Devon's Preferred
Plumbing Service 
company

There are several common signs that your hot water tank may stop working. Consider calling a water heater services company to take a look at and repair or replace your unit if: 

1. Your unit is getting old. The average water heater will last 8 to 10 years. 
2. Your water smells or is discoloured. For example, if the water looks rusty the unit may be corroding. 
3. You hear loud noises coming from your hot water heater. Loud popping or crackling sounds can mean sediment has built up in the tank.
4. Your tank is leaking or you notice water around the water heater.
5. Your hot water tank no longer provides enough hot water.
6. The water pressure has gone down and is not sufficient.

The best homemade drain cleaner is baking soda. Baking soda can be used along with vinegar or lemon juice to create a strong and effective homemade drain cleaner that is safe for your home’s pipes.

To unclog your drains using baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice, pour one cup of baking soda then one cup of white vinegar or lemon juice down the drain. Allow this to sit for an hour then pour down a few cups of boiling water. If this doesn’t work the first time, repeat as necessary.

If your homemade drain cleaner isn’t working, call an experienced provider of drain cleaning plumbers near you to take a look. A professional plumber will be able to determine what is causing the clogged drain and how to fix it.

You can’t run out of hot water with tankless water heaters – unless, of course, the power supply is off or goes out. However, a tankless water heater can have trouble keeping up with demand if too many things require hot water all at once. For example, if several appliances are operating at the same time (the dishwasher, the laundry machine, etc.), and you go to have a hot shower, you may find that your tankless unit isn’t capable of providing enough hot water. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you install a tankless water heater that has a large enough capacity to handle your demand for hot water.

Tankless water heaters are the most energy-efficient hot water systems on the market. In fact, tankless water heaters can be approximately 35% – 80% more efficient than traditional hot water tanks. 

Tankless hot water heaters can be powered by electricity or gas. However, gas-powered tankless heaters are more efficient. In addition to being more energy-efficient, tankless water heaters cost less to operate (up to 50% less than traditional hot water tanks) and last longer (up to double the lifetime).

The plumbing professionals at ProSolutions PHAC recommend the following high-efficiency tankless water heater:

• Noritz EZ111 (Gas Powered)

Please note: Although tankless water heaters are the most energy-efficient hot water system, they are not for everyone. Our guide to tankless water heaters can help you decide if a tankless heater is the best option for your home.

A sump pump is an appliance that is used to help prevent flooding in your home. If you’re in a flood zone and your basement floods regularly, if you have older plumbing, or if you just want to take a proactive step against flooding, then a sump pump installation is right for you. Sump pumps help prevent flood damage in your home by detecting increasing water pressure or water levels. If high levels are detected, the sump pump will pump water out of your basement and away from your home to a better location like a storm drain or a well.

Chemical drain cleaners do work, depending on the type of clog you have and how tough it is. Chemical drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction in your pipes.

When using chemical drain cleaners, always make sure to choose the right type of cleaner for the job. Also, make sure you know what kind of pipes you have, and how old they are so you can avoid using any chemical drain cleaner that might damage your pipes. Older pipes can become damaged due to the chemical reaction created by chemical drain cleaners. This can lead to bigger issues, like leaking pipes, and the need for plumbing repair services.

To avoid damage, physical methods are always best. Plunging or snaking a drain will ensure that it is not damaged by chemicals. When in doubt, call a drain cleaning plumber for professional advice and assistance.

If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain. 

To try this safe and easy method at home – first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes. Keep an eye out for bubbling in the drain (this is caused by the reaction between the baking soda and vinegar). Once the bubbling stops, wait a few more minutes then pour some boiling water down the drain. Repeat until the clog is cleared. Keep at it, it can take a long time.

With a heavy-duty clog, you might need something more powerful. In this case, try snaking the drain, plunging it or calling a local Edmonton drain cleaning company to get the job done.

There are several reasons a faucet may drip or leak. Most commonly, a defective part will cause a faucet to drip. However, more serious problems can also be indicated by a dripping faucet. For example, if your plumbing is not properly maintained and regularly cleaned, corrosion can result, leading to leaky pipes and a leaking faucet. In addition, extreme changes in temperature, a shifting foundation, high water pressure, and intrusive tree roots can also cause pipes to leak. In order to fix a dripping faucet, you’ll first need to find the location of the leak. In some cases, the leak may be difficult to find. If the cause of your dripping faucet is not obvious, having a qualified plumber detect and repair the leak is vital, as it could result in costly damage to your home if left unrepaired. If you notice a leak, make sure to contact an emergency plumber in Edmonton as soon as possible to avoid further damage.