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. 

Older Etobicoke homes have a lot of character that you can’t find in new builds, making them very attractive for many home buyers. Age should not be a deterring factor when looking to purchase a home. No home will be perfect, and each home could experience issues in the years you own it. One of the biggest fears of Etobicoke homeowners is plumbing problems and the cost to fix them. Here are a few common plumbing issues you may experience if you have an older home. 

Outdated piping

If your home is more than 25 or 30 years old or hasn’t had a major renovation in that time, it is likely that the piping for your home will not be up to today’s code. It may be defective or even dangerous and toxic – like lead pipes are known to be. As you renovate your home, you will likely need to update the pipes to today’s standards. 

Installation issues

Improper repairs and installations can cause major issues to your plumbing in the long run, especially if they are completed by an amateur who doesn’t exactly know what they are doing. If the wrong equipment is used or the right equipment is installed incorrectly, it can cause big problems with your plumbing system for years to come. 

Root intrusion

As your home gets older, there are a number of problems that can arise. With newly built homes, there will often be young trees planted in the yards. These trees will eventually grow and develop a complete root system. 

Depending on the size of these trees, the root systems may intrude into the sewer lines coming into your home. This can cause major issues with blocking and sewer back up into the basement of your Etobicoke home. 

Root intrusion into your pipes can easily diagnosed with a pipe camera inspection.

Bellied lines

Your home will settle in the first few years after its construction, and during that time, the sewer lines may start to slope, which can result in water flow restrictions or even sewer back-ups and leaks into your home.  

Bellied lines can also result in slab leaks, which is when water seeps into the foundation of your home and results in major property damage. 

Signs of bellied drains can include slow draining, unpleasant smells coming from drains and frequent backups of the drains in your home. 

A professional plumber can identify the section of piping where the bellying is likely happening, so they can fix the section without replacing all of the piping. 

Old fixtures

Plumbing fixtures will advance as professionals learn more about the longevity of different materials and how they will work in your home. Old plumbing fixtures and connections will pose a risk of falling apart, which can cause leaking and even flooding in your home. 

These old fixtures can cause issues for your Etobicoke home and cause major damage to the contents of your home. If you can replace these fixtures as you come across them, your risk of leaks and floods in your Etobicoke home is much less. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

If you are experiencing plumbing issues in your older Etobicoke home, we are here to help. Call us today for a consultation with a plumber.  Furthermore, if you are buying a home in Etobicoke, contact us for a full plumbing inspection to help you negotiate the purchase cost of the home.

If you have experienced water damage in your Etobicoke or Oakville home, you may be wondering exactly how much your insurance will pay for any repairs and what amount will be coming out of your pocket. The short answer is that it depends on your home insurance and what you’re covered for. Here’s what you need to know. 

How, not what

When it comes to water damage, the type of repairs needed will almost always be the same: floors, electrical, drywall, heating systems, etc.

What matters the most to insurance is how the water gets into your home – not that water has damaged the home. 

Flood damage

Most homeowners’ insurance policies have no coverage available to repair damage caused by a flood. In many cases, there will be government relief available to help pay for damage that is uninsurable, but most of the time, that relief doesn’t end up being enough to help homeowners pay for the repairs they need. 

Depending on the insurance each homeowner has, they may be able to purchase flood insurance. However, this may only be available if you don’t live in an area prone to flooding, and you may have to purchase sewer backup coverage separately from the flood insurance. 

Additionally, this will probably only cover flooding from a natural disaster. 

Plumbing Tip: Avoid Flooding During Vacations!

What about flooding not caused by a natural disaster?

There is comprehensive insurance coverage for incidents like foundation cracks, leaking pipes, or even pipes that burst. 

This type of coverage may help give you some relief if the leak is sudden and accidental, but there may be some exceptions where your insurance doesn’t cover you. For example, some insurance policies won’t provide any kind of damage coverage if the house has been sitting vacant for more than 48 hours (in some cases, 24 hours). So, if you’re on vacation, you may want to have someone checking in on your home daily when you aren’t there. 

If you have a slow leak that has developed over time, you may still be able to get coverage for the damage to your home. Now, if the damage has come from something like a leaking toilet that you, as the homeowner, failed to repair, the insurance company may not issue any sort of coverage. 

However, that doesn’t mean all slow leaks will be denied coverage. If you have questions about what your insurance company will cover, you should contact your agent to discuss the details of your policy. 

If you feel you don’t have enough coverage or want a little more peace of mind, you can always increase your coverage to ensure you have the security you want for your family. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Regardless of whether your insurance covers a specific incidence of water damage, you must get the issue repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your home. If you have noticed a leak or other water damage, contact us today to arrange for a consultation with a licensed plumber.