Plumbing & Heating Blog - Always Plumbing & Heating

15 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garburator

As fall approaches, many families find themselves spending more time in the kitchen. While summer is the season for outdoor barbecues and campfires, fall is the season for back to school lunches, canning your produce, and packaging up the succulent goods from your garden.

With all of this extra time in the kitchen comes greater use of your in-sink garbage disposal. There are a few names for kitchen garbage disposal units. Whether you call it your garburator, Insinkerator or garbage disposal, they are a cook’s best friend! Grinding up and washing away kitchen waste with the flip of a switch. While a garburator is useful for many food items, there are some things that should never put down your garburator to avoid major plumbing problems. Avoid the following to reduce the potential for major plumbing problems, including clogged lines, burst pipes, or a damaged garbage disposal unit.

15 Items You Shouldn’t Put In Your Garbage Disposal

Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds turn into a thick pasty wad that can plug up your drains. Instead save them for your garden, which helps create nutrient-rich soil as well as keep critters out of your garden.
Pasta: Pasta absorbs water and expands in your plumbing lines even after it’s chopped up from your garburator. While a few scraps from a plate shouldn’t cause an issue, disposing an entire serving of pasta into your drains is not a good idea.
Bones: Garbage disposal blades aren’t strong enough to cut up bones. You will damage the blades and possibly destroy your garbage disposal.
Oatmeal: Like pasta, oatmeal is a water-absorbing food. They can collect further down in your plumbing lines and soak up water, expanding and plugging your lines.
Nuts: Consider what happens when you grind up nuts. Think peanut butter. If you throw a bunch of nuts into your garburator this is exactly what happens. Leaving you with disposal lines that have a thick oily paste to potentially clog your lines.
Onion Skins: While the inside of the onion is okay to put into the disposal, the thin skins can slip between the blades untouched, and become wedged in the drain, trapping other food items and causing a clog. Compost the outer layer of your onion instead.
Eggshells: There is an old wive’s tale that eggshells will sharpen your garbage disposal blades which is not true. While the eggshells will not damage the blades, the inner membrane from the eggshell can get loose and lodge around the impeller or in the drain. Instead, use your eggshells in your garden.
Trash: Some things just belong in the garbage and not in your drains. Banana peels, candy wrappers, paper towel, cigarette butts, etc. The device is not a trash compactor, adding items such as these will lead to having to replace the unit.
Pumpkin: When carving a pumpkin and the long stands get stuck to your hands, the same happens when you put it into your garbage disposal which clogs your drains.
Potato Peels: Don’t overload your disposal with potato peels. While a few shouldn’t hurt, a large amount can jam up your disposal and it puts a lot of strain on the motor.
Celery: Much like pumpkin, the stringy fibres can wrap around the blades and plug your drains or damage the disposal motor.
Pits: Similar in texture to bones, pits cannot be chopped up with disposal blades. Save them for your compost instead.
Cleaning solutions: Harsh drain cleaners and industrial cleaning solutions should not be used in your disposal unit. They can damage the drains and the drain lines. Instead, use ice cubes to clean the blades and some lemon peels to deodorize the disposal. A little dish soap can be helpful if there is some grease build-up. Always make sure your unit is turned off before cleaning your disposal unit.
Corn Husks: The robust fibrous husks and the stringy silks of the husk create a threat for the garbage disposal unit. Keep the task of husking your corn far from the garbage disposal. Instead, husk the corn straight into the compost.
Grease: We’ve all heard the phrase, Don’t pour it, Store it! Grease should never be put down any of your drains, including your garbage disposal. This is one of the leading causes of clogged lines. Keep a glass jar under your sink to collect grease drippings in.

If you notice the unit isn’t running smoothly, or if you have a backflow of water coming up from your drains, you may need to enlist the help of a professional plumber. Regardless if it is a garburator, Insinkerator or garbage disposal unit, the expert plumbers at Always Plumbing & Heating can take care of all your repairs or replacement needs.

Dangers of Poly B Pipes & Poly B Plumbing

What is Poly-B Pipe?

Poly B™ (polybutylene) was a common type of plumbing material used to supply hot and cold water in residential and commercial buildings built between 1978-1995. It was a reliable and lightweight option for many plumbing projects. Poly b plumbing was much cheaper than copper piping, and it was installed in over 700,000 Canadian homes.

How to tell if you have Poly-B Plumbing?

Poly-b piping is generally a light grey plastic pipe with copper fittings and elbows. You can easily identify if your home’s plumbing has poly-b fittings by removing a few ceiling tiles in your basement, such as in your utility room, and viewing the grey pipes in the ceiling of your basement. If your ceilings are drywalled, you can check in your mechanical room at your water meter or the pipes coming from the top of your hot w ater tank. If the pipes are grey plastic with copper connections, it is likely that your home has polybutylene piping. If you want to know what type of plumbing your home has, contact your local association of certified home inspectors to get a home inspection.

What is the problem with Poly B Piping?

Homes with poly-b plumbing were discontinued several years ago for more modern plumbing systems because over time, the pipes were susceptible to failure and began to burst and leak, causing untold water damage. As homes begin to age, more problems arise with this type of piping, causing devastating effects to many homes. Subsequent insurance claims can take years to resolve, and that is subject to if your home insurance policy will even cover the claim. Poly b plumbing has been through so many class action lawsuits that many insurance companies will not cover you at all if this piping fails, or they will refuse to insure you until you have it replaced. With poly b piping, there is a very strong possibility that it will fail and the homeowner is on the hook for replacing the pipes.

My home has Poly-B Piping. What do I do?

Getting reimbursement through a lawsuit against poly-b plumbing in your home is no longer an option. Poly-b paid over 20 million dollars in a class-action lawsuit, but the reimbursements were only available if you replaced poly b plumbing by 2005 or within 15 years of being installed. The reimbursement only covered 25% of the system and 25% of the damages.

The safest thing that a homeowner can do is be proactive by replacing their poly b plumbing, in a procedure known as whole-home re-piping, before pipes begin to leak. Repairing sections of poly-b piping is not a solution, as once they start leaking, the problem will keep returning in more areas than one.

What is the cost of replacing Poly B Pipes in my home?

