Causes for Clogged Pipes and DrainsThere are several reasons why drains and pipes become clogged and no longer work correctly. It is important to realize that when water starts draining more slowly or occasionally backs up, it is an early indication a clog is developing. Simply ignoring the problem and hoping the clog will resolve itself is never a good idea.

Eventually the clog will block the entire drain pipe and could lead to the water overflowing out of the sink, shower, or toilet and onto your floor. Not to mention some backed up water overflows can be rather messy to clean up and could result in water damage to your home.

• Hair – Hair is a common cause of clogs as everyone sheds some hair while bathing or showering. Hair also goes down the drain from shaving. To prevent large amounts of hair from going down the drain, you may want to install screens on the drains.
• Grease/Oil – Some people pour grease and cooking oil directly down their drain. Not only is this bad on your pipes, but also not good for the environment. When grease and oil interacts with water, it coagulates and attaches itself to the interior of pipes. Over time, these deposits can restrict water flow and eventually clog. It is better to keep a container to pour the grease and oil into that you can recycle later.
• Gels and Soaps – Certain types of soaps and gels can coat the interior of pipes, much like grease and oil. Not to mention, hair sticks easier to the pipes. To help prevent soap and gel buildup in pipes, periodically pour boiling water down drains as this will help break down the deposits.
• Paper Products – You should never flush non-biodegradable paper products down the toilet, like paper towels and feminine hygiene products. Both of these items can get stuck in drains cause clogs as well as the toilet to overflow.

Toddlers – Your curious toddler can clog cause problems with clogged toilets. Most children of this age are enticed by the swirling water and seeing toilet paper disappear. It is not uncommon for some children to flush massive amounts of toilet paper down the toilet or even some of their toys.

Tree Roots –

Depending on where you drain pipes run outside of the house, if there are nearby trees, sometimes the roots will grow into the pipes and create clogs.

Certain Food Products put in the Sink Disposal – Potato peelings and other food products can cause clogs and block pipes as they are not meant to be put into a sink disposal system.

If you have problems with slow draining water, clogs, or blockages, it is recommended to contact professional plumbers in Mississauga, here at My Precise Plumbing(Drain Cleaning  Mississauga). There could potentially be a bigger problem than a simple clog and discovering it sooner, rather than later can save you money. Contact us today by calling 647-878-9293 to schedule service now. We are even available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies Mississauga.

Are Tankless or Traditional Water Heaters Better?

When you are building a new home or need to replace your existing water heater, there are two common types of water heaters you will find available through plumbing companies in Mississauga: Tankless water heaters and traditional water heaters. While both provide hot water for your home, there are major differences on how they operate, as well as the benefits they provide.

Deciding which water heater is the best solution for your home should be made after reviewing the following information to help you better understand the differences, as well as the benefits of each type of water heater. In addition, you might want to consider scheduling a consultation appointment with an experienced and knowledgeable Mississauga plumber for their recommendations, based upon your needs.

Traditional Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters hold a specified amount of water and use either natural gas or electricity to heat water to a preset temperature. Most water heaters of this type hold between 30 and 50 gallons (around 113 to 189 litres) of water. Whenever you use hot water to bathe, shower, do dishes, or laundry, the preheated water is pumped out and replaced with cold water, where it is reheated to the preset temperature.

Benefits:The two main benefits of traditional water heaters are they tend to cost less and are easier to install in most homes.

Cons: There are several drawbacks you should be aware of with traditional water heaters, including:

• Higher Energy Bills – Water in the entire tank, is reheated whenever it drops below the preset temperature and anytime hot water is used.
• Requires More Space than Tankless Water Heaters
• Potential to Run Out of Hot Water
• Shorter Life Spans – On average, traditional water heaters last around 15 years or less.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters create hot water as it is needed using either natural gas or electricity, without having to store it in a tank.

Benefits:There are several benefits of tankless water heaters, including:

• Lower Energy Bills – For homes that use less than 40 gallons (about 151 litres) of hot water daily, energy bill savings could be as much as 34% or more for water heating costs.
• Takes Up Less Space – Since they are much smaller, there is more flexibility in where tankless water heaters can be installed.
• Creates Hot Water on Demand – You never have to worry about running out of hot water, which is perfect for large families.
• Longer Life Spans – On average, tankless water heaters lasts 20 to 30 years, sometimes longer.

