Water hammer can be a problem for some

There are those homes out there that have a problem with pipes making a banging noise after the water has been running and the taps or faucets are turned off. Usually this will be apparent right as the water is shut off and it will sound like a loud banging or hammering noise that comes from the pipes or in your walls. This is a common problem specifically called water hammer. If you are experiencing this problem a call to your local Toronto plumber can be all it takes to get it repaired; let’s look into the problem a littler deeper.

What is water hammer exactly?

It can happen with any type of fluid or gas that is traveling in a pipe and is suddenly blocked. The actual occurrence of this problem is due to the liquid traveling under high pressure and suddenly stopping; the water comes crashing into the point that was just closed as it was traveling with a significant velocity. This force creates a pressure wave within the pipeline that results in a strong noise and vibration. Under extreme conditions water hammer can even damage and destroy pipes but this is not common in households due to the lowered water pressure. If you are experiencing this problem a call to your local Toronto plumber can be all it takes to get it repaired; let’s look into the problem a little deeper.

What can cause water hammer?

There are a few causes of water hammer but most of the time it will depend on whether you have always had this problem or if it has suddenly started to occur. For instance if you have never had the problem and you are now experiencing water hammer it may be due to a blocked vent in your plumbing system. It may need to be entirely cleaned out or you may need to just allow the water to drain from the area that is experiencing the problem; either way it is best to leave this task to a qualified plumber.

A pressure valve may be all that's needed

A pressure reduction valve can help solve water hammer

If the problem is caused by excessive pressure you will need to install a pressure reducing valve. This will solve your problem as the reduction in pressure will stop the pressure wave developing. A qualified Toronto plumbing contractor can perform this work for you to help eliminate the problem of water hammer.

Backwater valve can save your basement from disaster

A very important part of your home is your basement; depending on your specific situation, you may have a fully renovated and complete basement, but most people will have some varying degree of finish in their basement. Nonetheless, the basement is also home to a wide variety of utilities such as the water heater, electrical fuse box or breaker panel, and sump pump system. There are also very often drains in the basement that must be properly protected from the municipal sewer system in order to prevent basement flooding conditions. This is commonly done using a mainline backwater valve.

How does a backwater valve protect the building?

A cut-away view of a backwater valve

A full-port backwater valve has a few key features and benefits that make it one of the most widely used valves. The design allows for the municipal sewer to vent through drain line while still maintaining unobstructed sewage flow through the valve as per standard operation. However, if there is a situation of sewer backflow or backup then the valve will automatically close. This protects the drain from flooding the basement with sewer backflow which can be an extremely nasty event.

Prevent flooding and save thousands of dollars

The best way to deal with flooding is via prevention. If you have ever experienced a serious flood you know firsthand just how devastating it can be. Most people like to use their basement for storage, this means that they place a lot of sentimental and irreplaceable items down there; if you happen to be one of these people imagine what it would be like for these items to be utterly destroyed via water damage. Not just any water damage but sewer backup. Most people report serious flooding costing them upwards of $30,000 and can be even higher depending upon the exact circumstances. Once the damage is done, it is done, so it is a no-brainer that the best way to stop flooding is via flooding prevention. For most, installation of a backwater valve by a Toronto plumbing contractor will be a life saver.

The City of Toronto provides flooding prevention rebates

Luckily, if you happen to be in the situation where you are interested in preventing floods the City of Toronto are providing up to $3,200 in rebates to help you establish your flood prevention systems. This includes the installation of a backwater valve, sump pump, and more. For more information be sure to take a look at the City of Toronto’s rebate program and as it will provide you with the full story. In all cases however you must have the installations performed by a licensed Toronto plumbing contractor to qualify for the rebates, luckily we can help.

Toronto plumbers need to understand the plumbing guidelines

When you’re looking for a plumber you’ll need to make sure that you are hiring a full-fledged plumbing contractor. Someone that has a complete understanding of what the whole job entails. That means not only have the knowledge to get the whole job done but also having a good understanding of the entirety of the operation such as any regulations or municipal codes that are involved in the work being performed. Not all work requires a permit or the strict adherence to bylaws but when the work does require following these rules you must be in compliance.

Bylaws are extremely important for all Toronto plumbing contractors

Compliance to building codes is not just an annoyance, there must exist a strict standard to ensure the safety of not only those individuals whose property is being worked on, but also the safety of the general populace. There are stories of "handymen" attempting to grind into a live gas-line; it is this sort of disregard for the rules that can result in their own bodily harm, harm to their customers, and harm to anyone who happens to be nearby when this type of activity results in a serious accident. Of course, not all cases are this extreme, but the point is that every bylaw and regulation is in place to ensure the safety of all people. Therefore, hiring a Toronto plumber that has full knowledge and adheres to these rules is a very important task.

How can I make sure my plumber is doing the job right?

There are a few steps that you can take to ensure that your plumber is going to perform their work in a safe and compliant manner. You must first perform your own back check, this means checking their reviews and calling any references that they have provided you. Speak with these people, are they legitimate? Do they sound like friends of the plumber?

Next, make sure that they are both licensed and insured. Any professional plumber will carry license and you certainly don’t want someone who is not licensed performing any work on your property. Obtain copies of their license and insurance, double-check with the insurance company and call up an plumbing regulatory body to make sure that they do in fact possess a license and have the necessary insurance that will cover the job they are to perform. These steps alone will prove extremely useful in weeding out the less-than-ideal plumbing contractors and put you on the right track to ensuring a regulation abiding plumbing job.

Toronto plumbers, ADP Toronto Plumbing establish Blogger.com presence

Established 1998, ADP Toronto Plumbing has been providing Toronto with professional plumbing services for over 10 years. Fully licensed, insured, and bonded - we are commited to providing top quality services to all of our clients; home owners, property owners, commercial clients and industrial installations as well.

We provide full plumbing and draining services including:

• Water service installations and upgrades (low water pressure? we can help)
• Drain maintenance such as cleaning, repairs, inspections (free main drain inspection with plumbing services)
• Basement waterproofing (protect your home from costly and damaging basement leaks and flooding)
• and more..

We provide 24-hour emergency services so you can contact us at 416-827-0497 whenever you need a plumber to take care of your troubles. Working in Toronto for so long has allowed us to gain a very good understanding of the unique water system present in the City of Toronto - we can definitely help you out regardless of your situation.

For more information our contact information is:

ADP Toronto Plumbing
51 Homewood Ave
Toronto, ON M4Y 2K1
T: 416-827-0497

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