The cost of replacing poly-b piping will vary depending on the size of your home. The expert plumbers at Always Plumbing & Heating will remove the poly b pipes from your entire home and transition them to pex piping. This can be an expense upfront, but it will protect you from future devastation that would be sure to happen if leaving poly-b piping in your home. If you do, your plumbing system may fail without warning, causing water damage. If you have any questions about poly-b piping in your Edmonton and area home, please do not hesitate to contact the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating, your local experts in whole home re-piping.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating today, and see why so many of your neighbors have already made us their poly-b replacement specialists!

Tank vs Tankless Water Heaters – Hot Water Options

If you have been in the market for a new water heater, you may be wondering about whether you should get a traditional tank water heater or a tankless water heater. Both types of water heaters have their advantages and disadvantages – it’s important to do your research first to determine which will be the best fit for your needs. To provide you with some help in deciding, we will compare both options in the article below.

The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heater vs a Tank Water Heater

Tankless Water Heaters – In It for the Long Haul

The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater System

There are many benefits to installing a tankless system. Tankless water heaters only use energy when you turn on the tap. You aren’t paying to heat a large tank of standing water while you are sleeping or away, and this is what saves you money in energy use. Tankless water heaters installation costs are more expensive, but they do have many advantages:

Compact, space-saving design. Many of these are the size of a small briefcase. They are wall-mounted and therefore save a lot of room in your utility room.
Low chance of flooding. The tankless units we install have flood prevention built-in, something that hot water tanks do not have. Also, because it’s not a “storage tank” if the unit happened to fail, the flood risk is minimal, compared to a hot water tank that holds 40 to 80 gallons of hot water.
Lower utility bills. You only pay to heat the water as you use it, on-demand water, rather than heating a large standing tank of water, which results in cost savings.
Precise temperature control.
Government rebates up to $1000. Energy Efficiency Alberta began offering government rebates for tankless water heaters in 2018. The amount of the rebate depends on the model that you are replacing, as well as the size of your home. The rebates are subject to third party availability. Find out if you are eligible to save on upfront costs.
Twice the lifespan. Tankless water heaters for your home will last 20 years or more with the right maintenance.
Endless hot water. No more cold showers, which is great for large families! However, it should be mentioned that some homes that have a lot of simultaneous water draws may require a couple of tankless units installed.

Tankless water heaters may be right for you if you plan to stay in your home for many years to come. While they are more expensive upfront, over time they do essentially pay for themselves in energy usage alone – saving on operating costs. And as a bonus making a positive environmental impact from within your own home by selecting an eco-friendly choice. Tankless heaters are great for large families. They are also referred to as hot water on demand because they don’t run out of hot water. If you are away from home a lot, tankless units may be a good fit for you, so you aren’t paying to heat water that you aren’t using. If you live in a smaller home or townhome, a tankless model will save you a lot of space that you could utilize for other things. It is important to note that if you select a tankless model, you need to be prepared to have professional yearly maintenance which includes flushing of the tankless unit to prevent mineral buildup which would reduce its efficiency or cause it to fail. Annual professional tune-ups are a requirement of manufacturer’s warranties.

Hot Water Tanks – Shorter Term, but does the Job

The Benefits of a Hot Water Tank System

The primary advantage to the homeowner of traditional water heaters is the lower purchase cost. Most homes are already set up for a tank so your plumber will not have to change the natural gas lines or do different venting, which is often the case when switching to a tankless model. These are some advantages of tank models that you may find suitable for you:

Budget-friendly. Lower cost upfront means you have more money left in your pocket. If your budget is an issue and every penny counts, this may be the best option for you.
Less maintenance. Compared to a tankless water heater, there is not a lot of maintenance that necessarily needs to be done on a traditional tank.
Variable tank sizes. You can purchase the right size of tank to best meet your families needs. You may still run out of hot water, but purchasing a larger tank can help alleviate this issue.

Hot water tanks may be the best option for you if you aren’t planning to stay in your current home long term. They are also a good budget-friendly option for those who are on restricted spending.

This guide will give you an idea of the differences between tankless and hot water tanks. If you are ready to replace your hot water appliance, the professional plumbers at Always Plumbing & Heating will thoroughly discuss both options and your needs, to help you select which is the right model for you.

DIY Sump Pump Maintenance

Your homes’ sump pump is one of the most important parts of your home plumbing fixtures in flood prevention. Sump pumps are designed to keep basements from flooding when the water table is higher than your homes’ foundation, particularly in times during large rainfall or after large snowmelt. Edmonton and area commonly receive large volumes of rain, not just in Spring, but in Summer, and sometimes into Fall. In addition to that, with the first snowmelt each the Spring, your sump pump will kick into full gear. Most, but not all, homes in Edmonton and area will be equipped with at least one sump pump, usually found in your basement utility room. With this knowledge at hand, it is prudent that homeowners pay close attention to the functioning of their sump pumps to ensure that their homes will be kept safe from water damage. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure their sump pump is optimally functional.

Do It Yourself Sump Pump Maintenance

Check the Sump Pump for Debris

To check the sump pump for debris, shine a flashlight into the pit that the pump is located, looking for sediment or other contaminants. Remove any debris as it will affect the performance of the pump. You can do this using a slotted spoon, or for smaller sediment, a kitchen sieve with very small holes in it. It is ideal to do this at least every Spring.

Inspect the Sump Pump Check Valve

Also referred to as a one-way valve, this valve ensures that water doesn’t re-enter the sump pump once it shuts off. The valve prevents backflow of water that it has already pumped out, thus making the device a one-way flow system. Check the valve on the water outlet pipe, and ensure the arrow is pointing away from the sump pump.

Sump Pump Routine Cleaning

Clean out both the relief hole and the impeller. To locate the relief hole, find the small opening between the sump pump discharge and the check valve. It can be cleaned using a cotton swab or a toothbrush. The impeller is the filtering mechanism attached to the sump pump. This can get clogged very easily and it should be routinely cleaned, at least monthly, or more often during times of heavy usage.

Test Your Sump Pump

Fill a large bucket with 3 gallons of water and pour it into the sump pump pit. The pump should start automatically, draining the water out of the pit. Try this twice consecutively to ensure the pump is in working order.

