If you’ve noticed a hike in your water bills or water usage you might want to take a look around your home and see if there is a possible leak that is causing your bill to go up. Ottawa plumbers say there are a few things you can look out for to try and identify the source of the problem.
1. Listen: Listen for the sounds of water dripping in your home. Ottawa plumbers say this may sound simple but it can be overlooked in a bustling home. It may not seem like a dripping tap or toilet would cause a significant water waste but over the course of a day, week, or month each drop of water can add up to gallons of water. Listen for water dripping in your home when it is quite, this might help you pinpoint the problem.
2. Look: Check around the base boards, walls, shower, tub and plumbing fixtures to see if there is any evidence of water leaking. A good sign that water is leaking is mildew or mold, darkened surfaces and even puddles of water. Ottawa plumbers say that water can leak into the wall cavity around the shower and bathtub, creating a problem you can’t see until mold starts showing up. Now, pipes also sweat when cold water moves through them in a warm area of your home. Ottawa plumbers say the water then condenses on the surface and may cause the pipe to drip water, this is not leak.
3. Under the Sink: When searching for a possible plumbing leak in your home Ottawa plumbers say you’ll also want to look under your bathroom and kitchen sinks. With a flashlight, look at all the exposed pipes and search for any drops of water that are accumulating. Ottawa plumbers also say it is a good idea to run your fingers over the pipe to feel for any excess water.
4. Toilet: Listen to your toilet. Ottawa plumbers say if the water is running at unusual intervals you could have a problem. Listen to the water running in the toilet, if it keeps running when is hasn’t been flushed recently it could be a sign that there is a seal leak in the tank. This could cause the tank to drain slowly and when the water level drops, the float valve will open again causing the tank to refill.
5. Water Meter: Find your water meter. Ottawa plumbers recommend you shut off the water in your home and read the amount displayed, write it down and then wait another hour or two and read the meter again. This will help you see if any water has gone through the meter without water being used in your home. Ottawa plumbers say small leaks will not move the meter over a short period of time so this method may be harder to detect tiny leaks in your home.
Try these five tips in your home to see if there is a problem that is causing your water bill to rise. If you cannot locate the problem and fix it yourself, call in an Ottawa plumber.

When it comes to choosing a drain cleaner for your home, you’re faced with too many decisions. There are so many different brands available when you head to the supermarket that it can be difficult to choose. Here are a few tips on how you can tackle the decision of what drain cleaner to use, from some plumbers Ottawa recommends.

• _Purpose

  : The number one item to address before you purchase drain cleaner is why you need it in the first place. Plumbers Ottawa supplies, advise you buy a powerful drain cleaner for unclogging a drain. For maintenance purposes use a mild drain cleaner.

• 
  

  Cause of Clog

  : Multiple items can contribute to the clogging of drains in your home. In the bathroom a common culprit is hair. Plumbers Ottawa recommends, say in order to clean the hair out of your drain you have to buy a drain cleaner and a strainer to catch the hair. Plus, a drain brush will help you pull the hair out of the drain.  Kitchen drains face the most clogs in the home. Most of the time plumbers Ottawa has, said the clog is from food getting stuck inside the drain. Try to find a drain cleaner that breaks the food down. Follow up with a flush of cold water.

• 
  

  Chemicals

  : When you buy a drain cleaner take a close look at the label and see what type of chemicals are used. Plumbers Ottawa use say you shouldn’t use harsh drain cleaners for your kitchen and bathroom drains. See if you can find organic, environmentally friendly cleaners that will not only be good to your drain pipes but are also safe for your family.

• 
  

  Price

  : Drain cleaners vary in price from expensive to cheap. It all depends on the brand and type of cleaner. Plumbers Ottawa supplies says that expensive drain cleaners are not always the best or most efficient. On the same note, a cheap drain cleaner might not do the best job either. Your best bet is to buy a drain cleaner for a medium price that you can use for routine maintenance.

• 
  

  Brand

  : When you buy drain cleaners don’t just focus on the brand. Plumbers Ottawa uses recommend trying two to three different products to figure out which one works best for your needs.

• 
  

  Ask:

  You can always ask friends and family what kind of drain cleaner they use and what they would recommend. Plumbers Ottawa has, usually recommend an environmentally safe drain cleaner because it is better for your home plumbing. They also recommend keeping up on the maintenance of your plumbing in order to avoid clogs all together.

Try not to spend too much time picking out a drain cleaner. The best practice to follow is to try multiple products and figure out which drain cleaner best suits the needs of your home. Good luck!

Finding an Ottawa plumber that fits your needs can be a much simpler task if you aren’t armed with the right questions when you set out to interview potential plumbers. Don’t wait until an emergency happens to find an Ottawa plumber, take a few precautionary steps now and ask the right questions in order to find the right plumber to fit your household needs.

If you’re not sure where to start looking for an Ottawa plumber, your local hardware store can be a good resource. Also, ask your friends, family, realtor and contractor, anyone you would trust for a recommendation. Once you’ve compiled a list of Ottawa plumbers, call them. When you call the plumbers pay close attention to their customer service. Take note if someone answered the phone. Were they accommodating? What was the experience like? Customer service on the phone can be a good indication as to how a company is run. The phone call is the first step in finding the right Ottawa plumber for you. Next, ask the following 15 questions. This may seem like a laborious process, but it will save you time and money when it comes time to needing a plumber.

