M.A.C. Stewart Plumbing   (705)733-5154 

bathroom plumbing

Plumbing Tips

Frequently asked questions and problems regarding plumbing

 

What are 3 things you can do during a burst pipe emergency before your plumber arrives?

When you’re hit with a burst pipe emergency, it can be overwhelming. Once you’ve contacted our emergency plumbing services, take steps to stop the water from pouring in and minimize any damage. Here are 3 things you can do while you are waiting for us to arrive:

  1. Shut off the water valves: This is first and foremost. If you are having trouble doing this on your own we will walk you through the steps right over the phone. Valves are generally located around sinks and toilets, but for the most effective temporary solution, you want to locate the main valve. Once the main is turned off, the water will stop flooding in.
  1. Perform a quick fix: While you are waiting for us, put a container under the burst pipe and use tape to seal off the hole as best as you can. These steps will help prevent further water damage until we can get there and fix the problem.
  1. Contact your landlord: When the pipes burst, after getting in touch with us, you should put a call in to your landlord and let them know what’s going on. They may be able to locate the main valve or provide other assistance before we arrive.

How can you prevent clogged toilet emergencies?

To prevent this troublesome problem, be careful with what gets flushed down your toilet. Avoid things like sanitary napkins and other feminine products, paper towels, and even too much toilet paper. We can check your pipes to make sure they’re clear of build up so you won’t face this situation.

Common plumbing emergencies and 3 easy tips for homeowners to handle them before their plumber arrives:

When it comes to plumbing emergencies, here are 3 helpful tips to tide you over until we get there:

  1. Leaking water: If a pipe is leaking, shut off its water supply. Follow up by locating the main valve and shutting that off as well.
  1. Clogged toilets: For toilet clogs, shut off the water supply to the toilet and use a mop to soak up as much of the spillage as possible. This will prevent damage from the water seeping into floor tiles.
  1. Garbage disposal issues: If it’s an emergency involving your garbage disposal, shut off the water and the power to the disposal until we arrive and fix the issue.

Burst pipe?

Weather is unpredictable, and so is our home’s reaction to it, which is why it is important to have a reliable plumbing company on your side at all times. Living in Newmarket , ON our winters can get pretty cold. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst, leaving you with a long list of problems. Aside from bursting pipes, freezing temperatures also require more use of your heater, which should be checked for issues before the cold season begins. However, seasons do not discriminate, a problem with your plumbing system can come at any time, so be sure to schedule routine maintenance check-ups for all necessary equipment 

What causes burst pipes?

  • Frozen water: This is one of the most common causes of a burst pipe. Frozen water will cause piping to expand, eventually leading to its inevitable demise.
  • Clogs: Clogs inside of your home can also cause pipes to burst. A lot of pressure is placed on your pipes when there is a clog somewhere in your residence. If the pressure exerted on the pipe is too much for it to handle, then it will burst.
  • Rust: This is another common problem that can cause a pipe to burst. Your pipes are more prone to rust as they get older.
  • Environmental interference: Additionally, rodents and tree roots can cause a pipe to burst. A rodent can chew through certain types of pipes. A tree root can potentially cause damage by invading the pipe.

How can you avoid these problems?

Because frozen water inside of a pipe is one of the main things that can cause it to burst, one of the best things that you can do to prevent you pipe from bursting is to prevent the water inside from freezing. You will need to make sure that your pipes are insulated before the winter arrives. A pipe that is exposed is far more likely to freeze.

You will also need to make sure that air leaks around the pipes are sealed. A small opening in a pipe can let a lot of cold air in, eventually leading to disaster. Furthermore, if there is a clog inside of your home, then you should make sure that it is taken care of as soon as possible. A clog can cause a pipe to burst just as easily as frozen water.

What can professionals do to repair burst pipes?

If you have a burst pipe, then you will need to make sure that you call a professional plumbing company as soon as you can. Burst pipes are a plumbing emergency, and they can result in serious damage. The first thing that we will do is inspect the pipe and assess the damage. This will allow us to determine whether replacement or repair is the better option. If the damage is only minimal, then we may only have to replace a small section of the pipe. If the pipe has been severely damaged, then replacement is the appropriate recourse. After we have finished repairing or replacing your pipes, we will run a test in order to make sure that everything is running as it should.

Emergency Plumbing

Plumbing emergencies can happen unexpectedly, leaving you scrambling for a quick fix. When you’re faced with an ugly situation, it is important that you call a certified professional to take care of the problem right away. Having a trustworthy company on call anytime day or night will ensure that you never have to face a major plumbing issue alone. Keep your home safe with reliable plumbing. Your neighbours know best M.A.C. Stewart Plumbing 7057335154

Drain Cleaning

Why is it important to deal with your Clogged Drains right away?