Back-up Power Source for Sump Pump

Because the sump pump is powered by electricity, it is important to ensure that your pump has a backup power source. Most power outages happen during major storms, which subsequently is when most basement flooding occurs. If your sump pump doesn’t have a backup power source and your home experiences a power outage during heavy rainfall, your sump pump will not function and the water has nowhere to go but into your home. Install a backup battery on your sump pump to provide you peace of mind protection in this instance.

Redundant System

A redundant system is a backup sump pump. Many homes have both a primary pump as well as a secondary backup pump. Having an emergency backup sump pump will provide the best protection against flooding.

Sump Pump Failure Alarm

Last but not least, a wifi powered sump pump alarm is a must for the homeowner who wants true optimal peace of mind surrounding their homes sump pump system.

Make sure that your home is kept free from flooding and water damage. Check and maintain your sump pump annually to keep it clean and running efficiently. You’ll also want to make sure that it is serviced by a professional at least once a year before the summer or fall. Remember that Always Plumbing & Heating can help you with all of your sump pump repairs. If it is determined that your system is due to be replaced, our skilled plumbers will provide you with options for any and all of the devices listed above, or full integrated smart systems that contain both a primary and backup pump with Wifi remote monitoring.

Signs You Need a Water Softener in Your Home

The North Saskatchewan River supplies the Edmonton area with some of the best water in the world, but the river water is considered “moderately hard, about 165 milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre on average” (Epcor). Hard water contains excessive amounts of certain dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. While hard water isn’t dangerous to consume, it can create other problems. You may be beginning to notice the consequences of excessive minerals in the water supply. Common signs of hard water include spotted dishes, film on shower doors/curtains, dingy-looking cloths, mineral stains, and reduced water flow. You don’t necessarily need to test your water supply to know if you have hard water or not. There are many signs of hard water in your home that you can look out for.

How To Tell If Your Home Needs A Water Softener

1. Mineral Deposits

One common sign of hard water is sediment rings around your plumbing fixtures and drains. The water supply around Edmonton is known for causing scale buildup. Scale build-up is unsightly, damaging to fixtures, and can make washing more difficult including water restriction and poor water pressure. If you are using a hard water supply for your humidification, you might also notice scale buildup around your humidifier on your furnace as well as mineral deposits on your furniture.

2. Damage to Water Heater and Other Appliances

Hard water definitely increases the costs and lowers the lifespans associated with all of your water-using appliances. Raising the temperature of hard water contributes to the buildup of calcium and magnesium minerals. Excessive water hardness can cause limescale on your water tank wall, which can lead to overheating. Additionally, mineral deposits can build up in your pipes and appliances, leading to leaks and damaged appliances.

3. Skin and Hair

The harder the water the harder it is to form a lather for sudsy, effective cleaning. If it is hard to lather and your soaps aren’t effective, you probably have hard water. Hard water plus soap can leave a soapy film behind. The soap scum leaves hair and skin feeling itchy and looking dull. In addition to clogging pores and drying out skin and hair, hard water can also worsen skin conditions and hair loss. Soft water helps with rinsing, unclogging pores, and moisturizing skin and hair.

4. Drain and Fixture Clogs

Over time, the buildup of minerals and soap scum in your plumbing system will lead to restricted water flow and pressure. Eventually, entire drains, faucets, and showerheads can become clogged with these heavy metals and require replacement.

5. Foul-Tasting Water

For the best-tasting water, you want water that is neither too hard nor too soft. Water that is too hard can taste like chalk or minerals. Water that is too soft may have a flat, bad taste. Speak with a professional about maintaining the right soft/hard balance. This will make your water look and taste a lot better.

Water softeners can remove the minerals that cause these multiple problems throughout your home’s plumbing system. If you have bad-tasting, cloudy, sulfurous, or corrosive water, you can attach the necessary filtration technology to the water softener. This water filter attachment can be installed to the main supply line or under a sink for point-of-use filtration.

6. Damaged Clothes

Hard water can make your clothes feel stiff, rough and scratchy. Similar to dish soap and body wash, hard water makes it difficult for soap to work up a lather. The soapy film can prevent the removal of dirt, creating a loss of color and brightness. Hard water shortens the lifespan of your clothing. As a result of hard water, soap scum can deposit on drains, fixtures, dishes, showers, clothes, hair and skin. This causes numerous problems, especially in the winter time.

How Do Water Softeners Work?

Basically, a water softener releases sodium (salt) ions to help counteract the mineral ions that naturally occur in the water supply. By substituting calcium, magnesium, or other hard minerals with sodium, you can eliminate your hard water problems. Water softeners are often used as a pre-treatment for other water filtration and purification methods, such as a charcoal or carbon-based water filter.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating to determine the right water softener and filtration system for your needs

Water Saving Tips

Water conservation is extremely important. There are several ways you can do your part with the following conservation and green plumbing tips.

How To Conserve Water & Save Money Off Your Water Bill

In the kitchen, while running your dishwasher, make sure it’s full.

When your appliances age, install EnergyStar appliances in your home.

Replace your washing machine hoses. The rubber hoses that come with the machine aren’t very durable or safe. Each time your washing machine shuts off, it sends a shock wave through the pipes. This repeated action weakens and damages rubber washing machine hoses over time. You can prevent burst rubber hoses by replacing them with flexible, stainless steel, braided hoses, thus saving yourself from high water bills, plumbing repair costs, property loss, and annoyance.

Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators in all of your bathrooms. This can reduce your water bill by 25 to 60 percent.

If its time to upgrade your toilets, have low-flush models installed. Replace your toilet flapper annually, even if the product says it lasts longer.

Check for leaks. If you have dripping taps, have them fixed. Also, have your irrigation system inspected if you suddenly have high water bills and you can’t determine the cause.

Collect rainwater from your eaves, and re-use it to water your lawn.

Water your lawn before dawn or at dusk. Rapid evaporation of water during the day makes watering during the day extremely wasteful. Some municipalities, such as St Albert, have bylaws in place for designated times to water your lawn.

You may be surprised how much you can shave off your monthly water bill with these simple plumbing upgrades. The experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can assist you with these water-saving upgrades and more.

8 Tips On How To Create Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen This Summer

Dreaming of that Perfect Outdoor Kitchen?

