The Benefits of Hiring Drain Snaking Services

Imagine waking up to a clogged sink, water pooling around your feet as you shower, or a foul odour permeating your home. These plumbing nightmares can turn any homeowner’s day into a disaster. But fear not! There’s a superhero in the plumbing world ready to save the day—drain snaking.

When it comes to maintaining healthy and functional plumbing systems, drain snaking is an essential service that should not be overlooked. It involves the use of specialized tools, such as augers or drain snakes, to remove blockages in commercial pipes or household clogs in your plumbing system. Whether it’s a stubborn hairball in the bathroom drain or a buildup of grease in the kitchen sink, it is a reliable and efficient method to restore proper water flow.

By addressing the root cause of the problem instead of relying on temporary fixes, augering ensures that your plumbing system remains in optimal condition, preventing potential disasters down the line. This small but significant step will enable you to maintain a clean and healthy environment, prolong the lifespan of your plumbing system, as well as ensure the comfort of your household. Your expert Ontario plumber from Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning will tell you all you need to know about the nature of drain snaking and how to break through clogged drains effectively.

Understanding The Power Of Drain Snake Services

To truly appreciate the wonders of drain snaking, let’s delve into what it entails and how it works its magic when you face your plumbing issues. The plumbing snake, also known as an auger, involves using a coiled, flexible metal cable with a hook or blade on the end (known as a drain snake or auger) to break through clogs and clear blockages. This simple, flexible wire tool is inserted into the wastewater or sewer pipes and rotated, either manually or with the help of a motorized device, to dislodge or remove the obstruction with the auger head.

Benefits of Professional Drain Snaking

• Efficient Clog Removal: One of the primary advantages is its effectiveness in removing stubborn clogs. Unlike store-bought chemical drain cleaners or DIY baking soda methods that often offer temporary relief, drain snaking provides a thorough and long-lasting solution by directly addressing the root cause of the clog, whether it is a wastewater clog or sewer backup.
• Preventative Maintenance: Regular use can help prevent clogs from occurring in the first place. By proactively clearing debris, grease, hair clogs, and other buildup, you can maintain optimal water flow and avoid future plumbing issues.
• Cost-Effective Solution: Investing in professional plumbing services can save you money in the long run. By addressing minor clogs before they escalate into major issues, you can avoid costly repairs, pipe replacements, and water damage restoration.

Signs You Need Professional Drain Snaking Services

Knowing when to call in your local experts can save you time, effort, and frustration. Look out for these telltale signs:

Clogged or slow drains: If the water takes an eternity to go down or if you constantly find yourself dealing with recurring clogs, it’s a clear indication that professional drain snaking is necessary to restore efficient flow.

Foul odours: Unpleasant smells wafting from your sewer and wastewater lines could indicate a buildup of organic matter or stagnant water caused by a clog. Drain snaking can eliminate the odour-causing culprits and bring back a fresh scent to your home.

Gurgling sounds: Odd gurgling or bubbling noises coming from your drains might signify an underlying issue, such as a sewer line clog. The power of our professional services can help eliminate the obstruction and silence those unwelcome sounds.

Standing Water: When water pools around your feet while showering or in the sink basin after washing your hands and brushing your teeth, it suggests a blockage is preventing the water from going down. A drain snake will effectively remove the culprit, allowing the lines to flow freely once again.

Multiple clogged fixtures: When multiple fixtures in your home are experiencing simultaneous issues, such as multiple clogs in sinks or toilets, it suggests a blockage in the main line. The auger will clear the obstruction, resolving the problem. But keep in mind that when multiple fixtures are affected, it could indicate a problem with your main drain. A plumbing expert might need to investigate further with a video camera inspection, followed by drain cleaning using hydro jetting.

Clear sewer lines are the unsung heroes of a well-functioning home, and our professional services using an auger are the key to unlocking their potential. By understanding the power and benefits of professional drain snaking, you can ensure a clean, odour-free, and smoothly flowing-plumbing system. When it comes to entrusting your clogged drain removal needs to the experts, Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning stands head and shoulders above the rest, offering unparalleled expertise, advanced equipment, and a commitment to excellence. Your clear drains await!

What Are The Types Of Drain Snake Tools?

There are several types available, all with different uses. The most common types are:

• Handheld drain auger
• Closet auger cable
• Flat tape drain snake cable
• Drum Auger
• Toilet Augers
• Electric Drain Snakes or Augers

Each type has its own function, and usage will depend on the type of drain pipes or the severity of the clog. Our professional experts have years of experience and training on how to effectively use each type of auger and when.

Where Can Drain Snaking Be Used?

It is a versatile tool that can be used on multiple plumbing lines in your home—here are the most common locations it can be most effective:

• Sink Drains: Whether it’s a kitchen sink or bathroom sink, it can be used to clear clogs caused by food debris, soap scum, hair, or other solid materials that accumulate over time. It can reach deep into the lines and break up or remove the blockage.

• Shower & Bathtub Drains: Clumps of hair are the primary culprit for clogged bathtubs or shower drains. An auger can easily navigate through the plumbing lines and catch onto the hair, allowing professional plumbers to pull it out and restore proper drainage.

• Toilet Drains: When a plunger fails to clear stubborn toilet clogs, the snake can be a valuable tool. It can reach deeper into the plumbing system and break up or retrieve the blockage, whether it’s caused by excessive toilet paper or other foreign objects.

• Floor Drains: Commonly found in basements, garages, or laundry rooms, they can become clogged with dirt, debris, or even small objects. Using an auger can effectively clear these blockages, preventing potential flooding or standing water issues that lead to water damage and costly repairs.

• Outdoor Drains: They can also be very useful on outdoor drains, such as downspouts or yard drains, which become clogged with leaves, branches, or other outdoor debris. By using the auger, you can remove obstructions and ensure proper drainage around your home.

It’s important to note that different types of drains may require different types of augers. Relying on our professional plumbing experts ensures that the correct type of drain snake is used as well as it’s used effectively and efficiently, restoring the flow of your sewer lines and wastewater lines.

Areas Not to Use a Drain Snake

While drain snaking is an invaluable service and versatile tool for clearing clogs in various plumbing fixtures, there are certain situations where using it may not only be inappropriate but can be harmful.

• Toilet tank or bowl
• Garbage disposal
• Fragile or old pipes
• Chemically treated drains

Any time you are uncertain of if you have persistent, difficult clogs in drains, it’s best to reach out to a professional from Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning.

Why Choose Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning for Drain Snaking Services?

Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is a renowned and reputable plumbing company in Ontario Canada, that specializes in providing a wide range of plumbing services, including drain snaking. With a team of skilled and experienced plumbers, we have established our brand as a trusted name in the industry. We have a strong commitment to delivering high-quality workmanship and exceptional customer service to all our clients.

Our licensed plumbers are known for their expertise in residential plumbing and commercial plumbing services. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques to effectively diagnose and resolve all your plumbing issues. Whether it’s a minor clog or a major blockage in the mainline, our team has the knowledge and skills to tackle the problem efficiently and restore optimal water flow.

What sets our Hy-Pro Plumbers apart is their dedication to customer satisfaction. We understand the importance of a functional plumbing system and strive to provide reliable, prompt, and affordable solutions. Our friendly and professional plumbers ensure clear communication, as well as keep you informed and involved throughout the process.

Having built a strong reputation for our exceptional service and expertise in drain snaking, you can rely on our team, knowing that you’ll receive top-notch service from a team of plumbing experts.

Our expert professionals also understand the need for an emergency plumber, and we are here to service all of southwestern Ontario with 24/7 emergency plumbing services. No matter the time of day or day of the week, our technicians are fully trained to work quickly and effectively, ensuring your service is completed professionally and promptly with little disruption to your day.

When you need a plumber for any plumbing mishap or maintenance, you can count on our team to provide residential or commercial services promptly and proficiently!

Unleash The Power Of Drain Snaking With Our Exceptional Services!

When it comes to battling tough clogs and blockages, drain snaking emerges as the ultimate solution. With its ability to swiftly and effectively clear stubborn blockages, a drain snake can restore the smooth flow of water and bring you peace of mind. Don’t let plumbing nightmares ruin your day, trust in the power of our professional services to eliminate those nasty clogs and blockages once and for all, ensuring your plumbing fixtures, sewer lines, or wastewater lines are flowing smoothly once more.

Remember, when it comes to any of your plumbing services, you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out to the plumbing experts at Hy-Pro today to experience unparalleled service and expertise. It’s time to say goodbye to clogged drains and hello to a clean, efficiently flowing system.

Getting Rid of Drain Flies

Drain flies are a real pain in the neck for anyone who spends a lot of time in their kitchen. It’s not that they’re dangerous, loud, or prevent you from using your sink—they’re just downright annoying, and they multiply fast. If you have fruit flies in your drains, it’s a sign you have rotting food stuck in your drain line.

The funny thing about drain flies is that one day they just seem to appear out of thin air. It’s not just one, but many that hover around the opening of your drain, venturing over to any food you have sitting out for casual consumption and laying their eggs to multiply further. In other words, these fast-spreading insects are tough to get rid of, not to mention disgusting.

Since you’re here reading about how to get rid of drain flies, you’ve probably tried a few DIY methods already. From the chemical to the natural, there are certain tried and true methods that work, but homeowners such as yourself may have to go through a long list to find out which they are. To help you save time, money, and frustration when trying to eliminate these pesky winged creatures from your home, we have put together this guide to stop them in their tracks.

Before we take a dive down the drain, let’s spend some time talking about the specificities of drain flies. After all, getting to know your enemy is the first step in eliminating them for good. Trust us, your experienced Ontario plumber at Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning knows all the details and is here to help you get rid of drain flies for good!

What Are Drain Flies?

Psychodidae, or drain flies, are also called by other common names, including fruit flies, moth flies, sewer flies, sewer gnats, filter flies, and sink flies. With a mothlike appearance, you’ll find them hovering around your sinks and any other openings to the drains around your home. Why? Because they like to multiply in warm, moist areas with an abundance of decaying organic matter. Your compost bin, garbage disposal, fruit basket, and drain lines are the perfect spots.

These tiny flies enter through open windows and doors, and often you won’t even know you’ve let one in until their first batch of eggs has hatched. Typically, the common drain fly can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. But wait, it gets worse. From drain fly larvae to adult drain flies, this invasive species reaches maturity in just one week, and then they’re off to lay their own set of drain fly eggs and the cycle continues. Who ever thought that something so tiny would be such a big nightmare?

Are Drain Flies Dangerous?

No, drain flies aren’t going to hurt you. But they do carry bacteria from rotting organic matter with them from place to place. That means that if they go from your sewer drain to lay eggs in the fruit sitting on your counter, it may be slightly contaminated with that bacteria.

What Causes Drain Flies to Appear in Your Home?

You know that drain flies love warm, moist environments filled with organic matter, and you can probably see why kitchen drains would be their perfect egg-laying spot. But you may not know how much decaying organic matter is just out of sight down your drain line if you haven’t had it professionally cleaned in quite some time.

Whatever you wash down the sink gets flushed into your sewer line, right? Not exactly. Certain foods, such as pasta, rice, and other expandable carbohydrates, can easily get stuck in your drain. Because of the way the P-trap underneath your kitchen sink is shaped, foods often get lodged into the bends where over time, they sit and build up. If you neglect drain cleaning completely, eventually, they will form a clog, and you’ll experience a backup.

Similarly, if you have a garbage disposal, certain foods can get wrapped around the blades or dull the blades, leading your system to be less effective. The less power it has to break up food, the more it will get stuck in your drain. But sink drains aren’t the only location in and around your home you’ll find these flies. Compost piles, septic tanks, storm drains, floor drains, wet garbage areas, and wet mops can also house these pests—essentially anywhere with stagnant water. In addition to rotting food, sewage also makes the perfect breeding ground for drain flies.

These flies don’t care whether they lay their eggs as long as it has the right conditions. Their mission in life is to eat and reproduce, and your dirty drains fill both of those needs.

How To Get Rid Of Drain Flies Effectively

Fruit flies in drain lines can be overwhelming. Finding a way to stop them from multiplying can be trying. As for eradicating them completely? Next to impossible…if you don’t know the right methods.

Here are 5 foolproof ways to get rid of drain flies using completely natural solutions—no special products needed!

1. Single Ingredient Solution: Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water down your drain lines is as much about killing the drain flies as it is helping hardened grease and food get unstuck from the sides of your pipes. If you wash your dishes by hand or have ever poured oil down your drain, you can bet there is some accumulation of grease down there.

Fact about grease: it loves holding onto other foods. Think of it as a food magnet. Tiny pieces that would have otherwise flowed through to your sewer line stick to this putty-like substance and build over time. Cue, drain flies who have just found their new home.

To use this method, bring four quarts of water to a rolling boil. Make sure your sink is free of standing water, and carefully pour the hot water down your drain. Take care not to splash the water as you pour it. Repeat this process again every day for 7 days straight. Doing so will ensure the fly’s nest is gone and the organic material is thoroughly flushed through.

*Note: This method should only be done if you have metal pipes. It is not a viable method for PEX or PVC pipes as it can lead to damage.

2. Fizzy Scrubber: Baking Soda, Salt & Vinegar

What sounds like one ingredient surplus of a delicious potato chip is actually one of the most natural drain cleaners you can make. The best part? You most likely have all of these ingredients in your cupboard. Mix 1/2 a cup of salt, 1/2 a cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of vinegar to start the chemical reaction. Pour it down your empty drain immediately. The mixture will fizz and expand, reaching into the nooks and crannies of your pipes and helping to loosen up stuck-on material. Let this mixture sit in your drains overnight. In the morning, flush your drain with hot water.

3. Easy Trap: Apple Cider Vinegar

This solution isn’t one you’ll put down your drains. More so, it will eliminate the drain flies that are flying around your home. It won’t eliminate their nest, but if you’d like to catch the ones that are floating around your kitchen in between laying eggs, it’s a great option.

All you need is a shallow bowl, a piece of plastic wrap, and a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap. Put the vinegar in the bowl and squirt a drop of dish soap in it before wrapping the bowl with plastic wrap. Next, prick a few holes in the top of the plastic. They’ll detect the vinegar, enter through the holes and will not be able to get back out.

4. No Escape Route: Duct Taped Drain

This smart and simple trap requires very little effort on your part. Drain flies nest in the rotting food in your drain, and that’s where their eggs hatch. Once flies are ready to emerge, they come out of your drain. This method involves taping up the entrance of your drain with duct tape so that when they try to fly out, they will become stuck to the duct tape. While it may not eliminate all the flies in your drain, it will get the ones that are ready to fly at that moment.

5. Sweet Poison: Soap, Sugar, Vinegar & Water

With this confusing solution, drain flies won’t know what hit them. It involves mixing together 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture and put it in an uncovered bowl near your drain. The sugar and vinegar will attract the flies, while the soap will trap them and kill them.

