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If you're not sure whether you need a toilet repair or replacement, check out these signs that will help you make the right decision for your home.

5 Most Common Summer Plumbing Problems

Natural gas is used as a fuel for heating and cooking in many homes. When working properly, a natural gas system is safe to use and increases energy efficiency. However, if there is an issue either due to improperly installed components or components that have not been maintained, a natural gas leak can be a danger to your family and your home. Knowing how to prevent a gas leak, how to spot a gas leak, and what to do if an issue arises can be the difference between life and death. Why Gas Leaks are Dangerous In high concentrations, natural gas can lead to suffocation. There is an emission of toxic fumes (such as carbon monoxide) when gas does not burn completely. Inhaling excessive carbon monoxide can cause serious health issues and can be fatal. Gas is also highly flammable, meaning there is the potential for a fire or explosion if the leak goes undetected. A heat source or electrical spark can cause serious injuries or fatalities. Even a small gas leak can catch fire or trigger an explosion. How to Check for a Gas Leak One of the first signs that there is a natural gas leak could be a strange smell. What does a gas leak smell like? If you smell sulphur or rotten eggs, it’s likely a gas leak. Most often there is a sulphur-containing compound added to natural gas to create that warning odour, but this is not always the case. Other identifiers that there may be a gas leak are: breathing difficulties or chest pains, light-headedness or dizziness, eye or throat irritation, or headaches. In addition to the smell and the listed physical ailments, there are a few different gas leak detection tactics you will want to know if you suspect an issue but are unsure. Listen for a whistling or hissing noise. Such sounds are most noticeable near the gas lines in your home. An out-of-the-ordinary sound near your gas pipes could indicate a high-pressure leak. There may also be visual signs denoting a gas leak. You may notice bubbles in still water or dirt or dust bubbling up from the underground pipes outside. You might also notice dead vegetation, such as houseplants that are discoloured or dying without a known cause. Prevention Tips A gas leak is serious, and prevention is key. There are tools available to reduce your risks of poisoning, fires, and explosions with one of these being a carbon monoxide detector. Making sure your chimney, stove, or furnace is vented correctly, are other simple preventative ideas. The best way to avoid a gas leak is to ensure that all pipes and the natural gas system in your home are in good condition and operating properly. We can help you fix any issues that need to be repaired and spot potential issues before they escalate into larger problems. If you think you’ve identified a gas leak in your home, leave the house immediately and call the local fire services and a qualified inspection service company. Get Prepared for an Emergency Santos Water Service & Drain offers a 24/7 emergency service. Our team has years of experience and can help you resolve your issue and get the necessary repairs done. We are a number you want to have on your emergency list.  Be prepared for any household emergency by calling us at 416-824-3352 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about how we can help protect you, your home, and your loved ones.

Keeping your plumbing pipes clean and up to date can save you time and money. Taking care of the pipes in your home is important, but it’s also imperative to take care of the pipes outside the house. If you live around trees, the roots can move toward your pipes in search of water access. Make sure to complete routine plumbing checks of your outdoor pipes if they’re exposed and if they’re buried, have a professional check them annually to ensure you don’t have root damage. An annual checkup could save you money and keep your water clean. Potential Problems Caused by Tree Roots Trees that live around homes are always in search of water. Once the tree roots find a water source from small leaks in your pipes, they can break through and take up residence — this can cause water backups, blockages, and busted pipes leading to thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs. You might notice a bad smell and slow draining sinks or tubs if your pipes have roots in them. Tree roots can grow inside your pipes if they find a crack to allow them in, which could lead to dirty drinking and bathing water. Over time, the roots can become so damaging that the pipes can burst, causing a water leak and extensive damage. When this happens, you’ll need the help of an emergency plumber to repair your plumbing system and replace the busted pipes. How To Remove Roots From Your Sewer Line Since this issue often goes undetected until the tree roots have completely invaded the plumbing pipes, it’s important to have help from professionals to remove the tree roots from your sewer line. The warning signs that alert you to this issue often mean that the roots have already invaded the pipes, meaning you’ll need extensive repairs. The removal process often requires installing new pipes or sections of sewer lines, which is a process that professionals should handle. At Santos Water Service & Drain, we’re expertly trained in plumbing repair , and we could be the help you need if you have roots in your sewer line. Prevention Tips The best way to prevent tree roots from invading your plumbing pipes is by ensuring that you don’t plant anything near your sewer line. If you’ve moved into an older home with established trees, it is not always possible to avoid invasive tree roots. After moving into a house with plants or trees by the sewer line, it’s important to keep a close watch on the pipes. Understanding the warning signs is also a great way to prevent irreversible damage. If you have frequent clogs, a smell coming from your pipes, or gurgling sounds when your water is draining, you should get your pipes checked out. Another great way to prevent tree roots from taking over is with annual maintenance and checkups. The yearly service fee is well worth the money it could save you in the long run. Call Us Today! If your sewer line needs a yearly checkup or extensive damage repairs, call us at 416-824-3352 or fill out our online contact form . We have proudly served the Toronto area for over 23 years in commercial and residential plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency service, which gives you peace of mind. We understand that you can’t control when things go wrong, so we’re committed to being there for you and helping you restore your sewer line and plumbing when you need it most.