For many people, having an outdoor BBQ kitchen means more time outdoors and heartwarming family memories. It’s easy to imagine sitting outside sipping a glass of vino while you flip steaks and make baked potatoes for your guests, all while lounging underneath patio heaters when the night gets cold. Whether you are dreaming of a luxury experience, built in BBQ, or wood-fired ovens and meat smokers, there is something for everyone that is sure to fulfill the need for extended living space and communal gatherings. Creating your own outdoor living space is easier than you think. Here are a few quick tips to get you started on creating that perfect outdoor entertaining space.

How To Design The Best Outdoor Kitchen

1. Create a shaded area for hot summer months. Consider building a pergola or adding patio umbrellas, to keep you shaded from the summer heatwaves.
2. Such as with Alberta spring, summer and fall, many find themselves yearning for extra warmth once evening approaches. You can ditch your wool ponchos when you incorporate gas fuelled patio heaters and fire pits into your outdoor area. Always Plumbing & Heating can install your gas lines for you safely and efficiently to help you achieve the level of comfort that you desire in your outdoor space.
3. Plan your layout appropriately. An L-shaped outdoor kitchen is a common style used to help define your living space and set it apart from the rest of your yard. Take actual measurements of your outdoor space to make sure you have room to fit your dream.
4. Remember to think about how you want your appliances placed. Your mini fridge should not be next to your grill. Try to create separate cool and hot zones.
5. Consider outdoor plumbing by having a sink installed in your kitchen. Having running water at your disposal is a must in an outdoor kitchen. It makes cleanup simple as well as provides a sanitary food preparation area.
6. Think about what appliances you want to include. A fridge is a wonderful addition to an outdoor living space for cold beverages, snack items, and condiments. This also prevents you from having to run in and out of your house.
7. For your built-in BBQ, consider a gas grill to avoid constantly replacing propane tanks. This will save you time and money plus prevent you from running out of fuel when cooking those delicious backyard meals.
8. And of course, you need an outdoor fire pit for making s’mores! Instead of having to buy wood and clean up ashes, you may consider a gas fire pit which comes in many beautiful designs from rustic to modern depending on your taste.

Gas lines are not a task that should be done by an uncertified contractor. Our skilled technicians will take the worry out of your hands by professionally installing your plumbing lines, gas lines, sinks, and faucets. We will ensure that your gas lines meet current codes and that permits are pulled so there are no delays in utilizing your space this summer. When you are ready to build your backyard paradise, contact Always Plumbing & Heating for assistance. You will be creating memories before you know it!

Prevent Flooding In Your Edmonton Home & Save Money With A Backwater Valve

Protect Your Home From Flooding Due To Heavy Rain & City Sewage Back-up

If getting a mainline backwater valve hasn’t made it onto your spring to-do list yet, now is a great time to add it. During seasons of heavy rainfall, Edmonton homes without sewer backflow valves are at risk of flooding from raw sewage backup. Gurgling up floor drains, toilets, showers, and bathtubs – a raw sewage backup can take many pathways into your home, creating a mess in your living space and inconveniencing your plans.

How Backwater Valves Work

Backwater valves, also known as a backflow preventer, sense backflow from the city sewer system, automatically closing off your pipes to protect your home in the case of a sewage backup. Backwater valves are part of the existing plumbing code for new homes which now come with the backwater valve installed. If you own an older home, you may not have this valve to help provide flood protection.

The good news is that, within the city of Edmonton, EPCOR is offering a backwater valve subsidy up to $800.

If your home was built before 1989 or if you have had previously experienced flooding from stormwater backup, you may qualify for the subsidy.

How To Get The EPCOR Backwater Valve Subsidy

You need to book a pre-approval inspection with EPCOR. Once you are pre-approved, call Always Plumbing & Heating for installation of the backwater valve. After which, submit your invoice to EPCOR for the rebate.

With extra protection against flooding, peace of mind, potential insurance premium reductions, and rebates on the device, it’s a win-win situation you do not want to miss.

Hurry, these rebates are subject to the 2019 EPCOR Flood Prevention program & while quantities last!

Apply for the EPCOR backwater valve subsidy here.

Meet Our Mascot, Al-Wez

Yup, you’ve read that right. Always Plumbing & Heating has its very own mascot!

His name is Al-Wez, a friendly alien technician who is always smiling while delivering “service that’s outta this world!”.

Al-Wez landed at Always Plumbing & Heating in Spring of 2019, after traveling 18,000 lightyears from Planet Plumbing. While he is technically an alien, he’s no alien to our service model and was drawn to the positive culture of our team. He saw a lot of the teams’ characteristics in himself, and he sure fit right in! While he may look a little funny, he becomes a fan favorite with his ever-growing enthusiasm, wit, and curiosity. He’s also quite a handy little fella if you know what we mean! With those 4 arms, he is great on the tools. He’s always willing to lend a hand (or four) to our technicians when they are tackling a tricky plumbing or heating job. And with that big eye, he sure knows how to focus, and multi-task! His pointy alien ears make him a great listener too, just like our technicians.

Keep an eye out for Al-Wez in the community, as he likes to make the occasional appearance at community events. Give him a high-five and you may even see him do a little dance! He loves to be the centre of attention and is thrilled to share his quirky uniqueness to make you smile. And when you use the services of Always Plumbing & Heating, Al-Wez is going to guarantee that you get an “outta this world” service experience…ALWAYS!

We Are The Top Air Conditioning and Heating Company of 2019

Always Plumbing & Heating Wins Top Air Conditioning and Heating Company of 2019

We are humbled and honoured to have been nominated by our customers for the top choice award for the category of Top Air Conditioning and Heating Company of 2019.

After a lengthy voting process, we found out we were selected as the winner of the 2019 Top Heating & Air Conditioning company in Edmonton & area! Without our amazing customers, this would not have been possible.

The Top Choice award is one of the most prestigious and reputable business awards in North America and exists to provide the absolute best choices to consumers. For us, this means that we will be connected with more great customers (like yourself) who are looking for a trusted heating and air conditioning service company.

Always Plumbing & Heating offers all heating, air conditioning & plumbing services, from repairs and maintenance to installation of new furnaces, A/C’s, hot water tanks, boilers and more. With every service, we offer a plumbing & HVAC inspection for the entire home FREE of charge, giving you peace of mind service and saving you money on future maintenance costs.

