A leaking shower head wastes water and is often a major annoyance. A shower head that drips every 3 seconds adds up to 700 gallons per year, making your money go down the drain literally. And even more if the leak is on the hot water side.  Leaking is usually one of two things. It may be that it is partially clogged and dribbling, instead of a nice strong stream thru every jet in the head. Or it could be that it is actually leaking which is more likely the control valve than the shower ...

Winter is coming…and it’s been another difficult year for all of us.   Season’s Greetings from the entire team at PipeMasters & Oakridge Plumbing Ontario Limited. We sincerely wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season, and all the best for 2022! Have a fun-filled Christmas. If you need any assistance, we’re here to help during the holidays including 24/7 emergency services: info@pipemasters.ca or (289) 404-9063. Pipemasters is p...

In Canada, winter brings plummeting temperatures. As the leaves fall the countdown to the first snow begins. Frozen and bursting pipes can be a common and expensive frustration for home and cottage owners, causing property damage that can easily be in the thousands to repair and remediate. Let’s look at some easy steps to take to prevent freeze ups and protect your water systems: Frozen pipes aren’t something any homeowner wants to discover in the dead of winter. But, if you tur...

Losing water pressure in your shower can be annoying. Disruptions in the water pressure because of flushed toilets are not as bad as chronic water pressure issues that make it more difficult to rinse off soap and shampoo. Let’s look at a few different ways to fix this issue: 1. Issues with the pressure-balancing valve Some showers have pressure-balancing valves that use a single handle for controlling the water flow and the temperature. An example of this occurs when flushing toilets ...

Your water heater may be out of sight but it should not be out of mind as it plays a very important part in the plumbing of your home. A poorly functioning water heater could result in bigger electricity bills as well as water that is either too hot or ice cold. It is important to conduct annual maintenance to ensure that your unit is clean (hard water build-up is damaging to your water heater) and is set to the right temperature. You’ll save more than money, but also prolong the life o...

Something not quite right with your sump pump? When was the last time you checked it? Regular checking and cleaning  is one of your most important defensive tools against flooding in your basement, so it’s ready when you need it most. Most sump pumps should be checked and cleaned at least once a year – usually best just before spring thaw. If you’re not comfortable cleaning it yourself, you can always have an expert do it for you. With proper cleaning and maintenan...

Rust stains are unsightly and can make an otherwise clean sink or tub appear dirty and neglected. Rust stains can be challenging to remove and may become permanent over time. Possible causes include your plumbing system or water supply. Keeping them in check requires regular cleaning with the right types of products. All-purpose bathroom cleaners will not remove rust stains effectively, and chlorine bleach might cause the stains to become permanent. The team from PipeMasters has some &n...

One of the keys to keeping all your plumbing fixtures and appliances operating well year after year is to make sure you’re engaging in important preventative maintenance tasks. Everything that uses water in your home, including all of your sinks, showers, baths, garbage disposal, refrigerator, washing machine, toilets and water heater, can be maintained to prevent any significant plumbing problems from occurring. By staying on top of preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to avo...

Do you ever have moments where you notice foul smells coming from your drains? This could be in your kitchen or bathroom, or it could be near floor drains in your basement or laundry room. And this smell can quickly spread throughout your home. There are some cases in which drains can build up a foul odor. To be able to remove that odor, you’ll need to know what causes the drain odor and the best methods of removal. Here’s what you need to know. What causes smelly drains? ...

If you’ve recently had flooding or other forms of water damage done to your home, your first concern should be your safety. First, stop the source of the flooding, and get all furniture and other affected items out of the way if possible. It may be necessary, depending on the amount and source of the flooding, to work with water damage restoration teams to thoroughly clean and sanitize your surfaces, furniture and materials, and to prevent the spread of bacteria or mold.  But once...