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I’m noticing flooding around my yard. Is it possible I have perimeter drainage that is clogged?
This could very well be the case. Clogged drains at the perimeter of a house are not unheard of. The important thing is to get out ahead of the situation, not allowing the clogged drain to persist - otherwise, water pooling could expand and flooding could occur, putting your home's foundation (and home interior!) at risk. This goes for all clogged drains, anywhere in the home, as it's best to take care of the drain clog ASAP to prevent bigger issues down the line. Count on Drain Pro, the plumbing pros in Victoria and Lower Vancouver Island, to assess your clogged drains and rectify the situation ASAP.
How can you tell whether I have a clogged drain and where the drain clog is located?
A clogged drain will manifest itself in the form of not allowing water to pass through, ergo creating a backup of water. You may notice water pooling or even flooding. This is problematic for clogged sinks, clogged toilets, clogged tubs and showers and any other blocked drains in your home. When Drain Pro arrives on the scene, our expert plumbers will determine where the clog is located and how best to unclog it. In some cases we will use video inspection equipment to locate the clogged drain, as it could be well down the line and not visible to the human eye or easily reached by standard DIY unclogging equipment (e.g. "the snake"). Rest assured, we'll find that clog and get rid of your drain clogs.
What if I’m on septic and not on a main sewer system? Can you help with septic lines?
Yes, most definitely we can help with septic line repair and replacement. Many of the signs in the question above ("How do I know whether I need a sewer line repair or replacement?") are applicable to septic lines and septic systems as well. The difference, of course, is that with a septic system, your outflow will go into a septic tank and do its full process while on your property, as opposed to having sewer lines take it away. Signs of a failing septic line are much the same as signs of a failing sewer line. Should you experience the signs of septic line failure, count on Drain Pro for septic line repair.
How do I know whether I need a sewer line repair or replacement?
There are numerous signs that sewer line repair or replacement may be necessary. Are you experiencing backups of wastewater or sanitary sewer? Are pipes leaking in your home? Is water draining slowly from sinks, tubs, showers and/or toilets? Are you seeing mold in walls an/or ceilings? Is your water bill abnormally high? These could be warning signs that sewer lines are broken or failing. That means it's time to call in the pros for a sewer line inspection. We'll assess the condition of your sewer lines. We do our best to recommend sewer line repair whenever possible, rather than full sewer line replacement. For more information, please see our article on sewer line repairs & replacement.
What’s the best way to lower the chance of pipes clogging?
The best way to prevent clogged pipes and drain blocks is to be aware of what is going down your drains. Â Use filters on shower and tub drains to catch hair and other objects. Similarly, sinks can have a trap installed to catch debris. Do not put grease, oil or any foreign objects down the drain. Only toilet paper should go into the toilet. Use compost bins, recycling and garbage to your advantage to keep anything and everything from going down the pipes. Proactive measures are the best way to keep your pipes clear and free of blocks and clogs. If you are experiencing slow drainage, this could be a sign of a clogged pipe. Â Contact Drain Pro to book an appointment for our clogged drain services.
How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?
Here in Victoria and Lower Vancouver Island, the weather generally doesn’t get to the point where frozen pipes are a major concern. It’s the warmest city in Canada, after all! But sometimes winter takes its toll, in the form of snowfall and/or freezing temperatures.  Does that leave your pipes vulnerable? The answer depends on the construction of your home. In particular, if you have a water heater in an external portion or exterior segment of your home, and an extended cold snap or power outage were to occur, this could leave your pipes vulnerable. Power outages in general can be problematic.  To find out whether your home is built solid for the winter or remains vulnerable to pipes freezing, contact Drain Pro for an inspection of your pipes and plumbing.
What’s better? A gas water heater or an electric water heater?
The answer to the age-old question of "gas water heater versus electric water heater" is not a cut-and-dry, black-and-white one. Gas water heaters cost a bit more up front, but could save you money over time depending on your hydro use rates versus the cost of gas at your home. Also a lot of this depends on what type of power source your home is already equipped for. If you only have electric in your home, for example, you're probably better off sticking with an electric water heater, rather than paying for the addition of gas lines and ancillary equipment to support a gas water heater. If you already have a gas hookup, it could be worth your while to spend a bit more up front on the water and use gas to run your hot water rather than go with an electric water heater.
When should I replace a water heater?
First, let's start with the age of your water heater. Check the serial number on the water heater, usually found on the manufacturer's sticker towards the top of the water heater. The sticker should show the date that the water heater was made. The first letter represents the month... e.g. A for January, F for June, L for December, etc. The two-digit number next to that is the year of manufacture for the water heater. Is your water heater approaching its 10-year anniversary? If so, it's time to start thinking about a new water heater. If it's older than 10 years, it's probably time to replace your water heater. There are also other signs to look out for. Does your water heater rumble and/or make a lot of noise? Is there rust-coloured water coming from your water heater? Is there water around your water heater? These are all signs that water heater replacement is called for.
Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs?
Believe it or not, natural gas smells like rotten eggs to keep you safe! Since natural gas on its own is odourless, a harmless and safe chemical called mercaptan is mixed with the gas so we can smell it if there is a gas leak. Most people describe the smell of natural gas mixed with mercaptan as similar to rotten eggs or sulphur. If you use natural gas in your home and notice a smell of rotten eggs, you might have a natural gas leak. Â If you suspect you do have a leak, vacate your home and contact Drain Pro Plumbing immediately.