Deciding to complete a DIY plumbing project can seem simple at first. But after a quick a trip to your local hardware store, it can easily change to overwhelming. With all the different piping options available, how do you decide which one is right for your plumbing project? Here’s an overview of the most popular types of plumbing piping.

Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe (PVC Pipe)

As the most commonly used plumbing pipe in residential plumbing, PVC piping’s popularity is due to its durability, affordability and ease of use. Suitable for both hot and cold potable water and sewage applications, PVC pipes are available in a range of thicknesses and configurations.

PVC does not bend under pressure and is often used for the main water supply line into a home. It’s best suited for indoor applications or underground plumbing. Due to warping, PVC pipe cannot be used with hot water applications. When exposed to UV lights for an extended period, warping can occur.

PEX Pipe

PEX pipe is one of the most modern types of piping and is the best pipe for indoor water distribution. Highly flexible, PEX pipe can be easily snaked through a home and bent around corners. Although it has a higher initial cost compared to other types of piping, its many benefits include minimal maintenance, fast installation and extreme versatility.

Additions and retrofits also benefit from this type of piping due to its ability to be spliced into an existing pipe. Although ill-suited for outdoor applications, it is durable enough for hot water applications.

Copper Pipe

Since the 1960s, copper piping has been widely used because of its durability, reliability and high heat tolerance. Highly resistant to corrosion, copper pipes are well suited for hot and cold drinking water supply, refrigerant lines for HVAC systems and underground service lines.

Drawbacks to copper piping include its expensive price tag and its requirement for soldering.

Galvanized Pipe

Made of steel or iron, galvanized piping is rarely used in today’s modern homes. Its zinc coating causes internal rust build-up inside small diameter pipes leading to water discolouration and release of lead. It’s also heavy to work with and can create reduced water pressure and clogged water lines.

Galvanized piping is commonly found in construction and is best suited for transporting non-potable water.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes (CPVC Pipes)

CPVC piping is more flexible than PVC piping and is suitable for hot and cold water supply. Great for DIYers because of its ease of use and flexibility, its extra chlorine contents make it safe for drinking water applications. Although well-insulated and fire-resistant, cons include its higher price tag, inability to be recycled and tendency to split if allowed to freeze.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right type of piping is crucial to ensure your plumbing project is completed safely and correctly. So if you’re inexperienced, it’s best to contact a professional.

Constantly running, leaky, or slow-filling toilets can be annoying. The good news is that many of the most common toilet problems and issues that you can fix yourself. In this article, we discuss some of the most common toilet problems and how to fix them.

The Toilet won’t stop running.

When a toilet is continuously running, water is being wasted by continually pumping through the fill valve. This problem usually originates in the tank.

Open the lid to the tank and flush the toilet to see if the flapper is sealing correctly. If the tank isn’t filling, you may need to replace the flapper – or if the flapper still appears to be in good shape, you might have to replace the whole flush valve assembly.

If the tank is filling as it should and water is going into the overflow tube, then the fill valve may need to be cleaned or replaced.  If you can’t fix this immediately, shut off the water to your toilet when it’s not in use, as running toilets can lead to outrageous water bills in Ontario.

The toilet is leaking.

Leaky toilets should be addressed as soon as the leak is noticed in order to prevent them from damaging your flooring. Leaks can come from several areas, so you may have to do a bit of detective work. The following are the most common causes and what to do about leaks.

• Water supply valve – gently tighten the water supply valve. If there is damage to the supply line, you will have to replace the line.
• There is a leak where water comes into the tank – tighten the supply line if necessary. If the supply line is damaged, it will have to be replaced.
• Leak between the tank and the bowl – check to see that tank and bowl are securely bolted together and tighten bolts if necessary. You may need to replace bolts and gaskets. You may need to replace the tank if there are any cracks in the tank.
• Leaks where the toilet meets the floor – For toilet leaks at the base, examine the mounting bolts to see that toilet is in the correct position and adjust if necessary. If the tank is cracked, you may have to replace the tank or the toilet.

 

The Toilet doesn’t flush properly.

If the toilet is not flushing because it is clogged, turn off the water supply valve and unclog the toilet.

If the toilet is not clogged but still not flushing, check inside the tank to see if the lift handle is attached correctly, and adjust it if necessary. Ensure the flush handle is tight enough, and the flapper is sealing as it should.

If the toilet flushes but not completely – check to ensure there isn’t too much slack in the lift chain and that the flapper is installed correctly.

