Posted in Plumbing Tips

Your water heater is one of the essential parts of your household’s comfort system. Showering, washing clothes, bathing, and cleaning dishes aren’t possible if your water heater can’t keep up. If your water heater isn’t working or starting to act up, it’s important to respond quickly and troubleshoot the problem.  Water heater problems can take all forms. Sometimes it’s a general lack of hot water—you run out just a few minutes into your shower....

A running toilet isn’t just annoying — it can also waste a significant amount of water and increase your water bill. Fortunately, many running toilet issues can be easily resolved by identifying and fixing the root cause of the problem.  Let’s start with the basics of the toilet itself. The modern toilet is a simple and efficient appliance. While there have been some important toilet innovations made within the past century or so, the basic parts have remained surprisi...

Clogged drains are a reality sooner or later in your home. It’s not all bad news, often you can troubleshoot the issues and prevent them from happening in the first place. Most bathroom or laundry room clogs are a result of dirt, hair and skin flakes combined with the soap scum in the drain and on the walls of the pipes. This accumulates over time and clogs the drain. In the kitchen there is grease, oil and food particles added to the mix, increasing the likelihood of a clog.  Whe...

When you own a commercial building, you are bound to run into plumbing issues more than once. It’s often just a matter of time as to when they occur. There are many factors, including building age, past maintenance and use, that impact the frequency of these issues. Here are a few of the common problems and some tips. Fixture Leaks – not only do they cost money with every drop, they can also contribute to other costly repairs to the surrounding areas. Sometimes they are prevent...

Technology and convenience are key factors influencing fixture design as well as installations, making your home much more functional, economical and stylish. Why not have a practical and personalized experience? Homeowners, young and old alike, are driving the demand for these more stylish  “smart” fixtures in both the bathroom and kitchen. In addition, COVID-19 has accelerated the installation of touchless fixtures and smart technologies in both residential and commer...

Commercial renovations can be really challenging and full of unexpected, costly surprises. An experienced commercial plumber can help avoid these situations and stay on budget. Often the mechanical services can vary widely in commercial settings. It’s important to have up to date base building specs and drawing to keep track of all updates and changes that have been made. If these are lacking, you need to include a contingency in case of hidden surprises are uncovered. Let’s look ...

Thinking about renovating?  Before you can begin any work towards improving your property, you need the right permits to ensure compliance with Ontario’s Building Code Act. Most work requires a permit, including all plumbing work, bathroom & kitchen in your home.  Obtaining permits avoids many potential problems down the line—from voiding your homeowners’ insurance to making it more difficult to sell your home later on, not to mention substandard wor...

Kitchens and bathrooms are the life of your house. Spring time in Canada often is renovating season, where projects to upgrade kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces is at the forefront. Unfortunately, some of these projects will come across unexpected issues during demolition that will add on to the costs and necessities of the job. Plumbing concerns are frequently among these unexpected issues that don’t get noticed until the demolition process. Here are a few examples of plumbing iss...

It’s 2023 and we’re all ready to set new goals and break some of those old habits. At PipeMasters & Oakridge Plumbing, we reflect on the year that was and how we can continue to deliver reliable and trusted services for your home and business. We’re also committed to sharing information and changes in the industry to keep you informed about how to get the best value from plumbing services that you may need in an emergency, to renovate or to maintain your system. Here ar...

The hot water heater is a critical part of your home’s plumbing system. Whether you’re taking a shower or washing dishes, your water heater is providing you with hot water on-demand. You use it multiple times each day. When it stops working, you’ll notice right away. Water heater problems can be the result of a number of things. Maybe it’s a lack of hot water—you run out just a few minutes into your shower. Or it might be inconsistency—some days, the water...