Water leaks can be devastating to Etobicoke homes. Not only can they cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in repairs, but they can be a health threat as well since they can lead to dangerous mould and mildew. Unfortunately, many water leaks occur behind walls, so they are often not found until serious damage has already been done.

In this article, we will discuss some tips on how you can locate water leaks behind walls.

Signs of a water leak

• • • Discoloured areas (water stains) on walls or ceilings.
    • Wet areas
    • Mould or mildew in spots where you wouldn’t expect to find it.
    • A musty smell.
    • Peeling paint or wallpaper.
    • Warped drywall, floor, or ceiling.
    • Dripping sounds after turning off faucets.
    • Higher than usual water bill.

 

Keep in mind, that while all of these are signs that you may have a water leak, they won’t necessarily tell you exactly where the leak is. Even wet spots on drywall may not be a perfect indicator of where the leak is since water can travel down a leaky pipe before it comes in contact with drywall and becomes visible.

Locating water leaks behind walls

Now that you have an approximate idea of where the leak is likely to be, there are things you can do to pinpoint the location of the leak.

Moisture Meter & Detecting Leaks

A moisture meter is a tool that can be purchased or rented from your local hardware or home improvement store. Simply point the device at different areas of your wall until you find the spot where you get the highest reading. If you contact a professional to come in and investigate the leak, this is one of the tools that they will bring with them.

Infrared Camera & Leak Detection

Infrared cameras can be used to locate cold areas within a wall. If an area is wet, the camera will show it as a blue or purple area. Plumbers often use infrared cameras to locate leaks.

Cut into the Drywall

Cutting into the drywall is the most drastic step and should only be used as a last resort. Remember that because the leak may not be located exactly where the wet spot or water stain is, you may end up needing to cut more drywall than anticipated.

Before you take this step, we strongly advise contacting a plumbing professional.  A plumber can minimize drywall or wall damage.  Also, if you are unsure of what you are doing, you may accidentally puncture your pipes causing further damage.

Repairing Leaks Behind Walls

Repairing leaky pipes is something that should only be done by a licensed plumber, as it may require welding in tight spaces, meaning there’s a risk of fire.  Furthermore, for insurance reasons, your insurance company may not cover any damages caused by a faulty DIY repair.

Once the location of the leak is determined, the plumber may have to cut out a section of the wall. The method of repair will depend on the extent of the damage. For a minor leak, they may be able to patch the pipe. For larger leaks, they may have to replace a section of the pipe. In extreme cases where the plumbing system is very old or has extensive damage, they may have to replace the whole system.

When dealing with leaks behind walls, it is important that you pay attention to the signs and contact a professional plumber if you notice trouble.

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today!

If you notice signs that there may be a leak behind the walls in your Etobicoke home, contact D. Jason Plumbing today to arrange for an inspection.

 

 

 

 

When you purchased your beautiful Etobicoke home with mature trees on a quiet street, surrounded by great neighbours, did you ever imagine that those trees you loved so much could cause serious issues with the sewer lines coming into your home? Trees – whether large and mature or ones that still have a bit of growing to do – can sometimes cause a lot of problems with our sewer lines as the roots continue to grow under the ground and intersect the pipes. 

Here are a few ideas for making sure tree roots don’t cause havoc on the pipes of your Etobicoke home. 

Talk to the City Before Planting Trees

Every city will have a sewer and water department, but why does this matter? The City of Etobicoke, for example, can tell you exactly where the sewer lines run and come into your property. This can be helpful information if you’re planting new trees, and you can make sure you plant them away from the pipes. 

How do you know if you have roots growing into your sewer lines? Homeowners may experience water back ups, plumbing issues that the home didn’t always have. You may experience sinks and toilets backing up regularly when there isn’t an obvious cause for it. 

Removing the Tree Roots

If your home is experiencing backups with the plumbing, you may have tree roots growing into the sewer lines of your home. At D Jason Plumbing, we offer video camera inspections, so we can tell immediately what is clogging your sewer lines.  In this case, you have a few options for removing them and dealing with the problem. 

Mechanical Root Removal

This option requires a professional to send a drill through the sewer line and cut the roots so that they flow out through the sewer. Now, with this option, the roots will eventually grow back so it’s only a temporary option until you can find a more permanent solution for getting rid of the roots. 

Chemical Root Removal

This is fairly self-explanatory: you can use various chemicals to kill the roots so they stop growing into the sewer lines. The chemicals used to accomplish this can be dangerous so you will want to make sure you consult a professional if it’s something you want to do. 

Removing the Tree Completely

This is a bigger option but you know that you will remove the issue and (likely) won’t face this problem again. Depending on the size of the tree, you’ll need a specialist to help you cut down and remove the tree so you don’t damage your property or any neighbouring property. 