Have you noticed your water is slow to drain or an unpleasant resurgence of filthy water in your sink when other draining systems are running? These are a clear and somewhat gross indication that your drains and pipes require professional drain cleaning services . While some chemical drain cleaners provide a temporary solution, they are no match for more formidable blockages and can harm the environment. Instead, the best drain cleaning happens to be hydro-jetting which utilizes pressures over 3,000 pounds per square inch to blast fatbergs, tree roots, and other contaminants without damaging your plumbing. Furthermore, professional drain cleaning services help with other drainage problems that you may find surprising. Eliminates Odours Noxious and foul odours in the kitchen may not be coming from the trash bin. Instead, if you are hunting for the source of off-putting smells, you may discover they are coming from your sink drains. What causes buildup in drain pipes? There are several possible culprits: Organic material Food and hair Limescale Contaminants Tree roots Fatbergs Dirt As these items find their way into your pipe’s small pits, they collect any additional debris as it travels through your plumbing. Some drain cleaning products can help remove organic material in the short term. Still, despite this temporary fix, the pitting will continue to catch particles and reform clogs that attract bacteria to create an unpleasant bouquet of smells. The best drain cleaning solution is hydro-jetting as it smooths rough surfaces and flushes debris — even as significant as fatbergs and tree roots! So you can say goodbye to odours and inconvenient clogs simultaneously. Increases Water Flow With professional hydro-jetting drain cleaning services, not only are blockages and debris removed, but the pipes’ surfaces become smooth again. Furthermore, small pits that trap particles and lead to buildup or clogs are eliminated. The most common drain clogs or blockages in bathrooms happen to be hair. Yet, it is often food debris or incorrect disposal of grease from cookware that cause issues in the kitchen. The further down the blockage occurs in the pipes, the harder they are to remove. Once water can flow freely, it drains smoothly through the plumbing system and out into the sewer system. However, more severe troubles occur when water becomes trapped or stagnates in the pipes. Less Expensive Water Bills It should come as no surprise that when your water isn’t flowing through your drains and plumbing system, it can become trapped and cause damage to your pipes. The longer you wait to address a sluggish drain — or a yucky obstruction — the more likely your pipes will corrode and begin leaking. In addition, uncleaned or improperly draining pipes can cause toilets and sinks to overflow. This means your water runs continually instead of stopping when it should. Both issues can mean more expensive water bills, not to mention water damage to internal structures, flooring, and drywall. However, you can save significantly on your water bills with annual drain maintenance while preventing frustrating clogs. Get Those Drains Cleared Today! Whether you need immediate assistance or wish to include drain cleaning services on your annual maintenance list, hydro-jetting ensures that your drains are in tip-top condition. After all, you use them every day, and they can wreak havoc on your routine when something goes wrong. Schedule your professional hydro-jetting drain cleaning services with the seasoned experts at Santos Water Service & Drain . With over thirty years of service in the Toronto area, we have the tools and experience to solve all your drain and plumbing issues. Contact us online or call 416-824-3352 to book your appointment today!

