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. 

When it comes to the plumbing of your Etobicoke home, there are so many options that you may not know exactly what to choose or what the right one is for your home. If you have questions about the pipes in your home and what you should look for and ultimately choose, here’s some more information to consider on the different types of pipes. 

PEX pipe

These pipes are made of durable plastic, and they are typically used to supply water to the home. The material is durable enough to withstand the pressure of the water flowing through it, but it’s still pretty flexible so that it can weave through ceilings and walls as needed. This material is also much more affordable than other piping options, so if budget is a concern this may be the right choice for you. 

PVC pipe

These are the white plastic pipes that are usually used for waste lines in the home. PVC pipes are popular because they’re light and easy to work with, especially when compared to the traditional galvanized steel. They are not as affordable as PEX pipe, but PVC piping is still pretty budget-friendly. 

Furthermore, PVC piping is easy to install and only requires a hacksaw and mitre box to cut. 

Copper pipe

Copper is primarily used for water supply lines inside the home, and it’s a popular choice because it doesn’t come with the same health risks that some other types of pipes come with. Plastic, for example, can sometimes allow chemicals to seep into the water flowing through them, but copper doesn’t have this issue. 

Copper is fairly expensive compared to other materials, but it’s durable and will last for a long time in your home. 

ABS pipe

This type of pipe is composed of a thermoplastic resin, and the appearance is very similar to PVC piping. It is important to note however that this type of pipe is not up to code in most areas, so it’s important that you check your local regulations to determine if this is a material you can use. 

ABS pipe is mainly used for draining and venting purposes, and is not used for water. 

Galvanized steel and cast-iron pipes

These types of pipes are found in older homes that haven’t been updated. 

Steel was used for drainage, water supply and even gas lines for decades because it is so rigid and resistant to corrosion. The durability of galvanized steel is quite high, but it’s also expensive to install. So if you are on a budget, then this may not be an option for you in your home. Each piece of pipe is threaded, so they are screwed onto each other for secured fittings. 

Cast iron is very dark in colour and is still found in some older homes, along with modern commercial and high-rise buildings. The bonus to cast iron is that it is completely durable right until the point where it rusts through. When maintenance or repairs need to be done with cast iron pipes, it’s usually retrofitted with a material like ABS. 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

Updating the plumbing in your Etobicoke home can be an overwhelming process, but choosing the right kind of pipes is a great way to start the project, so you know the materials you’re going to use and how to plan out your new plumbing. If the plumbing in your home requires updating, contact D. Jason Plumbing today. 

It’s been months of hearing that bathroom faucet drip slowly, yet you have yet to take the time to complete the repair. As tempting as it may be to continue putting it off to another weekend, repairing your leaky faucet needs to be a priority – this weekend! Here’s why.

Wear and Tear

The longer you don’t fix your dripping faucet, the more wear and tear that occurs to your faucet washers and sink. Gently move your faucet around – does it stay in place? If it doesn’t, be sure to tighten your faucet. Otherwise, this can create unnecessary strain and cause you to replace your faucet earlier than expected.

When water gathers around the base of the fixture, there may be visible cracks or warps. If that’s the case, your faucet may be broken and need a replacement rather than a repair.

Water Waste

A slow-dripping faucet may not seem like it would cause that much waste, but it certainly does over time. A faucet that drips every second can lead to 3,000 gallons of water wasted in a year – the equivalent of taking 180 showers.  

Costly Water Bills

Fixing a leaky faucet can create cost savings, too. According to the EPA, homeowners can save up to 10 percent of their average yearly water costs when they complete a faucet repair. If more than one faucet is dripping or the water coming through is heated, even more savings can be generated.

Tips for Fixing Your Leaky Faucet

To fix your leaky faucet, follow the steps below:

1. Start by gathering the right tools and equipment. Have plenty of rags available for easy cleanup, a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver to remove the faucet screw, and replacement parts to exchange for the failed components. White vinegar is helpful to loosen grime in the spout and complete the final cleanup.
2. Turn off the water supply by turning the shutoff valves under the sink or closing the main water valves.
3. Close the drain to prevent small screws from going down the drain pipes.
4. Take the system apart, paying attention to the order and orientation of the parts as you remove them. Take a picture to make the reassembly process easier.
5. Closely inspect the faucet parts for noticeable wear and tear and replace any necessary. Seals, rubber washers, and O-rings are common culprits of leaky faucets.
6. Reassemble the faucet and test the water flow. Perform one final cleanup using white vinegar.

The Bottom Line

Repairing a leaky faucet helps prevent more costly future repairs, is better for the environment, and provides financial savings.

A professional plumber has the expertise, tools, and experience to repair your home’s plumbing systems as quickly as possible. If you have a leaky faucet and don’t have the time or expertise to replace it, our licensed plumbers can help! Contact us today for more details about our services.

With today’s high inflation costs, finding ways to lower your household bills is more important than ever. Decreasing the amount of water you and your family use is a great place to start.

Water is used in countless daily household indoor and outdoor tasks, from cooking to bathing. Although upgrading to efficient fixtures is one of the best ways to save water, there are other less costly ways, too. Below, we’ll review some of the easiest ways to conserve water at your Etobicoke or Toronto home.

Conserving Water in the Bathroom

Start by using your toilet only for what it’s intended for – and not as a wastebasket. Each time you flush a tissue or other small amount of garbage, you waste gallons of water.

If your home has older toilets, look into replacing them with low or dual flush models. A dual flush toilet can use less than 70 percent water during flushes!
A low-flow showerhead is another great upgrade to make to your bathroom. They use less than 2.5 gallons per minute and often come with a cut-off valve that allows you to prevent the flow of water. This helps reduce the total amount of water you use during each shower.

Add an adjustable toilet flapper for extra savings. They ensure the flush rate is the minimum needed during each flush use while still achieving a single good flush.

Conserving Water in the Kitchen

Fill your sink with water instead of leaving the tap running during food prep or clean-up. Install a simple low-flow aerator to reduce the amount of water flowing from your kitchen sink tap.

As for your dishwasher, only turn it on when it’s completely full. Scrape dirty dishes rather than rinse them before putting them in the unit. If you’re in the market to purchase a new dishwasher, choose one that has a “light-wash” option.

Conserving Water While Doing Laundry

Upgrading to a high-efficiency washing machine will eventually pay for itself over years of water and energy conservation. Many new washers use less than half of the energy per load compared to older models.

When you have laundry to do, try waiting until you have enough to complete a full load. If a partial load is necessary, remember to use the appropriate water level.

Since the permanent-press cycle uses additional water for an extra rinse cycle, it’s best to avoid it.

If you are upgrading your laundry room to include a high-efficiency washing machine, learn more on our Efficient Laundry Room Plumbing blog.

The Key Takeaway

Fixing leaks in any of your household’s plumbing is also essential to saving water. Complete a quick inspection under sinks to check for water damage or inspect your water meter’s leak indicator to see if there’s movement. Dripping faucets can lead to huge water waste, so get them repaired by a professional Etobicoke plumber right away.

Remember, conserving water at home does more than save money on your utility bill – it helps the environment, too. By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to achieving both!