1. Are you a licensed plumber and qualified to do business in the Ottawa area?
2. Are you insured in Ottawa?
3. Are all of your employees licensed and insured?
4. Generally speaking, what is your response time to an emergency plumbing situation?
5. Do you provide, weekend, holiday and evening service? What about 24 hour service?
6. Do you charge by the hour or by the job?
7. Do you charge for travel and drive time?
8. Do you have other service charges?
9. Do you charge overtime?
10. Are your company vehicles fully equipped with plumbing emergency repair tools?
11. What is your labor and parts guarantee?
12. Do you have a website?
13. Are you a member of the better business bureau?
14. Do you have a list of references?
15. Wil, you provide options for different plumbing materials?

These 15 questions are all fair to ask to your potential Ottawa plumber. Use your judgment, if you don’t like their answer to the first few questions move on to the next plumber. Don’t waste their time and yours by going through all 15 questions. The main goal with this list is to ensure you hire someone who is qualified to work on your home, and to find a plumber that meets your needs. This process may seem a little daunting now, but if you put in a little extra effort now you’ll be relieved you know who to call when a plumbing emergency does happen. A little work can go a long way.

Over time it is inevitable that one drain or multiple drains will become clogged in your home. Hair, grease, food and other debris flows down the drain and eventually builds up to create a blockage in your home plumbing. Plumbers Ottawa recommends the best way to avoid a clog is to keep up on regular home maintenance, but people typically don’t think about their plumbing until there is a problem. There are all kinds of gimmicks on the market claiming to unclog your drain, and some do work, but most of the time you’ll have to remove the clog yourself. Of course you can always call one of the plumbers Ottawa supplies.  Now there are number of ways to can unclog a drain yourself with out using harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can hurt you and your pipes, and without having to call an expensive plumber Ottawa recommends.

1. 
   

   Hot Water

   : This can be one of the easiest fixes for a clogged drain. Water just short of boiling can clean out your drain if it is not fully clogged. Pour the hot water down your drain and wait 10-15 minutes.

2. 
   

   Clean the Drain

   : Remove the stopper on your tap drain or your bath tub drain. It should pull out or screw out fairly easily. The plumbers Ottawa recommends cleaning out the buildup under the drain stopper. Then use a wire coat hanger or a thin piece of wire and push it into the drain so you can pull out hair and other debris that has built up. Keep working at this process until you are confident that you’ve cleared the clog.

3. 
   

   Plunger:

   Plumbers Ottawa supplies recommend you have two plungers in your home. One that is used for the toilet and the other for your tub and tap clogs. Remove the drain stopper and place the plunger over the drain opening, create a seal with the plunger. Make sure you have enough water in the sink to cover the plunger. Plunge up and down 10 times. You may need to repeat a few times if necessary.

4. 
   

   Vinegar:

   This can be a useful home remedy for clogged drains, and it is safer than a chemical drain cleaner. Plumbers Ottawa uses recommend combing 1/3 cup of vinegar with a 1/3 cup of baking soda. Careful, the mixture will start fizzing immediately. Quickly pour the mixture down the drain so it can start working on the clog. Let it stand for 10 minutes and then follow with a flush of hot water. Repeat if necessary.

5. 
   

   Drain Snake:

   Plumbers Ottawa supplies use drain snakes all the time for home plumbing clogs. If you have clogs fairly often in your home a drain snake might be a good investment for you. A snake is a long steel cable with a spring; it can extend down a drain 15-25 feet. Snakes are sold at most hardware stores.

6. 
   

   Vacuum:

   If you are dealing with a pesky clog you can also try a wet/dry vacuum. Plumbers Ottawa use say you should remove the filter on the vacuum and put the hose over the drain opening. The vacuum should be able to suck out and debris inside the drain.

When you’ve sprung a leak in your home it is always good to know a few important facts about plumbing leaks. When an emergency situation does happen you’ll want to know how to fix the leak. Plus, Ottawa plumbers recommend you know how to prevent leaks in the first place and how to identify a leak. These five tips were recommended by Ottawa plumbers.

_Heat

: Wrap your outdoor plumbing. This is extremely important if you live in a cold climate. Wrap your outdoor pipes to shield them from the cold. If you are not going to be using your water for any length of time it can be a good habit to turn all the taps on while your not home. If water stops moving through your pipes it will freeze.  Ottawa plumbers also say you should insulate all the pipes in your home to prevent freezing.

_{Look at your Plumbing}

: Many people only look at their plumbing when something is wrong. Ottawa plumbers recommend you get in the habit of looking at your home plumbing every now and again. You might not know what you are looking at, but when something does go wrong you’ll know what doesn’t look right. Familiarize yourself with the plumbing in your home; it might save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

_{Look under the Sink}

: Too often, Ottawa plumbers say homeowners forget to look under their bathroom and kitchen sinks. This area can be a common culprit for leaks. Slow leaks can occur in the drain plumbing under your sinks and if you are not looking under the sink a small leak could end up causing serious damage.