Maintenance Tips To Prevent Drain Flies

The best way to never have drain flies in your home is to prevent them from finding a place they can call theirs. Since wet, organic matter is their preferred space to nest, removing all sources is a surefire way to stop them from breeding indoors. How exactly can you do it?

• Get professional drain cleaning services
• Never put food or grease down your drain lines
• Frequently flush your drains with boiling water*
• Remove all sources of standing water around your home
• Clean the outside of your drains with soap and water

Get Hy-Pro For Professional Drain Cleaning & Say Goodbye to Drain Flies For Good!

Want to prevent a drain fly infestation in your home? Get professional drain cleaning services from Hy-Pro. We can help rid your kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtub drains, showers, and all other drain lines of built-up organic matter and prevent clogs before they occur.

Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is Ontario’s top choice for the treatment of clogged drains. We offer residential, commercial, and emergency plumbing services to take care of a range of your most pressing plumbing needs. Whether you’re facing a backup, leak, or would like to safeguard your home from drain flies, don’t hesitate to give our valued customer service team a call at 1(877)544-9776.

Tank Vs Tankless Water Heater: Pros and Cons

Have you ever run out of hot water mid-shower? You likely have a tank water heater. Frequently found in regular homes, tank water heaters heat up gallons of water for daily use. But when that tank doesn’t fill and heat fast enough, you’re left waiting while cold and wet. In the debate of tank vs tankless water heaters, tank versions aren’t all bad. If you live alone, you’ll likely have all the hot water you need. Plus, they don’t come with all the expensive upfront costs of a tankless unit.

The decision of whether to choose a tank vs tankless water heater is a big one. In this post, our Ontario plumbers from Hy-Pro Plumbing and Drain Cleaning will walk you through the water heater differences. Plus, we’ll also show you how each unit works and what you can expect in terms of cost. All of these factors come into play in the decision-making process, so it’s important to understand what’s involved before you commit.

Tank Water Heater

How it works: A residential storage tank water heater has a capacity that ranges from 30 to 60 gallons. Whoever built your home or installed the heater likely took the size of the current household into consideration. The most common size of a water heater tank is 50 gallons, able to serve three to four people. These units heat water by way of electricity or gas, holding hot water in a tank so that it’s ready as soon as you turn on the tap.

Where it’s located: Traditional water heaters are usually found in basements. They’re located in the basement washroom or laundry room if you have one, or stored in the corner out of the way. This setup is ideal as you won’t have to stare at the 5-foot relic in your everyday life. Yet it’s still easily accessible should it require repairs or maintenance. If you do not have a basement, then your conventional storage tank water heater is likely in a closet in your kitchen or hallway.

Energy efficiency: Conserving energy, and thus saving money, is a priority for just about every homeowner. Tank water heaters are known to be less energy efficient than tankless units, which means you’ll shell out more money each year heating your cold water. Due to their increased flow rate, gas water heaters can be significantly cheaper to run than electric models. So regardless of which type of water heater you prefer, if you want to save money, go for gas.

Cost & Installation: Buying a brand-new tank water heater outright will cost you around $600, depending on the size and model. This price is before installation costs. If you already have an existing tank unit, then a replacement won’t be difficult.

Maintenance: Maintaining a tank water heater is relatively easy. The tank should be flushed periodically, especially with the GTA’s hard water supply. Tank units can encounter clogs in their lines, sediment buildup, broken heating elements, and faulty thermostats. They may also run into issues with corrosion. Therefore, getting an annual inspection is a good way to prevent this, as well as larger issues that may occur in the future.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Affordable up-front cost
• Water in the tank is hot and ready for use 24/7
• Trusted system

Cons

• Higher energy costs
• Wastes energy by maintaining hot water temperatures constantly
• Major leaks are an issue
• Must wait to heat water after draining the tank

Tankless Water Heater

How it works: Tankless units are also called on-demand water heaters. Just from reading the name, you can already tell they’re more convenient at heating water than tank units as they supply hot water on demand. Tankless units heat water using a heat exchanger as it passes through, negating the need for a large tank and the associated costs of maintaining the heat of the water inside of it. These types of water heaters run on electricity or gas.

Where it’s located: Unlike tank units, tankless heaters mount on a wall. They don’t take up much space at all and don’t look as unsightly. This is fantastic for small houses without basements, but even if you have a basement, who wouldn’t appreciate the extra floor space? Tankless units measure about 2’x1’ in total size.

Energy efficiency: Gas models cost less to run than electricity-powered units because gas is less expensive than electricity at this point. Because tankless water heaters heat water as it passes through the heating element, there’s no need for the system to consistently use electricity. This means the appliance will use less energy overall, and your utility bills will be lower than if you had a tank heater. With that said, because an electric water heater draws a lot of power, you may need to upgrade your electrical service.

Cost & installation: One of the main points in the tank vs tankless water heater debate in favour of tank models is initial cost and installation. Depending on the size of your home and household, the tankless water heater installation requires a fair amount of work. It involves drilling through the walls to access your water lines. So the more access you need, the more expensive it will be.

Prices for tankless models start at around $3,500, but they can cost over $7,000 for the unit alone. Installation fees can range up to $1,500, bordering the more expensive side if you are converting your home from a tank to an electric tankless water heater. The installation process of a tankless unit is also a bit more complex and requires the help of a licensed plumber.

Maintenance: Tankless units don’t have a tank, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion or leaks. The hard water supply in the GTA means that you should flush your tankless unit periodically. However, little else is required to ensure it runs effectively other than cleaning out the sediment filter. You will need the help of a professional plumber for these kinds of maintenance tasks.

Pros

• Uses less energy/higher energy savings
• No standby heat loss maintaining temperature
• Lower risk of leaks/less severe leaks
• Saves space
• Longer lifespan

Cons

• Expensive upfront costs
• May require energy upgrades
• Long payback time

Tank vs Tankless Water Heater: Which Is Right For Your Home?

Whether you’re building your home from the ground up or deciding whether to replace a tank storage water heater with a tankless model, you should consider the above points carefully. Once you’ve made your final decision, see below for what to expect during installation and beyond.

Tank Water Heater

Tankless water heaters may be the way of the future, but they’re not right for every home. Choosing a traditional tank water heater may make more sense for your current budget and heated water needs. If you’ve landed on a tank hot water heater as the right choice for your abode, the installation process is relatively easy.

What’s Involved

If you are replacing an existing tank water heater, you will need to first drain the current tank before unhooking the water and electric supply or gas lines. You’ll then install the pressure relief valve, heat trap fittings, and water line connections before filling the holding tank and connecting the thermostat. You’ll also need to set the thermostat to your preferred temperature levels. While installing a tank hot water heater is relatively simple, any type of device that deals with electricity and plumbing lines is best handled by a professional plumber. Tank models have a shorter lifespan than tankless units, while gas-powered models have a longer life expectancy than electrical models.

Tankless Water Heater

It’s common for homeowners to switch up their tank unit to a tankless model, but not the other way around. As you can see from the pros and cons outlined above, the tankless water heater vs tank heater debate favours tankless units from the angles of convenience and energy efficiency. Plus, once you convert your home for a tankless unit, you don’t want to have to go through the trouble of converting it back. So what’s exactly involved in the process?

What’s Involved

Installing a tankless unit is a lengthy process that involves draining your old tank unit with a hose and bucket and mounting the new tankless unit. These are the easy steps. The next includes connecting the pipes to your new system, installing flow and pressure valves, and then bleeding the hot water system before double-checking all the electric wiring. Because tankless hot water heater installation requires plumbing and electrical work, it’s important to hire a professional plumber that’s certified in electrical work for the job. Proper tests must be carried out before the heater can be used, and the temperature settings must be configured to deliver the desired temperature. Choosing the correct settings can help you save more on your energy bills.

Call Hy-Pro For Professional Water Heater Replacement & Installation

Installing a water heater for the first time? Replacing an old unit with an updated one? You can count on Hy-Pro Plumbing and Drain Cleaning for expert service and advice. If, after reading this blog, you’re still debating water tank vs tankless units, give our knowledgeable team a call. We can help recommend the right type of unit for your needs as well as which size or fuel type is correct for your home. We’re the professional plumbers you can trust for quality installations and replacements!

Call (877)554-9776 today to speak with our friendly customer care agents or to book an appointment. While you’re here, we invite you to learn more about our other popular plumbing services, including drain cleaning, pipe bursting, and sump pump services.

Few plumbing problems are more common — and more frustrating — than a clogged drain. Are you currently suffering from the effects of soft blockage build-up? Do you need some professional drain cleaning tips? Are you wondering what options exist for decreasing your future blockage risk? All of that information is essential for everyone with toilets, sinks, and utility drains.

Drain clogs affect all properties in Southern Ontario. Older buildings are certainly more susceptible, but every local property owner is at risk. Nobody is safe from bad pipe jams, no matter what type of building you live in or where you live. Every property with plumbing in Ontario and Canada is vulnerable to the effects of obstructions.

Stubborn clogs are a way of life for many people, but bad blockage doesn’t have to be a daily bother. Hy-Pro is here to help you solve those problems with tips for how to do it yourself and advice for how to stop them from returning. Of course, we’re also always available to clear away stubborn drain clogs, if you need our help.

Despite the fact that clogged drains are a regular problem in Ontario, many homeowners aren’t prepared to properly resolve that issue — and prevent it from making future appearances. If you find yourself making an appointment for plumbing service too often, or you’re wondering what professional plumbers use to handle severe sewer blockage, you’ll benefit from reading a few clogged drain tips.

How To Fix a Clogged Drain

Don’t worry about that sink full of water in your kitchen or that toilet threatening to overflow. Many people are capable of clearing clogs on their own. If you own a plunger, you’re already half-way done. If you don’t own a plunger, now is the time to buy one.

Initial Inspection:

Professional drain repair services often start with an inspection. DIY drain repairs should start there too. It doesn’t take long, and if the standing water in your shower is being caused by something simple like a buildup of hair twisted around your cover, you’ll be glad you took the time to check.

Start your inspection by removing your drain stopper, strainer, or cover. If your standing water immediately flows away, that’s a clear sign your cover needs a scrub. Ensure all grime, slime, and sludge is removed and return it to its resting place until it needs another cleaning.

If you’re unlucky enough to have a clogged drain that isn’t caused by a grimy cover, then you’ll need a more thorough unclogging method. Luckily, you have several options! Your trusty plunger is the best place to start, but some homeowners manage to clear clogs with just a few basic household items.

Clogged Drain Repair Methods:

Using a Plunger: Clearing blockage with a plunger is simple and intuitive. Just place your plunger over the opening, thrust back and forth, and wait for your standing water to clear away. Ensure that there’s enough water in your fixture to cover the rim of your plunger, otherwise you’ll struggle to create an effective seal.

Using Hot Water, Vinegar, & Baking Soda: If you don’t have a plunger, a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water might be enough to remove your built-up blockage. Use equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda, one half to one full cup at most.

The easiest method to get them down the drain is by using a funnel. Pour in the baking soda, then the vinegar. Wait for the reaction to stop, then wait another five minutes. Flush everything out with hot water, and repeat as needed.

Using a Drain Snake: Snaking a drain is another option for dealing with a sink clog in Ontario. You’ll want gloves for this, because a plumbing snake is designed to grab grime and pull it out. You should probably move your toothbrush away from the sink too.

To use a manual snake, simply insert the bristled end into your pipe, push it down until it hits the blockage, twist it around to grab everything in your drain pipe, and pull it out. Be ready for a little mess to come with it.

Clogged Drain Repair Tips: 

• If you’re having trouble creating a seal with your cup plunger, try rubbing a little petroleum jelly around the rim.
• If one side of your double sink is backed-up, make sure you plug the other side before you start.
• Cover the overflow hole in your bathroom sink with plumber’s tape or jam it with a wet rag to get better suction.
• Avoid using boiling water in porcelain fixtures, as sudden temperature changes could create cracks.
• A regular plumbing snake may scratch your toilet bowl; plumbing professionals use toilet augers instead.
• Drano and other chemical cleaners damage fixtures and pipes with repeated use, and they aren’t effective for removing tougher clogs.
• Bleach will disinfect blockage, but it won’t remove it.
• Never mix bleach and vinegar, two different drain cleaners, or any other household cleaning products.

How to Stop Future Clogs

The Cause

Stopping a problem should always start at the source. Unfortunately, the cause of plumbing blockage is inside Ontario’s water. It’s also probably sitting in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room right now. There are two types of pipe obstructions: hard blockage and soft blockage. Hard blockage refers to larger debris like tree roots, stones, and even toys. Soft blockage is caused by smaller debris — and it builds-up naturally over time.

Soap scum, minerals in Ontario’s water, and everything else you flush all contributes to soft blockage. If you flush harmful food waste like bacon grease or problematic materials like paper towels, then soft blockage becomes much worse — yet avoiding those materials won’t stop it from growing. Unless you stop using soap, soap scum will always build-up inside your pipes alongside natural minerals and everyday slime.

The Solution:

Just because soft blockage is inevitable, doesn’t mean you can’t fight back. There are many methods for fighting slime and preventing future plumbing issues in Ontario. All you need is a little knowledge, a little time, a few basic components, and preventative maintenance from a skilled Ontario plumber.

1. Don’t Flush Harmful Materials

What shouldn’t you flush? Truthfully, pretty much everything. Pipes are only supposed to transport three things: water, human waste, and toilet paper. Even too much toilet paper could create a clogged toilet. If you don’t want a jam, avoid everything on the list of harmful debris below. Just to be safe, it’s a good idea to never flush anything that isn’t water, waste, or toilet paper.

HARMFUL MATERIALS INCLUDE:

• Fats, oils, & grease
• Paper towels, tissues, & so-called “flushable” wet wipes
• Coffee grounds
• Egg shells
• Cotton swabs & Q-tips
• Dental floss
• Hair
• Personal hygiene products
• Medication
• Paint
• Dirt, soil, & gravel
• Bones & food scraps

2. Include Your Drains in Household Cleaning

While you’re cleaning the surfaces in your bathroom or kitchen, take a few minutes to pour a solution of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water into your sinks, showers, and tubs. Regularly cleaning your pipes will minimize the effects of soap scum, grease, and mineral build-up in your drain lines.

Use this time to clean your coverings too. Clumps of tangled hair, food debris, and other waste caught in a drain trap are all common clog culprits. Strainers and covers are there to protect you. Cleaning off built-up grime helps them do their job well.

3. Install Strainers & Covers

Completely open drainage lines are easy opportunities for plumbing issues, not only from standard sources like soap scum, but also from hard blockage linked to dropped objects. You’d be surprised how many toys and cell phones end up inside Ontario pipes.