Thank you again Edmonton and area for voting for Always Plumbing & Heating as your Top Heating and Air Conditioning company of 2019!

Call us at 780-489-8118 for all of your AC, Heating and Plumbing needs!

The Benefits Of A Smart Thermostat

A typical thermostat does one thing: regulates your home’s temperature while a smart thermostat does so much more! This complex control system gives you the ability to manipulate every type of environmental control in your home. The smart thermostat systems communicate to several components of your heating system, from your air conditioner to your air filter, your humidifier and more.

Why Choose A Smart Thermostat

Some other benefits of a smart thermostat include:

Remote access from your computer, tablet or smartphone device
Energy savings
The ability to adjust the temperature from anywhere
Get emailed alerts in the event your heating system fails
Easy programming
Vacation mode
Child safety locks

For a limited time, you can receive a rebate through Energy Efficiency Alberta when you install a smart thermostat with Always Plumbing & Heating certified technicians, or with a certified contractor.

Indoor Humidity Issues During Extreme Cold Weather

If your windows inside collect moisture and ice during the cold snaps, you may have a humidity problem. Managing your home humidity levels can be a difficult task during the winter months.

How To Set The Humidity In Your Home

Indoor humidity recommendations change during temperature extremes based on how cold it is outside. If the outside temperature is between 0°C to -10°C, the indoor humidity should be between 25% – 30%; between -10°C to -20°C, the humidity should not exceed 20%, outside temperatures colder than -20°C should not exceed an indoor humidity of 15%.

Installing a Smart Thermostat in your home allows you to assess and change your humidity any time with the touch of a button. To prevent costly repairs, your humidifier should be inspected by a certified technician annually along with your furnace to ensure it is working as intended and to look for any signs of corrosion or leaking.

Here at Always Plumbing & Heating, we can help you manage your indoor humidity simply and efficiently. To schedule an inspection or request a service call to install your new Smart Thermostat, call us at 780-489-8118 or contact us.

Our technicians can service your existing humidifier, or replace it with a more efficient model, complete with user-friendly controls to allow you to easily adjust humidity levels as the outside temperatures change.

Water 101: Knowing the Difference Between Hard and Soft Water

Hard and soft water: you’ve heard those terms thrown around before, but what do they mean? As it turns out, there’s really only one key difference between the two – and no, it’s not that hard water is just another name for ice, you jokester. Both types of water have certain benefits and drawbacks, and that can make it tough to decide between which you’d want depending on what you value more.

But, have no fear. To simplify the process, we’ve provided a quick and easy guide to the ins and outs of hard and soft water – what they are, what makes them different, and the pros and cons to each. Water softening is an investment many families elect to undertake, and if you think it’s something your home would benefit from, give us a call! We’re proud to offer comprehensive water-softening services, and our trained technicians can recommend the proper route to take to help you out.

Hard Water Is…What?

Despite what might pop into your mind when you hear the term “hard water,” there isn’t anything turning it into a solid form of water. What makes hard water hard is the presence of certain minerals like magnesium and calcium, which accumulate as the water travels through ground where minerals are present.

The Water Quality Association has a scale it uses to determine the hardness of water. Anything with less than one grain of calcium carbonate equivalent per gallon is labeled soft water, and it gradually increases from there.
1-3.5 grains per gallon is slightly hard water, 3.5-7 grains per gallon is moderately hard, 7.0-10.5 is labeled hard, and anything with greater than 10.5 grains per gallon is very hard.

Soft Water, on the other hand, is simply the opposite. It’s water that isn’t enriched with those minerals, and as such, has noticeable differences when it comes to practical use.

The magnesium and calcium add taste to hard water, which is what you’re drinking when you see ‘Mineral Water’ in stores. These minerals also bind to soap easier, making hard water more effective when you’re taking a bath or shower.
However, the minerals in hard water aren’t great for everything. They can build up in your pipes and appliances, leaving behind a hard substance called scale. Scale reduces the efficiency by these pieces in the infrastructure of your home, but it’s not harmful to your health.
Soft water’s lack of minerals makes it better to use for practical, non-consumption purposes, but its tendency to struggle at removing soap makes it less than ideal for pumping through into your shower as it’s likely you won’t feel completely clean once you step out.

So, Which One Is Better?

Awarding either hard or soft water the official title of “Better Water” wouldn’t make sense. They each perform certain tasks much better than the other, so saying one is objectively worse is more of a half-truth. If you’re washing clothes, soft water works better, but most people prefer hard water to drink.

Always Plumbing & Heating offers water-softening service which includes water testing, professional recommendations and complete, quick installation to fit your budget. Give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) and 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) and schedule an inspection!

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Edmonton Home

Springtime in Edmonton doesn’t usually carry a connotation of much more than slightly warmer temperatures and perhaps a greater increase in rainfall, but it’s a welcome sight after another harsh winter. With the arrival of spring, however mild it may be, comes some routine home maintenance you can perform just to ensure the things you might not have been able to attend to during winter receives some much-needed upkeep and attention.

There’s more to spring maintenance than just running a vacuum through the interior or throwing out your extra clothes. Your home has been exposed to the elements for a few months now, and that weather might have done a number on the roof and siding, for instance. The folks at Always Plumbing & Heating feel your pain, and we’re happy to run through a checklist of a few ways you can fix up your home in time for spring.

Exterior

Do a walk-around of the siding, and run a pressure-washer on any dirty spots you might encounter. Also, check any wood that might’ve been exposed over the winter for potential damage. Keep going around the perimeter of the house — does the deck or patio need to be repaired or treated?
When it’s safe, find a way to examine the shingles on your roof. Shingles may have been warped or damaged, or they might’ve been removed altogether.
Sticking close to the roof here – take a look at the gutters and downspouts. Remove any debris that could’ve gotten clogged there and run some water through it all to double-check its drainage capabilities.
Make sure your windows aren’t damaged. Are there holes, are they dirty, or are there broken or loose frames? Depending on where your home is located, the precipitation might’ve caused some serious harm.
Inspect the outdoor faucets and see if they’ve frozen or been damaged after being exposed to the cold weather and snow.