Fixing the Sewer Lines

Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to fix the sewer lines as well to make sure they are functioning properly afterwards. One of the ways to do this is known as a Trenchless Sewer Repair.

A trenchless sewer repair involves having a professional fix the pipe by lining it with a seamless product that almost makes a new pipe inside the existing pipe. For this you only need small access holes so you don’t need to worry about digging up the whole front yard of your Etobicoke home! 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today

If you suspect that you may have tree roots causing problems in your sewer line, or if have a clogged sewer line, we can help. Contact D. Jason Plumbing today.  Contact us today for plumbing services in Etobicoke, Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.

It can be incredibly easy when you’re in the kitchen or bathroom to let the wrong items such as coffee grounds or gels slip down the sink. Although it may seem harmless at the time, this can lead to plumbing issues, including poorly working drains, leaks, clogged pipes, and damage to plumbing infrastructure.

To prevent unwanted items from going down your sink, it’s important first to know what those items are. Here’s what can and cannot go down the sink in your kitchen and bathroom.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Home Drains

The list of what can go down the sink is vastly shorter than what can’t. Nearly anything you can drink and almost any liquid can go down the sink; however, there are some exceptions.

Whether you’re in a kitchen or a bathroom, what you can’t put down the sink may be slightly different.

Kitchen Sink

In a kitchen, avoid putting the following items down the sink: cooking grease, fats and oils, paints, disinfectants, produce stickers, flour, crushed eggshells, and coffee grounds.

Many of these items should not be put down the sink for similar reasons – they clog pipes and can do a number on your plumbing. Instead of down your sink, throw out these items correctly in the garbage or compost.

The disposal method for grease, fats, and oils is slightly different. If hot, wait until any oil, fat, or grease has cooled down, then transport it to a sealable container. Place the container in a plastic bag (in case it leaks) before placing it in the garbage.

Bathroom Sink

Some everyday bathroom items that shouldn’t go down the sink include remnants of soap, gels, bath bombs, facemasks, hair, hygiene products, and pill or liquid medications.

If these items go down the sink, you risk creating build-up in your pipes and/or clogging problems. To prevent this from happening, these items should be properly disposed of in the garbage. For some things, this is easier said than done.

When it comes to hair and/or any remnants of soap, gels, bath bombs, etc., use a drain catcher in the sink/bathtub. Then, throw anything that gets caught into the garbage. 

Contact a Professional for Help With Your Plumbing Issue

Although it’s convenient to rinse items with water before flushing them down the drain, you should dispose of them properly instead.

Should any of these items make their way down your sink and cause damage, call a professional straight away. They will fix your problem and give some advice on how to prevent future plumbing hiccups.

Did something make its way down your sink that shouldn’t have? Is your sink now draining slowly or causing other problems? Contact D. Jason Plumbing today for help! We service Etobicoke, Mississauga, Toronto, and Brampton and work hard to be the solution to your plumbing problems!

Your home’s sump pump is one of those features that you probably don’t think about very often. It is hidden away and can go for long periods of time without running – or only running intermittently. It is not until you really need your sump pump and it fails to work that you realize its importance. But when this occurs, it is too late. The damage from flooding can be severe.

Like all appliances in Etobicoke and Mississauga homes, sump pumps can break down – and this tends to never happen at a convenient time.

To make sure that your sump pump works when needed, regular maintenance is strongly recommended. By taking the following routine maintenance steps, you can help ensure that your sump pumps runs properly for years to come. Because a little preventative maintenance now can save you some big headaches later on.

Quarterly Maintenance

Generally, these are tasks that you can do yourself; however, if you are uncomfortable with these, you can still call in a professional.

• Unplug the sump pump and drain the basin of standing water.
• Clean the basin, removing any debris and ensure that the inlet screen is clean and not obstructed.
• Plugin the pump and then pour five gallons of water into the basin to ensure that the float switch turns on and activates the pump.

 

Annual Sump Pump Maintenance

Some of these tasks may be done by the DIY-savvy homeowner in Etobicoke or Mississauga, but you are better off to call in a professional plumber if you are unsure of any of them.

• Unplug the sump pump and remove it from the basin to inspect for any rust or corrosion signs. Clean the inlet screen.
• Refer to your sump pump owner’s manual to see whether or not the bearings require lubrication and if they do, use the recommended amount of grease to lubricate them. (If the bearings are sealed, they will not require lubrication.)
• Remove dirt and debris from the basin.
• Reinstall the sump pump and plug it into the power source.
• Pour five gallons of water into the basin and check to see that it turns on the float switch to activate the pump.
• Go outside to inspect the pump discharge pipe and ensure that it is not obstructed by debris or vegetation. Also, ensure that it drains completely as water left standing in the pipe could freeze during the winter and burst the pipe.