Cons:There are a few drawbacks to tankless water heaters, which are a higher upfront cost and retrofitting to replace traditional water heaters could increase overall installation costs, in some situations.

To learn more about traditional and tankless water heaters for your home and help selecting the most appropriate solution, call the experts at My Precise Plumbing at 647-878-9293 now.

What Is the Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water?

Most of the water in Toronto, and throughout Canada is considered to be hard water. Hard water is defined by the hardness within the water caused by natural occurring sources, most notably calcium and magnesium. While neither of these minerals pose health risks, as long as there is not an excess quantity of the minerals within the water, there is concern over the potential damage they can cause to plumbing, hot water heaters, dishwashers, coffer makers, faucets, shower heads, and toilets due to scaling.

Soft water is water that does not contain natural occurring hardness minerals. Even though there is a small amount of natural occurring soft water in various locations, it is often created using various processes, along with water softener systems, to help remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. The softening processes used often depend on whether the water is being softened at home with a home water softener or by your water provider.

How Does Hard Water Affect Plumbing?

Since hard water contains minerals, it causes scaling to form on the interior of pipes. Overtime, the scaling can buildup and become sufficient enough to create a reduction in water pressure and eventually, blockages, preventing the flow of water. If this occurs, it is recommended to contact a qualified plumbing company in Mississauga to determine whether the pipes can be cleaned or have to be replaced.

How Does Hard Water Affect Energy Usage?

Scaling prohibits the transfer of heat efficiently. As a result, the energy efficiency of hot water heaters declines and results in an increase in energy bills. Eventually hot water heaters have to be replaced from excessive scaling.

How Does Hard Water Affect Cleaning?

The minerals in hard water are more resistant to soaps, detergents, and cleaning products. As a result, it requires using more of these products in order to achieve the desired results, which further increases costs for cleaning products. Hard water will also leave water stains, in the form of small white spots, on cooking utensils, glasses, dishes, pots, pans, and other hard surfaces. With soft water, it reacts more effectively with these products, and depending upon the softness of the water, it is possible to reduce the amount of cleaning products required by up to 50%, saving you money.

How Does Hard Water Affect Showering/Bathing?

While hard water poses no risks for showering and bathing, as already mentioned, it does create scaling and requires using more soap and shampoo to get clean. The scaling forms on the sides of showers and tubs, as well as in showerheads and faucets, and will require more frequent cleaning and descaling. Eventually, showerheads and faucets have to be replaced, especially if there is a decrease in water flow.

For more information about the differences between hard and soft water and water treatment solutions for your home, contact My Precise Plumbing by calling 647-878-9293 today.

Renovating your bathroom not only allows you to modernize this space in your home, but also adds value to your property. Whether you have a larger bathroom in a newer home or a smaller one in an older home, before you renovate the look and design of your bathroom, you want to consider important aspects to ensure the finished project meets your objectives.

The first thing you need to decide is if you are going to do the work yourself, hire a professional bathroom renovation and plumbing company in Mississauga, or both. Some people are perfectly capable of painting walls and replacing flooring, but when it comes to the toilet, bathtub, shower, and sink, prefer using a professional to ensure all plumbing is done correctly the first time. Once you decide who is going to perform specific renovation tasks, the next step is to create a project budget.

The project budget should include all costs associated with renovating your bathroom for materials, supplies, and labour, such as:

• Flooring
• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Light Fixtures
• Showers
• Bathtubs
• Toilets
• Paint and Painting Supplies

If you are hiring a professional contractor to do some or all of the work, remember to include the cost of labour into your project budget. Most plumbing and bathroom renovation companies will provide you with a free quote detailing the estimated number of hours needed to complete the work.

When it comes to selecting new tubs and showers for your bathroom, take the time to visit a showroom. Stand in the shower and make sure you are able to move around freely. Sit in the bathtub to see how it feels. If you have a smaller bathroom, consider a deeper tub rather than a bigger one. If you are combining the bathtub and shower into one, look at tubs that are easy to get in and out of with lower sides. Should you be fortunate and have a spacious bathroom, you may want to consider a Jacuzzi style tub.

For flooring options, you want to choose durable flooring that does well in humid environments, like marble, stone, or ceramic tiles. Some people also install a floor heating system underneath tiles to warm up the floor on those cold winter days. There are even some hardwood flooring options perfect for the bathroom. Never use carpeting in the bathroom as it attracts mold and mildew.