Landscaping

While you were hunkered down inside, curled up by the fire, the vegetation outside has had time to grow without interruption (for the most part). If trees or other plant life live in close proximity, they might’ve crept closer and need to be cut back – especially if they’re impeding the radiator or another critical piece of machinery.
It’s almost grass-cutting season! Give the lawnmower a fresh oil change and sharpen the blades if possible.

Interior

Are your smoke detectors’ batteries charged and operational? Routine testing is something homeowners forget fairly easily, and the importance of having functional smoke detectors can’t be understated.
Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils and clean them off. It’ll improve efficiency and keep it from going into overdrive to keep food cool.
Depending on how much work your HVAC unit went through to keep you comfortable over the last few months, there’s a chance it might need servicing. It deserves a reward after working so hard!
Of course, there’s still the stereotypical Spring Cleaning to take care of. With all the other tasks to take care of, regular old cleaning can get thrown to the wayside. It’s still important, though, and you’ll be glad you did it when the time comes.

This isn’t meant to be a one-size-fits-all list of things to do to your home. Every situation is different, and some homes’ features differ wildly from others. This was meant more to give you a basic idea of the types of things to be on the lookout for as we make the transition to a new season. Of course, should you run into any more serious problems, the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating would love to help you out. We offer a variety of services to best suit your needs, so give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253!

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for My Household?

The cost to heat your water day after day can be, to put it mildly, costly. Edmonton homeowners shell out money hand over fist each month to pay for the hot water that powers their dishwasher, laundry, sink and shower, and it adds up quickly. A traditional water heater powers it all just fine, but there are drawbacks to having one in your home.

They take up a lot of space. They’re prone to leakage and flooding. You can run out of hot water if the pre-filled tank runs out. To compensate for their shortcomings, you can opt to install a tankless water heater. These smaller, cheaper water heaters have their own pros and cons, and they can end up being better for you depending on your home. Always Plumbing & Heating has provided a list of benefits and drawbacks so that you can make an informed decision about whether a tankless water heater is right for you or not.

First – How Tankless Water Heaters Work

Tankless water heaters are just that – tankless. They eliminate the bulky storage unit a regular water heater has and instead uses a heat exchanger that cold water passes through, warming it to the temperature you’ve set it at. This way, you only get the water you need instead of drawing from a previously filled tank.

Benefits

It’s not hard to see why a tankless water heater is appealing. It saves space, eliminates the money you have to pay to continually heat the water in a larger tank, instead only heating water when you need it. Thus, the energy use gets whittled down.

The worries about a flooded basement become a thing of the past. Without a tank, there’s nothing to potentially spring a leak.
Tankless water heaters are less prone to breaking, so you won’t need to shell out the money to have them repaired. And because they have fewer parts that need replacing, tankless water heaters typically last longer than traditional water heaters (about 20 years compared to 15).

Those are nice, but the real selling point is the money you’ll save. A family can save more than $100 a year in energy-bill savings, thanks to the efficiency of a tankless water heater. By only heating water when it’s needed, you’re not paying for unnecessary heat all the time.

Drawbacks

That said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows: there are drawbacks, and they’re worth considering.

Since a tankless water heater is smaller than a traditional unit and therefore pumps water through at a slower rate, it might not be able to handle the output you require. A typical unit is able to heat 2-5 gallons of water per minute — a shower pumps out roughly 7 gallons of water a minute; a tankless water heater might not be able to keep up. If your home is bigger and needs more power, you might have to install a few of these water heaters to sufficiently meet the needs of your appliances.
The up-front cost for a tankless water heater can be a deterrent. The average cost for one – including installation – can climb into the $2,000-$3,000 range depending on the type of water heater you want as well as the size and power it generates.
If the unit you’re eyeing is electric-powered, you might need more outlets to power them, and gas-powered water heaters expel greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

So, the decision to splurge and have a tankless water heater isn’t a quick or easy one, but it can pay off in the long run if you can handle the cost up front. If you do decide to take the plunge, installation of one isn’t something that you should attempt on your own. The experts at Always Plumbing & Heating are equipped to fully install a tankless water heater at your home, and we’ll do it right the first time. Give us a call at 780-489-8118 for the most reliable service in Edmonton today!

Benefits of an HVAC Maintenance Membership

The kids are tucked into bed, the dishes are in the dishwasher, and the house has been tidied up. As you crawl into bed and prepare for another day at work, your eyelids get heavier… and heavier, until they slam shut. As sheep begin to line up to jump over the fence, you’re jolted awake – CLUNK. The rising temperature, the sudden absence of cold air; it means one thing: the HVAC unit isn’t working. A call to the handyman should fix that – but they can’t get there until much later, and you’re behind in the priority line.

That’s a problem you don’t ever want to have to run into. It’s inconvenient and aggravating, but luckily, it’s avoidable. The answer? An HVAC maintenance membership. With one, you’ll enjoy a host of benefits you wouldn’t otherwise be able to have, and they can make a world of difference when you most need it. Always Plumbing & Heating offers a Diamond Maintenance Membership Club, which we’ll get into later. But first: what does a membership mean, and what does it offer?

HVAC Maintenance Memberships: A Primer

When you boil it down, a maintenance membership is essentially a contract you have with a single service company that will ensure your service comes from them, usually at a discounted price. You pay a fee for the membership, and you receive certain benefits that wouldn’t be available to a typical customer. Not every service provider offers one, but they’re fairly common.

Quicker service – Memberships allow you to request a technician at all hours, and you’ll jump to the front of the priority line. Some memberships give you access to same-day service, while others offer next-day visits. Either way, the wait time is whittled down significantly.

Fewer repairs – Most versions of these contracts entitle you to (at least) yearly HVAC tune-ups from your technician. They’ll perform a thorough inspection of your unit to ensure everything’s running smoothly – and if it isn’t, they’ll be able to identify and diagnose any problems before they become larger issues. It becomes less likely that you’ll need to shell out your paycheck to cover a costlier repair down the road.

More money in your pocket – This piggybacks off the previous point. When you don’t have to pay for as many repairs, all the money you would’ve spent on them ends up staying with you, as does the money you’d lose in an energy bill due to an inefficient system. Not to mention, any repairs or services you need outside of regular maintenance are usually offered at a discounted price.

