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.

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.

When your pipes get clogged, it’s an inconvenient problem that needs to be sorted. The real question is, though: is it your drain or the city sewer line?

And if it’s the latter, how do you solve the problem?

Before we look at your options, let’s see what signs indicate that you have a city sewer line problem.

Signs of Sewer Line Clog

There are some key signs that your sewer line is clogged:

Water back-ups into your drain, toilet, shower and sink
You hear gurgling sounds coming from the pipes
Slow-running drains due to low water pressure
Foul odours coming from your drains
Sewage coming back up through drains

The key difference between a regular drain clog and a sewer line clog is that the former can be solved easily while the latter constantly causes these problems and tends to worsen over time.

Who to Turn to for Sewer Line Replacement in Calgary

Determine Who is Responsible for the Repair or Replacement

In most municipalities across Calgary, the homeowner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewer line running from their property to the mainline. If it’s on your property, it’s your job to fix it. If not, it’s the municipality. You can only determine that by getting your sewer line inspected by a professional.

Contact Your Calgary Plumber

If you suspect that your sewer line is clogged up, the first thing you should do is contact your local Calgary plumber. They will further inspect your sewer with their advanced in-pipe CCTV camera system to determine its condition and if you need sewer line repairs or a replacement.

Depending on the assessment results, your Calgary plumber can provide you with advice on the best course of action for your clogged sewer. In most cases, they will handle the work themselves without reaching out to the city or municipality.

Notify the City of Calgary

There are some situations where, unfortunately, the plumber cannot solve the problem. There might not be issues with the sewer line, but the mainline, which has affected the efficiency and quality of your sewer line.

Often, the city will work on the sewer line and inadvertently break a pipe or cause other damage, resulting in a clogged line.

If there is a problem in the mainline affecting your sewer line, you’ll have to contact the City of Calgary or your local municipality for more information and help.

Do you notice that there is a smell coming from your sink? Or is your drain not draining as it should be? Are drains backing up all over the house? If you are noticing any of these signs, you most likely have a sewer backup.

And this is a big problem.

It means you’ll risk water damage in your home, floods, sewage coming back into your home, damaging it, and exposing you and your family to harmful bacteria and germs. Therefore, it’s important to fix a sewer backup when it occurs.

But why does it happen? Knowing what causes sewer backups can help you prevent a hazardous situation while being proactive can risk the situation occurring in the first place.

Here is why sewer backups occur, how to prevent them and what to do if you have one.

Causes of Sewer Backups

Below are the main causes of sewer backups:

Clogs can occur when there is a build-up of waste in pipes, leading to a backup in the sewer line. This can include tree roots that have grown into sewer lines.
Heavy rainfall can also cause sewer lines to flood and go back up pipes.
Damaged or aged sewer lines can break down and crack, causing sewage backups and flooded households.
Blockages in city sanitary mains or inside the main plumbing system can result in backups.

How to Prevent Sewer Backups

You can prevent the outbreaks of sewer backups by following these tips:

Don’t pour cooking oil or grease down the drain.
If you have a clogged drain, it’s best to get professional drain cleaning services immediately than letting it continue to build up.
Don’t dispose of garbage or waste down the drain; make sure you correctly dispose of paper towels and waste in the trash.
Install a backwater prevention valve. This unique fixture allows sewage to leave your home through the drains, but if the water starts to flow backwards (a sign of a blockage), then the flap on the valve will activate and stop it.
Ensure you get frequent plumbing and sewage pump maintenance. Having a professional inspect your plumbing system and sewer lines means they can proactively stop any problems from occurring.

(What is a plumbing emergency? And does a sewer backup constitute one? Read our blog to find out!)

Call a Plumber Immediately

If you are experiencing a sewer backup, there is only one solution to your problem: calling an emergency plumber in Calgary.

Only a professional plumber with expertise and knowledge in sewer lines and plumbing systems can help you with this major problem. They will inspect your sewer line (through CCTV) to determine its condition and if you need repairs or replacement. If the damage is extensive, you might require renovations.

Before they arrive, there are some things you can do to mitigate the damage:

Evacuate and turn off the electrical power in the flooded area
Shut off the valve for the main water line of your home. If you are in an apartment building, speak to your landlord or property manager.
Don’t use the water supply system at all until the problem is fixed.
Stay away from the sewage water and if you wish to get closer to it, wear protection masks, eyeglasses, rubber boots and gloves before doing so
Open up doors and windows to allow ventilation through the house.
Contact your municipal authority or sewer department if your home is connected to a public sewer and if there is a problem.
Contact your insurance to confirm if you have coverage from sewer damage or not.

The quicker you act when you suspect a backup, the less damage there will be in your home. With sewer backups, don’t take the risk – take action as soon as possible!

Plumbing is something that most people take for granted.

It’s one of those major things that you don’t really notice until you finally need someone to come in and save the day. The modern lifestyle we currently enjoy can’t be possible without the experience, knowledge and skills of licenced plumbers in Calgary.

How Plumbers Help Your House

Being a plumber is a taxing, physically-demanding job that requires constant education to maintain their high-quality standards and assist people with their plumbing repairs. This can include a wide range that is not limited to:

Faucet Repairs & Replacement
Toilet Repairs & Replacement
Sink Replacement
Waterline Repairs
Boiler Repair & Replacement

As plumbing systems become more advanced and complex, plumbers need to ensure they can handle anything thrown at them. That’s why plumbers are experts in numerous other factors involving plumbing and heating products.

They can assist with furnace and water heater repairs and replacement, drain cleaning and sewer line repair and replacement. More importantly, they can handle plumbing emergencies that can damage the value and structure of your household, as well as carry out inspections and maintenance to ensure your plumbing is in proper working order.

Plumber Man With Tools In the bathroom. Plumbing And Renovation

All these services require a professional that is highly-trained, skilled and knows the various different types of plumbing appliances, systems and products.

But there are more ways that plumbers help households and homeowners:

Health and safety – plumbing mishaps can result in sewage coming up to your house, risking your family getting infected by diseases and germs. They also ensure you have clean and healthy water for showering, cleaning and drinking.
Waste removal – plumbing is also used to remove liquids and waste. This ensures that you can keep your clean water separate from harmful contaminants. If done poorly, contaminants can seep into major plumbing systems.
Prevents water wastage – Leaks and drips can result in you wasting water, costing you more in bills and in repairs. Plumbers can eliminate and help you save water.
Upgrading your plumbing system – New advanced plumbing systems are more secure and energy efficient. Plumbers can help you upgrade your outdated plumbing, so you can increase the value of your property while saving money.

(Want to know what a plumbing emergency is? Read our post here!)

The Importance of Hiring Experienced Plumbers

It’s important to ensure that if you require a Calgary plumber, consider the following:

The experience and knowledge of the fully certified specialists
Transparent pricing for all their services, including no hidden fees
A range of plumbing services ensuring you customers have everything they need
Immediately response to any emergencies and situations
Add value and quality to your house, while respecting your household
Establishing positive relationships with their customers

Take your time, do your research and look for a plumber that is really going to make a difference to your plumbing. As you know – you’re going to need them!