The drains in your home are responsible for maintaining a sanitary, comfortable, and efficient home. Debris, such as hair, food, and unwanted minerals can start to accumulate inside of your drains and plumbing system, which can cause clogs. Clogs are very serious and can lead to problems like waste water backups and burst pipes. Our drain cleaning and rooter services can help to keep your sinks, tubs, and toilets flowing normally. This is especially true if you schedule regular cleanings with us at least once every year. You should understand the advantages of regular drain cleaning, and be knowledgeable on common ways to prevent clogs. 

What are signs you need professional drain cleaning or rooter services?

The clearest sign that you need our professional drain cleaning or M.A.C. Stewart Plumbing drain cleaning is if your tubs, sinks, or toilets are running slow. This means the water is pooling and not draining out at the normal rate. A second and more serious sign that you need a cleaning immediately is if the drains stop working completely. This indicates that there is a clog somewhere in your plumbing system that needs our attention. Low water pressure is a third sign you need drain cleaning or rooter services. Low water pressure will cause less water to come out of your faucets. It could also cause your toilet to stop filling up normally after flushing. A final sign that your home needs the attention of one of our skilled technicians is if you detect a foul odour similar to that of sewage or rotten eggs coming from your drain.

What are some benefits of timely service?

The main benefit of regular drain cleaning or rooter services is that it will extend the life of your plumbing system. The cleaning removes harmful materials that could eventually corrode or damage your pipes and drains. A second benefit is that our services will ensure that your fixtures and appliances are performing optimally. A clean drain has a higher capacity than a dirty or partially clogged drain. Another benefit of regular service visits is that you will save money, because serious problems will be avoided. Regular cleanings will prevent many issues over the years. Regular drain cleaning and rooter services will also keep your bathroom, kitchen, and home free from unpleasant odours caused by waste water and dirty plumbing.

What are some simple ways to avoid clogs?

One very easy way to avoid clogs is to have drain screens installed in sinks and tubs. These fine screens can capture hair and other debris before it makes its way into your plumbing and causes a clog. Just remember that the screen needs to be washed regularly. Another way to avoid clogs is to carefully monitor anything that goes into your drain. Avoid putting grease, coffee grinds, small pieces of food, and anything solid into your drains, even small solids can accumulate and clog your plumbing. A final way to prevent clogs is to occasionally pour hot or boiling water into drains. This will not fix clogs, although it will help to wash away soap scum and other debris. You can perform this simple clog prevention technique every few weeks.

Many property owners only contact a plumber when they need a specific repair or upgrade service completed. For example, homeowners may contact our skilled plumbing technicians at M.A.c. Stewart Plumbing when they notice signs of a pipe leak or when they need to replace their hot water heater. However, getting a regular plumbing inspection from our team can provide you with a number of important benefits.

What are some things that plumbers look for when doing a system check?

A plumbing system check is designed to give property owners a more thorough analysis of the condition of their plumbing system. It includes a detailed review of your pipes, faucets, hot water heater, and other various other units in the home. Cameras inspection and other types of innovative technology are used to look for potential damage to your plumbing system, such as small leaks that may go unnoticed or clogs that are building up in your pipes. We can also inspect the pipes for signs of deterioration that may ultimately lead to a leak in the near future.

What are some benefits of this service?

Generally, pipes and plumbing features should be inspected on a regular basis by a well-trained plumbing professional. In most cases, an annual system check is recommended. There are several important benefits that come from a system check with a reputable plumbing company like M.A.C. Stewart Plumbing. For example, we can help you to identify repair issues that you may not be aware of, which can be rectified before they cause water damage, water loss expenses, or even mould growth in your home. In addition, upgrades can be recommended that may help you to save money or that may minimize the likelihood of a repair issue in the future. While there is a cost for a system check, there is a much greater financial benefit that comes from the information you can learn through this service.

What are some problems that can occur if you don't have this service performed regularly?

Many homeowners may not be aware of damage to the plumbing features inside their residences, unless they schedule regular system checks. They may have unnecessarily high water bills, due to small leaks that have gone unnoticed. They may have a greater number of repair bills because their pipes are deteriorating without their knowledge. There is a higher likelihood of having to deal with emergency repair issues at a moment's notice when you do not take advantage of regular plumbing system checks from a licensed plumber.

As a homeowner you want to keep your property well maintained, and having your plumbing system inspected regularly will help you to accomplish this.