Strainers, covers, and drain traps are most essential for stopping regular debris like hair and food waste, but they’ll also stop jewellery, toys, and smartphones from slipping out of someone’s hands and into a sewer pipe. A Ontario home without full protection is more at risk for emergency plumbing problems.

4. Get Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Nothing offers more protection or better results than professional service for clogged drain repairs. Skilled plumbers aren’t just great at removing tough clogs. They also provide outstanding cleaning service that eradicates all grime — from your toilet to your mainline.

Every Ontario homeowner should make a regular appointment for professional drain cleaning service. Home solutions are great for slowing sludge, but baking soda and vinegar won’t completely restore your lines. They definitely won’t remove tree roots from a buried sewer line — but professional drain cleaning will.

When Should You Call a Trusted Plumber for Clogged Drain Repair?

Plumbers are always available for anything you can’t handle yourself. If a tough clog in your kitchen sink drain just won’t go away — even after hours of plunging — consider calling a plumber. The advanced equipment used by licensed plumbers is more powerful than standard tools. When you pair that technology with the expertise of an experienced plumber, there isn’t a clog they can’t handle.

Signs You Need Emergency Service

Sometimes, a clog is more serious than just standard blockage. Some plumbing issues are signs of sewer blockage deep in your system. If you ever see any emergency warning signs, make an immediate call to your trusted plumber. Every second you wait could be increasing your risks for costly repairs.

Serious Warning Signs:

• Revolting sewage odours
• Gurgling toilets
• Flushing toilets creates a backup somewhere else
• Clogs in multiple fixtures at the same time
• Wastewater or black sewage seeping into your tub
• Isolated patches of sudden, lush growth in your lawn
• Small puddles in your yard that don’t go away
• Sinkholes in your yard
• Cracks caused by a shifting foundation

An issue with your main sewage line will spread throughout your home because it connects to every other waste line. Toilets have the most direct connection to sewage mains, which is why issues with a mainline often affect them first. Tubs and other lower fixtures are also more vulnerable than higher fixtures like sinks. Always watch for early warning signs and request professional help when you see them.

How Do Plumbers Fix Clogged Drains?

Skilled plumbers have access to a wide range of potential options for clogged drain repairs, but they often start with a plunger. Where regular folks in South Ontario might be stuck with their standard cup plunger, plumbers utilize advanced options like toilet plungers and taze plungers. Plumbers rely on those essential tools first, and they move on to more advanced equipment if those basic solutions are ineffective.

Powered Augers & Toilet Augers

What is a toilet auger? It’s a specially designed industrial drain snake created just for clearing clogged toilets. Toilet augers have a long curved neck covered with a material that protects porcelain from scratches. Inside their long necks is an extendible, flexible cable that plumbers push into toilets and spin with a handle to remove bigger blockage.

Powered augers are similar, but they look more like power drills. Sometimes an electric drill is actually what powers the auger, but many powered augers have their own internal power source. In either case, a powered auger is a device that sends a cable into a plumbing line and removes debris. They come in different sizes, from handheld models for sink drains to larger units used for sewer systems.

Jetting Technology

Hydro jetting equipment like the jetting technology used by Hy-Pro is powerful enough to destroy all blockage in your waste lines. Using pressurized water that shoots out of a specially designed hose, hydro jets clean every inch of your interior pipe walls. That pressurized water is no joke. It can even cut away tree roots!

Hetting is a complete drain cleaning solution. By annihilating all clogs and eliminating every ounce of grime, hydro jetting leaves your pipes looking and working like they’re brand-new. Few options for plumbing repair provide as amazing results as hydro jetting.

Are You Looking for Clogged Drain Repair?

You found Ontario’s trusted plumbing experts! Hy-Pro Plumbing provides convenient appointments and 24/7 emergency services at no extra charge. Whether you need routine maintenance or immediate assistance with your clogged drain, our courteous, uniformed professionals are here to help!

Did you know that the water supply main running under your property is your responsibility? Ontario’s service lines are divided between two groups. Those leading from a public main to your property borders are owned and maintained by city services. The sections that lead from property boundaries to homes are owned by homeowners — and it’s their responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace them.

Water pipe services are also split between two related groups: traditional methods and trenchless methods. Traditional methods require more digging, take longer, and create additional landscaping damage. Trenchless methods were designed to eliminate those issues and facilitate faster, effective repairs.

At Hy-Pro we use trenchless technology for both water line and sewer pipe service. If you’re curious about what “trenchless” actually means, how that equipment works, and the common situations that those technologies solve for Ontarians, we’re here to help. We’ve got answers to all your questions about trenchless plumbing technology — and outstanding service whenever you need it.

What are Trenchless Water Line Repairs?

When plumbers talk about trenchless repairs, they’re usually referring to relining, a broad category of techniques and tools. Each of those solutions were created to ease the impact of major plumbing repairs and potential conflict with horizontal and vertical obstacles in urban environments. In this context, those obstacles include people, traffic, and nearby structures — horizontal obstacles — and the crowded underground environment, full of other service lines — vertical obstacles.

Relining Methods:

Cured-In-Place: With this method, a tube of resin fabric is prepared and then inserted directly or pulled through with a winch. That lining is then heated to bond the resin and the existing walls, creating a strong new interior lining. CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) materials have a wide variety of applications and varying levels of strength for different needs. They work best with four to twenty-four diameter water mains.

Fold & Formed: This method uses factory-prepared plastic material that’s been pre-heated and folded. The folded liner is winched through and heated by a device that expands the new material until it coats the existing interior walls.

Slip Liner: Instead of using a folded form or CIPP material, slip liners consist of joined sections that are smaller than the existing damaged water lines. They’re inserted directly into buried pipes and supported by an added layer of grout that maintains strength.

How Long Does Pipe Lining Take?

Depending on the size of a job, it’s often possible to complete relining in a single full day. For major water line or sewer replacement, it could take an additional day or two, but smaller, isolated repairs — the type often handled by lining solutions — can be completed by a professional plumbing team in a single day or less.

What is Trenchless Water Line Replacement?

Trenchless replacement typically refers to pipe bursting, a technique for water and sewer line replacement that destroys entire sections of damaged underground pipes and pulls in new piping at the same time. The purpose of bursting is to complete major replacements on plumbing laterals — buried fixtures that connect to  the public system — without inflicting a major excavation scheme or halting traffic flow for an entire street.

How Does Trenchless Water Line Replacement Work?

Inspections:

Every appointment for water main or sewer replacement begins with a thorough inspection to determine the location of both the damaged areas, any connected sections, and any nearby service lines that might present additional obstacles.

Minor Excavations:

After an initial inspection, plumbers complete a small excavation, often near your property borders, to create a launch pit for your new piping. Afterwards, the winch and other necessary equipment are set up in the newly dug launch pit and inside your home at your main connection point.

Although trenchless replacement eliminates the need to dig trenches, it’s still often necessary to complete that minimal excavation. It may also be necessary to excavate the area nearby to ensure that branch pipes are not damaged. Even with that digging, the effects of trenchless technology on groomed landscaping and nearby structures are still less extreme than the damage caused by older excavation repair methods.

Cleaning:

If there’s a significant amount of blockage, tree roots, or other debris sitting inside your buried pipes, it will be necessary to clean them before it’s possible to pull through trenchless equipment and new sections.

Whether you’re just getting relining service or full trenchless pipe replacement, it’s vitally important that all lines are clear before service begins. Luckily, many plumbers also have non-invasive equipment for efficiently eliminating all traces of debris — including tree roots!

Bursting:

After all preparation is complete, a cone-shaped bursting head is winched through damaged sections, cracking and crumbling them as it passes through. That debris is then pushed into the surrounding soil to make room for the new sections that are attached to the back of the bursting tool and pulled into place.

Why Should You Get Trenchless Water Line Services?

If a sudden increase in your water bill — or any of the trenchless repair warning signs — have drawn your attention to issues with your buried plumbing systems, then you need repairs from a professional plumber. In Ontario, homeowners have the option to choose trenchless or traditional techniques. Both options involve several hours and complicated steps to repair broken water lines, but one has far more benefits than the other.

The Benefits of Trenchless Repairs & Replacements

Lower Project Costs:

With traditional digging and repairs, costs rise as quickly as water in a flooded basement. The faster speed of trenchless services and the reduced need for large trenches both reduce the labour and parts required to complete the service — for everything from spot repairs to sewer replacement and water line replacement. As with many home systems, that increased efficiency lowers costs for homeowners.

The reduced damage to landscaping and your surrounding property also lowers the common associated costs of major plumbing failure investigations and repairs. Rather than paying for major landscaping repairs and hiring contractors to fix damage done to your home, you could take advantage of a non-invasive service that provides outstanding, lasting results in less time and with fewer chances of significantly damaging property.

Improved Pipe Strength & Efficiency:

With the results of bursting, it’s possible to increase the capacity of pipes by as much as 30 percent. Even with slip liners, which are often smaller than existing piping, efficiency and protection still improves. Why is that? The materials used for pipe lining have lower friction than copper water lines and other common piping materials. That means water and sewage move through relined pipes much faster.

Those replacement materials are also stronger than the existing walls of your current lines. The effects of lining and bursting are like having brand-new pipes installed, which means that your home will be better protected against future damage and catastrophic failures.

Safer, Worry-Free Service:

Fixing buried plumbing comes with a collection of extra health hazards and safety procedures — especially if a professional plumbing team is digging invasive trenches. Trenchless pipe replacement and repairs greatly reduce the risk of damaging nearby power lines, sewage systems, and structures.

The hassle-free experience of trenchless technology isn’t just quicker and less costly; it also provides more peace of mind for property owners concerned about accidental damage, potential injuries, and adverse health effects. Non-invasive plumbing technology reduces risk — for both plumbers and occupants.

Do You Want Trenchless Water Line Replacement Service or Repairs?

The licensed, skilled plumbers at Hy-Pro provide convenient appointments and emergency services across South Eastern Ontario! Trenchless technology is just one of the advanced tools and techniques that we use.

The most wretched of plumbing problems for Ontario residents is a sewage backup in which you have to evacuate your humble abode. Imagine this–raw and contaminated wastewater being upchucked back into your basement and plumbing fixtures including your sinks, bathtubs, showers, shower heads, and then some. A home’s sewer line consists of all the pipework located deep underneath the ground which includes the main sewer lateral which is connected to the municipal sewage system. Lately, if you’ve noticed the piping in your house seems to have fallen into disrepair, for example, with multiple, sluggish, or backed-up drains this is something to be concerned about. Especially if you have been exposed to a nasty clog the blockage itself will tend to emerge in your bathroom sink, disappear only to reappear again in the toilet or shower drain highlighting there is something faulty with your drainage lines. But above all, this illustrates that your sewer lateral may potentially be critically damaged from a severe blockage as it bears the brunt of all of your home’s disposed of used and dirty water and flushed-down debris. It’s best not to leave sewer pipes repair unattended by asking for sewer pipes repair from a qualified, licensed, and fully insured Ontario plumber from Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning. But first, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on what exactly a residential sewage line is so you can uncover the numerous benefits of a sewer pipes repair or replacement.

What Is A Sewer Drainage Pipe & Why Is It Important?

A sewer drain line is in charge of transporting your home’s used and dirty wastewater from plumbing fixtures to the city’s sewage disposal system where it is thoroughly sanitized and discarded. If you’ve found yourself to be complacent about your plumbing system’s proper upkeep including routine maintenance with an annual professional inspection from a professional plumber it’s no wonder your underground pipe has broken down and needs sewer pipes repair. Responsible homeowners who’ve been keen on preventative maintenance, for example, through a hydro jetting drain cleaning to get rid of icky muck lingering inside of the pipes will rarely if ever encounter a clogged sewer line. Unfortunately, some Ontarians choose to outright ignore a clog and sooner or later find their sewage pipes have cracked and fractured due to excessive pressure from a rigid blockage. Recall that clogs are like a bad toothache and never truly go away until you address the root cause of the plumbing problem through sewer pipes repair. Ontario property owners will find that the longer they procrastinate the worse their pipes will plug up from a clog with the potential and looming threat of a sewer backup resulting in costly and permanent water and moisture damage including mold and mildew growth. Nowadays, we have innovative, non-invasive, and trenchless sewer pipes repair tactics that are used for standard sewer repair. Ontario homeowners don’t have to fret about a big, muddy gash being dug across their property line for sewer pipes repair as our expert plumber will at most make a couple of incisions to access the sewer line.

What Causes The Need For Sewer Pipes Repair? 

There is a method to the madness of avoiding a foul clog and a lot of it has to do with your daily lifestyle and behaviors especially tossing items down your drainage pipes which must otherwise be banned. A clog is due to the accumulation of debris and residue which slowly coalesces into a solid blockage. For starters, here is a list of items you must never trash into your plumbing fixtures (but toss into your garbage can, recycling bin, or compost pail instead–reuse, reduce, and recycle!) lest you will encounter a clog sometimes soon:

• Soap scum
• Dead skin flakes and nails
• Hair strands
• Food waste and leftovers including coffee grounds, eggshells, rice, pasta, fruit pits, seeds, etc.
• Fats, oil, and grease (FOG)
• Flushable wipes
• Paper towel
• Too much toilet paper
• Diapers
• Feminines hygiene products
• Single-use disposables (i.e. cotton rounds)
• Dental floss
• Band-aids
• Contact lens
• Small toys
• Jewelry
• Plastic packaging
• Chemical drain cleaners
• Medication
• Tree roots intrusion

Eventually, this accumulated debris will forge into a tough blockage that sticks and lingers to your pipe’s walls. Most store-bought solutions such as drain catchers or remedies such as a concoction of baking soda and vinegar are all but temporary solutions to the deeper underlying problem of a clog and a potentially ruptured drainage line in need of sewer pipes repair. The only way you can readily prevent a clog is to remain extra vigilant about what you are discarding daily, plus ask a trained plumber to scrub away the sludge at least once per year. Let’s face it–nobody wants to be exposed to harmful wastewater chock-full of toxins, bacteria, and pathogens nor do they want to put at risk the structural integrity of their home. But be mindful of the fact there is only so much battering your home’s plumbing system can take as it’s not bulletproof and if you’re not careful will need sewer pipes to repair sooner rather than later.

5 Telltale Signs You Need A Sewer Line Repair

Multiple, Slow, Or Sluggish Drains

The biggest culprit for a slow drainage line is a clog which is the result of accumulated debris that constructs the streamlined flow of water throughout your pipes. Most of us don’t realize the sheer amount of waste we discard daily all due to our eating, drinking, and bathing routines. Eventually, all of these excess materials combine to suffocate and stifle your drainage pipes, and sooner or later you will need sewer pipes repair. And if not for your habits a clog can also emerge due to an accident such as dropping a piece of jewelry down the kitchen sink which can create a troublesome obstacle in your pipes. If consistent plunging has become a hassle for you, you’ve heard gurgling and bubbling noises each time you turn on the faucet or have whiffed in a putrid and rotting odor from the drain holes–these are all red flags you have a handful of clogged drains in need of sewer pipes repair.

