Calgary Plumbers and Top Tips for Preventing Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are a common household nuisance that can lead to unpleasant odours, slow drainage, and even more severe plumbing issues. Fortunately, preventing clogged drains is relatively easy with a few simple maintenance practices and habits.

Adopt some top imperative tips for drain cleaning in Calgary that will keep your plumbing system running smoothly.

1. Use Drain Screens

One of the most effective ways to prevent clogged drains is by using drain screens or stoppers. These inexpensive devices fit over the drain openings in sinks, showers, and bathtubs, catching hair, soap residue, and other debris before they can enter the pipes. Regularly clean the drain screens to remove collected debris and ensure optimal water flow.

2. Avoid Pouring Grease and Oil Down the Drain

Pouring grease, oil, or fats down the drain is a recipe for clogs. As these substances cool, they solidify and cling to the walls of the pipes, gradually building up and obstructing water flow. Instead of pouring them down the drain, collect used cooking oils and grease in a sealed container and dispose of them in the trash.

3. Dispose of Food Waste Properly

In the kitchen, be mindful of what you’re putting down the sink drain. Avoid letting food scraps, coffee grounds, and other solids go down the drain. Use a sink strainer to catch food particles and empty them into the compost or garbage bin.

4. Flush with Hot Water

To prevent buildup in your pipes, flush them regularly with hot water. Run hot water down the drain after each use to help dissolve and wash away any grease, soap scum, or debris that may be accumulating. For an extra cleaning boost, add a bit of baking soda before flushing with hot water.

5. Be Mindful of What You Flush

Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Avoid flushing items like facial tissues, wet wipes, dental floss, and sanitary products, as they can quickly lead to toilet clogs and sewer backups.

6. Use a Plunger

Invest in a good-quality plunger and keep it handy for quick fixes. A plunger can help dislodge minor clogs in sinks, toilets, and shower drains. Remember to use a different plunger for the toilet and other drains to prevent cross-contamination.

7. Regularly Clean Bathroom Drains

Bathroom drains are particularly susceptible to clogs due to the accumulation of hair, soap, and shampoo residue. Regularly clean the drain openings by removing the cover and using a small brush to remove hair and debris. You can also pour a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down the drain to help break down buildup.

8. Use Enzyme Cleaners

Enzyme-based drain cleaners are a more natural and eco-friendly option for preventing clogs. These cleaners contain bacteria that break down organic materials in your drains, helping to prevent blockages and odours. Use them regularly to maintain clean and flowing drains.

9. Avoid Overloading Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are handy kitchen appliances, but they have their limits. Avoid overloading them with large quantities of food scraps, fibrous materials (like celery), and hard items (like bones or fruit pits). Feed food scraps gradually and run cold water while the disposal is operating to help flush away debris.

10. Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning

Regular professional drain cleaning can help prevent clogs and maintain the health of your plumbing system. A plumber can use specialized equipment to clear out any accumulated debris and buildup, ensuring that water flows freely through your pipes.

Conclusion

Preventing clogged drains is a combination of simple habits and proactive maintenance. By being mindful of what goes down your drains, using drain screens, avoiding grease and oil disposal, and regularly cleaning and flushing your drains, you can significantly reduce the risk of clogs and maintain a smoothly functioning plumbing system. By adopting these top tips for preventing clogged drains, you’ll not only save yourself the hassle of dealing with clogs but also extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and keep your home’s water flow in optimal condition.

Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.

During the summertime, people don’t think much about their plumbing in Calgary. The assumption is that nothing needs to be done about it until the weather gets chillier. However, the warmer weather doesn’t exempt a plumbing system from any possible problems. You can avoid potential summertime plumbing issues by checking out a few tips and tricks below!

Summer Plumbing in Calgary: Tips & Tricks

Test Sump Pump

In summer, Calgary weather can be prone to sudden heavy rain. As a result, it can lead to flooding. It can devastate your home by having flood water fill up your basement and create water damage. In turn, it can lead to the deterioration of your house and risk to your health by creating a breeding ground for mold. Sump pumps prevent water from entering your home by pumping water out and through a discharge pipe outside. Keep water at bay and test your sump pump to ensure it’s working properly!

Check Sprinkler System

Sprinkler systems are in full swing for usage during the summer. Yet, some issues can occur if you don’t check its condition. Commonly, sprinkler systems end up getting leaks. Furthermore, sprinkler heads that aren’t working create clogs. In this case, you want to replace them to avoid such problems. An embedded sprinkler system on your lawn without clean heads can lead to flooding, backed-up water and lawn areas drying out.

Mindful of Root Growth

Once spring has passed, summertime is the time for most greenery to flourish and grow truly. Unfortunately, when roots spread out further for more nutrients, it can interfere with your sewer line. In turn, it can cause a sewer backup in your home. If you suspect an issue with your sewer line, it’s best to have a plumber in Calgary to see the level of damage you could be facing. Better to be safe than sorry if the tree near your home is impacting your sewer line this summer.

Be Aware of Sweating Pipes

What exactly are sweaty pipes? They’re the condensation on pipes, faucet heads, and other plumbing fixtures when cold water runs or has just run through them. Typically, these are temporary and are quite common. However, it becomes an issue if you see it constantly. Usually, the culprit is a leaky faucet, running toilet or improper main valve adjustment. So keep an eye out for sweaty pipes to avoid those plumbing problems!

