When it comes to using your dishwasher, the idea of using salt (of any kind) in it might seem odd and almost as though it will damage the unit. However, when used as intended, dishwasher salt can help remove hard water or limescale stains from your dishes and make sure you don’t see any water spots as you’re emptying your dishwasher. Here’s what you need to know about dishwasher salt and how to use it in the dishwasher of your Etobicoke home.

Is dishwasher salt different than table salt? How?

Dishwasher salt has several differences from table salt, so you can’t get the two mixed up. Table salt has a much finer consistency as it is ground into much smaller granules. This can lead to clogged drains, so it’s crucial not to use table salt in your dishwasher.

On the other hand, Dishwasher salt is much thicker than table salt and will not interfere with how the dishwasher operates or cleans.

The biggest difference, though, is one that you can’t really see to compare. The chemical structure of dishwasher salt is usually 100% sodium chloride, without any additives, while table salt often has other minerals like magnesium that act as anti-caking agents.

How does dishwasher salt work?

While many people may believe that dishwasher salt will remove hard water stains or water spots on your dishes, it doesn’t work quite like this. The salt will work to reset the water softener that is built into the unit.

Some dishwashers will have water softener baskets that come with resin balls. These balls will absorb any calcium and magnesium – two compounds that will leave hard water stains on your dishes.

These resin balls will have a negative charge, and dishwasher salt has a positive charge. When used, the resin balls’ positively charged ions will be absorbed, which effectively resets them, so they are more effective in absorbing calcium and magnesium going forward.

How to use dishwasher salt

Dishwasher salt should only be used in dishwashers with a dedicated salt compartment. If your dishwasher has a built-in water softening system, it will probably have a compartment for the dishwasher salt.

To run a load with the dishwasher salt, fill up the appropriate compartment, shut it closed, and you’re ready to go.

It’s important that you don’t put the detergent into the salt compartment as it can damage the dishwashing unit. So, if you aren’t sure about whether this is an option for your dishwasher, you should consult the owner’s manual of your dishwasher to make sure you don’t ruin the unit.

If you have noticed that there are hard water stains on the dishes and silverware in your Etobicoke home, then dishwasher salt may be an option for you to try. Take a look at the manual of your dishwasher before putting the salt into it, as if it’s not meant to have the salt in it, you can do a lot of damage to the unit and clog up the hoses draining from your dishwasher.

However, if you own a dishwasher with a built-in water softener, then using some dishwasher salt can help reset the water softening unit and give you sparkling dishes every time.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today!

Are you experiencing plumbing issues with your dishwasher? If so, contact us today and let us help you resolve the problem.

You’ve found the perfect home for your family in a beautiful Etobicoke neighbourhood. You’re all ready to put in an offer, and to make it more attractive to the sellers, you’re even willing to remove almost all the conditions. However, moving into your new Etobicoke home without any kind of inspection may not be the best idea. One of the most important inspections you could have on your new home is a plumbing inspection – and here’s why:

Find Hidden Pipe Leaks

This is one of the most important areas to inspect when looking at buying a home, as pipe leaks can mean there are a variety of other major issues with the plumbing. Additionally, leaky pipes can eventually lead to mould, mildew and water damage building up in the home. Having this inspection done can make sure you’re aware of any issues before closing on the home.

Checking Sewer Lines Before Buying a Home

The main sewer line is the connection from your home to the source of water from the city. Many times, previous homeowners will not even know about issues with their main sewer line connections, and some of the issues can end up being very costly for you, as the new owner. A full plumbing inspection will take a look at this area and make you aware of any issues you need to know about, and help prevent you from having to put a lot of money into fixing issues with a home you just moved into.

Safe & Clean Water Inspections

Another big component of the plumbing inspection is checking the quality of the water itself. Your family will be drinking and using the water, so if it’s unsafe in any way, you need to address that. For example, any discoloration in the water should be investigated further. There could be a few reasons the water is discoloured – ranging from serious to just a temporary flow of dirty water coming through the pipes. A licensed plumber will be able to determine why it’s happening and how to fix it.

Issues with the Toilets

Another area a licensed plumber will look at is the toilets in the home. No one wants to have a leaking toilet in a home they just moved into, so this is an important area to be checked out. For example, if the toilet is not securely attached to the floor, it can be because there is floor damage underneath. Many homeowners will just replace the flooring when they’ve had a toilet leak, which actually can make the situation worse.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today.

Purchasing your forever home for your family in Etobicoke is a really exciting time, and plumbing inspections can save you from major headaches so you can really enjoy your time in your new home. If a plumbing inspection comes back with a few issues, it doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new house or withdraw your offer on your home. Finding out these issues just gives you a better idea of what issues you may need to fix, and makes you aware of any big issues you’ll need to address.

To schedule a plumbing inspection for your dream home, contact D. Jason Plumbing today!