It may be tempting to pour the remaining grease or oil down the drain after you’re done cooking. It seems simple enough: just pour it down the drain and never worry about it again, right? However, if there is one thing every homeowner should know, it’s that grease does not belong in the drain. Even pouring a small amount of grease or used cooking oil into the kitchen sink’s drain can cause you numerous plumbing issues. You will be slowly creating a damaged drain pipe. Let’s look at how these problems can arise and what you should do with the grease instead. How Grease Damages Your Drains Many homeowners mistakenly think It is okay to pour grease down the drain if they run hot water and pour dish soap after. However, grease should never go down the drain if you’re looking to avoid having a grease clogged drain. Even if you pour the grease when it’s hot out of the pan, it will eventually cool down and solidify somewhere in the pipes. This will cause a gummy mess to form within the plumbing system and will catch or trap other debris that flows down the drain. Over time, this will result in clogs that could eventually bring your drains to a standstill. The Proper Way to Dispose of Grease An efficient and easy way to dispose of used oil or grease is to pour the contents into an empty jar, can, or another container you can screw tightly. Close the lid onto the jar or wait for the grease to cool and harder in the can. Then, you may proceed to throw it in the trash. If you do not have any container available, you can wait for the grease to solidify in your pan or pot and then wipe it down with paper towels, which you will then need to throw away. If the grease and oil build-up does somehow make it past your own home’s system, it will continue to damage the municipal sewer system. There will be masses of solid waste obstructing the sewer system. Thus, it is important to practice proper methods of disposing of grease so you can ensure your own family’s and community’s well-being. Measures to Take if You Have Already Poured Grease Down the Drain If you have been pouring grease down the drain for quite some time now, I am sure you’re frantically scouring the Internet on how to unclog a grease clogged drain. Not to worry, if you’ve already poured grease down the drain, then you can try the hot water and dish soap hack as a temporary solution to release some of the obstruction. However, if you’ve been disposing of grease in your kitchen sink for years now, you may need to call a plumber. Oftentimes, calling in professional help is necessary to safely and effectively fix your grease clogged drain. They will have all of the tools necessary to unclog your drain thoroughly so your family can continue to have a free-flowing drainage system. Call Us Today At Santos Water Service & Drain, we use advanced techniques to clear out even the most stubborn grease clogs. We offer emergency plumbing services and hydro jetting. We want to give you immediate assistance so you can continue to use your plumbing services at ease.  We know that great service isn’t just about clearing your pipes, it’s about providing you with fast service to ensure your complete satisfaction. To schedule drain cleaning in Toronto, please call us at (416) 824-3352. You may also wish to contact us online , and we can get back to you as soon as possible!

