Looking for Toronto Plumbers?
Toronto, like any other city needs it's plumbers. From everyday clogs and leaks to more extreme and life threatening problems, plumbers are a necessity. So how do you find a good one?
Well, it helps to know a little bit about what plumbers do.
There are many aspects of the plumbers job. Plumbers clean out drains that are slow or clogged, then can hunt down and find strange odors that may be coming from drains or pipes. They help make sure that a flooded basement or bathroom doesn't happen again, they tighten faucets and fix pipes to stop leaks. They can help you use water more efficiently to reduce your water bills and be more environmentally friendly. They deal in sewers, toilets, sump pumps, and all other forms of unpleasantness you certainly wouldn't want to deal with.
And this is just the beginning.
One big issue in Toronto specifically is lead in the water, which can be deadly.
Where does this lead come from? Well it doesn't come from the City of Toronto’s water supplies, which usually exceeds Health Canada's standard of 10 ppb (parts per billion) with an average test score of 1 ppb. No, the most common sources are lead pipes, faucets made of brass (or chrome plated brass), or lead based solder used to join pipes. It enters our drinking water supply as a result of corrosion, or coming into contact with lead materials over time, especially where there may be standing water.
So what can you do about this?
Some simple things you can do to minimize this are:
Flush your plumbing pipes every morning – flush the toilet, or let the water run while washing your hands until it is fresh and cold to the touch. This clears water from your home line to make sure it is coming from the main line where lead is rarely present. NOTE: this may not be as effective in a high-rise building, call your landlord or local health department if you are concerned about this.
Use cold water - when drawing water for any purpose that may involve consumption (drinking, cooking, etc) always use cold water as hot water dissolves more lead from plumbing.
Call a Plumber – licensed plumbers, whether called specifically for this purpose or if they are there for another reason, can determine if a home contains lead solder, lead pipes or fittings, etc. Also you can verify with them, if they are making any repairs to pipes, that they are not using a lead based solder.
So what should you look for in a plumber?
“Master Plumbers” are tradesmen who have spent many years in the plumbing industry and are probably familiar with a variety of aspects related to plumbing. These journeymen may be too expensive to call for simple house repairs, and usually work as contractors for larger business. But a master plumber may know of other quality certified plumbers who can service you, or have apprentices and journeyman plumbers who are highly trained for what you need.
Essentially you want to make sure your plumber knows his stuff. The best way to do this is talk to others you know who have used one. Who was it? Were they good? Were they courteous, timely, professional, and so on? If a friend recommends someone, then that is probably a good place to start.
A Note About Cost
Watch for how the plumber bills his time. Is it by the minute, the hour, a flat rate? Will they provide the material to do the repair and if so, is there a mark-up on it, and how much? Would it be cheaper for you to buy some of the material yourself, especially if it's something simple like a faucet, or shower-head, etc. so as to reduce their costs.
Essentially, know what you need. Do your research, and if possible, make sure that you are prepared for them when they arrive so you can help them get done that much quicker.
With any luck this will get things done quicker, cheaper, and better.
Downtown Areas servicing: East York, Allen Road, Eglinton, North York, Lawrance area, Yonge Street, Toronto. Also: Oakville, Mississauga, North York, Etobicoke and the GTA.
If you suspect you may have lead pipes in your home, it could be a real safety hazard to your family’s health, especially your children. Draincom specializes in replacing lead pipes with safe copper plumbing. Email us right away for a free estimate on replacing your lead pipes, or call us for 24-7 hotline: 416-989-5757.
One of our highly qualified licensed Toronto plumbers would be happy to assist you.
