Summer is a time when many residents of Etobicoke like to spend time at the cottage, visit family across the country or the world or take some time to visit a place they’ve always wanted to go. If you are fortunate enough to be in the process of planning a vacation, you may have a checklist for what you need to pack or what you want to see and do during your travels. But if you are going to be away from your home for any length of time, you should also have a plumbing checklist.

By doing some simple checks and tasks before you leave on holiday, you can help to avoid plumbing problems from occurring during your vacation. Here is a simple summer vacation plumbing checklist to follow.

1. Check for leaks.

You wouldn’t want to return to your Etobicoke home from a relaxing vacation only to discover that a leak from your toilet had flooded your bathroom. Take some time to inspect fixtures and exposed pipes for leaks. If you suspect you have a leak, be sure to get it fixed before leaving for your holiday.

2. Clean and clear drains and disposals.

If you know you have a clogged drain or disposal, clean and clear it before your vacation. Over time, clogged drains can begin to stink, and that is not a smell that you want to come home to!

3. Shut off the main water valve.

If you are only going away for the weekend, this may not be necessary. But for longer trips, having shut off the main water valve can save you a lot of headache should there be a major leak while you are away. Now if you have someone staying at your home while you are on vacation, you will want to leave the water on – although it is still a good idea to leave the number of an emergency plumber like D. Jason Plumbing with them.

4. Check the setting on your water heater.

Certain water heaters will have a vacation setting or conservation mode that can be turned on when you are going to be away from home. As long as you don’t have a house sitter who is going to need to take hot showers, switching your water heater to this setting can help you save on your utility bills.

5. Test your sump pump.

Summer storms can wreak havoc in many parts of Ontario, including Etobicoke. If your home has a sump pump, be sure to check that it is in good operating condition before you leave for vacation.  Sudden heavy rains can overload the sewer system, which can cause water to enter your basement.  Recently, in May of 2021, seventeen homes were flooded on Saturn Road, Boreal Road and Tranquil Road in Etobicoke due to heavy rain.

To test your sump pump, pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to be sure that the pump turns on. Making sure this vital piece of equipment is working can save you from coming home to a flooded basement!

Contact D. Jason Plumbing

If you have any concerns about the plumbing in your Etobicoke home, be sure to get your plumbing inspected before leaving for vacation. And to be extra safe, leave our number with a trusted friend or neighbour when you go.

Pouring the wrong things down your drain can result in bad odours, frustrating blockages, unexpected calls to your plumber, and, ultimately, long-term damage. Knowing what is and is not safe to pour down your drain will help you maintain the integrity of your plumbing.

What Is Not Safe To Pour Down My Drains?

Many property owners believe that if something fits, it’s safe to pour it down the drain, which is far from the truth. While there are obvious things that are a risk to the integrity of your drains, the most dangerous ones are less obvious.

Although you can contact us to discuss our Drain Cleaning Services, it’s also important to recognize proactive actions you can take in your day-to-day life.

Some of the most damaging things to put down your drain include:

Grease: Food grease is one of the most detrimental substances to pour down your drain. It coats the inside and creates a buildup that will prevent the flow of liquids from smoothly going down your drain. As time goes on, grease buildup can result in full blockages and costly repairs.

The city of Toronto recommends you let cooking grease, such as bacon fat, harden at room temperature in a paper towel. Once the grease has solidified in the paper towel, you can place it in the green bin.

Hair: Like grease, washing hair down your drain can have both immediate and long-term impacts on the integrity of your drains. While small amounts of hair may only slow drainage, as time passes, it can result in more impacting blockage on the surface and along the line of your property.

Coffee Grains: While a cup of coffee alone is safe to pour down the drain, residual grains are problematic. Contrary to popular belief, coffee grains do not dissolve in water. By pouring them down your drain, you are creating/ adding to existing minor blockages in the line.

Harsh cleaning chemicals: While there are many drain cleaning products on the market designed to assist with unclogging drains, there are many household cleaners that can be detrimental. The wrong products will gradually eat away at your pipes and cause serious issues.

Other household items that you should not put down your drains include:

Any solid food, including rice and pasta, thick sauces, honey, nail clippings, medication, paint, eggshells, doughs or other flour-based products, oatmeal, and many other household products.

What Preventative Measures Can I Take?

Accidents happen! Spills, young hands, and other mistakes are inevitable, but there are proactive actions you can take to prepare should something unsafe end up in your drain.

These include:

Drain catchers: These are available for various sink types, including a wide range of kitchen and bathroom sinks. They will act as a barrier between the surface of your drain and the pipe below to prevent food, hair, and other random objects from going down your drain.

Preventative High Pressure Clean: Maintaining the integrity of your drains is invaluable to you as a property owner. If a drain shows any indication of being blocked, or you want to be proactive, you should review our blog on The Benefits of High-Pressure Drain Cleaning.

What Is My Drain Equipped To Handle?