Less hassle – All inspections of your HVAC unit will be scheduled by the service provider, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to schedule them yourself. You’ll usually be partnered with the same technician every time, too, so he’ll know the nuances of your unit and be able to tell when something’s gone awry.

HVAC maintenance memberships are an investment, there’s no doubt. You’ll have to decide if you want to pay for the cost up-front, and that’s not something that works for everyone. However, if you do take the plunge, there’s a good chance you might be kicking yourself for not enrolling in one earlier. Always Plumbing & Heating offers a maintenance membership, and we’re unique in that we offer two versions of our Diamond Maintenance Membership Club: the Lifetime and Premier levels. The Lifetime version offers more benefits than the Premier level, but at a higher fee.

To learn more about the differences between the plans — and to determine if either one is something you’d be interested in investing for you home — give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) for the most reliable HVAC service in the area. Our highly qualified technicians get the job done right the first time, and everything comes with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee!

Planning an Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Saving money is at the top of everyone’s list, and for good reason. Simply using the appliances and fixtures in your home can crank up the bills without you even realizing it, and the weekly gasps and incredulous ‘we spent HOW much?’ expressions at the charges incurred get old…quickly. Thankfully, there are a few changes you can make just by swapping these elements out that will instantly make a difference in your monthly statement.

We’re going to take a look at how swapping out the components in just one room – the bathroom – can make a difference.

On top of the extra money you’ll pocket, making the jump to eco-friendly things in your bathroom, you’ll also be reducing the amount of energy and waste you’d usually cause just from daily use. But if you’d rather skip the appliance-swapping and pull the trigger on a full-scale remodeling of your bathroom, Always Plumbing & Heating has expert plumbers at the ready to help you turn your bathroom into an efficiency wonderland.

Low-flow Toilets

While low-flow toilets have been around for a while, they weren’t efficient at all when they broke onto the scene; they usually required multiple flushes to completely get rid of everything. Now, as technology has progressed and the designs have gotten more refined, they’re a perfectly viable option. Traditional toilets use anywhere from 3.5-7 gallons of water per flush, and that can add up quickly – especially if you’ve got a bigger household. A family of four that switches to low-flow toilets can save an average of 22,000 gallons of water per year, and you’ll notice the difference.

…And Showerheads

Swapping out your regular showerheads for low-flow models can also be a good way to cut down on the hot-water usage in your home. A shower typically pumps out 5-8 gallons/minute, while low-flow showerheads whittle that down to 2.5/minute – saving you water and energy. Getting one with a filter to screen out hard water is another easy way to help you out.

Motion-sensing Faucets

It might not seem like a lot, but the water you waste in the time it takes you to turn a faucet on and off adds up over time. A motion-sensing faucet ensures water is only being expelled when your hands – or toothbrush, or whatever – are in front of it.

LED Bulbs

Enough about water. Let’s talk lights. Traditional halogen bulbs are powerful, sure, but they’re also more expensive to power day in and day out because of that. You’ve also got to replace them much more frequently. LED bulbs last longer, they’re less prone to breaking, and they use 80 percent less energy.

Picking Perfect Paint

If you’re going to, say, remodel a bathroom, consider the type of paint you’re going to use. Some paints have low-volatile organic compounds (VOC), and as a result they’re less toxic. It’s not much, but it’s just one more simple way you can make sure you’re doing what you can to create a greener bathroom.

Even swapping out just a few of your bathroom elements for the ones we mentioned above can make a huge difference, both in your wallet and in the environment — you can feel good about what you’re doing in more ways than one!

Always Heating & Plumbing’s experts are equipped to oversee an entire bathroom renovation from start to finish, if you’d rather just do it all in one fell swoop. We offer plenty of makes and models in low-flow toilets, showerheads, sinks and tubs, and we’d be thrilled to help you pick out your dream bathroom. Give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) today!

Maximizing Air Quality With Electric Air Filters and UV Lamps

Keeping the air clean in your home isn’t something you can afford to skimp out on – especially as we continue to barrel straight through the heart of a season where it seems like everywhere you turn, someone else is coming down with an illness. More particles than we know are floating around, and ridding the air of the ones that can cause harm isn’t something that needs to stress you out with all the other curveballs life can throw at you.

There’s a simple way to take care of it, though, and all it takes is a simple call to Always Plumbing & Heating to have that problem remedied before you know it. We’re proud to offer Electric Air Cleaners as well as UV lamps – two simple additions to your home’s furnace and ventilation system that will noticeably change the quality of your air — from Dynamic Air Quality Solutions.

Filtering Out the Undesirable Particles

You’d be surprised at just how many types of particles get through your filter and start to drift through the rooms of your home. They’re usually split into two categories: ones that are larger than 2.5 microns in diameter, and ones that aren’t – a micron is 1/25,000^th of an inch, so the size that demarcates the difference is still an infinitesimally small measurement to make.

Most fiberglass air filters aren’t equipped to handle particles of that size: their job is to prevent larger molecules from disrupting the heating and cooling equipment, not screen the tiny things like viruses, bacteria and allergens from entering the system.
Basically, all the things that actually cause adverse effects to your health are precisely the size that a typical HVAC filter isn’t going to come anywhere close to stopping. You can spray disinfectants all day long, but the root of the problem isn’t going anywhere.

Polarizing Proposition

As the saying goes, the simplest answer is often the best, and the simplest answer is to just replace your filter with an electric one! By using an electric air filter, you trap a significantly increased amount of the particles that try and get through.

An electric filter traps 97 percent of particles .3 microns and larger. It’s fitted with a media screen that carries a harmless 24-volt current through it, so when any particles that are too small to catch pass through, they become electrically charged and begin combining with other similarly sized particles. When those joined particles circulate again, they are trapped since they’ve become too large to squeeze through.
The filter doesn’t short-circuit, and you only need to replace the media inside it roughly 3 times per year instead of throwing out a disposable filter every month.

While installing an electric filter will catch a sizable portion of the particles you want out of your house – like pollen, which is comparatively massive at 5 microns in diameter — it’s unfortunately not going to catch everything. In fact, there’s a good chance it won’t be able to remove the organisms that can pose the greatest risk – at least, not alone.