Clogs And Leakages

At the end of the day, a clog can cause a ripple effect of further problems if it’s not removed. If a clog is left undealt it can result in a plumbing leak within the pipes connected to sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and garbage disposals. A clog can cause water to back up within the drainage pipe and plumbing fixtures such as the bathroom sink. Eventually, the standing water in the pipes and fixtures will cause leaks through the caulking that seals and binds it together. One way you can gauge if your house has a clog is to take note of certain signs such as multiple slow drains, a foul rotting-egg-like odor usually due to sulfur dioxide, mold and mildew in the basement, and a pest and insect invasion from water-loving bugs like cockroaches and drain flies.

Foul Odors 

If you have sniffed an absolutely pungent smell wafting from your drainage holes it’s normally due to odor-causing bacteria which is feeding on debris inside of your pipes and making it a breeding ground of sorts. As a result of the digestion process, a foul hydrogen sulfide gas will be emitted which smells like rotting eggs. If there is mold present given the warm and moist innards of the pipe this only exacerbates the smelly situation.

Discolored Rust And Corrosion

Sometimes if any accumulated debris such as sediment and mineral build-up especially from unfiltered and hard water is left alone it can rust due to oxidation. This will potentially result in corrosion. Specific materials such as concrete or metal pipes are more vulnerable to discolored rust than PVC plastic-based ones. 

Mold And Mildew Growth

Mold is a type of fungal growth and can grow on any damp surface only to spread rapid-fire as it’s contagious to other parts of the house if it’s not completely scrubbed away. These teeny-tiny mold spores can linger endlessly as they are airborne. If you have noticed an unpleasant odor described above from your plumbing fixtures mold has likely cropped up as moist and humid areas inside your pipes and around the drain are the ideal conditions for it to morph and multiply. One quick DIY home remedy to lessen the likelihood of mold lingering is to concoct a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to pour it down the drain which will somewhat prevent the problem from spreading too quickly.

Hy-Pro Plumbing Will Mend Your Sewer Pipes Into Shipshape Condition!

Now that you’ve been given the 411 of what to expect for a sewer pipes repair in the circumstance your drainage pipes become damaged you can be aware of halting the floodgates to any sewage backup. At Hy-Pro Plumbing apart from sewer pipes repair, we also offer other residential and commercial plumbing services from drain cleaning, to clogged drains to frozen pipe repair. Go ahead and reach out to one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives at 1-877-554-9776 who will be more than glad to answer any inquiries as they eagerly await your response.

Why Sump Pump Repairs Can’t Wait

Your city has had a considerable amount of rain recently, but have you thought about the working condition of your sump pump? Do you even have one installed on your property? If you do not have the answers to these questions, it’s a smart idea to find them quickly so you can get sump pumps repair by an Ontario plumber. Whether or not you’re currently experiencing wet weather, assessing the condition of your sump pump is an important part of home maintenance that can help prevent flooding and structural damage.

What Is A Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a device that’s used to remove excess water from around the base of your home. With heavy rain and melting snow, water will make its way into your sump pit where it will then be pumped away from the building to prevent water damage. Sump pumps detect rising water levels, and when water reaches a certain mark, the pump is triggered to quickly suction it out of the pit or sump basin.

Like most mechanical systems, sump pumps can run into trouble. As you can imagine, this can lead to major issues which is why it is so important to inspect the condition of your pump and call a professional for sump pump repair as soon as it’s needed.

The Benefits of Sump Pumps | Repair Is Key

When you have a fully functional sump pump, the benefits it brings are bountiful. However, with time, those benefits start to lessen. The solution? Repair or sump pump replacement. Repairs will get your sump pump back up and running efficiently so that you can experience all of the same advantages you had when you first installed it.

Reduces Risk of Flooding

Flooding is one of the biggest risks to homeowners. Why? Because it causes water damage which not only ruins your belongings and causes structural damage to your home, but also puts your house at risk for mold growth. Mold grows within 24 hours of moisture exposure, and when coupling a wet basement with Ontario’s hot, humid summers, your dwelling is at serious risk of needing mold remediation—a much larger service you don’t want to have to deal with

A house without a sump pump is at serious risk of basement flooding, but also sewage backups. A properly working pump can help prevent this plumbing disaster by directing excess water away from the home preventing it from causing a backup.

Decreases Humidity in Your Home

When excess water is lying around the base of your home, it can enter your home and increase humidity levels. While this may be a good thing for your skin, it’s certainly not for your comfort—especially in the summer months when air conditioners are used to help decrease temperature and humidity indoors. With more humidity, your air conditioner may need to work harder to keep your home cooler, raising your energy consumption and bills. In addition, this excess humidity can lead to the growth of mold.

Lessens Chance of Electrical Fire

Having a properly working sump pump is considered a preventative safety measure you can take in your home. When floods happen unexpectedly in your basement, you won’t have time to unplug your electronics, leading to short circuiting and possibly fires.

What Causes Sump Pump Failure?

When you’ve inspected your sump pump and found it to be broken or malfunctioning, you’re probably left wondering what causes it to fail in the first place. Knowing why sump pumps fail is key to preventing issues in the future.

1. The sump pump is the wrong size. If you have chosen a pump that is either too large or too small for your home, it could lead to the unit putting in more work than is needed. Every time the pump turns on, it may be generating more power necessary to complete the job or work harder than it should to pump away excess water. A call to your local expert plumbers can help you find the right sump pump for the size of your home or building.
2. The discharge pipe is clogged. A clogged sump pump happens when dirt and debris get caught and build up in the pipe, but they can also be caused by the ice formed in the winter. If your pump can’t move the water through the pipe, it will simply send it back to where it came from, resulting in flooding and leaks.
3. The pump is dirty. Because of where sump pumps are located (in basements or crawl spaces), it’s common for them to get dirty. But the accumulation of dirt can prevent certain parts from operating properly. Thankfully, this one cause of sump pump failure is easy to solve with a quick cleaning by a professional plumber.
4. Your electric pump has no power. If you do not have a battery back-up sump pump and your home is experiencing a power failure your sump pump will shut down. This is troubling in power outages during storms with heavy rainfall as there will be nothing you can do to resolve the issue until power is restored to your home. Ask a Hy-Pro representative about our battery backup pumps.
5. The float switch can’t move. The float is the feature on a sump pump that tells the pump how much water is in your basin. It signals the pump to start working to move water out of the pit and away from your home. When the float is stuck, it cannot do this. Floats can get stuck due to dirt or because the pump has shifted positions over time.
6. The pump is old. If you don’t know how old the sump pump is in your home, it’s likely time to replace it. On average, you’ll get 10 years of use from a sump pump.

How To Fix Faulty Sump Pumps | Repair & Replacement

Calling a professional for sump pump repair is one of the smartest decisions Ontarians can make. Why? Because it will help them avoid basement flooding, damage to their home’s foundation, and even issues with their driveways.

How Do I Know My Sump Pump Needs Help?

Knowing when your sump pump needs repair or replacement is important, but how exactly can you tell? Calling a professional can help, but there are ways Ontario homeowners can glean information about a broken sump pump too. Also, knowing when your current sump pump is having trouble can prevent breakdowns and issues from occurring, so be sure to look out for the following signs.

• Strange noises: If you’ve ever heard a pump, you know it turns on and off when needed. No pump should ever make clunking, whistling, or worrisome vibrating noises, but if yours does, you should call a professional plumber right away.
• Musty smells: Musty odors usually come from mold or mildew. These two fungi need moisture and heat to grow, and a small leak from your sump pump provides the perfect setup.
• The basin is full of water: If your pump isn’t running when there is a basin full of water, it isn’t removing it. Alternatively, if the pit is empty but the pump is constantly running, you also have a problem on your hands.

The Sump Pump Repair Process

There are so many different issues that occur with your unit and a few different types of sump pumps. Whether you have submersible sump pumps or pedestal sump pumps, repair isn’t always straightforward and often needs a professional eye. Calling a reliable plumber to help is an easy way to ensure any and all problems that your pump is facing are taken care of.

So how exactly does sump pump repair work? The process starts with diagnosis. We’ll need to assess the condition of your pump and see how it’s performing. Based on our inspection, we’ll get to the root of the issue and take the necessary steps to resolve it. If your sump pump is very old, we might recommend replacing it over repairing it. For us, no job is ever too small or too large. Whether you would simply like the condition of your unit inspected or are facing issues with one responsible for an entire apartment building, we can help.

Need Help With Your Sump Pumps? Repair Is Just One Call Away

The most common mistake homeowners make when it comes to their sump pumps is not calling a professional for sump pump maintenance or repairs. Trying to tackle a repair on their own is problematic for many Ontario residents and doesn’t usually end in success. That’s because sump pump issues can range greatly, and properly diagnosing every issue that occurs is tricky for the untrained eye.

That’s where we come in. Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning offers a reliable service for sump pumps. Repair and replacement are our specialties, as we’re properly trained and have all of the necessary skills, experience, and tools to perform the job correctly. Ontario can have peace of mind and rely on our fast service and the fact that we have a Master Plumber on the job at all times. Licensed and insured, we’re the plumbing company locals can trust for quality workmanship, expert knowledge, and courteous service.

Ready to give some attention to your sump pumps? Repair is just one call away. Dial 1(877)554-9776 today.

Ever since ancient times cities have prevented flash floods by taking the necessary safety precautions, for example, through structural parameters by constructing walls, dams, dykes, and even tree planting to stop soil erosion. It’s no different today except for the fact we have advanced plumbing technology to readily prevent flood water from invading our homes, for example, through a sump pump device. Ontario enjoys a humid continental climate including hot, muggy summers which peak in July, and cold, frigid cold snaps the longest of which are in January and February. In springtime, it’s also exposed to moderate amounts of precipitation during the peak of the rainy season outlasting from March to June. Most Ontario homeowners best prepare for the stormy spell by performing maintenance on their home for example by installing and cleaning their gutters, weatherproofing, and sealing windows and doors to prevent leakages to waterproofing their wooden structures by staining them. But above all, responsible homeowners know how to test sump pumps and confirm that their home’s plumbing system is in shipshape condition and fully functional so they don’t open the floodgates to their house during the next heavy thunderstorm.

Ontario homeowners are aware that a sump pump is a worthwhile investment to ensure both their safety and peace of mind. But a sump pump is also necessary for your home’s plumbing system as it prevents costly and permanent water and moisture damage such as mold and mildew growth. By forgoing a sump pump device, you put into jeopardy the structural integrity of your humble abode as the aftermath from a flash flood is disastrous and can result in a weakened house foundation alongside the added expense of replacing flooring, drywall, and personal belongings. Worst of all, some homeowners insurance policies don’t offer complete coverage for water damage from a source outside of the house including a flood, while most utility providers only offer basic maintenance services for accidental water damage from minor leaks. If anything, it rests on your shoulders to hire a professional Ontario plumber from Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning for a sump pump repair and replacement and follow up by preserving the device through routine maintenance. Of course, this is all made much easier if you already know how to test a sump pump. At Hy Pro Plumbing we are big proponents of preventative maintenance and always advise our clients to sign up for an annual professional inspection alongside a sump pump repair service if their device happens to be malfunctioning. But first, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on how to preserve your sump pump device.

What Is A Sump Pump & Why Is It Significant?

The sole purpose of a sump pump is to take the excess water from your home and expel it to the outskirts of your property. The device itself is found at the lowest spot in your house’s basement in a shallow ditch called the sump pit. A sump pump is usually installed in the basement as due to gravitational pull this is where water is most likely to gather during heavy rainfalls or after the flush of snowmelt. Water from an incoming flood is readily redirected into the sump pit where it pools and gathers. Referred to as a “sump,” this mechanical device is placed atop this basin to capture the flow of water and reshuffle it towards a connecting discharge pipe known as the effluent. A fully operational device will allow the basin to fill until it reaches a threshold level which will trigger the pump’s sensors to activate the system. As a result, it will begin to suction excess water through the discharge pipe and siphon it off to the outside of your house. Because your household is heavily reliant on this singular device to ward off extra water it’s bound to fall into disrepair as it’s not uncommon for a drain problem to occur. That’s why you must be keen about your sump pump device’s proper upkeep especially if you already know how to test a sump pump you will rarely if ever require frequent repairs and replacement.

How Can I Best Perform Routine Maintenance For A Sump Pump?

A sump pump device operates according to plan if all of its components are in shipshape order. Once the device itself detects excessive rain, snowmelt, or seepage after the water reaches a certain threshold level it will automatically trigger the sump pump’s float switch. This will power on the pump as it begins to discard water well away from your house. Here are the top 8 tips for performing proper upkeep for your sump pump maintenance:

Asses For Hairline Cracks, Fractures, Small Holes, And Leakages

The most obvious red flag that your sump pump is busted is its blatant rupturing from a nasty clog. If your device happens to be misaligned too it can result in leaks. Either way, this indicates there is a problem with your drainage system and your sump pump device must be fixed to prevent water damage.

Check The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Most electrical outlets in a house need to be GFCI protected for health and safety purposes so you’re not accidentally electrocuted or spark a haphazard house fire. A sump pump is no exception and must be connected to an outlet with a GFCI so it’s best to ensure the outlet and its cord are in good condition. In more damp and moisture-prone areas the GFCI breaker may become glitchy and trip as exposure to water can cause the circuit to malfunction and power off the device. One way to test your sump pump is to reset the GFCI every so often to ensure the sump pump has not become faulty.

Confirm The Placement Of The Device

Make sure the sump pump device itself is in an upright position. A sump pump tends to vibrate as it operates which can cause the device itself to become off-kilter and be somewhat relocated from its original position. Due to constant use, this can happen more often than not which can compress and jam the float arm so it can no longer activate the sump pump. Sometimes too, your device can make odd noises from excessive vibrations as the device itself may be overheating.

Monitor Basin Water Level

It’s not unusual to have a small amount of water within the basin underneath the sump pump device. Similar to how a well that gets dried out becomes unable to provide fresh water so too can your sump pump’s basin become dried out and arid. If anything you want to have a subtle pool of water within the ditch itself so be sure to pour a bucket of water into the basin. If the pump starts automatically and the water drains away rapidly it indicates the pump is fully operational. If however, that is not the case you need to have the device itself serviced by an expert plumber.

