FAQ’s

Q1. What are you hourly rates? How much will my work cost?

Plumber rates in Toronto are a result of the huge amount of training and experience that goes into becoming a working professional plumber. We have to see what the situation is in your home before we can provide a quote. This is because plumbing can be very different in different homes.. Cost vary from home to home and from different services. However all our prices will be upfront in writing, detailed scope of work, warranties and liabilities.

Q2. Do you offer plumbing service where I live?

We do offer plumbing services in the largest populated area in Ontario, Toronto and surrounding cities. Our services areas are found  in our website locations page: https://www.plumbera.ca/locations/

Q3. What method of payment do you accept?

We do accept different method of payments as listed below:

  • Credit: Visa or MasterCard.
  • E-transfer
  • Cheques ( Only for new installation and renovations. We regret that we can not accepts cheques for any service work)
  • Cash (we regret that we can’t provide change for cash payments, and we don’t offer a discount for cash)

Q4. What are PLUMBERA’s hours of operation, are you open on Sundays?

PLUMBERA provides 24/7 service, even on the weekends. We are committed to provide plumbing emergencies 7 Days A Week.

Q5. How do I increase the pressure of my bathroom faucet?

The problem is most likely due to a worn out washer. You can call your local plumber, or you can do it yourself. Open up the faucet and check for any debris stuck in behind the handle where the water comes out. Remove this if you find it and close up the faucet by pulling back on the handle. Then turn on one of the hot water handles. If water is coming through of the hot-water outlet it’s likely that your tap isn’t draining properly because there is some debris still blocking it. Take apart your faucet until you find what blockage has occurred and remove it, then reassemble

Q6. What’s the best way to avoid clogged drains?

There are a few things you can do to avoid clogged drains. One is to regularly clean under the sink and around your dishwasher. Also, use a good drain cleaner and make sure you rinse everything out well before disposing of it. You should also check your toilet for proper flushing from time to time (if you don’t flush enough it can lead to pouring water down the sewer line creating clogs). Another option would be to have an expert come in and inspect your plumbing system for any issues that might prevent proper function.

Q7. Is my toilet leaking?

There are many signs that indicate your toilet may leak:

1. Your toilet is leaking, but then it are some problems with the pipes underneath In this case you will obviously be having gushing backs of water when flush the toilet with a full tank in an hour or two (minimum). You will also notice water around the base while going to shower.

2. You see water drops from the top rim of your toilet bowl after many uses of your toilet, these drops should be coming up sooner if not daily. If you have very low issues with using and flushing your toilet I think seeing one drop rather gives you some semblance it actually is quite a bad shape

Q8. What do I do if my garbage disposal is clogged?

If your garbage disposal is clogged, most likely you will have to remove the blades and unclog the blades using a wrench. Make sure to avoid using too much pressure on the wrench so that you do not crack or break the blades. When attempting to remove for removing the jammed blades, do follow these steps: Sneak your thongs under the side of the sink and use them as leverage by standing at a poor angle and making small movements from your hips with timed anticipation. Replace all of the old blades with new ones because they are needed to ensure that no more food bits enter into your disposal from damaged function during clamping on older blades.

Q9. How do I find out what's wrong with my water heater?

When a water heater is not working properly, there are many signs that can be observed. The initial issue may be with the burner control assembly, which typically is located above or below the unit itself. This assembly regulates the temperature of the burners and enables them to maintain their desired temperatures. An unresponsive burner control panel may also cause your heat to cycle on and off erratically, resulting in reduced power output and a reduction in overall efficiency.

Another possible sign of a faulty heating element would be when you notice an inconsistent flow of hot water from your faucets. This could indicate that your heating system has an open circuit or low-pressure valve. A constant dripping sound coming from your pipes could also indicate a malfunctioning heater altogether.

Q10. It's possible that water heaters stop working due to clogged or damaged pipes.

Yes it is possible. Sometimes, the water heater develops a leak and all of the water in the tank starts to evaporate leaving only very little residual heat for the space. This is called “evaporative cooling” and it can make water heaters stop working temporarily. There are several ways to check for this problem:
Hold a small light bulb about an inch above the drain pipe and see if you get any hot air coming out at all, this is an indication that there is still some residual heat inside the unit. If not, then there may be a problem with either a clogged drain or blocked vents so look there first.

Q11. When do need to turn off the water main?

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, it is recommended to turn off the main water supply as quickly as possible. To do this, turn off the main water valve located in your basement or house and turn on the shut-off valve outside of your home. This will shut off all water supply to the property.

Q12. What are the advantages of switching to a low water use toilet?

The biggest pro to low water use toilets is that they are very economical. We don’t think of them as a luxury item, but more of a necessity. The concept is to save money and reduce our environmental impact by not wasting water when we flush the toilet, or not flushing at all when there’s no reason to. If it saves us a gallon of water every time we use the bathroom, it could save us thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.

Q13. How can you prevent sewer backups?

Sewer backups can be prevented by taking care of the plumbing system. This can include draining and flushing the toilet regularly, and repairing or replacing old pipes that might have holes in them. When the water is turned off and you flush, the pipe sends a signal to all the valves inside your house which open up to let clean water go through again. If there is something blocking this signal, then it won’t be flushed out properly, so you will get a backup into your home. You should regularly check for leaks in your pipes at least once every month.

Q14. What is the best way to unblock a sewer line?