You can increase storage space in your bathroom by taking advantage of the spaces in between the wall supports and studs. This area is perfect for recessed cabinets and shelves. In addition, you can eliminate traditional sink/cabinet styles and go with a pedestal sink and not lose any storage space.

If you are replacing showerheads and tub and sink faucets, choose styles that incorporate water efficiency in their design. There are several different styles that look great and at the same time will help lower you water bills. For more bathroom renovation ideas or to obtain a free quote to renovate your bathroom, feel free to contact Precise Plumbing at 647-878-9293. We are experienced in all areas of bathroom remodeling and renovation for your Mississauga area home.

How to prevent drain damage
Most houses have several different drains, from the bathrooms to the kitchen. When these drains are working well, life is good, and people tend not to worry about the plumbing, but when a drain starts to malfunction, life can become a nightmare. Fortunately, there are high quality Mississauga plumbing options, but if you properly maintain your drains, you can avoid the need for drain repair services, and save yourself a great deal of heart ache. There are several important steps to take, in order to avoid drain damage.

One of the most common drain repairs is the clogged drain. A clogged drain can happen for a variety of reasons, and most of the reasons are completley preventable. One reason that a drain can clog is due to the long term build up of hair and other particles. This is one of the easiest drain clogs to avoid, you simply need to install a drain screen on your drains. This screen will capture the particles before they have a chance to go down the drain. By installing a drain screen, you can quickly avoid a drain clog.

Another common cause of a clogged drain is the disposal of kitchen grease. Many people pour kitchen grease down the drain, where it can then solidify and cause a major clog in your drain. In order to prevent this, you should dispose of your kitchen grease in a coffee can, and dispose of the coffee can later. Fixing a drain that is clogged with grease is extremely difficult and costly, so make sure you take the proper steps to prevent the need for drain repair services.

Proper maintenance is also essential to prevent the need for drain repairs. There are several steps you can take to maintain your drain. One step is to run hot water down your drain after each use, to catch any items that are trapped in your drain. On occasion, you can also pour a cup of vinegar down your drain in order to clean out any build up that is in your drain. By regularly cleaning your drain, you can ensure that your drain stays in the best possible shape.

While you should follow all of these steps, you will eventually need drain repair services. When the day comes when you need Drain Cleaning Mississauga, you should call us, and we’ll be happy to get your drains working quickly.

Best Locking Pliers

If you live in Mississauga, plumbing tools are essential. There are a few new plumbing products on the market to help you deal with those challenging projects, whether you do your own do-it-yourself projects on weekends or you have several Mississauga  Drain Cleaning , Mississauga plumbers use:

Check out the Knipex Cobra with a comfort grip and smaller handle. You can pick from chrome plated, slim or a Cobramatic. The benefit is you have 25 different jaw positions.

Another top option is the Irwin GrooveLock that comes in multiple sizes and has a jaw capacity of up to 6″ if you buy their 20″ version. You can pick from straight jaw, smooth jaw or V-jaw with 16 jaw positions.

No matter which you go with, they’ll both do the same job and offer several benefits!

WEEKEND DIY PLUMBING ESSENTIALS

In Mississauga, plumbing tools are a top priority if you have a leak or weekend project you want to work on. Keep the best tools in your toolbox for all your plumbing needs. Include these essential tools which are the top tools Mississauga plumbers use:

• Needle Nose Pliers: Used to help grasp small parts, you always want to keep these on hand to grasp small pieces.
• Plumber’s Tape: To ensure you have a tight seal on threaded pipes, showerheads or faucets, you can look for this Teflon tape at Home Depot and keep a roll in your toolbox.
• Plumber’s Putty: To make that water tight and water resistant seal, this is the perfect “glue” in sink drains.
• Basin Wrench: Anogher great wrench for tight spots, this works perfectly when you’re under the sink.

By keeping the essentials handy, you won’t be stuck under the sink all day when the game is on! That’s what weekends are for!

If you’re a weekend DIY plumber in Mississauga, plumbing tools are essential. Trying to find the best tools might have you at Home Depot all day. You might have dozens of tools depending on the type of projects you’re facing. Break down your tools by the type of project you’re working on:

• sink installation and repairs
• washing machine installations
• toilet and tub replacements and repairs

Be sure to research the parts you will need ahead of time so you don’t have to make another trip back to Home Depot – unless you want to see that new outdoor grill again!