FAQs Archive - Page 13 of 18 - Drain Pro

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:

How do I know whether I need a sewer line repair or replacement?2025-06-25T15:50:20+00:00

What’s the best way to lower the chance of pipes clogging?

The best way to prevent clogged pipes and drain blocks is to watch religiously what is going down the drains. 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.

What’s the best way to lower the chance of pipes clogging?2020-08-28T19:39:53+00:00

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 pipes freezing is 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, call on Drain Pro for an inspection of your pipes and plumbing.

How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?2020-08-28T19:38:17+00:00

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.

What’s better? A gas water heater or an electric water heater?2020-08-28T19:37:45+00:00

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.

When should I replace a water heater?2020-08-28T19:37:12+00:00

Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs?

Believe it or not, natural gas smells like rotten eggs to keep you safe. Because natural gas on its own is odorless, a harmless and safe chemical called mercaptan is mixed with the gas so we can smell if there is a gas leak. Most people describe the smell of natural gas mixed with mercaptan as similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. If you have a natural gas in your home and notice a smell of rotten eggs, you might have a natural gas leak. If you suspect you do have a leak, vacate your home and call Drain Pro Plumbing.

Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs?2020-08-28T20:07:09+00:00

What causes a water line to break?

There are a number of reasons why your water line might break. In Ottawa, it is not uncommon for frozen water pipes to burst and cause serious leaks, especially if you were away from your home in the winter and turned off the heating. Pipes can also break because a shift in the ground around the pipe, root systems growing and coming into contact with your pipes, corrosion, or even shoddy workmanship. No matter the cause of your broken pipes, Drain Pro Plumbing is there for you in your moment of need. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to emergency calls.

What causes a water line to break?2020-08-28T19:32:33+00:00

How can I tell if my water line is broken?

Sometimes a broken water line is very obvious - a geyser of water or massive puddle starts building up on your property. However sometimes a broken water line can be a bit harder to spot. Here are 3 signs that your water line might be broken. Your water bill suddenly increases: Your water bill should not see dramatic changes throughout the season. If you notice there is a considerable spike in your usage, this is normally the first sign that you might have a leak somewhere on your water line. If you spot such a spike in your water bill, make sure to take a close look at your lawn, basement, and foundation. Other problems might be lurking there. You have lower water pressure:A sudden and significant reduction of your water pressure is another brig red flag that could potentially signal a leak in your water line. You will feel the decrease in water pressure when you use the tap, take a shower, and the toilet might not even be able to flush properly Soft, wet spots appear in your lawn: This is another clear sign that you likely have a broken water line. When underground water lines break, they leak water up into the soil. If you spot soft and wet spots on your lawn this might be where your water pipe broke. If you notice any of the above signs, don't wait, call Drain Pro Plumbing Services today. We will get to you as soon as possible and fix your broken water line.

How can I tell if my water line is broken?2020-08-28T19:31:50+00:00

How is a video camera inspection used for commercial plumbing?

Commercial plumbing contractors offer a wide range of services, with many dedicated to specific industries such as food service. Are you looking for a regular relationship with a commercial plumbing company? The best offer frequent customer or preferred customer programs that give you priority for emergency services and routine maintenance calls. Avoid dealing with plumbing services that give you specific quotes for plumbing work without doing an on-site inspection. Commercial plumbing work is subject to many variables and an accurate estimate simply can’t be given over the phone unless the problem has been diagnosed in person. Your plumbing problems may be complicated by issues beyond your basic control; tree roots can penetrate sewer lines, the original installation of pipes or drains could be defective.A commercial plumbing expert can give you sound advice on how to control or repair these issues, and what kind of preventive maintenance the company can help you with. Never pay for an on-site inspection meant to give you an estimate. The commercial plumbing service should offer this for free. When in doubt, ask during the telephone consultation if there is a fee for a specific service.

How is a video camera inspection used for commercial plumbing?2020-08-28T19:59:51+00:00

What should I consider before modernizing my old bathroom?

If you are getting ready to modernize an old bathroom with new fixtures, a toilet and luxury bathroom furniture, take a look at your old plumbing first to see if you can make a few upgrades to protect your investment. Examine the walls and flooring around all fixtures, stop valves and fittings to make sure there are no leaks which need repairing. If you don’t have shut-off valves installed, this is the perfect time to fix that problem. Not having a shut-off valve means turning off the water for the whole house to make plumbing repairs! Another overlooked upgrade to old plumbing systems is the installation of a pressure-balancing valve in your bathroom plumbing system. Installed in the hot and/or cold water supply lines to your shower, the pressure-balancing valve prevents that scalding hot or freezing cold burst of water in the shower when a toilet is flushed or another faucet is used elsewhere. It may not be a luxury bathroom design, but a scald-free shower is definitely an improvement that should be found in all modern bathrooms.

What should I consider before modernizing my old bathroom?2020-08-28T19:56:55+00:00