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4 Plumbing Basics Homeowners Should Know

12769895_sEvery homeowner should know plumbing basics so that there’s less mystery when water problems do occur. Gravity and pressure are two of the most fundamental concepts of plumbing, which is comprised of two separate subsystems.  The supply system allows fresh water in, while the drainage system forces waste water out. Knowing that water seeks its own level helps demystify plumbing systems. Below are some of the most important plumbing basics for homeowners to know.

1. Main Shut-off Valve

It’s a good idea to know where the main shutoff valve is in case of an emergency. Water coming into your home is under pressure, measured by a meter, which is usually in close proximity with the main shutoff valve. Knowing how to shut off this valve quickly can save your property from a flood caused by a broken pipe. 

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How Does a Sewer Backflow Valve Work?

sewer backflow valveSewage backups are not only gross and inconvenient, they can cause thousands of dollars in damage in addition to creating health hazards for occupants in your home. All of this can easily be avoided, however, with the addition of a mainline sewer backflow valve to your plumbing system.

What causes sewage backup?
There are a variety of reasons for sewage backup. The main line that runs from your home to the sewer may become clogged due to grease, tree roots, and other blockages. In addition, water used in area homes as well as excess rain water can overwhelm the sewer system, causing water to back up in the lines and into your home.

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How to Snake a Drain: Tips from a Master Plumber

How to Snake a DrainIf you’ve got a plugged drain, then one of the first things you’re likely looking for is how to snake a drain. While this can be a somewhat complicated process for someone who has never known how to snake a drain, once you get the hang of it you’ll find that it’s easier than you thought. Let’s take a look at the simple steps and then cover a few essential tips.

Step 1:

First, put the end of the snake into the opening of the drain. Then turn the handle on the drum that houses the coiled-up drain snake. This gets the auger working so it can work itself down the drain.

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How to Unblock a Toilet Easily & Quickly

How to Unblock a ToiletClogged toilets are an unfortunate fact of life. Fortunately, most blockages can be dealt with quickly and easily using very basic tools. Here are 6 steps to help you unblock a toilet:

1. Stop Flushing!

If you flush the toilet once and it doesn’t clear the bowl, it is tempting to flush again. Resist this temptation! If a blockage is preventing your toilet from flushing, pumping more water into the bowl will only cause it to overflow all over the floor. Instead, turn off the water supply to the toilet (there should be a valve close to the toilet) or open the top of the toilet and lift up the float arm to prevent any more water flowing into the bowl.

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At-Home Methods for Clearing a Clogged Shower Drain

Clogged Shower DrainA clogged shower drain is the bane of every homeowner’s existence. Shower bases that are stubbornly slow to drain can leave you paddling around in a couple of inches of water every time you take a shower. Drains can also become completely blocked, rendering the shower unusable.

There are several techniques that you can use to clear a clogged shower drain. Next time you experience this annoying problem, why not give one of the following a try?

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Troubleshooting Your Kitchen Sink Plumbing Issues

Kitchen Sink Plumbing IssuesA blocked kitchen sink is a problem everyone faces at one time or another. For those who do dishes in the sink, it can be highly frustrating when the water refuses to drain away, or takes much longer than usual. It is often the result of large amounts of food scraps and other waste matters accumulating and getting stuck in the drainpipe. Clogged drainpipes are not the only kitchen sink plumbing issue you have to deal with from time to time. Other problems include leaking faucets, leaking drain baskets and broken garbage disposal units.

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Commercial Plumbing Services from ExpressRooter

Commercial Plumbing ServicesPlumbing is one of the most important components of modern homes. Whether it’s to install or repair water pipes, faucets, toilets, drainage, water heater or the kitchen sink, you will need to call a licensed plumber sooner or later. Since it’s a job that requires a high level of expertise and the right tools, you may wish to hire only the best contractor in your area for the job. ExpressRooter is one such contractor in Toronto. The company has a team of fully qualified and certified technicians who are able to provide you with the best solutions for your plumbing problems.

The commercial plumbing services offered by ExpressRooter include:

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What Kind of Problems Can a Plumbing Drain Camera Inspection Detect?

Even for professional plumbers, it can be difficult to detect what’s really going on in your plumbing system with the naked eye. How do you know what’s going on out of sight, below ground? That’s where plumbing camera inspection comes in. In order to diagnose the true cause of your plumbing issues, you need a plumbing company who has the right knowledge and the right technology to see what’s happening below ground level.

What is a Drain Camera Inspection?

Drain cameras have a small camera and light mounted on a flexible cable, which is fed into a home’s drain system to help provide insight regarding the health of their pipes, as well uncover the source of any existing issues. Our cameras have video recording capability, so you have access to a real-time walk-though of your drain system.

The best part of using a camera inspection is that it is a non-invasive method of getting to the source of the issue. No need to dig unnecessary holes or damage walls; the camera cable is simply fed into your home’s “cleanout” which allows for sewer access. A plumbing video camera inspection can help uncover those hard to identify problems that can occur out of plain sight. Here are some of the problems that a drain camera inspection can discover:

A plumbing video camera inspection can help discover those hard to identify problems that can occur out of plain sight. Here are some of the problems that a video plumbing inspection can discover:

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3 Basement Plumbing Problems You Can Prevent

Plumbing ProblemsA basement may get flooded for a number of reasons. It is also true that an efficient drainage system plays a significant role in reducing the probability of getting flooded. However, basement plumbing problems can also cause significant water damage despite the fact that the vast majority of them can be traced back to preventable issues. In order to avoid the frustration and expense associated with a flooded basement, you can get informed about the top basement plumbing problems that present high risks of flooding, but which are perfectly preventable through proper upkeep and maintenance:

Sump Pump Failure – The sump pump is an essential element of defense against basement flooding and an important component of your basement plumbing system. However, the sump pump is exposed to debris and detritus buildup around the screen or opening resulting in sump pump failure. Prevention is quite simple. You can start by pouring vinegar through the pump which will disintegrate debris and detritus. You can also have a professional cleaning of your sump pump on an annual basis — ideally right before the rainy season. You should also test it and run it every two or three months and make sure it’s running properly.

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