FAQs Archive - Page 9 of 18 - Drain Pro

What are the most common and urgent plumbing emergencies?

Many plumbing issues can be frustrating and may require professional service if DIY methods fail or make the problem worse. However, not all problems are urgent. Some situations, though, are true plumbing emergencies that demand immediate attention from a licensed professional.Broken water lines are a serious issue, often caused by tree roots or accidental damage during yard work. These can result in soggy patches in your yard, dirt or sediment in your water, low water pressure, or even burst pipes inside your home. Leaking or burst pipes are also common emergencies, especially in colder months when freezing and thawing can cause pipes to crack and release large amounts of water, leading to significant structural damage and potential mould growth. Sewer system backups are another urgent problem. If you notice multiple clogged drains, foul sewage smells, water pooling around your basement floor drain, or sinkholes forming in your yard, it’s time to call an emergency plumber right away.Contact our team at Drain Pro Plumbing if you're experiencing a plumbing emergency in Victoria, BC.

What are the most common and urgent plumbing emergencies?2025-08-28T20:40:22+00:00

What causes my water to become discoloured?

Depending on the colour of your tap water, the cause could be a number of things. The most common colours seen are: White/Cloudy: Extra air trapped in your water as it moves through your pipes. You can tell if the tap water becomes clear in a glass after a minute or two. This tends to happen when water pressure is high and should be checked out to avoid future plumbing problems. Yellow/Brown: Dirt and naturally occurring sediments can settle at the bottom of supply lines despite the water treatment process and get shaken up when water passing through the pipes speed up due to a water main break, or high service demand. Orange/Brown: If your house uses cast iron pipes, they will corrode over time. As this happens, tiny iron and manganese particles fall off the inside of the pipe as water passes through it. This is a sure sign that the pipes need to be replaced. Visible Black Particles: Rubber materials such as gaskets and O-rings begin to break down as they get older. As water flows through the pipes, pieces of these rubber parts can break off and end up coming out of your tap. This is another sign that plumbing replacement service is needed.

What causes my water to become discoloured?2020-12-02T18:13:17+00:00

Why do some of my fixtures have low water pressure while others don’t?

There are a number of reasons why some of your fixtures could be experiencing low water pressure while others aren’t. The good news is that if this is the case, then the source of the problem is easier to find! Starting at the point where water comes out of the faucet or shower head, we will inspect the various components of the fixture for problems. If nothing is found, then we will trace along the pipes to find where the issue is. Having one of our licensed plumbers provide an inspection is the quickest and easiest way to find the cause of your low water pressure problems and provide the best solution to fix them.

Why do some of my fixtures have low water pressure while others don’t?2020-12-02T18:13:58+00:00

How often do I need to replace my water pipes?

There are many different types of pipes that work together in your plumbing system. Their lifespans vary depending on the material they are made of: Supply Lines Copper Pipes: 70-80 Years Brass Pipes: 80-100 Years Galvanized Steel: 80-100 Years Drain Lines Plastic PVC Pipes: 25-40 Years Cast Iron Pipes: 80-100 Years Damage to these pipes can still happen at any time across their lifespan due to clogs, freezing, tree roots, or weather conditions and need be repaired or replaced. If you live in a very old home and aren’t sure when the last time the pipes were inspected, give us a call for an inspection and we can recommend any replacements that may be needed.

How often do I need to replace my water pipes?2020-12-10T19:52:51+00:00

How can I tell if my drain system needs repairs?

There are a few things you can look for to tell if there is an issue with your drainage system: Multiple drains in your home are clogged or blocked If it is just one or two drains, then the problem is most likely somewhere in your house, but if all of your drains are blocked, that is a sure sign the blockage is in the sewer line outside of your house. Your water drains slower than it used to or you have to flush more than once to empty your toilet This can tell you that the sewer line is partially blocked and restricting water flow. This is an early sign of a problem and if you catch this early, drain excavation can usually be avoided. You smell sewage around your sinks or toilets This unpleasant symptom tells you there is an issue with the sewage line. You may also notice this smell in your yard which will tell you that the line is cracked or broken. You see indentations or sinkholes in your yard If there is a leak in the sewer line, the surrounding soil can sometimes dissipate, leaving an indentation in your lawn. In more extreme cases a sinkhole will form. Unexplained patches of extra healthy grass Sewage waste can act as a fertilizer and allow the grass to grow in more around that area. If you notice one or more patches of grass that look healthier than the rest of your lawn, it is a sign that there is a leak that needs to be checked out.

