the right tools, you can replace it yourself and save some money. The plastic WC tank lever is more durable than the metal one. Turning off the water The first thing to do is to shut off the water supply to the toilet tank, so that you can work without wetting the whole room. Emptying the tank Let the tank empty by flushing the toilet. Removing the lid Remove the lid of the toilet tank to start removing the defective lever . Remove chain Remove the chain from the lever arm. Remove nut and lever Remove the nut from the lever handle by turning it clockwise. Once the nut has been completely removed, the lever can be remov...

  Do you have a leaking pipe in your house? Don't panic. Although pipe leaks can be serious, there are some things you can do to minimise the damage and solve the problem quickly. In this article, we will explain what you should do if you notice a pipe leak and how a licensed plumber can help you. Turn off the water supply If you notice a leak in your home, it is important to shut off the water supply. Depending on where the leak is located in the home, there may be a shut-off valve for that particular appliance and/or pipe. If not, the water supply must be shut off at the main shut-off valve. It is best to know the location of your home's main shutoff valve before an emergency occurs. This way, you can close it quickly in the event of an emergency. Dry and protect the area After closing the main water line, try to dry out the water. You can also place a basin or bucket under the leak to collect residual water. Also be sure to carefully remove any electronic devices and/or val...

  When a toilet never seems to stop working, it can quickly increase your water bill and get on your nerves. However, this problem can be solved easily for the do-it-yourselfer. All you need are some spare parts and the right advice. Start with the simplest solutions and, if they don't work, move on to more serious repairs. Adjust the rod or chain Check the guide rod or the chain of the tank flap. If the rod is bent or the chain links are twisted, simply straighten them to allow the flapper to fully engage. If this operation prevents the water from flowing, it is not necessary to continue. Adjusting or replacing the float Check the float mechanism. If the ball contains water, it must be replaced. To do this, simply unscrew the existing float from the arm and replace it with a new one . Shut off water Locate the toilet shut-off valve behind the bowl and turn the handle to shut off the water. Then flush the toilet to completely empty the tank, as water can make it more difficult to i...

  The water pressure in the pipes must be constant. Fluctuating and inconsistent water pressure is not only a nuisance, but can be a premonitory sign that something is wrong with the pipes. Before you rush to check your shower and sink water pressure, there are a few important things to know about water pressure, what causes it, and when to worry. Here is everything you need to know about low water pressure in your property. Common causes of low water pressure: Sneaky leaks Perhaps the most common sign of low water pressure in the plumbing system is a leak. Leaks divert the flow of water, causing it to flow slower and weaker than it should. While most leaks are easy to identify and find, some leaks may lie deeper in the pipe, out of sight and hearing. If a leak is suspected, a useful tip to ascertain it is to shut off the water flow and observe the water meter. If the consumption of the water meter has increased and you have not used the water, it could be a leak. While some leaks...

  An overflowing toilet can be an embarrassing problem. Don't worry, many of us have been there at one time or another! Although this problem can be easily solved, it is important to act fast. An overflowing toilet can flood the bathroom and cause water damage. Read on to find out how to fix an overflowing toilet and who to call in case of an emergency. Close the water valve As soon as you notice the overflow, stop the flow of water by closing the toilet valve. It is usually located on the wall below the bottom of the toilet. If you cannot find the valve, open the lid of the toilet tank and manoeuvre the float so that it stays in place. This prevents the water from flowing. Is the toilet clogged? If the toilet overflows due to a recent clog, submerge it to try to remove the clog. If you have a plumber's snake, you can also use this. However, be aware that larger clogs and those located further down the pipe may not be cleared with a plunger, which means that professional help ...

  Water leaks can cause enormous damage to your home and property if they are not repaired in time. Water stains on the ceilings, walls or floors are usually the first signs of a water leak. But what if you can't recognise any obvious signs? Here are seven ways to find hidden leaks in your home before you call for a water leak repair. Test the water meter One way to detect hidden water leaks is to perform a water meter test. Turn off all the taps in your home and check the water meter. If it is still running, then you have a water leak. Even if the water meter reading does not change immediately, you should check it again after a few hours and compare the readings. If the water meter has moved, you may have a slow-flowing leak. Water pressure test Another way to detect hidden water leaks is to check the water pressure in your home. Turn off all taps and measure the water pressure. If the pressure is lower than normal, check for a water leak. Listen for running water If there are n...

  Two types of valves Although they are often confused, there are actually two types of shower valves that can be used to balance water temperature and prevent burns. Pressure-balancing shower valve : With this type, the volume ratio of hot and cold water is measured and adjusted to continuously deliver water at your chosen temperature. When you turn on the water with a single handle, you control the quantity and the temperature at the same time. As you turn the knob, the amount of water increases while you simultaneously increase the temperature. Thermostatic shower valve : With this option, the actual temperature of the incoming water is measured and the hot and cold water flow is adjusted to ensure an even temperature. With these shower valves, you usually set the water temperature and the water flow with individual regulators: These valves have two regulators, one for the temperature and one for the quantity. The water temperature remains the same regardless of whether the wat...

  If you are removing a sink in the kitchen , bathroom or laundry room, you will need to disconnect the drain from the waste pipe. Unless you are planning a new sink, you will probably want to remove it and patch the wall. When you open up the wall, you will probably find that the stub has vertical connections to the basement drain and the roof. If you can find these pipes in the attic or crawl space, it is possible to cut them off and remove them. If you cannot find them, it is probably better to seal the pipes behind the wall. Locate the studs on either side of the drain stub you want to remove with a stud finder. Using a box cutter and a wall saw, cut a rectangular piece of drywall that extends at least to the sides of these studs and about three feet above the drain stub to the floor. Cut through the drywall in the middle of the stud faces so that you have access to wood to which you can attach the new drywall. Using a hacksaw, cut the PVC pipe anywhere in the wall that will a...

  If you hear water running in the tank after filling the toilet, it's a symptom of a costly problem. It means that water is leaking from the tank, which will drive up your water bill. To fix the problem, all you have to do is invest a little time and maybe buy a new part. Baffle plate The flapper is the large rubber or soft plastic valve located at the bottom of the tank. When the flapper is closed, it prevents water from flowing out of the tank into the bowl . When you flush the toilet, the flap opens and lets water run into the bowl. Over time, the material hardens and the flap loses its flexibility. If the water is hard, the flapper may also be encrusted with a film of minerals. Replace an aged or damaged flapper with one made for your toilet model or fit a universal valve. Most flaps come off the ears that attach them to the overflow pipe. Chain Check the chain that connects the flapper to the handle you use to flush the toilet. If there is too much slack in the chain, it can ...