Toronto plumbing systems in homes and commercial establishments are often reliable. It’s the result of many decades of innovation from scientists and engineers. These plumbing systems work day and night in helping us get a reliable water supply. These also help us get rid of wastes.
However, there are times that these Toronto plumbing systems fail. It’s the natural course of things. Maybe it’s because some parts and fixtures have worn out. Or there might be leaks that cause water supply interruption. Another cause would be clogs that resulted from our daily activities. Whatever the cause, it helps if we know how to take action. It also helps if we know how Toronto plumbing systems work.
How Toronto plumbing systems work
Residential and commercial plumbing have two basic systems. These are the water supply and drainage. Let’s start with water supply.
Having a reliable water supply is important. We use water for drinking, bathing, cooking, flushing the toilet, washing the dishes, garden irrigation, and other daily activities. For the water to reach our homes and faucets, water utilities use pressure. The pressure should be high enough so we can use the water without interruption.
If the water pressure is too low, residents will complain because it consumes much time to take a bath and perform other tasks that require water. If the water pressure is too high, it can cause damage to our pipes and fixtures. The ideal water pressure should just be enough so people can perform daily activities (those that require water) without any hassle.
Local water utilities regularly monitor the water pressure. In most of the Toronto plumbing systems, the water pressure is good enough for everyday use. Most residents and commercial establishments can rely on continuous water supply day and night.
Aside from a reliable water supply, a drainage system is equally important in Toronto plumbing. Our drain systems take care of the outflow of storm water and wastewater. This way we won’t be having any worries about sudden flooding in our homes or commercial establishments. Let’s now discuss how Toronto drain systems work.
How Toronto drain systems work
We discussed earlier that our water supply relies on pressure. Our drainage systems work in a different way. Drains mostly rely on gravity for them to carry out the wastewater. They can accomplish this because drain pipes are angled downward. This way wastewater flows naturally outward of our homes and toward sewage treatment facilities or septic systems.
Residential and commercial drain systems can continuously carry out the wastewater and storm water. While showering, washing the dishes, or flushing the toilet, drains work fast to carry out the water. Even during sudden heavy rains, drains also work fast to avoid flooding in basements and other areas.
However, there are times that drainage systems fail. The most common reason is clogs. After several months or years of use, drain pipes accumulate debris. People accidentally dropping large objects into the drains can also cause clogs. These objects and debris can block the water and prevent it from flowing outward or downward. The results would be: toilets not flushing properly, water in sinks not going down causing hassles, storm water backs up causing flooding, and other problems that are sure to bring headaches.
How to fix toilet clogs
Clogged toilets cause a lot of hassles. First, residents and visitors won’t be able to use the toilet. Second, it’s not a good sight having a clogged toilet. It’s a drain problem that requires urgent attention. That’s why people are fast to fix it using tools already available at home.
Plunger is one of those handy tools. Using it involves a pumping motion to make the clogs move somehow. This might help in making the debris move freely down the toilet drain. Another tool is the drain snake. This tool goes down the drain and directly touches the clog. We can then pull outward or push further the clog to make the water flow freely.
In many cases using a plunger is already enough to fix the problem. It takes some effort but it’s a quick solution. However, there are a few cases when it’s not enough. Maybe the clog is pretty solid or there’s another underlying problem. It can also be the same case if you’re using drain snake on your own.
It’s advisable to hire a professional to help you. This is the case especially if you did all you can to fix the problem. You can also hire a professional if the toilet problem is getting frequent. It can also be that you just want to save time and effort. Fixing the toilet is often messy and laborious. In addition, using a more powerful drain snake should be left to the professionals.
How to unclog sinks
Clogged sinks also cause hassles for everyone inside the home. It means no one can use the sink for that time. It’s also not a good sight for residents and visitors. In addition, it also interrupts activities that require the use of sink.
Just like with clogged toilets, clogged sinks also require urgent attention. We can also fix these problems by using common handy tools inside the home. A plunger or a drain snake can also unclog the sink.
The same principle applies to clogged sinks. The goal is to remove the clog or make it move somehow. This way the clog will move freely down the drain and let the water flow. In using the plunger, it displaces the clog. In the case of drain snaking, it pushes or pulls out the clog.
We must exercise caution when drain snaking the sink. Removing some parts might be necessary to get the job done. We might also need to make some preparations to avoid mess. We must be careful every step of the way. It can all be laborious and messy.
Another way people unclog sinks is by using mild chemicals. They often use baking soda and vinegar. This method works by dissolving the clog and making it small enough to move through the drain. We can also add warm water to strengthen the effect of those readily available chemicals.