Now that we have reviewed the risks of what not to put down your drain, you might be asking yourself what is safe? The list of things that are safe to pour down the drain in your Etobicoke property is surprisingly short. Liquids such as water, milk, tea, juice, and most other fluids are safe. If you are unsure if the liquid is safe, it’s best to play it safe and dispose of the substance in a sealed container in your garbage.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing Today.

If you’d like help ensuring your drains are running smoothly or would like to discuss preventative maintenance, contact us today.

It’s one thing to have scheduled plumbing work done in your home when you have time to research and find the right plumber to work with. However, when there’s extra water in your Etobicoke home where there shouldn’t be, and that plumber is unavailable, you might need an emergency plumber. Here’s what you need to know about when to call an emergency plumber.

What is an emergency plumber?

An emergency plumber is a plumber who is on call, ready to help you in the event of an emergency. Water coming into your home can damage your home very quickly, and you need someone who can get to you fast.

When should you call an emergency plumber?

If there’s water pouring down from your ceiling or you’re up to your knees in water in your basement, that’s pretty clear: you need to call a plumber, and now.

Some other situations, though, are not as clear as to whether you need to call a plumber now or if it can wait. Here are several situations where you should be calling an emergency plumber:

Flooding  – Water coming into your home quickly, without an obvious source, is categorized as an emergency. Flooding in your home can have several causes. If you don’t have a professional come quickly with flooding in your home, it can cause a lot of damage.

Leaking (or burst) pipes – One of the most common causes of flooding in a home will come from either leaking or burst pipes. Even if it doesn’t cause a total flood in your home, a burst pipe is definitely cause for calling an emergency plumber. If you experience this, you should turn off the water to your home to prevent even more flooding.

Overflowing toilet – Almost all homeowners will experience a clogged toilet once or twice over the course of owning a home, and usually, this can be handled by homeowners on their own. However, a clogged toilet is not the same as an overflowing toilet – an overflowing toilet is a much bigger problem and one you should be calling in a plumber for now. An overflowing toilet could be a simple fix, or it could be the product of much more complicated plumbing issues. Either way, it is cause for calling an emergency plumber.

Sewage Odours – Have you noticed that there are unpleasant odours coming from a faucet when you run the water? If so, this could be a major cause for concern. The scent is often a sign of something wrong with a sump pump, septic system, or the overall plumbing of your home. In some cases, it could be indicative of the sewer backing up into your home, and if this happens, you won’t be able to use the toilets, sinks or showers in your home until the sewer line gets fixed.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

If you are experiencing one of these plumbing emergencies or any other plumbing situation, we offer emergency plumbing services for homes across Etobicoke and the surrounding area.

The plumbing in homes is different today than it was 20, 30, or 50 years ago because plumbing codes and technology have evolved as people learn what works (and what doesn’t). Many Toronto homeowners are taking on home renovations to make their homes exactly what they want them to be, but that also means they will need to update their plumbing to bring it up to code. They also may want to do some upgrades to make their home a little more efficient.

Here are some of the latest trends in home plumbing technology: 

Remote service

In previous years, you would have to call a plumber and wait for them to come to your home to diagnose any issues you may have. However, it’s becoming convenient to communicate remotely with a plumber via a smartphone or tablet. 

By sending your plumber photos of your issue and fixtures, your plumber may be able to remotely diagnose the issue and let you know what needs to be fixed. Knowing what the insides of your toilet look like or the model of your leaky faucet will also help ensure your plumber has the right parts to fix it if they need to come to your house. 

At D. Jason Plumbing, you can always text us at 416-834-0555 us for a fast response!

Smart Plumbing

We know that smart technology is in almost everything in our lives, so it was only a matter of time before it made its way into our plumbing fixtures. Smart technology has enabled Toronto homeowners to monitor their water usage and determine which appliances use the most water in their homes. This means homeowners are getting smarter about their water consumption, which can lead to lower utility bills. 

Furthermore, there are smart water-detecting devices you can put into your home that will alert you to any issues – including leaks – so you don’t have to monitor each appliance in your home manually. These are often battery-operated devices that detect moisture. You would put them near your washing machine, toilets or dishwasher where there’s a chance the water supply lines could burst. The devices are also connected to your wi-fi, and you will get a text if they detect water.

Even better, there are even several devices on the market that let you turn your main shut-off valve for your water off. This comes in handy if you are away at the cottage and get an alert that you have a water leak. You won’t have to rush home to turn off your water supply. We recommend you still have a relative or neighbour inspect your home to ensure there is no water damage.

Schedule your plumber

Remember the days you would call a plumbing service, and they would give you a 4-hour service window on a day two weeks from now? Well, that is no longer an issue! Many plumbing companies have implemented the ability for their customers to schedule their appointment for what works best for them. This means they can see a calendar and pick a time to have a plumber come out. 

Scheduling services like this are often done through third-party partners, and the way the scheduling might work is that it could incorporate dozens of various plumbing companies.  The downside to this is that you may not be able to schedule your plumber of choice.

Greener plumbing technology

Many Toronto homeowners are becoming more concerned with the impact they have on the environment. With this in mind, they are searching for greener home appliance options. One example is rain systems, where large barrels are used to collect rainwater, which will then be used in the home with various appliances for things like cleaning and gardening. 