 

As a homeowner, you never want to deal with a water or sewage backup. So to keep your home’s drains and pipes in good working order, you should complete regular maintenance on your piping system – just like you would other parts of your home.

Getting a camera inspection is one of the best ways to avoid costly and stressful plumbing problems and should be a part of your plumbing maintenance. Here’s what you should know about getting one done at your home.

What Is a Plumbing Video Camera Inspection?

Experienced plumbers use a plumbing video camera inspection to visually observe the state of your home’s drain system. With the help of a flexible cable, a customized video camera is inserted into your plumbing system to complete a thorough inspection. As the camera works its way through your pipes, a plumber monitors its progress from ground level on a monitor.

Also known as a drain camera inspection, this inspection can accurately identify plumbing issues without unnecessary mess or expense. The cutting-edge technology can determine your plumbing problem’s exact cause and location, highlighting any area needing repair.

Benefits of Choosing a Plumbing Video Camera Inspection

Many plumbing issues are hard to detect with the naked eye since they’re often located deep inside your plumbing system. Until plumbing video camera inspections were available, finding the cause of a plumbing problem could be very messy and time-consuming. Traditional plumbers often have to remove drywall, damage your lawn, and make other significant messes to find and repair the concern. There is less time spent determining the cause with plumbing video camera inspections, leading to a quicker repair. Along the way, less mess created is created, too.

Plumbing video camera inspections serve a wide range of purposes. They’re helpful if you need to locate a missing valuable that fell down the drain, check the condition of a plumbing system in a home you’re considering purchasing, and identify the actual cause of an annoying leak. This type of inspection is beneficial at detecting tree root damage to your drainage system as well as cracked, deformed, and crushed plumbing pipes.

Getting one completed as part of your home’s plumbing maintenance can provide early identification and resolution of future problems – leading to immense savings and less stress. They ensure your pipes are operating correctly and extend the lifespan and performance of your plumbing system.

Hiring D. Jason Plumbing for a Camera Inspection

Our video camera inspections help locate your plumbing problem’s specific cause and location, with no unnecessary damage to your property. In business since 1988, our professional, certified plumbers use the latest video technology available to quickly and correctly repair your plumbing issue.

For more information about our plumbing services in the Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Toronto areas, reach out to our team of professionals today.

Not only is a dripping faucet annoying to listen to, but it can also put a serious dent in your wallet with the amount of water it can waste. A large faucet leak can waste up to 30 gallons of water a day.

If you have noticed a faucet is leaking in your Etobicoke home, it’s important to understand why it’s leaking before you begin to fix it. Here are a few common causes for a dripping faucet and how you can go about fixing them.

Water Pressure Issues

Have you noticed that the faucet in question only drips during certain times or when the handles are moved to a certain position? This could mean that it’s an issue with the water pressure of your home, causing the leak to happen.

If this is the case, you may need to have a plumber come out and look at the amount of pressure of the water when it’s coming into the house. It may not truly be an issue with the faucet itself but rather the pressure of the water as it enters the house.

Broken Washers

This reason for a dripping faucet is common across households. Washers are a piece of hardware that rests against the valve seat of the faucet. Over time, friction can cause the washers to wear out as the seal won’t be as tight, so the faucet ends up leaking.

Additionally, if the washer isn’t installed properly or the wrong size was chosen, you might also notice it dripping a little bit. Make sure you turn the water off, either to the house or just to that specific faucet, before you start taking it apart.

Washers can easily be purchased on their own from your local home improvement store, and they are simple to replace.

Damaged Faucet Cartridge

Do you have a faucet that has one handle for hot water and one for cold water? If so, you have a cartridge faucet. The cartridge is a valve on the inside of the handle that controls the water flow depending on which handle is turned on. If your faucet is dripping water, you may have a damaged cartridge.

A cartridge can be replaced on its own without the need to purchase a whole new faucet. You may want to take the current cartridge out of the faucet in question before going to the store to ensure you get the right one.

To help you understand how to replace a cartridge, we have a DIY video on replacing a Moen cartridge.

Defective or Malfunctioning O-ring

This part is a small disc that is attached to the stem screw within your faucet. The main function of this part is to hold the handle of the faucet in place. Like washers, an O-ring can wear down over time which will cause a drip or leak. If the leak is coming from around the handle, it’s very likely that this is the reason for it.

You will want to make sure that you pick up the right o-ring for your faucet, so again you might want to take your faucet apart before you go and buy the parts you need.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Having a dripping or leaky faucet in your Etobicoke home can end up costing you quite a bit on your water bill, but in most cases, it’s relatively easy to fix yourself. If, however, you think there might be a larger problem – or if you are simply uncomfortable with these types of DIY repairs, then the team at D. Jason Plumbing is here to help. Give us a call today.

Until there’s a problem, you likely never think about your home’s sewer. But before minor issues become big, expensive problems, it’s beneficial to know the health of your plumbing systems. Getting a sewer camera inspection is an important part of that! Here’s what you should know about sewer inspections, including when you should get one done at your home.