Some people attempt to use harsh chemicals to unclog the sink. This is strongly discouraged. Harsh chemicals can cause irritation and harm to our skin and eyes. There’s also a risk of damaging the sink surface and parts.
How to unclog a bathtub
Hair strands falling into the bathtub drain can lead to clogs. It’s similar with what happens to kitchen sinks. Dirt, hair strands, and other particles accumulate down the drain. There comes a time when the clogs are big enough to block the water from passing through.
A clogged bathtub is a hassle. It also looks unsanitary. The clogs can accumulate bacteria and support their growth. The water stays in the tub and it might get mixed up with the new water. There’s a health risk especially for children.
That’s why people use ingenious methods to clear the clog. One such method is through the use of a wire hanger. They insert the twisted end of the hanger into the drain. It hooks the clog or pushes it down further.
Some people choose to do it with their own hands. Maybe a piece of jewelry or toy was just dropped into the drain. Maybe the clog is only near the surface that’s why reaching out would be easy.
Some people also resort to mild chemicals to get the job done. This is in the hopes of dissolving the clog. But if the clogs are pretty solid, they might be tempted to use harsh chemicals. They wear gloves and eye protection for safety. But those harsh chemicals still pose a health risk.
How to unclog blocked drains
Floor and outdoor drain systems help prevent flooding during heavy rains and melting of large amounts of snow. If they’re not working properly, you will see a few signs. One of those signs is constant accumulation of water on our yard. Another sign is the constant flooding of the basement.
Those signs point to one thing. It means some of our drain systems are blocked. Clogs have been blocking the water from flowing through. This causes flooding and property damages that result to expensive repairs.
A blocked drain also causes problem in sanitation. Clogs accumulate both dirt and bacteria. Microorganisms thrive in wet or moist environments. In addition, there are substances from wastewater and storm water that supports their growth.
That’s why it’s important to address the problem immediately. It helps if you seek Toronto plumbing services fast so you’ll avoid sudden problems. Rainy weather is getting unpredictable. Also, immediate action actually saves you money in the long run. This means you’re preventing much of the drain problems from occurring.
Toronto plumbing services will help you get to the root of the problem. Some drain problems might require excavation or sophisticated camera inspection. This is true especially when it’s a large drain system and if the drain system is really old.
How to repair drains
There are cases when there’s a major problem in the drains. It could be the result of wear and tear (leak). It could also be about the pipes being distorted or not being sloped properly. These cause sewer backup. Instead of the wastewater coming downward, it gets absorbed in the surrounding areas (or it floods them).
We mentioned earlier that microorganisms thrive in wet and dirty environments. If our basement or yard are being supplied with wastewater (as a result of damaged drains), this results to bad smell and unsanitary place. These lead to property damages and possibly diseases.
To prevent those problems, drain repairs might be needed. It requires excavation and use of heavy equipment. Professionals will ensure that sewer and storm water will flow out properly. They might also make changes in the drain systems to reduce flooding risks.
If the problem is severe, drain replacements might be required. This is a better and long-term solution that prevents flooding and sewer problems. It’s more costly than drain repairs. But professionals will let customers explore their options first before performing any replacements.
It’s also important to ask questions first before committing to a service. This way you’re sure that the solution is fit to your plumbing problem. There are Toronto plumbing and drain companies that offer free consultations.
Need Toronto plumbing services?
We discussed how Toronto plumbing and drain systems work. We also discussed some ways on how to repair toilets, sinks, and drains. Now, let’s summarize and discuss when to ask for professional Toronto plumbing services.
Drainage systems mostly work with the aid of gravity. Sewer and storm water naturally flows down to prevent flooding and water backup. Problems arise when the flow slows down or gets stopped. Clogs are the most common reason for this.
These clogs can cause the water to overflow or go back up. It results to hassles, unsanitary conditions, and property damages. These in turn can lead to expensive repairs and replacements. These also cause unnecessary headaches and stress.
Urgent attention and action are required to remove those clogs. Residents often use readily available tools to get the job done. Plunger, drain snake, and improvised tools can help in solving mild problems.
For severe problems, professional assistance will be needed. This ensures that we get to the root of the problem. This also prevents recurring problems down the road. In the long run, we save money if professionals performed the repairs or cleaning.
You can find professional Toronto plumbing services at competitive rates. You don’t need to spend a fortune to fix your drain problems. What you need is the right solution for your specific problem. You also need to act fast to avoid future hassles brought by clogged drains.
When to ask for help? Contact us immediately if you have clogged drains. We service residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Our team of friendly and experienced pros are ready 24/7.
You can also ask us questions (this is free consultation). This way we can verify your problems and come up with the best solutions. Call us now at +1 416 858 4444.