How can I tell if my drain system needs repairs?2020-12-02T18:14:58+00:00

I would rather avoid having my yard dug up. Is there any way my drain pipes can be fixed without tearing up my lawn?

We understand that the thought of having your well-kept yard torn apart can cause a lot of stress. That is why we reserve this service as a last resort. There are a few factors that we need to consider when determining if we need to excavate: Pipe Material: External drain pipes are commonly made of metal, plastic, or concrete. Over the years, corrosion can wear away at the materials or joints could begin to fail. There is no avoiding the fact that pipes need to be replaced eventually. Soil Conditions: Sub-par soil conditions can lead to shifting in the sewer line. This can lead to the line becoming cracked, or completely collapse. Freezing soil can also lead to damaged lines. Severity of Blockage: Sometimes the blockage in a pipe is so severe that it cannot be broken up or pushed through the line. This is more likely in older pipes that have corrosion built up inside. Tree Roots: If you have a large tree in your yard, the roots can grow into your sewer line and cause damage to the line and create blockages that are extremely difficult, if not impossible to remove. Rest assured that if we need to excavate your yard to fix the problem, our experienced professionals will take great care with your yard and ensure the job is done right the first time.

I would rather avoid having my yard dug up. Is there any way my drain pipes can be fixed without tearing up my lawn?2020-12-02T18:01:07+00:00

I’m going on vacation; should I turn my water heater down or off?

If you're going away for a day or two, it's probably best to leave the water heater as is, or you could turn it down to a lower temperature. Be careful, however, as to the location of the water heater. If it is in the garage or external-adjacent area, the water heater could be prone to freezing temperatures in the winter during a cold snap (luckily we don't have too many of those days here in Victoria and Lower Vancouver Island). Better safe than sorry, so avoid frozen pipes.   For longer vacations or periods out of town or away from the house, it's best to go ahead and turn the water heater down to a 'vacation' setting (if available) or to its lowest temperature setting. Again, be mindful of wintertime and the effect of cold snaps with freezing temperatures. If you plan to turn the water heater off, be aware of how to restart the pilot light for gas water heaters.   Also, water heater tanks that are not heated or not heated sufficiently are subject to bacteria forming in the water in the tank. When you return, be sure to run the water in sinks, tubs and/or showers for a good length of time, to "run through" or 'wash away" any bacteria and microbial matter that could be in the water heater tanks.   If you have a tankless water heater, well, it will be off anyway, but check it to make sure before you go away.   And bon voyage from your friends at Drain Pro. Don't hesitate to drop us a postcard or fire away with any questions you might have about water heaters, plumbing or other related matters.

I’m going on vacation; should I turn my water heater down or off?2020-11-18T16:29:31+00:00

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Me?

Tankless hot water heaters a great for a variety of purposes for residential and commercial water heaters in and around Victoria and the Lower Vancouver Island. Tankless water heaters are low-profile and take up less space as they have no tank. These types of water heaters use super-heated coils that fill with and heat water as needed. Tankless water heaters are especially suited to homes with natural gas.   The pros of tankless water heaters: You get instant hot water on demand Tankless water heaters last longer Your monthly utility costs will be lower with tankless water heaters No "lag" or "reset" time in between showers or other use Comes in electric or gas tankless water heaters Cons of tankless water heaters include: Higher upfront costs The supply of hot water might not be sufficient for more demand, e.g. two showers in use at same time, one person showering while the laundry is on, etc. May require additional gear to be installed Could require more maintenance To find out which water heater is best for you - conventional or tankless water heater - talk to Victoria's water heater experts at Drain Pro today.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Me?2020-11-18T16:18:43+00:00

What shouldn’t I flush down the toilet if I have a septic tank?

You should avoid flushing anything that isn’t human waste or toilet paper down the drain. Flushable wipes, dental floss, cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, diapers, and cotton swabs can cause serious damage to your septic tank system.

What shouldn’t I flush down the toilet if I have a septic tank?2020-11-18T16:08:28+00:00

How often should I get my septic tank pumped?

Depending on your home, its occupants, and the size of your septic tank, you might need to pump your septic tank once every 3-5 years. If you suspect that it is time to pump yours, contact us today! We can help.

How often should I get my septic tank pumped?2020-10-19T13:33:14+00:00