 

Contact D. Jason Plumbing today!

When was the last time that you performed (or had someone else perform) routine maintenance on your sump pump? If it has been some time, do yourself a favour and contact D. Jason Plumbing. Our professionals would be happy to come out to your home to ensure that your sump pump works the way it should. And who knows, it just might save you from the hassle and expense of flooding and water damage.

Having a nice, long, hot shower after a hard day or a cozy bubble bath to take the chill off may not be something you’ve ever thought twice about. However, these common relaxation methods may be doing more than just turning your fingers and toes into prunes. They could also be why you’re using a lot more water than you need to as a homeowner.

Wondering how you can conserve water in your home? Here’s everything you should know about water conservation – and why it’s especially important for homeowners.

The Importance of Water Conservation

According to the OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms, water conservation refers to preserving, controlling, and developing water resources, both surface and groundwater, and prevention of pollution.

Now, why is water conservation important?

If your water and/or energy bills have been a little higher than you’d like, it may be because you’re using more water than you need to. If you want to cut back on the bill, try decreasing the amount of water consumed in your household.

Not only can conserving water save you money, but it’s also known to be good for the environment since freshwater is a limited resource.

Simple Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home

When it comes to reducing the amount of water used in your home, the options are (almost) endless. Here are just a few ways you can conserve water in your house:

• Do not leave the water running when you’re brushing your teeth and/or washing your face.  Or better yet, install touchless faucets.
• Try to have shorter showers and install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors.
• Use a dishwasher instead of hand washing your dishes (this is known to be more water-efficient) and only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• Complete large loads of laundry rather than more frequent, smaller loads
• Regularly inspect your house’s toilets, faucets, and pipes for any leaks and complete any repairs to leaky taps and plumbing when necessary.
• Keep drinking water cool in a jug in the fridge rather than running tap water until it’s cool to drink a glass.
• Be conscious of water consumption during cooking. For example, don’t leave the water running when washing vegetables or preparing food.
• Water your lawn only when necessary, and do so during the cool parts of the day.
• When landscaping, plant trees and plants that are drought-resistant and add mulch to slow moisture evaporation.

How D. Jason Plumbing Can Help

If you notice any leaks in your home or need any plumbing assistance, D. Jason Plumbing is here for you. We are a family-owned business that has been in business since 1988. We currently serve Etobicoke, Toronto, and Mississauga residents and work hard to ensure your plumbing needs are looked after.

Do you need assistance with drain cleaning, clogged drains or toilets, faucet or water heater leakages, faucet, water heater or toilet replacements? Contact us today!

Many Etobicoke and Mississauga homeowners are looking for ways to expand the amount of living space in their homes by renovating their basements and creating living rooms, game rooms and even additional bedrooms. No matter what you want to use your basement space for, you’ll want to make sure that nothing ruins your hard work. A backwater valve is a device installed that you might have heard of, but you may not know what it does or why it’s important.

Here’s everything you need to know about a backwater valve, and why it’s essential to make sure that your home has one.

What, exactly, is a backwater valve?

Also called a backflow preventer, a backwater valve is a device that prevents stormwater or sewage from backing up and flowing into the basement of your home. If this kind of water overflows into the basement of your home, it can cause a lot of damage and ruin the furniture and décor of your basement.

What does a backwater valve look like?

A typical backwater valve is commonly found in any home improvement store and is usually made out of 4” ABS plastic pipe, with openings on both ends. These openings ensure water flows in, and waste is let out appropriately.

Why does my Etobicoke or Mississauga home need one?

For the safety and protection of your home, you need to make sure you have a working backwater valve. All of the sinks, toilets, showers and so on in your home drain into one main line known as the sewer lateral. If water starts to back up, the lateral is designed to close so that you don’t get any sewage in your home. Once the pressure of the water returns to normal, and the water is flowing appropriately, the valve will open back up and allow water to flow out.

Do I need to clean a backwater valve regularly?

If you know how to clean the valve yourself, you should check it at least once annually to make sure it’s clear and not clogged. Regular maintenance will help ensure that you don’t have any problems with the valve when it’s needed the most. If you don’t feel comfortable performing the maintenance yourself, you can call in a plumbing professional to check the valve and make sure it’s working correctly.

If your home is at risk for flooding, installing a backwater valve can significantly reduce the chance of experiencing a flood and experiencing damage due to sewage entering your home.

Many regions around the GTA offer subsidy programs for homeowners to make sure they are able to install the valve as they need to.

Backwater Valve Installation in Etobicoke.

Having a properly functioning backwater valve is extremely important to ensure that both your home and your family are protected from harmful sewage. If you require the installation of a backwater valve in your Etobicoke or Mississauga home – or if you need maintenance on an already existing valve – contact D. Jason Plumbing today.