What Is a Sewer Inspection?

A qualified plumber uses a small, waterproof camera attached to the end of a flexible cable to perform a sewer inspection. The plumber inserts the snake into the sewage system and down the pipeline to visually inspect the sewage system. The inspection detects the overall conditions of the sewer, plus whether there are any clogs present.

When a Sewer Inspection Can Help

To reduce the chances of your sewage system requiring an expensive repair, it’s never the wrong time to get a sewer camera inspection done. However, two particular situations can benefit from this service: when you’re buying a home and when you’re having sewer backup issues.

Purchasing a Home

Many home buyers are quick to get a home inspection before buying a home, but few consider the importance of a sewer inspection. Getting one done before you buy a home can save you many headaches – and expenses – rather than finding out there are issues after you move in.

If the home you’re purchasing is at least 20 years old, there’s a chance that tree roots may be starting to cause issues with its sewage system. Even though the line may be fairly new, tree roots can enter into tiny spaces and expand in the sewer line. This creates backups when the roots latch on to debris such as grease or eggshells. Although chemicals can kill the tree’s roots, excavation is needed to repair any pipe damage.

If the home was built before city sewers were installed, cesspools may still be intact and connected to the sewer line. These have a risk of sinking and collapsing. A sewer inspection is the best way to help uncover the makeup of the home.

Many homes built in the 1950s have sewer lines constructed from tar paper. Over time, this can disintegrate and collapse. If this is the material in the sewer line of the home you’re purchasing, know that it will definitely require replacing.

Sewer Backup Issues

The more popular reason for getting a sewer inspection is when you’re experiencing plumbing issues. Signs of a potential sewer backup include toilets that won’t flush or plunge, toilet bubbles when flushed or when a sink or tub is drained, multiple clogged drains, and a foul smell near drains.

When these issues are caught early, a quick repair can be made.

Booking a Sewer Inspection

If you’re buying a home or experiencing sewer backup issues, it’s time to book a sewer inspection. At D. Jason Plumbing, we have the proper knowledge, experience, and tools to complete an accurate, timely sewer inspection for you. To learn more, contact us today.

With our hectic schedules of work, childcare, and household responsibilities, it’s tempting to put a plumbing problem on the back burner until a later time. For minor plumbing problems, that’s usually okay, but you should address some plumbing issues right away. Otherwise, you risk creating even more damage and expense when you finally get around to resolving the problem.

If the following three plumbing issues ever occur at your home, you should contact a plumber immediately.

1. Flooding

Large pools of water are a clear warning sign of a plumbing emergency.

There can be plenty of causes of flooding, including damaged fittings and fixtures, and burst pipes. If the water is forming around your water heater, you likely have a crack in the unit, which could lead to more significant problems.

Large amounts of water can cause damage to your home’s flooring, furniture, and even drywall. If you contact a plumber as soon as you notice water formation, you can hopefully avoid replacing anything significant in your home.

Natural flooding is another cause of concern in Etobicoke and Toronto, and we’ve seen our fair share of it in recent years.  Natural flooding is caused by heavy rainfall or rapid snow melt (and sometimes a mixture of both).  To protect yourself against basement flooding, you’ll want to ensure your sump pump properly maintained and in working condition.

2. Sewage Odours

The smell of sewage is not only unpleasant but also dangerous. Hydrogen sulphide is found in most sewer lines, which can cause physical ailments, including nausea, headaches, delirium, and skin and eye irritation. High concentrations of the gas can even cause unconsciousness and death.

When you notice a sewage smell, you’ll know right away that your sewer system is not working correctly. Sometimes, the cause of the sewage smell is easy to resolve – such as a dry trap in one of your drains. A more extensive reason is a damaged sewer line that causes raw sewage to back up through your basement’s drains.  To prevent sewage backup, and having raw sewage end up in your basement, make sure you have a backwater valve installed.

Due to the potential risk of hydrogen sulphide inhalation, sewage odours require immediate attention by a plumber. A professional plumber will be able to identify the cause and prevent any further damage from occurring.

3. Damage Pipes and Water Lines

More common in winter, plumbing pipes can freeze then thaw later on. This process can sometimes cause pipes to burst, resulting in flooding throughout your home. Because many plumbing pipes are hidden behind walls or ceilings, this damage can be difficult to detect. Look for water stains on walls, ceilings, and vents. If you find any, contact a plumber to perform a thorough inspection and see if you have a leaking or burst pipe to blame.

Water lines can become damaged by nature, such as large tree roots or severe storms. This can end up causing low water pressure or no running water inside your home. Many daily activities require water, so contact a plumber as soon as possible to minimize any inconvenience.

At D. Jason Plumbing, we offer a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services in Etobicoke and the surrounding areas. No matter what day or time your plumbing emergency happens, our team of professional plumbers is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.