Other homeowners may also collect and use grey water, such as sink or laundry rinse water, to water their lawns.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing Today.

Are you looking to upgrade your plumbing with some of the latest technology? If so, we can help. Contact us today. 

For many homeowners in Etobicoke, having a backed-up sewer line or leak is their worst nightmare. Not only can this completely ruin valuable and sentimental possessions and lead to costly repair bills within the home, but it can be a health hazard for everyone living in the home. Fortunately, there are usually some warning signs that occur before the catastrophe, meaning the observant homeowner may have time to call in a plumber and have the issue repaired before further damage is done. 

Here are a few signs that there may be a problem with your main sewer line: 

Frequent sewer backup and blockages

While sewers can backup every now and then – particularly after heavy rains – it should not be a daily or near-daily occurrence. So, for example, if you notice a sewer backup whenever you flush the toilet – or if you notice backups in other drains – it is an indication that there could be a problem with your main sewer line. 

Foul odours coming from the drain

If there is a foul or unpleasant odour emitting from your plumbing system, it is an indication of a problem. You should never have foul smells coming from drains or pipes. 

Mould and mildew issues

Mould and mildew are an indication that there is water leaking somewhere, and this should be addressed immediately. Left alone, mould and mildew will spread and can pose a health hazard for you and your family. 

Slow drainage

Slow drains are a fairly common problem in Etobicoke homes. They are normally caused by a blockage that is fairly easy to remove with the use of a plunger, drain snake etc. When these methods don’t work, however, it may be because the clog is deeper down in the main sewer line. If you are unable to remove the clog yourself, it may be time to call in a professional plumber. 

Random lush spots in your yard

Have you ever noticed areas of your lawn where there are patches of grass that look extra green and healthy? If you have, it may mean that your main sewer line has a crack in it and is leaking. As it turns out, sewage makes for a great lawn fertilizer, so those extra lush spots in your yard could mean a leak is right below them. 

Pests entering your home

Did you know that rodents and other little critters can squeeze into sewer line cracks and then make their way through the rest of your plumbing and into your home? If unexplained pests are entering your home, they may be finding their way in through the sewer line. 

Foundation damage

When water gets into your home’s foundation, it can cause a variety of problems, including structural damage. If you see signs of foundation damage, including cracks and sinkholes, contact a professional immediately to assess the problem. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Problems with the main sewer line should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage from being done. If you suspect your home may be a problem, contact us today to arrange for a plumber to inspect your home. 

There’s nothing quite like waking up on a chilly morning to be able to enjoy a hot shower before you start your day. Sometimes, though, hot water can be too hot, and it can cause your energy bills to increase unnecessarily. If your hot water tank is set too high, you may see this on your bill every month however, if it’s set too low, you may find that you won’t get enough hot water to enjoy that shower, and it can also cause bacteria to grow in the tank if it’s not hot enough. Here is how hot your hot water should be for your Toronto home. 

Best temperature range for your hot water

It’s recommended that you keep your water heater between 49 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius or 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is recommended because it is hot enough to keep any potential pathogens at bay, but it’s also not too hot that it will be scalding when it comes out of the faucets in your home. Furthermore, it’s a fairly energy-efficient temperature, and you likely won’t see any major increases on your energy bills. 

Insulating your hot water pipes can also help reduce your energy bills.

Even though between 49 and 60 degrees Celsius is the recommended temperature, there could be a few factors that will impact the exact right temperature for each family. 

Factors that could affect your hot water temperature

There are a number of reasons you may want to change the temperature setting on the hot water tank for your Toronto home, including 

• If you, or anyone living in your home, have a compromised immune system, then you may want to keep the water temperature higher – somewhere around 60 degrees Celsius instead of 49 degrees. 
• If you live alone, you may find it acceptable to keep the temperature at the lower end as there is less demand for the hot water system. 
• If you are trying to save money on your energy bill, you can save between 3 and 5% by turning the temperature down by 10 degrees on your hot water tank. 
• Families with young children or seniors at home may want to keep it close to  120 degrees because children’s skin is much more sensitive than adults and they can experience burns much more quickly. 

If you are still undecided about what the right temperature is for you, you can start by setting it to 120 degrees and adjusting it by a couple of degrees at a time. Try this new setting for a couple of days or a week at a time so you can determine if it’s right for you or not. 

How do you know what your current temperature setting is?

If you aren’t entirely sure what the temperature setting on your hot water tank is, there are several ways to determine what it is. First, your hot water tank may have a digital readout that will tell you what the current temperature is. 

If you don’t have this option, you can do a temperature check by running your hot water out of a faucet in your home. Make sure it’s running for a few minutes and as hot as it’s going to get. From there, you can stick a thermometer into the water and determine the temperature.

If your water isn’t hot enough, and turning up the temperature doesn’t seem to be working, you can call in a professional plumber to determine why the temperature isn’t increasing. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Are you experiencing any issues with the plumbing in your Toronto home? If so, contact us today to speak with a plumber.