Remove Debris, Residue And Scrub Clean

Next, you must periodically remove the sump pump device, especially if it’s of the submersible variety, from the basin and scrub it clean of any accumulated debris including sediment and mineral buildup. A sump pump can get clogged due to its sucking and filtration motion that attracts small stones which can plug up the device and render it useless. We suggest cleaning the sump pump device’s screen or inlet opening at least once every few months and the entirety of the device and the basin itself once per year. Although maintenance is straightforward for most Ontario property owners, sometimes you need a professional-grade plumber’s equipment such as a snake or auger to remove a solid blockage within the device or a high-pressure hose to flush out its discharge pipes and clean the inside of its walls. During your next plumbing diagnosis and inspection service your skilled plumber can show you the ropes for how to test the sump pump for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Securely Fasten Drainage Pipes

It’s best to also double-check if the discharge and outlet pipes are tightly connected and draining at the very minimum 20 feet away from your house’s foundation. During winter the pipes may have frozen over and become loosened so you may need to refasten them.

Clear Away Any Obstructions From The Vent Hole

Ensure the vent hole of the sump pump device is clean and clear of any debris and residue. Most devices have a vent hole to stop the airlock and so the vent must be free of any debris to allow your pump to operate properly and smoothly. Based on the previous step mentioned above it’s essential that you scrape away any sludge and hardened dirt and minerals off the exterior of the pump until it’s left spick-and-span.

Confirm The Power Supply

One last reminder is to confirm if your device has a power supply. Most modern sump pump units require electricity to operate (except for a water-powered or battery-operated one used during power outages) and come as either pedestal pumps or submersible sump pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sump Pump Maintainance

What Are Telltale Signs Your Sump Pump Is Broken?

• Odd Noises
• Foul Odors
• Mold and Mildew Growth
• Frequent Or Irregular Cycling
• Excessive Vibrations During Operation
• Permanent Water And Moisture Damage
• Discolored Rust And Corrosion

What Is A Quick Hack to Test If My Sump Pump Is Working?

One of the easier and most effective ways to ensure your sump pump is in proper working order is to pour a bucket of water into the pit or basin. If the float arises and the sump pump automatically powers on and drains away the excess water it indicates that the device itself is fully functional.

How Often Should You Test A Sump Pump?

It’s best practice to assess your sump pump every three to four months for both maintenance and cleaning purposes, for example, by opening the inlet screen and scrubbing it clean of any sediment build-up and other debris. Plus, you should ask a professional plumber to perform an inspection at least annually who can conduct a thorough observation and check for any obstacles which may impede the flow of water.

Hy-Pro Plumbing Will Prevent The Floodgates From Being Unleashed On Your Humble Abode–Reach Out Today!

Before you start the waterworks after being exposed to a sudden flash flood be proactive about maintaining your sump pump. Once you get into the groove of how to test your sump pump it will become second nature to periodically review if it remains in full operation. Let’s face it–no Ontario homeowner wants to be all swamped out so the more adamant they are about preventive maintenance the less frequent sump pump repairs and replacements they will need. If it comes to that, however, go ahead and reach out to one of our helpful customer service representatives at 1-877-554-9776 who can inform you more about the benefits of upgrading your home’s plumbing system. Apart from servicing your sump pump we also offer other useful residential and commercial plumbing services from drain cleaning to clogged drains and water heater installation so be sure to ask as we earnestly await your response.

How To Choose The Right Plumbers in Ontario

Nowhere in Canada is safe from issues like clogged drains or burst pipes, certainly not Ontario. Living in Ontario is amazing, but nothing ruins a great day more than leaking water lines and faulty water heaters. It’s hard to enjoy life anywhere when those problems plague your property.

Fortunately, Ontario’s property owners are never far from professional solutions for their plumbing systems. Unfortunately, finding a company that has reliable service isn’t easy.  There are many plumbing companies across Metro Vancouver. Not all of them offer the same quality of service — or solutions for people on the North Shore.

Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is always here for all our neighbours, not only with outstanding plumbing repairs, but also with professional advice. Our top tip is that you look for a professional plumber before you need one. If you’re already being affected by low water pressure or another emergency, don’t worry. Take a breath to calm yourself, close your main shut-off valve, and follow our second-most important tip: always ask questions before you hire a plumber.

Whether you need emergency plumbing repairs or routine drain cleaning, asking questions is important. Getting more information will help you hire the right company, so you never have to worry about amateur, unlicensed, poor-quality repairs and you always get the benefits of exceptional service in Ontario.

1. Are You Licensed?

Working with unlicensed trade professionals is inadvisable. A licensed plumber is always a better option, even for a basic drainage issue. Ontario’s licensing systems are put in place to protect you and unlicensed workers are not qualified for serious plumbing work. They definitely can’t complete approved solutions for emergency plumbing issues. The services of an unlicensed plumber are essentially equivalent to DIY plumbing jobs, and they come with all the same problems.

If your plumber doesn’t have a license number or doesn’t want to prove it, simply look for someone else. There are many plumbing companies that serve Ontario. Someone with a license will serve you more safely, effectively, and reliably.

2. Are You Insured?

In addition to a plumbing license, your plumber also needs insurance. Every Ontario resident has the right to request proof of insurance, and all Ontario plumbers should provide that proof upon request. If they won’t do that, seek help from a different company.

Why is Insurance Important?

Insured professionals are covered against accidental damage and injuries. If you allow an uninsured professional to work in your home, you could be left with a bill for accidental damage. In the worst-case scenario, you might be held accountable for accidental damage or injuries that occur as a result of those uncovered repairs.

3. How Long Have You Been a Plumber?

Ontario’s most experienced plumbers are the best professionals for fixing everything from faulty plumbing fixtures to major leaks. Professionals who’ve been working for longer have more specialized, esoteric knowledge, which means they have solutions for everyday problems and unusual issues. Every local trusted plumber has a pedigree that dates back for many years.

How Much Experience Should They Have?

There are several stages of experience for every plumber in Ontario. Most apprentices work for four or five years before they apply for a license. At the end of an apprenticeship, plumbers have the option to get their journeyman license if they want to become a master plumber. Most journeyman plumbers work for another five years on average, so most master plumbers should have at least ten years of experience, if not more.

4. Will You Provide an Upfront Estimate?

It’s not easy to give an estimate over the phone, but most Ontario professionals do give phone estimates for simple jobs like clearing a clogged drain. Providing an estimate for more complicated situations usually requires an in-person visit to get a clear view of the problem. In either case, you should expect an honest, upfront estimate before any work begins, so you know exactly what you’ll pay. That estimate is as essential for drain cleaning services or clearing clogged toilets as it is for emergency repair work.

Do They Put Their Estimate in Writing?

You probably won’t get a specific estimate before your plumber arrives — and if you do, it might not be accurate — so don’t be afraid to request a detailed price break-down after your plumber has had a chance to examine your property more closely. That detailed list is especially important for a bathroom renovation and other larger projects, where faucet installation fees are easily lost among other costs.

5. Is Your Work Guaranteed?

If you schedule an appointment to replace your water heater with a new tankless water heater, you should expect that new machine to work well for a while. Unfortunately, accidents happen and mistakes are made. Nobody in Ontario is perfect. Sometimes replacement parts are made with faults. Even luxury fixtures fail from time to time. That’s why you should confirm that your plumber has guaranteed service — and guaranteed parts.

Many modern hot water heaters come with a warranty to protect you against unusual failures, and most skilled plumbers in Ontario provide guaranteed parts and work for the same reason. That guarantee protects you from paying more for repairs or parts that fail shortly after a plumber leaves. It’s also a clear indication that those professionals have confidence in their ability to complete effective service — and that they use solid parts.

6. Are You Available for Emergency Services?

Not all Ontario plumbing situations are an emergency, but there is one common factor that affects both smaller issues like a leaky faucet and larger issues like a leaking hot water tank: time. The longer you wait to get help for an emergency plumbing repair, the more likely you are to pay more — for everything from monthly utility bills to catastrophic water damage. That’s why emergency availability is so vital for a potential plumbing company.

Whether your water heater fails at noon or your sewer line ruptures at midnight, you should expect the same rapid, effective repair service from a Ontario plumber. A serious plumbing issue could occur at any hour. An emergency plumber should also be available 24/7. The best companies provide that anytime service at no extra charge, so you never have to worry about paying more for an emergency repair.

7. Do You Offer Routine Drain Cleaning Service?

Drainage service is essential for every homeowner and business owner on the North Shore. Over time, all drain lines fill with soft blockage. If that blockage isn’t cleared out regularly, it could burst out instead. Every plumbing system needs a little maintenance to avoid both minor issues and major complications. Professional drain cleaning is essential for avoiding all those situations.

Signs You Need Drain Cleaning Soon:

• Slow drains
• Frequent clogs
• Gurgling toilets
• Smelly sinks
• Standing water
• Wastewater backups

8. Do You Have Testimonials?

You should look for reviews, testimonials, and referrals before you call any Ontario plumbing company. Google reviews are a great place to start. You could also check social media websites and other local business listings for reviews. Online reviews aren’t as good as referrals you get from friends or family, but they’ll help you make a better choice for plumbing service than simply picking the first company you find.

Unfortunately, not every plumbing problem affords an opportunity to spend time doing online research. Plumbing leaks and other difficult plumbing issues require quick solutions. If you aren’t able to look for reviews or testimonials yourself — or if you don’t manage to find any — it’s never a bad idea to ask a licensed plumber if they have testimonials or referrals from previous satisfied customers.

Any Ontario business owner with superior service should be happy to share referrals and reviews from their previous customers. Be cautious around a plumbing company that refuses to share their reviews or point you toward their testimonials. A lack of honest, objective testimonials is almost as bad as an abundance of negative reviews.

9. Do You Wear Boot Covers?

This is a pretty basic question, and the answer is important for establishing that your plumber will treat your Ontario home with care, but there’s another reason you should ask about boot covers, clean-up, or some other basic principle: customer service.

Plumbers might be trained to fix pipes and install faucets, but they should also have outstanding customer service and excellent communication skills — especially if you’re hiring them for something more complicated than drain service.

If you’ve been asking all the questions in this list, then you’ve probably already had an opportunity to evaluate the customer service of plumbers in Ontario. Consider how they’ve answered your previous questions. Was their answer clear? Did they actually answer your question, or did they dodge it? Clear, consistent communication is important.

10. Are There Any Additional Fees I Should Know About?

If you’ve already secured an upfront estimate, that’s a good start toward knowing your full cost, but don’t hesitate to pry further about additional fees or charges. Our team always provides a full, upfront estimate and our prices never change, but some emergency plumbers in Ontario charge more for service after-hours or on the weekend.

Trip fees are also an important consideration across the district of Ontario. A company from Waterloo, Cambridge, Hamilton, Oakville or somewhere further away might charge a travel fee or trip fee to visit your home. Trip fees are more common with appointments that take someone out of their normal service area, which is just one more reason why it’s important to hire local plumbers that regularly serve property owners in Ontario.

Other Potential Additional Fees:

• Call-Out Fees: These are minimum service charges added on top of all additional services from plumbers and many other trade professionals. Much like a trip-fee, a call-out fee covers the amount of time it takes for someone to reach you as well as additional associated fees like mileage and vehicle maintenance.
• Commercial Plumbing Fees: The plumbing systems in commercial properties are more complex, and the solutions for fixing them require more specific expertise and advanced techniques than a standard residential plumbing service. Those specialized commercial services come at a higher cost.
• First-Hour Rates: Some Ontario plumbers who use an hourly payment structure charge a flat rate for their first hour. After the first hour, their rates usually decrease, so you might pay more for that first hour of service than you do for the subsequent time they spend on your property.
• Flat Rates: Some plumbing companies have flat rates for every service, rather than an hourly fee, while other companies mix their payment structure. Your chosen plumber might charge flat rates for common services like cleaning a drain pipe but then charge an hourly rate for something more complicated like sewer repairs.

11. Do You Clean Up Afterward?

This might not be your top priority, but it’s a good thing to know about before beginning your project. As you can probably imagine, a lot of debris could be left behind during an appointment for unclogging a kitchen sink, replacing buried pipes, or snaking a utility drain. That’s why you should find out if your plumber is willing to clean up afterward.

Most Ontario trade professionals strive to leave a home exactly as they found it, but that’s not always possible. All professional plumbers in Ontario should clean up any sewer debris they pull out of your pipes, but don’t expect them to clean sludge, sewage and water that appears before they arrive. Few plumbers are equipped to take care of major water cleanup services.

You should also know that if it’s necessary to remove sections of your drywall or dig a trench for the purpose of completing repairs, your plumber probably won’t fix that associated damage. Plumbers are experts when it comes to every pipe and plumbing fixture, but they typically don’t provide drywall repair or landscaping services. That additional damage might be a necessary step for your plumbing repairs, but you’ll probably need a separate contractor to fix any major property damage.

You’re Ready to Hire a Plumber in Ontario!

Now you know all the important questions to ask a plumber. The best time to call a Greater Vancouver company, such as Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, is right now. Our pros have years of experience fixing pipes and completing many different types of plumbing projects.  We proudly serve Southwest Ontario and nearby areas!

If you need to hire a plumbing expert right now, call now or contact us online.  We are licensed, insured, and offer anytime service at no extra charge!

Green Plumbing

Green plumbing is a great efficient method to save money and create an eco-friendly household. As global warming becomes an ever-increasing concern in Canada, many homeowners in Southwestern Ontario are investigating ways they can make their homes eco-friendly.

While there are certainly large changes you can make to your home to make it greener, things like retrofitting it with solar panels, energy efficient fixtures, and insulation can take a lot of money you don’t necessarily have. We are huge proponents of the idea that every little bit helps, and we appreciate that even small changes to your daily habits can have a huge difference.

Running an eco-friendly household doesn’t have to involve an exhaustive list of invasive home renovations, nor does it have to take a huge bite out of your savings. In fact, going green can involve a few minor adjustments to your plumbing habits and you can end up saving money! Today we’ve provided a list of green plumbing tips that you can easily introduce into your household’s routine. We’ve compiled this list because of the water, energy, and cash savings that they offer.

Conserving Tips

How and when you choose to use the water in your home can have a direct impact on your energy consumption. Your first step is realizing when you end up using more water than you need, and your second is to slowly cut down. Here are several easy ways most people can save some liters.

• Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth
• Use the tap in short bursts when rinsing dishes
• Fill a small bowl full of water when washing fresh produce
• Only use your appliances (like dishwashers and laundry machines) when they have a full load

There are other methods you can do to conserve water. However, by turning these common techniques into habits, it will ultimately save you money in the long-run.

Green Cleaners

Many of us rely on harsh, caustic chemicals to get our homes spick and span, but in reality, we don’t need these toxic cleaners to get the job done. There are a variety of eco-friendly products on the market that can ensure your home is clean without tainting the water supply or leaving behind noxious residues in your living spaces. You can even make your own cleaner using vinegar and essential oils. We also have a line of green drain cleaners to help you keep the insides of your pipes clean and clear.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

You can purchase affordable low-flow aerators and showerheads at most hardware stores. They are inexpensive and relatively simple to install, yet they can come with huge benefits. Aerators can cut down your water and energy consumption by 50%. If you feel uncomfortable installing these devices on your own, pick up your phone and call us for help.