Showering, running the dishwasher, doing laundry, and flushing the toilet are just some of the ways we use water daily in our homes. Most people typically don’t give much thought to where that water comes from and haven’t the first clue where to look when the pressure drops. Low water pressure is one of those highly annoying things that can happen unexpectedly in your home. The issue can present itself in a variety of ways. Your kitchen sink or showerhead might have weak pressure, your faucets take what seems like an eternity to fill a sink or bathtub, or your dishwasher or washing machines don’t perform as well as they usually do. Weak water pressure may be isolated to one fixture, or the issue might affect the whole house, often indicating a larger problem. If you are experiencing low water pressure in your home, the first step is to determine why. Understanding Your Water Pressure Most homes receive water from a municipal water provider. Water is pumped to treatment facilities from various sources and then to pressure tanks located at high points throughout the community. The height of the tanks generates the pressure when water is delivered to your home. The ideal residential water pressure should be between 40 and 60 PSI (pounds per square inch). Low water pressure can be frustrating and even cause several bathroom and kitchen issues. Common Causes It is easy to notice low water pressure, but to resolve the issue effectively, you need to pinpoint the precise cause of the problem. These are some of the most common causes of low residential water pressure. Closed Valves If your water pressure is struggling, you might find that your water valve is not open all the way. The main water shutoff for your home is usually located inside, where the city supply pipe enters your house. You should check that this valve is fully open. The valve may have a handle similar to a hose tap, which needs to be turned counterclockwise as far as it will go. If the handle looks like a lever, the handle needs to be parallel to the pipe. Clogged Pipes Clogged pipes are one of the most common causes of low water pressure. Clogs can form deep within your piping system, and even a small one can block the pipe enough to reduce your water pressure. It can be difficult to locate the clog within your home’s piping system, so it is a good idea to call a professional for this type of plumbing repair. They have the tools and expertise necessary to efficiently locate and resolve the issue. Faulty Fixtures  Fixtures such as showerheads or faucets often become clogged or faulty over time. They get a lot of use, so it only makes sense that they become blocked. Many times, a good cleaning and soaking will remedy the issue. Depending on the fixture’s degree of blockage or age, it might make more sense to simply replace it. How a Professional Can Help Nobody wants to deal with low water pressure. It is amazing how much it can affect our daily lives. Additionally, not everyone knows how or wants to try and resolve the issue themselves, and we understand that. Santos Water Service & Drain in Toronto has been in the business for decades. If you are experiencing low water pressure or need an emergency plumber , our team of experts can quickly find and repair the issues. We offer friendly, personable service and pride ourselves on the competitive pricing we offer. Get in touch with us today by calling 416-824-3352 or filling out our online form .

Whether you live in a house or an apartment, chances are you've run into an issue with the plumbing at some point. Plumbing problems are more common than you think. Maybe you accidentally clogged your toilet, pulled a 10-inch hairball out of the shower drain, or dropped something down the sink; all three are not an ideal situation.  While these are examples of simple plumbing repairs, there are times when you should call in professionals . The following list contains situations when you should call an emergency plumber: You Have No Water There are several reasons you may not have running water in your home. Before calling the plumber, check with a neighbour to see if they have issues, as the problem could be related to your neighbourhood water main. Also, ensure you check your own water main and make sure it is not switched off. If you have followed the steps above and the water is still not working, it's time to call in a professional plumber. Loss of water can be caused by corrosion in your tap connection. This happens over time and can be replaced or reconnected. You may also have an issue with your water lines if they are aged or installed incorrectly. Lastly, clogged or corroded pipes can cause mineral build-up over time and result in poor water flow. There is a Funky Smell If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your faucet, it's usually an indication that something is wrong with your sump pump or septic tank. A sewage smell means that your sewer could be backing up and finding its way into your shower, sink, and toilet. Trying to fix this on your own can be damaging to your health. In this situation, it is best to call an emergency plumber. Plumbing professionals are trained and licensed for this kind of situation. Frozen Pipes Frozen pipes are a common issue during the winter months. With January and February temperatures often dropping below zero, the water turns to ice. This even happens to water inside the pipes of our homes. If this happens, you’ll notice your toilet does not flush and your faucets do not work properly. Frozen pipes will stop the flow of water into your home, and you will need to call an emergency plumber to come in and thaw the pipes. Attempting this on your own can lead to further damage. Clogged Sewer Line The drains in your home carry waste from your bathroom and kitchen into the main sewer line. If this line is blocked, you can end up with flooding, leaky pipes, or more unwanted damage. Do not try to complete this plumbing repair on your own. The main sewer line is buried deep in your house and the services of a professional plumber are required to fix the problem. Leaking Fixtures A tell-tale sign of pipe damage is water leaking from your ceiling or light fixtures. Water and electricity are a hazardous combination, and you should not attempt to fix this on your own. If you notice water leaking or pooling up in any of your fixtures, you should contact an emergency plumber immediately. If left untreated, this could cause physical harm or an electrical fire. Contact the Professionals If you notice any of the above plumbing concerns in your home, it is important to call an experienced plumber right away. Our licensed plumbers at Santos Water Service & Drain have been helping homeowners with plumbing services for decades in and around the GTA. With advanced plumbing equipment and tools, our plumbers are ready to tackle any plumbing demands at an affordable price. Don’t hesitate to call us today at 416-824-3352 or fill out our online form .