The Toilet fills slowly.

Ensure the water supply valve is opening correctly and the tank is free of debris.

The Flush handle is stuck or loose.

If the flush handle is stuck in the down position, ensure that the handle mounting is not too tight and gently loosen if necessary. Also, make sure that the chain is attached properly.

If the flush handle is too loose, gently tighten it and ensure no debris or build-up around the bolt.

Finally, while many people are comfortable with DIY toilet repair, we know many are not. If you are unsure of how to fix your toilet or would prefer professional assistance or a new toilet installed, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We work in the Etobicoke and Mississauga region of Ontario.

With more and more environmental concerns surrounding our lakes, rivers and streams, it’s understandable to question whether the tap water you drink is safe.

But here in Etobicoke, health concerns about our drinking water are something you don’t have to worry about. Because of the number of regulations our city has in place, you can rest easy knowing that Etobicoke’s drinking water is safe.

Etobicoke’s Drinking Water

Etobicoke’s drinking water comes directly from Lake Ontario.   In fact, we have a water treatment plant in South Etobicoke called the R.L. Clark Water Treatment Plant.  It opened in 1968 and accounts for 30% of Toronto’s drinking water.

Our federal, provincial and municipal governments work together to ensure our drinking water is safe and that regulations are met. Standards include minimum and maximum concentrations of contaminants, which fluctuate depending on the intended use of the water.

In the GTA area, our drinking water is tested every six hours, which is over 6,000 times each year.  Each municipality must publish water test results and make them readily available to the public. You can contact your local water utilities company to be provided with information regarding your water’s contaminants, or view annual reports on the Toronto.ca website.

In addition, you could always carry out a self-test kit, which contains test strips to test for bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, chlorine, hardness and pH. An alternative test is to take a water sample from your tap to your local water lab to receive an indication of its quality.

Licensed Laboratories for Testing Drinking Water in Etobicoke

Laboratory Name	Shipping Address	Contact Information
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change	125 Resources Road,Etobicoke, ONM9P 3V6	Janet Mills Tel: 416-235-5831 Janet.mills@ontario.ca
Ministry of Labour Radiation Protection Monitoring Service	81A Resources Road, Etobicoke, ONM9P 3T1	Caroline Lobo Tel: 416-235-5967 Fax: 416-235-5926 Caroline.lobo@ontario.ca

Lead Pipes and Drinking Water

Etobicoke residents who suspect that they have lead pipes and live in homes built before the 1960s can submit a tap water sample to the city for free testing.

First you need to pre-register for a lead testing kit.  And then it’s simply a matter of picking up a kit at a Toronto Public Health location, collecting a sample, and dropping off the kit.  Results are delivered by phone or email within 30 days of submitting a sample.

In Etobicoke, our nearest Public Health Location is at the Etobicoke Civic Centre at the West Mall and Burnhamthorpe Road.

Water Filters Provide Extra Precautions

Although the water treatment process in the Toronto area is extensive, leaching from pipes is possible after treatment – especially if pipes are old or corroded.

Due to this, by-products including elevated levels of lead, microplastics and chlorine, could end up in your water. That’s why installing a water filter is always a good idea for ensuring your tap water remains safe. Besides filtering contaminants including lead, water filters can remove the taste and smell of chlorine.

Depending on what you require removed from your water, there are many different kinds of filter technologies available:

Activated Carbon: As today’s most effective filter material available, activated carbon uses granular activated carbon or carbon blocks to remove over 70 common contaminants without removing healthy minerals.

Reverse Osmosis: Although this system removes contaminants that activated carbon does not, it also removes all healthy minerals. It’s normally combined with activated carbon or other filters including IX.

Ion Exchange (IX): IX filters remove certain substances depending on their ionic charges. Desirable minerals are left in the water while hardness and scale issues are improved.

Distillation: A filter which includes heating, boiling and condensing water to remove impurities.

Ultraviolet Light Filters (UV): Although they effectively remove 99.9% of waterborne organisms, UV water filters need to be combined with another filter to remove other containments.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Toronto?

In Toronto, a quality activated carbon filter is normally more than enough to make your tap water extra-safe. But to keep it working properly, you must regularly change the filter. Otherwise, bacteria can grow, the filter can become clogged, and eventually, it will become ineffective.

We’ll let you know which filter is best for your home and can even install it for you! Ask us about the options when it comes to water filters and the installation process involved.