Banish Leaks

A leaking faucet or showerhead is one of the most deceptive issues affecting your plumbing and drainage system. A few drips here and there may not seem like much waste, but they can really add up.

A tap that leaks a single droplet of water every second will waste over 11,000 liters of water each year. To put that into perspective, that’s the equivalent of 180 showers! A running toilet is even worse – and it isn’t because of its incessant noise. A leaking toilet can waste up to 750 liters a day, which amounts to over 270,000 liters if left for a full year.

By simply arranging a quick maintenance visit from one of our expert plumbers, you can eliminate these leaky fixtures and conserve water and money. They’ll inspect more than just your faucets during their sweep; they’ll also ensure your toilets, showerheads, and pipes are in working order.

Going green can be simple, especially when you have our team of plumbers ready to help you make the transition. Give us a call and see what kind of difference you can make. Saving the planet also comes with money savings you can put in the bank. It’s a win-win!

Is your Basement Flooded?

April showers bring May flowers, but you know as well as anybody in Southwestern Ontario that it doesn’t stop there. We have a moderate climate, but we’re no stranger to extreme weather. We get a little bit of everything, including rain well into the summer. In June, that means roughly one-third of the month sees precipitation. As such, your home or commercial building may be prone to a flooded basement.

For the most part, these rainy days don’t affect much more than the clothes you choose to wear to work or when you plan a picnic. But there are days when excessive rainfall can put extra pressure on your plumbing and drainage system. When combined with crumbling infrastructure, it can result in massive problems for your home. A basement flooded is frustrating and an unwelcomed surprise. So after calling your Ontario home insurance broker, let’s jump into some of the most critical things you need to know.

Overland Flooding

When your city sees excess rainfall, something called overland flooding can occur. This is when water is unable to drain properly. Those houses that are situated at the bottom of a slope or near a body of water are at higher risk than other homes. Usually, a house can withstand this collection of water, but a small fissure in your foundation or pipes is all it takes for the flood waters to find the interior of your home.

It won’t take long to realize the sound of water isn’t just the rain hitting your roof. Unfortunately, overland flooding isn’t the only cause of basement flooding you have to worry about. Your home’s sewer lines can overflow when there’s a blockage obstructing a pipe in your home or somewhere within the municipality’s system.

Call Immediately!

A damaged pipe or backflow issue don’t need much time to cause serious damage to your home. A small fissure in a pipe has the ability to release hundreds of liters in as little as a few hours. Backflow problems can cause just as much as damage in less time, as tree roots, debris, and others build-up obstructs the lines running water to your municipality’s waterlines.

When you see water levels rising, don’t waste any time before you call our emergency plumbers. Our licensed, insured, and capable team are available 24 hours a day every day – including weekends and holidays. Mother Nature doesn’t take a break and very rarely operates within the regular 9-5. For that reason neither do we. Should heavy rainfall or damaged infrastructure caused a flood in the middle of the night, one of our emergency plumbers will be at your door.

Fully trained, experienced, and equipped with the appropriate tools, our plumbers can handle any plumbing problem. From cracked pipes to tree root obstructions and everything in between, we’ll deliver on quality, reliable, and efficient repairs. With an up-front pricing system that relies on a flat rate, you can guarantee our help won’t break the bank either. We never rely on vague additional charges like time and material, so you’ll never be surprised by our final cost.

You have enough to worry about when you basement’s flooding. Should the unthinkable happen to you this June, give our offices a call. We’ll take care of the rest. One of our team members is always available to handle any of your emergencies as well as basic maintenance and inspections. You only need to pick up the phone and give us a call.

What Should You Ask Your Emergency Plumber?

Armed with a basic toolkit and a DIY spirit, most homeowners in the GTA can take on minor plumbing maintenance and repairs. We can appreciate your desire to do this work on your own. Running a household is an expensive task and performing simple upkeep is an easy way to keep your costs low. Unfortunately, unless you’re a trained professional, there will be some jobs that require more than what you can offer. Without an extensive toolkit, experience, or education backing your handiwork, complex and invasive plumbing problems are out of your league. Burst

Without an extensive toolkit, experience, or education backing your handiwork, complex and invasive plumbing problems are out of your league. Burst pipes, obstructed sewer lines, and broken water heaters are just a few examples of those tasks that are better left to the professionals.

When DIY isn’t an option, turning to an expert plumbing service for help is your best option, but before you can trust anyone to your home’s plumbing and drainage system, you need to ask them 5 simple questions. Yes, that includes us. Think of it as leading your very own interrogation. It doesn’t matter if you’re the good or the bad cop, as long as you ask the right questions. If they’re good at what they do, you won’t have to sweat out the answers; a qualified plumber will gladly offer information about the quality of their work.

We’ve amassed the top 5 questions we think are most important when finding a service, but be sure to add more of your own. Don’t hesitate to go a full round of 20 questions, if need be. When it comes to the safety of your home, you can’t ask too many.

Are You And Your Team Licensed?

As potentially the most important question you can ask a plumber (or any contractor you hire to work on your home), you won’t want to skip this one. A license ensures an individual has been properly educated and trained according to industry standards. In Ontario, that means they’ve tallied enough hours as an apprentice to a licensed plumber before they sit a final examination that assesses their understanding of residential or commercial plumbing systems. Typically, this takes a full year of in-class training in addition to 9,000 hours of on-site guidance before they can earn a license. It’s an easy way to guarantee the quality of their repairs consistent with national codes.

Are You And Your Team Insured?

In the same vein as the previous question, insurance is an important accreditation that your chosen service can’t afford to skip. Mistakes and accidents can happen, even to a professional, and insurance is their safety net. Not only will it protect them should they ever hurt themselves on the job, this documentation will cover any mishaps that affect your property. With insurance, you won’t be responsible for paying these costs out of your own pocket.

Can I See Your References?

Maybe the metaphor about an interrogation was a little too aggressive. Think of it as a job interview, and you’re the employer. No one gets hired for an office job without first having their references checked, so why would you let an individual work on your home without doing the same. Ask them for references (they should be able to provide at least 4) and look for any online reviews left by happy customers. While you have your laptop open, check that they’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with a high rating. If you check our page, we have an A+ and a clean record of completely satisfied customers.

How Much Do Your Services Cost?

Obviously, the total price of each job will depend on the job itself. The total charge of a clogged drain will pale in comparison to the task of removing trees roots from your sewer line. While a service won’t be able to give you a concrete number that encompasses all of their jobs, they should be able to tell you how they price their work. An emergency plumber should provide you with the cost before they begin anything. We provide an up-front pricing system based on flat rates that don’t rely on time and materials, so you’re never paying more than you have to.

What Are Your Hours Of Operation?

Last but not least, you’ll want to ask your service about their hours of operation. Your plumbing and drainage system won’t wait until business hours during a weekday to malfunction. More often than naught, a pipe will burst or a toilet will over flow at awkward, inconvenient times. All of our emergency plumbers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we guarantee quick response times in order to limit the damage these issues have in your home.

Do You Have More Questions?

These questions are meant to serve as a guideline to get to know your plumber better. By knowing these bare minimum questions, you’ll be able to arrive at a service that has the best in mind when it comes to your plumbing. While we’ve supplied our answers to these questions, you can always call us to learn more about our service. We await your call!

Common Plumbing Issues

No home is an island. Well, no home with running water is. If you live in Southern Ontario, your municipality has constructed a complicated system that supplies potable water and removes waste water from your home. It’s an intricate system that relies on your home’s individual, indoor pipes and the city’s outdoors lines. This gives and taken means the quality of your municipality’s infrastructure has a huge impact on the health of your plumbing and drainage system.

Since so much of their pipes are located outdoors, the particular climate and geography of Southern Ontario can also affect your plumbing. Today we’re going to address the most common plumbing issues that affect homes in your area.

Tree Roots

Southern Ontario is home to a large variety of tree species. You probably chose to live in your neighborhood for the towering American Elm, Red Maple, or Black Ash that line your block. But what makes your street beautiful has a darker underbelly. Deep below the surface of the street, trees have a huge substructure of roots. As they grow through the soil, they’re constantly on the lookout for moisture, and they’ll stop at nothing to find it – including the metal or PVC of your sewer or drain lines.

If there’s even a hairline crack in any of these lines, tree roots will locate it and work their way inside. These lines provide the perfect conditions for growth, and eventually what was just a single exploratory root develops into a network of roots that completely clogs the pipe. When a pipe is completely sealed off by roots, the section needs to be cleaned or replaced entirely.

Frozen Pipes

Since escaping the winter that wouldn’t stop, you need no reminding that the Golden Horseshoe undergoes a deep freeze for almost half of the year. Contrary to what the rest of the country thinks, Southern Ontario gets its fair share of snow and sub-zero temperatures. When the mercury dips below zero, there’s a chance that your pipes can freeze. Depending on which pipe is frozen, this can stop your plumbing system in its tracks. It gets worse, however. When water freezes it expands. If there’s enough water in your pipes at the time it freezes, it can burst the pipe, causing anything from a slight crack or a huge split.

Overtaxed Infrastructure

Sometimes it isn’t the natural world that puts your home at risk, but a man-made one. There are pockets of the Golden Horseshoe that are incredibly old, dating back to the 1800s. Most of the homes, however, are recently new builds. Farmland and empty landscapes are filling up with new subdivisions every year to accommodate the rapid growth in population. While the brand new homes can keep up with the rise in population, a city’s infrastructure or drainage system isn’t always up to the job. If it’s a particularly old system that was installed well before anyone knew of how populous the area would be, it can have trouble trying to handle the number of homes.

Consult Your Professional Plumber

Whether you encounter problems with your drains lines, frozen pipes, or tree roots, we’re here to help. Our licensed and qualified emergency plumbers are expertly trained to identify and fix the common issues affecting plumbing and drainage systems in Southern Ontario.

Through regular preventative maintenance inspection, our plumbers can also suggest helpful advice on how to prevent these issues from ever causing an emergency in the first place. Whether it’s friendly advice or midnight emergency, our plumbers are ready to help. You only need to pick up the phone!

Ever Had A Stinky Sink?

A stinky sink is something we never think about until it happens. Every day, you fill the sink, wash your hands, and carry on your day without a second thought for the intricacies behind your bathroom’s drain. It’s a whole different story when something interrupts your usual routine. We’ve talked about the reasons why your sink might not be draining, but a clog isn’t always the source of your problems. A free flowing drain can still cause you headaches if it’s particularly dirty and has an odor throughout your bathroom. You can’t ignore it any more than you could a clog. You need to follow a few simple tips to get your drain back to normal.

Your bathroom sink sees a lot more than just water flowing down its drain. Soap, toothpaste, hair, shaving cream and other toiletries make their way down the drain and through your pipes. Eventually, these substances build up and create a filmy coating within the pop-up stopper, the drain, and the p-trap of your sink. In some cases, this grime begins to smell. You’ll notice it as soon as it does, as the odors from a stinky sink are hard to miss. Luckily, it’s easy to fix. With just a wrench, some vinegar, and a bit of time, you can clean your entire drain.

Before taking these steps, always remember to tell your family that’ll be you working on the bathroom sink. As you’ll be removing parts of the pipes underneath it, you don’t want anyone to unknowingly turn on the taps and cause a flood! Once they’re aware of your plans, you’re good to start your cleaning.

Your DIY Solution!

Remove the p-trap, the pivot rod, and the pop-up stopper from your sink. All three of these pieces will likely be covered in film and will need extensive cleaning. You can remove most of the gunk using a toothbrush and paper towels. Once the majority of the film has been removed, place these fixtures in your kitchen sink and fill it with warm water and vinegar.

While you allow these to soak, return to your sink. Fold a paper towel and push it down your drain, using an appliance brush or a straightened coat hanger to get it through the entire pipe. You’ll want to repeat this process several times in order to scrape all of the film from the inside of the pipe.

Your p-trap, pivot rod, and the pop-up stopper will have soaked long enough by the time you’ve removed the film from your drain. Dry them off and reconnect them to your sink, remembering to tighten the nuts properly to ensure water has no means to escape. Once everything’s back in place, run the taps to test your tightening job. If all is well, you only have one step left in your cleaning routine. To ensure you’ve removed all of the remaining film, pour an additional cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. After that time, run the hot water for a full minute to push any remaining sediment down and out of the p-trap.

By following these steps, you can eliminate that stinky odor from hanging around your bathroom. We admit that this an elaborate cleaning job, which you probably don’t want to repeat any time soon. To make sure your cleaning efforts last as long as possible, we recommend using GES+® Plus, which is an eco-friendly and biodegradable grease eliminator and drain cleaner. It contains live vegetative bacteria that will keep your drains fresh without harming the environment.

Having Some Trouble?

Removing and re-screwing these parts can be a scary challenge. You never know what’s going to happen. And you never know what you might run into on the way to find one problem. There’s a possibility of unable to re-screw something back into place or worse, breaking something.

As such, should you feel uncomfortable removing any parts of your drain to give them a deep-clean, our plumbers are happy to help you. You only need to give us a call, and one of our expertly trained and highly knowledge plumbers will be at your door, ready to fix your stinky sink.

It’s easy to fall into the wrong hands when you hire outside plumbing contractors to get your pipes fixed. But when it comes to your home’s plumbing system, you certainly don’t want to cheap out in the event of a sewer backup or pipe burst. If you don’t have a reliable, licensed plumber near me on your speed dial, we highly recommend that you do your research now.

At Hy-Pro Plumbing and Drain Cleaning, we only hire certified, licensed service professionals for any job that you need taken care of, from drainage issues to running toilets and leaky water heater tanks to sewer line repairs. If your family’s safety and home’s structural integrity are on the line, it’s imperative that you hire a licensed plumber who can complete fast and efficient plumbing diagnosis and repair services, as well as be available during a plumbing emergency.

Let’s find out what makes a plumber in Ontario licensed and certified and what evidence to look out for.

Certifications of A Licensed Plumber

It takes a lot of hard work to become a professional plumber, from two years of studying mechanical know-how and developing a fine motor skill to real-life implementation with licensed master plumbers on-site. But learning about the main plumbing principles, techniques, and safety guidelines is only the beginning.

An apprentice requires 6000 to 9000 hours of practical training that include installations and repairs of plumbing systems, fixtures, and various pipeline work that include water lines, drain lines, and sewer lines. While it is a huge learning curve, it can be very rewarding for those who are fastidious and like to work independently. During the apprenticeship program, it’s essential for the student to develop strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. A licensed plumber has the capacity to act fast during emergencies, whether it’s quickly detecting and locating a clogged pipe by using a sewer inspection camera or putting an immediate halt to a sewage backup.