Know the Main Water Valve

Are you aware of what your main water valve does? If not, it would be imperative for you to know! Your main water valve can cut off your water supply. In cases of leaks or bursts, you would want to know where to shut it off to prevent water from continuously spewing everywhere and causing potential damage. Typically, you can find them in a basement, garage or utility closet. Others have one outside or near the water main in the street, curb or sidewalk. If unsure, you can always consult a plumber to ask where it is.

Find the Right Pressure

During the summer, you get more usage out of your shower, washer and other water-based appliances and fixtures. That’s why you need to ensure your water pressure is right. According to the City of Calgary, “homes built after 1990 in areas of over 80 PSI are equipped with a pressure reducing valve (PRV).” If your home is older or the PRV is over five years old, the water pressure in your home will become too high, and you will need maintenance.

Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.

Nothing can make you sweat more than dealing with plumbing problems during the summer. As many Calgary plumbers know, the summer months in the city can result in heat waves that have many Calgarians increasing their water usage. However, in doing so, this stress on your plumbing can create a host of unexpected problems.

Learn what the top four common plumbing problems you encounter during the summer are. This way, you don’t need to sweat about any plumbing issues arising!

Problem #1: Various Types of Clogs

Summer is the time of the year when people are at home more often due to school being over and more work holidays. In which case, you can expect more usage out of your plumbing besides yourself and possibly your household. Friends and family come over more often during this time, which can cause unexpected plumbing problems.

For instance, you can expect clogs during summer to occur most likely from:

Your toilet
Your garbage disposal
Your shower
Your sink

Unfortunately, not every person is mindful of your plumbing system, so the increased usage can result in clogs in those areas of your home.

A woman is showing a leaking washing machine to a plumber.

Problem #2: Laundry Water Supply Line Leaks

Calgary is no stranger to heat waves. People end up dripping in sweat that soaks easily through clothes. On top of that, many generally get their clothes dirty more often because of various activities (e.x. hiking). As a result, many use their washing machines frequently to clean said clothes.

Continuous use of your washing machine over a period of time can wear down your water supply lines and shut off valves. It can also create leaks over time in your washing machine’s water supply line hoses, which can potentially lead to flooding. Avoid having to pay for potential water damage by changing your water supply hoses every couple of years. We recommend always using a braided water supply line.

Problem #3: Risk of Sudden Flooding

Beyond the heat, summer also comes with rain. In Calgary, rainfall can come suddenly and heavily. Depending on the severity, it can potentially cause your basement to flood. When you’re susceptible to flooding, the watery debris can bring in bacteria and germs into your home that can be a breeding ground for sickness. Furthermore, flooding creates significant water damage that would need repairing – which can get costly. You can prevent spending a fortune on repairs by ensuring your sump pump is in good condition. Once you know your sump pump is in working order, it can effectively help steer heavy rainfall water away from your home and prevent any flooding from occurring.

Problem #4: Possible Kitchen Leaks

Like with your washing machine, you can expect frequent use of your dishwasher during the summer. Social gatherings like having BBQs with friends and family mean a lot of dishes that need cleaning. The most convenient way to clean up is generally with a dishwasher, but having so much demand can lead to system leaks. A tell-tale sign there is something wrong is if you see water pooling around your dishwasher or your dishwasher will not drain . In which case, you want to reach out to plumbing in Calgary that can directly assess and fix the issue.

Are you planning on undertaking some bathroom renovations for your home? Do you wish to upgrade and improve your plumbing systems, such as your hot water tank? What about a sewer line replacement or repair?

Before you jump the gun, it’s important to know if you need a plumbing permit for the job. Let’s dive right in and find out!

When Do I Need a Plumbing Permit?

Ultimately, you do not need a plumbing permit if you are undertaking maintenance, minor plumbing repairs or upgrading certain bathroom elements in your home. The most common examples include replacing or repairing a toilet, fixing faucets, repairing a leak or installing a new shower.

The key reason is that these repairs do not affect the structural integrity of your home or plumbing system. Generally, if you are doing any repair, maintenance or upgrades that alter the structure or plumbing system (such as water supply or sewer lines) of your home, you will require a permit from the City of Calgary.

According to the City of Calgary, “a plumbing permit is required when: A plumbing system is constructed, extended or altered [or a] Water and sewer lines in or around the home are replaced.”

In some cases, you might require a permit when installing or repairing a hot water tank, particularly if there are any changes to the “the gas lines located upstream from the water heater shut off valve, the venting system (e.g. size and design) [and] the type of water heater (e.g. changing from a natural draft water heater to a direct vent water heater).”

What are the Benefits of a Permit?

Having a permit before you commence any major plumbing or renovation work will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re following City bylaws while ensuring a high standard of work is being met by the plumber. Plumbers will have to follow the standard set by the work, guaranteeing a higher quality of work.

Most significantly, it also protects you against liabilities or fines in the future. Not only will you face a penalty from the City of Calgary, but if you sell your home, the buyers can make a claim against you if the work affects their home.

Is it Easy to Apply for a Permit?

To obtain a permit, you will have to meet the criteria set by the City of Calgary (including whether you legally own the home, do the work yourself or hire a professional), pay the application fee, and apply for the permit.

Should Hire a Plumber to Help Me?

Indeed, you should. Having an experienced plumber on your side (like the experts at Calgary Plumber and Drains) can make your permit application process easier. They will be able to manage your application for you, so it gets accepted without any further delays. It’s the best option if you don’t want to apply for an application yourself.