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. 

Have you noticed that the toilets in your Etobicoke home aren’t flushing properly, but you aren’t quite sure why? They aren’t clogged since you can still flush them, and they aren’t overflowing, but there’s something going on with the toilets in your home. There are several reasons this could be happening, and here’s what you need to know. 

Check the tank

If the toilet isn’t flushing properly, the first thing you should do is to check the tank. Is the tank filling all the way? If the answer is no, then this is where you should start – and figure out why it’s not filling all the way. 

If it is filling all the way? Then the issue is located elsewhere and could be a clog further down the pipe or another issue altogether. 

Look at the chain

Another easy item to check off the list of possible problems is the chain and handle. If the handle doesn’t really do anything when you push it, and it just flaps there, then there could be a problem with the handle itself and the connection to the flapper. 

If this is the case, check inside the toilet tank. If either the handle or the chain is broken, you will want to replace it. 

Check for a clog

Most people think when a toilet is clogged, it won’t flush at all, but clogs can range in severity from partial to completely blocked. 

Toilet paper, personal wipes and other obstructions can build up over time and cause clogs. If you have a plunger on hand, you can plunge the toilet to break up the clogs and see if the toilet starts flushing better. 

If this doesn’t work and it’s still not flushing properly, then it may not be a clog in the toilet, and there could be other issues. 

The flapper

The flapper on your toilet will be located at the bottom of the tank, and it should seal completely when closed. If it is not sealing tight enough, it can cause your toilet not to flush properly. To check if the flapper is working, remove the lid of the tank and flush your toilet. One of the signs the flapper isn’t sealed is if your toilet is running often and for longer than it should after flushing. 

The good news is that if the flapper isn’t sealing, and that’s the problem, you can pick up a new one at your local home improvement store and change it yourself. 

Check the inlet holes

When a toilet is flushed, the water will drain from small holes which are located around the underside of the toilet rim. Sometimes these holes can become clogged, and that will result in the toilet draining slower than normal.  

If this is the case for your toilet, you can usually clear them out with a toilet cleaning brush or by using a toothpick to clear out the holes. 

Understanding why the toilets in your Etobicoke home are flushing slowly can be frustrating, especially if it’s not really obvious. However, with a bit of research, you should be able to determine the issue. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

If you have a poorly flushing toilet and have not been able to determine the issue – or if you aren’t comfortable trying to fix it yourself, we are here to help. Call us today to arrange for service from one of our professional plumbers. 

One of the most common household problems in Toronto and Etobicoke is limescale build-up, mostly due to the fact that Toronto has hard water coming into a lot of homes and businesses.

If you live close to Lake Ontario in Toronto or Etobicoke, you may notice this white crust building up on any of the surfaces water touches in your home. Here are a few common problems that come with limescale build-up.

What is limescale?

Limescale is the white, crusty, chalk-like build-up that will show up anywhere that hard water rests and dries. When the water eventually evaporates, it leaves behind any minerals that were dissolved into it.

These minerals are what creates the build-up you see around your house. The good news is that this limescale can be relatively easily cleaned up and removed from your home.

How does limescale damage fixtures and pipes?

Even those homeowners who clean their home on a regular schedule can still experience damage inside their fixtures and pipes from limescale build-up. The build-up can cause a blockage to the passage of water and eventually cause corrosion within the pipes, drains and fixtures.

If the damage is left untreated over a prolonged period of time it may mean that the fixture, pipe, or both, must be replaced. Depending on the severity, this can mean expensive repairs for the homeowner in order to rectify the situation.

Kitchen and bathroom faucets are the most common items affected by limescale and often need to be replaced first.

How to remove limescale

If you have noticed this white build-up around your home, there is an easy way to help remove it with items commonly around the house.

First, create a mixture that is half water and half vinegar or lemon juice (but not both). This mixture’s acidity will help dissolve the minerals in the limescale build-up. You will then need to apply this mixture to the limescale stains and let it rest for a while.

For taps and faucets, you can soak a rag in the cleaning solution and secure it around the fixture.  For shower heads, you can put the mixture in a bag and secure the bag with an elastic band, so it will be absorbed and help dissolve the limescale.

After you’ve let the solution sit for a while, you’ll need to wipe off the area with clean water, so more limescale doesn’t build up.

How to prevent limescale build-up

In Toronto and Etobicoke, the water hardness issues are irritating but often do not cause major problems for homeowners. If you, as a homeowner, find that you are often cleaning white rings from around faucets and fixtures in your home, then you may have a good reason for wanting a professional to come in and look at the water flow in your home.

If you notice that the water in your home is not flowing as quickly as it once did and you are constantly cleaning the white build-up from around your home, then you may want to consider investing in a water softener or filter for your home.

Contact D Jason Plumbing today

If you are interested in having a water softener installed to prevent hard water in your home, we can help. Contact us today to speak to a our Etobicoke plumbers.

If you are looking for a plumber to perform some maintenance or repair work in your Etobicoke home, you may be searching the internet for options and running across the term “Master Plumber”. The title sounds impressive, but what does it mean? Is it simply an advertising term?

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that Master Plumber is a designation, and those who have not attained the necessary skill and experience in the plumbing field are not allowed to refer to themselves by that term. When you hire a Master Plumber, you can be confident in knowing that you are hiring an expert. 

What are the different levels of a plumber?

Like most trades, the plumbers have three levels of expertise: apprentice, journeyman, and master. To help you understand the difference, here is a brief explanation of each. 

• • • Apprentice: this is someone starting out in the plumbing profession. They have completed most or all of their coursework and have begun on-the-job training under the guidance of a master plumber or journeyman. Apprenticeships are critical to the plumbing industry as they help ensure that the field maintains a high level of professionalism and that new plumbers entering the industry will have the training and guidance they need. 
  • • Journeyman: Once a plumber has completed their apprenticeship and passed their final exam, they are eligible to work as a plumber without supervision (although they must still answer to a master plumber). Journeyman plumbers have expertise in a wide range of plumbing repairs and installing new pipes, drainage systems, etc.
  • • Master plumber: Before becoming a master plumber, a journeyman must have several years experience in the trade and undergo additional training and education. Master plumbers typically work in leadership roles and often supervise other plumbers. They may be responsible for planning water systems or creating plumbing schematics plans. 

What sets a Master Plumber apart?

Master Plumber is the top level that one can achieve in the trade. There are many privileges and responsibilities that are unique to this level of plumber. They are the only plumbers that do not require oversight from another level of plumber, and they are the only plumber that can operate a plumbing business. 

A Master Plumber is responsible for the work done by journeyman plumbers and apprentices that are working under them; and if building permits are required for the work being performed, this is also the responsibility of the Master Plumber. 

Finally, the Master Plumber is the only level of plumber that can design plans and schematics for other plumbers to follow. 

Do I need to hire a Master Plumber?

In a sense, whenever you are hiring a licensed plumber, you are hiring a Master Plumber since any apprentices and journeyman ultimately report to a Master Plumber. But whether the actual service needs to be performed by a Master or can be performed by a lower level of plumber will depend on the skill level needed for the particular job. 

If you need to hire a Master Plumber, the price tag is going to be naturally higher since you are paying for their expertise, however, considering how important the plumbing is to your Etobicoke home or business, the investment may be well worth it. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Call us today if you require expert plumbing services for your Etobicoke home. We have all levels of plumbers on our team, including Master Plumbers, and we are ready to provide you with the expertise that you require.