The practical training also involves construction work because pipelines are primarily buried underground or behind walls. So it’s important to understand the different types of plumbing systems that you find in residential and commercial buildings, as well as the municipal underground storm sanitary system.

Since there is a list of compulsory trade services an apprentice has to complete, they need to gather a recognized trade certificate or become a registered apprentice before they’re allowed to complete maintenance and repair work on homes or commercial properties.

Finally, the apprentice needs to write a Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam. Licensed plumbers are also red seal endorsed, which means they could work anywhere within Canada with their license and certification.

Evidence of a Trusted, Licensed Plumber

While you can ask your licensed plumber near me for their credentials and a list of referrals, you might also find that Google search provides a credible source of information. But beware of fake positive reviews or reviews that appear to be manipulated.

But what makes your local licensed plumber credible is not only based on reviews, but a trustworthy website that provides you with all the little information you need. Often, the qualified plumber works for a plumbing company or franchise, or you’ll find family-operated businesses that have successfully completed a wide range of plumbing services for the local community.

Most importantly, every licensed plumber should be able to provide you with their C of Q when they arrive at your home. Their plumbing knowledge and skill should be apparent the moment you meet them. With all those training hours spent in individual properties, they should be excellent at communicating and providing exceptional customer service. And that applies to both residential plumbers and commercial plumbers.

What Can A Licensed Plumber Do?

You’ll be surprised that we’ve got up our sleeves:

• Drain Cleaning: Having trouble with drain clogs? Our team of licensed plumbers offer professional drain line cleaning services to recover your household drainage pipes. Don’t let clogged drain issues slow down your life.

• Hot Water Heater Repair: Whether you have a tank-based unit or tankless system, our licensed plumbers are trained gas fitters and committed to safe working conditions.

• Sewer Lines: Handling underground pipes like your sewer system requires a lot of skills and experience, whether it’s completing a detailed plumbing diagnosis or performing a trenchless sewer line repair service.
• Sump Pumps: As your home’s ultimate blood preventer, sump pumps are designed to keep your basement floors dry, as well as back up your French drains (perimeter drains) during heavy rainfall to protect your home’s foundation.

Additional Plumbing Services From Your Licensed Plumber:

• Septic tank services
• Water softener, purification systems
• Toilet repairs
• Leaky faucet replacement
• New sink installation
• Backwater valves
• Frozen pipe repair
• Leaky pipe services
• Water pressure regulators
• And much more!

Why Hire Hy-Pro Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Hy-Pro Plumbing is proud to provide our local communities with licensed, reliable plumbers who bring many years of experience in helping property owners maintain a healthy plumbing system, from preventative maintenance to emergency repair services.

We understand how choosing a local plumber in Ontario can be difficult and stressful. At Hy-Pro, we aim to offer our customers the most professional service and a worry-free experience. All that is backed by our parts and workmanship. When you hire our professional plumbing services, you’ll get:

• Fully licensed and insured plumbers who are protected by Workman’s Compensation Insurance. Plus, any team that works on your property will have at least one master plumber on-site to supervise.
• Transparent upfront pricing system: We provide cost estimates before the start of a job, and it will include prior inspection and clean up services.
• References available: Our team has nothing to hide, especially not the references from happy customers who have received excellent services. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against a specific plumber.
• 24/7 emergency service: Struggling to find a 24-hour licensed plumber near me? Save 1-877-554-9776 on your speed dial and expect us to pick up the phone at 2 a.m. in the morning. Plumbing disasters like basement flooding or burst pipes can’t wait. With Hy-Pro Plumbing, you’ll get peace of mind knowing that we are available any time.

Looking For A Licensed Plumber Near Me?

Ready to take your plumbing experience to the next level with a licensed plumber? No matter what plumbing issue you have, Hy-Pro Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is ready to help! Give our friendly customer service team a call at 1-877-554-9776 to schedule an in-house maintenance service with our licensed plumber or learn more about other plumbing services that we offer.

Problems With Your Sump Pump?

Your sump pump is a unique part of your drainage system, in that, in the best-case scenario, you’ll never need to use it. Nevertheless, in the case of emergencies, it can be an indispensable tool that prevents costly water damage. It does this by removing flood waters from your basement and rerouting them to a drain pipe or dry well via a discharge pipe. This, of course, only occurs when your sump pump has been well maintained and kept free of mechanical errors.

In our mission to maintain the sump pumps across the GTA, we’ve seen our fair share of issues afflicting this particular machine. We’ve seen and repaired old, new, good and bad sump pumps during our many years of operation. Below are some of the four most common problems that our plumbers have encountered.

Power Failure

Like any other appliance in your home, your sump pump relies on electricity to operate. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to rely on your sump pump when the power goes out. Bad weather that results in flooding can often lead to power failures, which renders your pump completely useless. Without power, it won’t be able to reroute the extra water away from your basement. During a maintenance appointment, our plumbers will suggest that you back up your sump pump with a generator so it can still do its job when the power goes out.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes always spell trouble when it comes to your plumbing and drainage system, and it’s no different for your sump pump. When cold weather freezes the discharge pipe, your sump pump is incapable of drawing water away from your home. More immediately, it will cause back flow to flood your basement. Our plumbers can install a specialty discharge line that allows excess water to flow away from your home even if the main pipe freezes.

Caught Switch

In order to keep your basement clear of flood waters, your sump pump relies on a float switch that activates the pump once water reaches a certain level. Sometimes, when the pump is in operation, it can cause the float to shift within its basin. During the commotion, the switch can get stuck and disrupt the machine’s ability to tell when water has reached its safe threshold. Routine maintenance that includes intricate cleaning can keep the switch free.

Overwhelmed Pump

Sump pumps are chosen for their basin size and horsepower. The right balance will make for a long-lasting appliance that can keep up with the demands of your household. Unfortunately, the right size or power isn’t always chosen. Typically, 1/3 horsepower is required to prevent a flood, as it’s capable of pumping 132 liters a minute; however, the horsepower that you need depends on where your home is in relation to the water table.

Questions Regarding Your Sump Pump?

To find out if your sump pump has the necessary horsepower, schedule an appointment with our expert plumbers.  During their assessment, they’ll check for its switch, discharge pipe, and backup power too. Their thorough inspection will determine if your sump pump is up to the task of protecting your home. If it isn’t, they’ll perform the necessary repairs to make sure your sump pump is running smoothly.

A New Way To Clean!

Trenchless technology is the newest and most efficient method for easier cleaning! We understand that many Canadians dread calling their plumber. When homeowners realize that they need a professional to de-clog, repair, or replace underground pipes, they expect the worst. They assume the work will involve time, money, and mess. While the average plumber will attempt to fix your buried plumbing in an expensive and time-consuming way, we are investing in trenchless technology. As the GTA’s premier plumbing and drainage service, we can offer a quick, affordable, and clean way to access and repair your pipes.

Unlike some novice plumbers, we can boast an advanced spot repair system. With trenchless technology, our team of experienced plumbers is equipped with the tools, training, and skills to repair, clean, and replace the pipes running underneath your home, driveway, or beautifully landscaped lawn without disturbing them. Without unearthing a single thing, we can access hidden pipes buried beneath your patio, garden, trees, or walkways. We can do this while navigating crucial electrical, gas, and water lines, so you never have to worry about cutting off any services to your home while we work. This means we won’t be interrupting your family’s routine.

How Is It Efficient?

Your property is safe because all we need to access your damaged pipes is a four-inch cleanout. From there, we can thread state-of-the-art cameras to find the issue in question. These cameras afford a 360-degree view of your pipes, so it’s a simple process to find what’s causing your plumbing to act up. Once the problem is identified, we can fix burst or cracked pipes with our lateral lining systems. The advantages to this system outnumber the traditional dig and replace methods that give so many homeowners nightmares. We won’t have to dig out your basement or backyard in order to access your plumbing system, so you can save money, time, and clean-up. And the materials we use in replacing your old pipes are stronger than the originals which mean you won’t need to call us to repairs these areas for a very long time.

If you think a root has infiltrated your pipes or you know an underground pipe has burst, your nightmares of costly repairs that ruin your landscape investments won’t become a reality. Trenchless technology is the only way you can ensure your underground pipes are repaired without large holes dug into your property. In avoiding disruption to your landscapes, you’ll also avoid the dangers of having a gaping pit open on your property until work is completed. Our certified plumbers can make repairs without opening up the ground, so your front or backyard won’t become the hazard of the neighborhood.

Your Trenchless Technology Experts!

The next time you need to repairs done to your underground plumbing, don’t leave this to novice plumbing services. Contact us for the advanced, non-intrusive trenchless technology that guarantees quick, inexpensive, and affordable repairs to your pipes. One of our certified, licensed, and insured plumbers can be at your property to inspect your plumbing and provide a trustworthy consultation.

We take pride in the abilities of our plumbers, so we’re happy to help with any of your plumbing issues. Whatever prompts you to call, our competitive prices, expert repairs, and friendly service will make you call anytime you need help. Give us a call to find out more about our unique spot repair system, but don’t hesitate to speak with one of our representatives about any other plumbing issue giving you and your home trouble. We’re just a click or phone call away!

Clear Drain Lines

Achieve clear drain lines with HY-PRO’s Hydro flush technology! Hydro flush technology is a form of condensed, focused power washing — an extremely efficient cleaning technique you’ve probably seen used on driveways, vehicles, roofs, and in industrial settings (it’s often relied upon in boating and aviation to get rid of especially difficult grime and build-up). But this same form of technology is one we rely on to get the cleanest, clearest drains and pipes possible — if not to remove scum and natural buildup, but also to dislodge foreign objects and misplaced items, like crayons, toys, coins, jewelry, and other items often forced down the drain.

The key to dislodging tough, stubborn stains, debris, and other blockages that obstruct plumbing lines, tanks, and drains is pressure: certain tools can deliver between 7,000 and 60,000 PSI (pounds per square inch). We’ve been able to harness and blast water at such high-intensity levels that it can even be used to cut through solid materials. Different units can incorporate different water temperatures, detergents, and other agents for superior performance, and coupled with a closed-circuit camera system, blockages (and other problems) can be located and targeted quite effectively.

Our Hydro Flush Service

Our own hydro flush service incorporates a long cable to snake down every twist and turn in your plumbing system. Using tiny nozzles located at the front and sides of the cable, water is shot out at multiple rotating angles to blast away everything in its path. This means an instant alleviation of major problems, but also a great method to implement in your preventative maintenance plan. A regular hydro flush service for a large building’s plumbing network will ensure that no costly and destructive problems arise, saving you scads of money thanks to some forward thinking and wisdom!

While the capability to cut through pipes would, of course, be counterproductive in a plumbing and drain cleaning capacity, this demonstrates just how effective properly blasted water can be — and why conventional methods are far less effective. In the past, chemicals or cables were used to clear blocked passageways. While this was often effective for a quick or immediate solution, the offending substances — soap scum, grease, grime, sludge, hair, tissue, and other debris — would quickly amass once again and cause another blockage. With the hydro flush, you can get rid of every last morsel of hair or sludge, creating squeaky-clean pipes and drains that will allow for a smooth flow of water from that point forward.

Don’t Wait!

Remember that burst pipes and drains can cause substantial structural damage to your properties, rotting out and destroying walls, floors, and ceilings. Major property damage restoration efforts will cost you far more than regular preventative maintenance, so don’t allow your plumbing problems to become more than you can handle. If you’ve got a blocked drain or pipe that just won’t budge through conventional clearing methods,

If you’ve got a blocked drain or pipe that just won’t budge through conventional clearing methods, let us know and we’ll bring our technologically advanced equipment to pulverize the obstructions and make your systems look and flush as good as new. In our trained plumbers’ skilled and seasoned hands, there’s no obstacle too big or sticky that they won’t be able to blast their way through!

Common Household Plumbing Problems

It’s no good having a local, licensed plumber on speed dial if they can’t attend to the most common household plumbing problems that afflict homeowners across southwestern Ontario. Some jobs are naturally bigger, more expensive, demanding, and invasive than others, but there are other sets of tasks that shouldn’t take a qualified Ontario plumber much time or effort to complete.

While there are a host of small repairs you can make yourself for common plumbing issues, sometimes the problem goes just beyond the realm of common expertise or knowledge or requires proper tools and capabilities that not everyone possesses. Remember that there’s no household plumbing problem—large or small—that can’t be tackled by our trained, insured, certified, and friendly plumbing professionals. Don’t hesitate to call us if you need help with some small (but certainly aggravating) plumbing repairs!

Top 6 Household Plumbing Problems

The following are possibly the six most common household plumbing problems, and believe us when we say that these are not only our bread and butter but also things we actually enjoy fixing up! It gives us great pride to help you with whatever problem you might be having, with upfront pricing and courteous service as our guarantee to you.

Clogged or Plugged Household Drains

There are numerous reasons why your drains have a blockage, and without the proper know-how and tools, it’s incredibly difficult to peep inside your plumbing to determine the root cause. There are two key areas where a drain clog may be in your plumbing system: drain pipes that provide your water supply and drain pipes that discard wastewater to the main lateral line underneath your property. But household plumbing problems can easily creep up on you. Some common signs of a clogged drain include slow drains, and strange noises like gurgling or bubbling sounds, foul odours of discarded sewage or rotting food, and sewage backups. So if you flush your toilet and hear bubbling noises coming from your shower or bathroom sink, it’s most likely the fact you have a clog in your lateral line.

Ideally, the only things that should ever be tossed or flushed down your drain are human waste and toilet paper. Certain items that should never be flushed down your drain include flushable wipes, food scraps like eggshells and coffee grounds, fats, oils and grease, paper towels, hair feminine hygiene products, and so much more! And we don’t recommend chemical-based household drain cleaners or do-it-yourself hacks like combining baking soda and vinegar, which only add more debris to the clog. Don’t add more stress to your existing household plumbing problem; instead, reach out to our experienced, professional plumber to diagnose the situation by inspecting your household plumbing in greater detail.

Dripping Faucet

Leaky faucets are a nuisance of a household plumbing problem and, unfortunately, can make your utility bill skyrocket if not fixed. It’s recommended you get these repairs corrected as they take little time and can not only reduce your projected water consumption of gallons per day on your bills but also protect you from potential water damage, help you to become more conscious of your eco-footprint, and best of all get rid of that pesky noise pollution of constant drip-dropping.

There are many reasons for a leaking tap, but the best part is that most parts of a faucet are easily tweaked by a replacement part that can be purchased from any home hardware store. Some of these include a worn-out O-ring which prevents water from spluttering out of the tap. Also, a washer is a small disk that eases friction and spreads out the load of the liquid, seals in tightness, and prevents leakage when the tap is turned off. If the washer is worn out, it causes a plumbing leak. And lastly, a valve seat is responsible for the opening and closing of the washer and adjusts the pressure for water flow which, if deteriorating, is usually due to mineral deposit buildup over time, causing hard water and inconsistent temperatures.