In some cases, you may need to cut a pipe and remove debris from the area that has blocked the pipes. If this is the case you will want to call a plumber who can do this service quickly and efficiently. A plumber can clear out the blockage in a few simple steps:

  1. Pressure test the line for leaks by placing one end of the hose into a second container at least 18 inches away. The pressure must be equal between both ends of the hose; if not add water until it is.
  2. Turn off all water outside and then turn on your faucet sending as much water as possible down the line which is then held up by your hose.

Q15. Why does backflow happen?

Backflow happens because of the water pressure being higher than the water flow rate. This means that, for a given height of water, pressure is higher at the top since it is closer to the pumps and there are fewer obstructions in the pipe (like faucets). Since this pressure differential can be very large, even if it only takes a very small amount of water to come through (like a single splash or drip), then this difference will cause backflow.

Q16. What precautions can one take to prevent backflow?

1) In many cases, the best practice is to prevent backflow by isolating the plumbing. For example, a clothes washer in a basement may be connected to your main water line, but it should not be directly connected to your shower head. You should also make sure that your faucet and handle are closed tight so as to avoid leakage.

2) If you do have an accidental leak into the drain pipe, then you will want to regulate the pressure of the water coming into your home rather than stop it completely; this is done by adding a pressure reducer.

3) The final piece of advice, is to look for any plumbing fixtures that are made of plastic; you should replace all plastic plumbing items ASAP!

Q17. Reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that has been sanitized and reused. Because reclaimed water is a “closed system”, it does not contain the problems associated with untreated wastewater. So there are no health concerns, performance issues, or odor issues. Reclaimed water is generally found in rural areas where resources do not allow for the construction of a conventional treatment plant (because of the high cost).

Q18. My sink gets clogged constantly. What can I do to fix this?

You probably have hidden debris you need to clean out such as hair, food, or anything else that is causing the clog. You can also try cleaning out your garbage disposal. If none of these work, you may need to hire a plumber to fix your garbage disposal.

Q19. How do I keep the water pipes from freezing in extreme cold weather?

In the winter months, cold air settles on the water pipes at night. This air is very dry and has a low moisture content. When this dry air comes in contact with the water, it can cause frost to form on the pipes. This frost can quickly block up the flow of water through these pipes. To avoid this problem, insulate them with gas-filled insulation (e.g. fiberglass or polystyrene) to prevent heat loss and try to keep the temperature at or around -10°C by insulating the pipes themselves. Insulate also the piping itself if you can (which is not always possible). The smallest pipe in a house can carry up to 2 percent of its volume in water, so it makes sense to protect them as soon as possible. PVC pipes are preferable because they don’t absorb moisture and can be easily cleaned.

Q20. What is the average lifespan of a gas water heater?

If a water heater is properly maintained, it can last indefinitely. But if left on too long the element can burn out and be replaced. The average lifespan of gas water heaters in North America is more than 20 years which makes them much longer lasting than most other household items and appliances that have a lifespan of 3 or 4 years.

Q21. My old water heater doesn’t work as well as it used to.

How old is the water heater? If it’s less than 7 years, you may be able to just have a plumber change out the pump. Water heaters tend to wear out after 7-10 years. In order to prevent this, check the temperature gauge before each use and adjust or replace as soon as necessary.

Q22. Is a tankless water heater more efficient?

Tankless water heaters do not waste hot water when they are not in use. Hot water heaters have a tank which is filled with water and heated by the burner during normal usage. This tank is filled with warm water before normal usage, and then emptied after the heater is turned off. Tankless heaters are designed to have no tank, so that there is no need to empty it after use. They also have higher efficiency because there is less wasted energy due to evaporation (i.e., power goes unused) or back-filling the tank after each use (i.e., power goes unused). The most efficient designs of these heaters are able to rid up to 80% of hot water from the cold supply.

Q23. Sump Pump Failure

When a sump pump fails, the water can rise quickly and create a lot of mess. If your basement is not finished, and you have only the concrete slab to work with, the sump pump will fail in about two days (due to increased water pressure). To prevent this from happening, you need to install a sump pump system that is connected to the city sewer so that when the sump pump fails it simply drains down into the city sewer.

Q24. What causes leaky pipes?

Leaky pipes are caused by two main causes. The first is that the pipes themselves are leaking, and this can be repaired with a pipe leak patch or even an under-the-sink toilet repair kit. This can also be prevented by having the pipes fixed at the time of installation, which will preclude any future leaks from ever occurring.
The second cause of leaky pipes is that there is a blockage in the piping system due to debris in the line or build-up somewhere along the way. This occurs when something (usually a clog) gets trapped inside the piping, and once it gets stuck it begins to “leak” water over time as pressure builds up behind it.
Learn How to Patch a Leaky Pipe without a plumber!

Q25. What services does PLUMBERA provide in Toronto and surrounding cities?

As an essential service provider, PLUMBERA provides plumbing and drains services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From emergency drain cleaning services to leak repairs and toilet installations, we have you covered. Trusted PLUMBERA experts can help with any plumbing or drain-related service you may come across such as water heater repair and installation, clogged drains, sewer line inspections, sump pump service, bathroom/kitchen plumbing repair and installation, and so much more.

Make an Appointment

    * Required field

    Disclaimer

    Information provided will not be distributed to any third party source.

    Request an estimate for Plumbing from Plumbera. Simply fill out the form with your name, contact information, information about your home.