To do that, you’ll want to install a UVC lamp in addition to the filter. A UVC lamp targets the DNA of microorganisms floating in front of it, killing them before they have a chance to settle down and begin to multiply. Most viruses are between .0004 and .3 micron in size, so they’re going to slip through even the finest filters. A UVC lamp can take care of them.
The lamps we offer had a 35 percent capture/sterilize rate on the first pass-through.

With both of these additions to your HVAC unit, the air in your home can become noticeably cleaner before you know it! Give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) and let the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating help you take the next step to creating a safer and more enjoyable environment at home today!

Do I Need a Sump Pump?

Depending on where you live, a sump pump might be one of the most integral parts of equipment in your house – but there’s also a chance you’ll never need one at all. Some of you think, ‘Of course! I’d never go more than a few months without checking my sump pump, it’s too important.’ Others, though, say, ‘What on earth is a sump pump?’ If you fall into the second category, there’s a good chance you don’t need one. Unfortunately, Edmonton lies in a relatively flat area, so flooding is a problem; a sump pump is likely already in your home. On the off-chance you don’t have one, though, the pros at Always Plumbing & Heating have provided some guidelines to give you an idea of what you’d need to experience at home to invest in one.

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is pretty self-explanatory: it’s a pump that is installed in the lowest point of your house – usually the basement – and it pumps out any water, sump, that accumulates when there is flooding. Some are activated via a pressure sensor, and others are triggered by a flotation activator. A sump pump uses centrifugal force to create a low-pressure environment to suck water in and force it out through a pipe that dumps it away from your home. A check valve prevents the water from trickling back through the pipe, ensuring it only funnels away from the pump.

How do I know if I need one?

To determine if you need a sump pump or not, you’ll need to figure out if your house is prone to accumulating water. Obviously, if floods are an issue in the area, you will definitely need one – but if you’re situated in an area without that danger, there’s still a chance you could house excess moisture. If there isn’t any standing water, or if your basement is completely dry, you’re probably safe. However, if moisture is present, run a de-humidifier in the basement and check for moisture again a few weeks later. If it’s still present, go ahead and invest in a sump pump.

Types of Sump Pumps

Sump Pumps are divided into two categories: Pedestal and submersible units.

Pedestal sump pumps are installed above ground. They’re easier to install and perform maintenance on than submersible units are – and they’re cheaper! However, they can be affected by the water you’re trying to remove much easier than ones underground can.
Submersible sump pumps can be covered with a lid, effectively making them impenetrable. We’d recommend going with this type, if only because there is a reduced risk of them being rendered inoperable since they are secluded.

Whichever one you choose, purchasing a backup battery-powered sump pump is an excellent idea. In the event your primary unit fails, the backup will keep chugging along and provide a critical contingency plan to keep your basement water-free. You’ll also want to install an alarm on your sump pump that will alert you if it fails – so you can take action before the high water gets too much to handle.

Before flood season hits, give the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to get your sump pumps upgraded or replaced, or have us come out and take care of every step of the installation process. Our highly qualified technicians are available 24/7 throughout the year to take care of you, and it comes with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee!

Notes on Toilet Replacement

You groggily shamble into the bathroom, use the toilet and flush it. After washing your hands, you start ambling back to bed, but in the distance, you can hear it. “Wait, was that…” you think. The “drip…drip…drip” grows louder and heavier and more frequent. “Please, no,” you mumble under your breath. With a deep breath and a quick prayer, you check the tank. Of course, in the most inopportune time possible, the toilet tank has decided to spring a leak. First, the bad news: you’ve got to replace the toilet. Bummer. Now for the good news: The process to remove your toilet and install a new one isn’t as mind-numbing as it might seem; it’s pretty straightforward, actually.

Always Plumbing & Heating has a few notes to guide you through the process of replacing your toilet, but if you’d rather leave it up to the professionals, give us a call and let the best plumbers in Northern Alberta handle it from start to finish.

What Tools You’ll Need

An adjustable wrench
A screwdriver
Wax ring
Plumber’s putty
Soft, absorbent materials to support the removed toilet
Maybe: a closet flange (depending on if yours needs replacing)

Prep

You’ll need to take care of a few things before getting into the nitty-gritty of replacing the toilet. The water supply will need to be turned off, after which you’ll drain the excess water currently in the toilet. Make sure you’ve got a space ready to place the old toilet, which will have the not-so-pleasant remnants of sewer water underneath once you lift it off the ground – unnecessarily staining your floor is something we want to avoid!

Goodbye, bolts

Removing these little guys shouldn’t be an issue, but depending on how long your toilet has been around, the bolts securing it to the ground may have become welded to the nuts securing them in place. If that’s the case, you’re going to need to bring out the hacksaw and cut them off.

Removal of the toilet

Next is getting the toilet out of there. It’ll be easier to do so with the tank disconnected from the bowl, so get your wrench onto the water supply tube that links up with the fill valve and get the bolts undone there, then separate the tank. With just the bowl remaining, you should have an easier time lifting the toilet from the closet flange bolts underneath.

New flange?

The flange is what lies underneath and anchors your toilet to the ground. For the purposes here, let’s assume it doesn’t need replacing, and the current one is still functioning and devoid of leaks.

Placing the new toilet

Before you fit the new unit onto the flange for good, hold the bowl over the flange to make sure the bolts line up. If they do, place the bowl on the bolts and check to see if the toilet is level – if it’s not, you’ll need to even it out with shims. Once you double-check how everything fits, you can get the wax ring ready and adhere it to the horn of the toilet; the wax will need to be above room temperature so it can form, otherwise it’ll be disfigured and won’t seal correctly. Once the ring is set in place and squished down to form (which you can do by sitting on the toilet, facing backwards), you can finish it off with a caulk seal around the base to lock in everything with an extra layer of protection.

Re-connection

Now that the toilet is secure, you’ve got the all-clear to hook the bowl back up to the tank and re-attach the water supply.

Cash-saving Tip: Low-flush Toilets

And voila! You’re ready to put your brand-new toilet to use. Ideally, this one won’t decide to start leaking anytime soon and you’ll have a trusty unit to rely on for years to come. Of course, if you’d prefer to leave it up to the professionals, Northern Alberta’s experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can handle all of your toilet replacement needs. Call 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Should something unexpectedly happen to your toilet in the middle of the night, for instance, we offer around-the-clock service 365 days a year.