Nobody likes the telltale drip-drip-drip of a dripping tap. The average person might not be able to replace old worn-out parts, and you don’t want to keep wasting water (and money) with this household plumbing problem. When you can’t stand it anymore, we can figure out if you need a new jumper valve, body washer, O-ring, or a whole new tap. Our expert plumber team can also install new bathroom faucets or shower heads in your shower or bathtub.

Leaking Toilet

A toilet leak is commonplace for any homeowner and something you should not delay in fixing. If a household plumbing problem is left unattended, the most apparent sign is surrounding puddles which can result in further damage to extremities, including your bathroom floor lining and spread nasty bacteria from wastewater. Typically, there are a few signs that indicate a leaking toilet.

For starters, you can tell there’s a plumbing problem because not only is there a constant sound of running water, but there may be abnormal water cycling, whistling sounds whenever you flush the water level in the tank or bowl water is always rising. Next, leaking from the base of the toilet is indicative of a malfunction in the base itself, which is normally prevented by the floor flanges and wax gaskets if they are working properly. Or it could also be a crack in the toilet bowl or damage to the supply line. Moreover, leaking from a crack on the tank’s exterior is cause for concern, especially if water is spurting out from it, as it may be on the brink of total collapse leading to catastrophic damage. And finally, damaged supply lines mean that your toilet’s water supply line is faulty, or at the very least the smaller pieces like fittings and valves attached to the line are.

Pipe Leaks

There are various reasons for a leaky pipe. It’s a plumbing issue that ranges from clogged drains, excessive water pressure, loose connections, freezing, to incorrect installation. Any hidden water leak inside your fixtures increases your risk of disastrous water damage and expensive home repairs, and it will also increase your utility bill due to just a tiny hole in a pipe. This can cause you to lose thousands of gallons of water per day. Loose pipe joints could also be the culprits. Alongside this, some red flags for leaks include unpleasant odours, strange noises, weakened water pressure, ceiling and wall damage evident by damp spots, and pop-up puddles constantly appearing.

Typically, there are two solutions to fixing this particular household plumbing problem: either relining the interior pipe walls or replacing the affected section. For the former, this is a non-invasive approach that inserts a liner inside the existing lines. But it doesn’t always work the best for smaller, residential lines. And for the latter, as a failsafe, our leak detection repair technicians can always replace the impacted area to fix the problem, with an entire line or system replacement not being needed. It’s best to be proactive, practice preventative maintenance, and get a regular inspection from your professional plumber. This is alongside doing good practices like not flushing any items that would damage your lines and being mindful of bordering trees in case their roots intrude and penetrate underground lines.

Garbage Disposal Problems

Better known as a garburator, this is a device that grinds up food waste and rinses it down your drain. Unfortunately, many people treat this like a composter, and unbeknownst to them, most kitchen drains can’t handle food scraps and will eventually result in household plumbing problems such as a jammed garbage disposal and clogged sink. Some signs that your garburator is busted include humming sounds, leaks, repetitive clogs, and persistent foul odours. It’s advised you give your garburator a thorough routine cleaning once in a while and perform maintenance such as turning off the power switch and the switch on the circuit breaker panel. Next, clean the splash guard, a plastic ring on the top of your sink, by removing built-up residue. Other tips include manually removing food particles from the drain opening, trying DIY natural household remedies, and flushing the drain to remove loose debris.

Not Enough Hot Water

One common household plumbing problem is an unwanted cold shower. Everyone hates getting doused with cold water when they’re only halfway through a shower, which is why this has got to be one of the most irritating household plumbing problems. If you have a large family that likes to take a lot of showers, you likely need a bigger hot water tank or a hybrid solution that combines a tank-style hot water heater with a tankless heater for maximum efficiency and plenty of hot water supply. But if you’re the only one who is taking a shower at that time of day and you still don’t have enough supply to get you through, that’s a sign you’re having water heater issues and need repair or replacement for your unit.

Why Do Drains Clog in My Household Plumbing?

Problems with clogged or plugged drains are an unwelcome surprise! A drain can be obstructed by foreign objects, soap or hair, or scum, or can have a more complex blockage—a misaligned water pipe or even an infiltrating tree root, which will cause even more issues down the road. If you’ve got a blockage that just won’t unclog, reach out to us!

One of the most common causes of household plumbing problems, such as clogged drains, is rinsing or flushing stuff down the drain that really doesn’t belong in your wastewater disposal system. In the kitchen sink, the biggest problems are fat, oil and grease. While you can easily pour them down your drain and rinse them out of the sink with a blast of hot water, they don’t make it very far down your wastewater disposal line before they coat the interior of the line and solidify, making a sticky trap for any solids that follow them down the pipe.

In the bathroom sink, bathtub and shower drain, your plumbing problem is likely to be clumps of hair tangled up with soap scum, dirt and other substances that get washed down the drain. Mineral deposits are also a big problem because most parts of Ontario have hard water—in fact, Ontario is the province with the highest concentrations of dissolved minerals in its supply. While that doesn’t affect potability, it can wreak havoc on your pipes by clogging them with mineral buildup.

What Are the Signs I Have a Household Plumbing Problem?

Household plumbing problems tend to start out small and get worse over time, which can make them less noticeable as homeowners just slowly adjust and learn to live with the symptoms of trouble. If you’re aware of what qualifies as a warning sign for a household plumbing problem, you can call your local Hy-Pro plumber for help before it gets out of control.

Strange Noises

Hear a constant low hum coming from the bathroom? Your toilet is running…away with your savings due to your inflated energy bill. The same thing goes if there’s an ever-present puddle of water around the base. If you can’t fix the chain, stopper, or other items in the tank, then we’ll get your toilet working properly in no time. This might mean you’ve got a problem with your gaskets, water supply line, or more, so if it seems too hard to fix yourself, let us handle it!

Surface Changes

If you spot wet stains, mould, or deterioration to walls, wooden frames, or floors in your household, you’ve probably got a leaking pipe behind a wall. This is definitely a job best left to the experts to fix, but it is still extremely common. The best thing to do is act quickly and get us involved to look at your household plumbing before you experience a burst pipe—and an even worse complication that you definitely don’t want!

Malfunctioning Household Fixtures and Systems

Is your household disposal unit giving you grief? Is it not breaking down waste, or is it causing a mess or emitting a foul smell? This piece of household plumbing can be dangerous to fix, so get us on the line, and we’ll ensure things run smoothly in no time at all.

Besides your regular fixtures, there are other important plumbing systems, such as your sump pump or backwater valve. If you live in a flood-prone area, having these systems running optimally is important because sump pump failures during heavy rains could lead to overwhelmed perimeter drains. Also, if your backwater valve on your sewer line isn’t functioning properly, it won’t redirect stormwater away from your home. These major issues may not seem like the typical types of household plumbing problems, but they can be!

Unpleasant Odours

Are there bad smells wafting up from your drains that smell musty or like rotting food? Or, do you catch a whiff of sewer odours in your basement or backyard? Those are indications that you have a household plumbing problem that could be anything from a clogged drain to an impending sewer backup. Don’t wait until disaster strikes as it could result in costly property damage and become a serious health hazard.

Frequent Clogs

Clogs happen now and then, and they usually aren’t that big of a deal. But if you have a fixture that just won’t stop clogging with normal use or multiple fixtures clog up at the same time, those are indications that you’re dealing with a household plumbing problem that is worse than just a run-of-the-mill blockage. We recommend calling a certified plumber before it turns into a costly plumbing emergency.

Need Help With Your Household Plumbing Problem? Reach Out To Your Local Team At Hy-Pro!

Remember that whatever your household plumbing problem might be—whether it’s affecting your main water valve, septic tank, sewer lines, or water heater—we’ll work fast to make it go away. Don’t feel bashful, even if it seems minor or straightforward; small household plumbing problems can easily compound and become a major plumbing disaster. Let us sort things out and recover your flow of water before any issues grow into a big mess.

The Need For Professional Plumbers

Professional plumbers will address any kind of plumbing issue at any hour of the day. Plumbing problems can happen to anyone, at any time of the day, in any kind of house or apartment. In many situations, they can seem to come out of nowhere – one day, you’re using your sink, shower, toilet or laundry with no real problems, and the next, your whole home is in chaos – but the truth is that most plumbing issues are so small that people tend to ignore them until they become massive and require large-scale repairs.

You may have grown used to overlooking or ignoring seemingly small issues with your plumbing, but once you’ve experienced the financial pain and general hassle of a large repair, you understand the crucial importance of catching even the smallest leaks or plumbing mishaps before they grow larger. Regular maintenance can always help to ensure that small problems are sorted out as they occur and future expenses can be avoided. But if you’re looking to do this, it’s important to choose professional plumbers and plumbing service that you feel you can rely on – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter how big or small your problem is.

Why Choose HY-PRO?

That’s why, at HY-PRO Plumbing and Drain Cleaning, we’re so committed to offering reliable and round-the-clock plumbing services to our clients – to us, it’s not just a gimmick, it’s the best way to help make sure your needs are always taken care of. Some of the most common plumbing-related issues our clients call us with include backed-up toilets, cracked or busted pipes (or frozen ones in the colder months), cracked water heaters and fissures in a house’s foundation, which can let in moisture and cause structural damage.

The reason why we want to be there to help our customers no matter when these issues arise is that they are serious, and if a well-meaning handyman or woman tries to apply DIY techniques instead of calling in the experts, the results can be disastrous. They can make the work of professional difficult and a job which could have been solved by simple repair would need replacement because of unnecessary DIY tricks. We make our services as readily available as possible because, above all, want to save you and your home from the trouble that these kinds of situations can cause.

So why should you trust us? Well, we’re not just available on call when you need us. Our professional plumbers are highly qualified and experienced. As Canadians, we understand exactly how harsh winters can be difficult on your home, and our professional plumbers are prepared for all eventualities. We live where you live, and there’s a good chance that we’ll already have all the parts you need for your repair on hand when we show up at your house.

Not to mention the fact that we’re always doing our best to stay up-to-date with the latest equipment like drain cameras and other useful tools, so we can be on the cutting edge of the plumbing game. The next time you need a licensed, insured and reliable plumber to take care of your problem before (or after!) it gets big, get in touch and we will be at your service. Don’t hesitate – call a HY-PRO Plumbing and Drain Cleaning plumber today!

Study Tips For HVAC Students

Becoming HVAC students mean you will be transitioning into being an HVAC professional. This means being responsible for the comfort and safety of people’s homes and workplaces. It requires knowledge and skill, and the tests aren’t easy. Here are some tips for HVAC  students.

Major Topics

HVAC installation and maintenance requires solid knowledge of all major areas of the trade. One study guide for HVAC technicians suggests that students have broad knowledge of the following topics.

• Controls, troubleshooting, repair and mechanical tools
• Refrigeration, fluid flow and heat transfer theory
• Filters and charcoal absorbers
• Electrical theory, motors, instruments and tools
• Operations and safety

Check with your instructor to find out what exactly will be covered on your test.

Reading The Material

Usually, trades like HVAC involve reading and hands-on practice. When reading, instead of just passively ingesting the material, consider these tips on “Getting the Most from Your Study Material” from this study guide:

• Survey the chapter by reading the title, introduction, section headers and the summary and questions that you may find at the end of the section. This will help you understand the main points.
• Ask questions as you read, jotting them down as you go.
• Go over what you’ve learned, writing it down in your own words.
• Review after 24 hours and once again a week later to ensure you’re retaining what you’ve learned.

Be attentive when reading the material and don’t skim. With skimming, you’ll likely miss important points and key details that will help you in your understanding of the topic.

Getting Ready For Tests

If you haven’t been a student for a while, you may need to prepare yourself psychologically by having some strategies ready. A study guide for trade entrance exams provides some solid advice:

• Measure the time you spend on each section of an exam and adjust based on the marks the section is worth.
• Pace yourself by figuring out where you should be in the test after, say, two hours. Then check that you’re not falling behind.
• Multiple choice questions can be tricky. Read the question carefully to check for negative or positive phrasing, or words like “never” and “always,” which can completely alter the meaning of the question.
• When you read the list of answers, try using a process of elimination, mentally striking out the answers you know are false.
• If you cannot find the right answer, try re-reading the question. If none of them seem right, come back to that question later when your memory may feel refreshed.

If anything, get a good night sleep even if it means sacrificing studying time. Getting a good rest will ensure that your mind is refreshed, and you won’t feel groggy in the morning. During your study days, maintain a healthy sleep schedule as this will allow you to recall information a lot better.

Join The Pros

The best education HVAC students can get is within and outside the classroom is experience. Hy-Pro Heating and Cooling operates across Southern Ontario, providing high-quality residential and commercial services. It’s a company that’s seeking the best professionals to join its team.

HVAC Installation Common Problems

HVAC Installation is important in having a comfortable home that often depends on the correct functioning of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Or HVAC, especially in regions of Canada where temperatures swing between sweltering hot summers and frozen winter months.

HVAC installation mistakes may require costly repairs and could even endanger your life. It’s always advisable to hire a trained technician to take care of this sensitive work. If you are wondering whether your HVAC was installed by a pro, check for these common problems.

Leaky Ducts

Improperly installed HVACs are often very leaky. This is often an invisible problem that happens in the ducts of your attic. But if your electricity bill is a lot higher than expected, or your rooms are hard to heat or cool, the culprit may be leaky ducts.

In some cases, these allow more than 40 per cent of your heating and cooling energy may be going to waste as it escapes overhead. Energy-saving pros usually aim for less than 5 per cent leakage.


Weak Airflow

If you feel very little air coming through your vents, it could be a sign of incorrectly sized vents or a bad installation job. Other causes of low airflow could include a busted blower motor, debris stuck in your ductwork, or a worn out fan belt.

Strange Odours

Some unusual smells are normal when you first turn on your HVAC system or the first time you switch it on for the season.  But don’t ignore those smells. Sometimes they can indicate a big problem. Pay attention to these sorts of odors.

• An “electrical” smell
• A burning smell
• Oil or gas smell

A bad installation job could lead to problems of overheating mechanical parts. That could cause the insulation around the wires to melt or burn, sometimes accompanied by smoke.

Sometimes dust burning from the machinery when you first switch it on may cause a smell like gas. This is harmless. But it could be a more serious problem indicating the need for a professional consultation.

Noise From Air Vents

This is an annoying problem that could indicate undersized air vents or a blocked air supply vent that someone shut. What they didn’t realize was that without that air supply, the system ends up working harder and leads to a high-pitched noise.

Call The Pros

Hy-Pro Heating and Cooling operates across Southern Ontario, providing solid residential and commercial services. Contact them to check out your HVAC system and resolve any problems caused by improper installation.