Take care before the cold to prepare your home and plumbing system for below-freezing temperatures.

This means insulating, sealing, and repairing.

But some pipes may be more exposed than others due to their placement in your home, for example, in your basement, crawl space, or attic.

For more vulnerable pipes, you can install pipe insulation and heating cables. But if this isn’t an option and your pipes are in danger, turn on a faucet and run some water. Running water will take away the opportunity for it to freeze in vulnerable pipes.

There are a few reasons that your toilet may be noisy when it’s flushed.

Some common issues are that your toilet is having issues filling, water hammer, venting issues, flapper problems, and dirty valves.

Unusual noises when using fixtures are often a good indicator that your plumbing system may need some attention.

When you think something may be off, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with one of our qualified technicians!

Your drain system flushes waste through a series of pipes which eventually connect to a sewer or septic system. There are vents that allow air into the drainpipes, so no vacuum restricts water flow.

If a blockage happens in any of the drain systems, including vents, you’re going to have issues.

Blockages aren’t only caused by what goes into the drain that shouldn’t (such as grease, food matter, wipes, feminine products, etc.) – but can also be caused by external interferences.

Some common external issues are tree roots, bellied pipes, and even birds nests.

We often take our drainage systems for granted, and sometimes we mistreat them.

If you often experience drain issues, book an appointment with an expert (wink, wink) for drain cleaning services and drain and sewer inspection.

We have technology available that allows us to inspect your drain system from the interior of the pipes, so we can locate the exact cause and location of your problem.

Many plumbing fixtures in your home share the same water source. Using a fixture will offset the pressure of the water supply that is being used.

If you begin using hot water from a fixture, you will relieve the pressure in the hot water supply. If you begin using cold water from a fixture, you will relieve the pressure in the cold water supply.

If you’ve set the water temperature in your shower to your desired and comfortable temperature, then someone else flushes the toilet or runs a tap, this will readjust the water pressure in the line being used.

So if someone flushes a toilet, you will have less cold water coming through the shower – if someone runs the dishwasher, you will have less hot water coming through the shower.

When the additional fixture ceases use, the temperature and pressure in the shower should readjust to what you had initially set.

A common solution to fluctuating shower temperature is to install a thermostatic mixing valve.

A Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) mixes the hot and cold water at the point of use. It is designed to automatically maintain the temperature when the pressure of the incoming water changes.

Not only can TMV’s keep you comfortable, but they can also protect you from burning.

There could be a couple of things that are causing your toilets to keep running.

1. You may need to replace the flapper.

2. You might need to trim the chain that connects the flapper to the handle.

3. The float valve height requires adjustment.

These problems are relatively easy to fix. If fixing them doesn’t stop the toilet from continuously running, it’s best to call one of our experts to take a look.

An inconsistent water temperature usually means one of two things.

The most common is that multiple fixtures and appliances are using hot water at the same time. As an appliance begins using hot or cold water, the water pressure in the corresponding water line will drop.

As such, the temperature of the fixture you had already set and begun using will adjust to the change, which will either increase or decrease the temperature.

If the water changes without an additional fixture or appliance using water, then your water heater likely needs some special attention.

Water costs increased April 1, 2020, but it only increased by 5% – so if you’re concerned about a bigger increase than that, then I hope it’s that you’ve taken to longer showers and bought a dishwasher!

If not, you may have a leak.

Unfortunately, not all leaks are as easy to locate as you’d expect.

If you think that you might have a leak, we can arrange for a Leak Detection and Repair appointment. We’ll find your leak and take care of it.

Stinky drains usually indicate that there’s something in your drains producing a nasty smell. This can be food, grease, gunk, or anything else that went down the drain and made a home there.

What gets caught in a drain can make a home for all sorts of organisms which can add to the smell.

Our recommendation is a good ol’ fashioned drain cleaning. We’d recommend having a professional do the job, as the professionals have equipment that enables them to clean your drains without damaging them.