_Radiators

: Ottawa plumbers recommend you keep an eye on the radiator in your home. You’ll want to make sure it is draining the water in the right direction. Ottawa plumbers say you should check the pitch of the radiator. Make sure it is on an angle that allows the condensation to drain back into the boiler. It should be angled towards the steam.

_{Water Heater:}

Another home plumbing source to keep an eye on is your water heater. According to Ottawa plumbers the main problem that water heaters experience is the lining deteriorating, causing water to drip from the base of the heater. Look under your water heater. If water is dripping from the bottom you have a problem. Call the manufacturer and see if your heater is under warranty, if not call an Ottawa plumber.
You don’t have to be an Ottawa plumber to make sure the plumbing in your home is working properly. By keeping a close eye on how everything is operating in your home, you might be able to get a head start on any problems that come up. Use these five tips and go through your home familiarizing yourself with typical problem areas. The more you know now the better off you will be in the long run.

There are a number of different types of plumbing companies in Ottawa.

_{Ottawa Plumbing Companies}

The different types of plumbing companies in Ottawa can normally be divided as follows:

_{-          Plumbing Contractors
-          Commercial Plumbers
-          Industrial Plumbers
-          Residential Plumbers
-          Emergency / 24 Hour Plumbers}

_{Ottawa Plumbing Contractors}

An Ottawa plumbing contractor can assist with all different kinds of renovation and building work. It’s best to make decisions beforehand on who you would like to use as a plumbing contractor, as well as integrate them into your overall plan on how your plans are to come together.
Many Ottawa plumbing companies offer this service, and with proper scheduling can be very prepared for the work you’re going to be doing.
Depending on when you need to work to be done, it can at times be difficult to find the Ottawa plumbing company you’d like to work with. Either be prepared to work in the off season, or potentially leave a deposit to ensure that the work you contract out is properly paid attention to. While the idea of putting money down before a project may appear new to some of us, from many Ottawa plumbers’ perspectives, canceled projects mean they are idle for a certain time, and not bringing in revenue in on their end.

_{Ottawa Commercial & Industrial Plumbers}

These plumbers operate in many commercial and industrial capacities. Either for quick repairs to major installations, or working with business oriented systems.
There are normally two kinds – those that are set up to respond to emergency plumbing situations, and those who are contractors for large installations.
It is vital for any business (or their property management company) to have an arrangement for a commercial or industrial plumber before an incident happens – it can save the business having to shut down for a period of time due to a plumbing problem.

_{Residential Plumbers}

Residential plumbers function in houses, and often work in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Like many plumbers, residential plumbers will often provide contractor or emergency services, depending on how they are set up. It is usually in your long term interest to have a residential plumber who is familiar with your plumbing configuration in the event of an emergency.

_{Emergency & 24 Hour Plumbers}

Ottawa has a number of emergency plumbers and 24 hour plumbers available to help in the event of an emergency plumbing situation.

For more information on this topic, you can see further posts on emergency plumbers Ottawa and 24 hours plumbers Ottawa.

_{24 Hour Plumber in Ottawa
Ottawa Emergency Plumber
Clogged Toilet?}

When emergency calls late at night or in the early hours of the morning, it is helpful to have access to a 24 hour plumber in Ottawa.
24 hour plumbers are usually specialists in emergency plumbing. In a city like Ottawa, except in construction projects where the work is under an incredibly quick deadline, employing plumbers in the middle of the night is not a regular practice. When someone is having problems with their plumbing in the wee hours of the morning, however, is when Ottawa’s 24 hour plumbers can come in incredibly handy.

_{How to prepare when calling a 24 hour plumber in Ottawa}

-          Have the phone numbers for a few options, as when an emergency strikes, minutes  can make the difference between a small and a large repair bill
-          Have a regular plumber that you use so that they are already familiar with your house and plumbing setup
-          Know where certain important plumbing areas of your house are – specifically the master shut off for water
-          If you live in a condo have the property management 24 hour contact information ready – if the source (or consequence) of a plumbing problem is outside of your unit, then they are the ones who can access other areas of your building. As well, it helps to get to know your neighbors and other on your condo board
-          If you rent, it’s usually best to try to attempt to call your landlord ahead of time. They often have an arrangement with a specific plumber who is familiar with the property for services. If an emergency plumber is needed, however, and you cannot get a hold of your landlord, most won’t mind your calling someone to stop the initial problem. It is best practice, however, to ask your landlord about this beforehand.

_{How to tell if a plumber has emergency or 24 hour capabilities?}

First of all, simply ask them when you are talking with them. Most will have an advertisement, or on their phone number either have a 24 hour operator answering, or will provide their cell phone on their answering service.

_{Should cost be considered?}

Cost is always an important factor when making any decision involving a property, whether rented or owned.
It is important, however to consider the initial short term cost when compared with the potential for long term damage to the property. Even minor water damage to your property can cost hundred or thousands in repair bills, as well increase insurance premiums and decrease the resale potential of your property.
Usually, the cost involved in having a licensed Ottawa plumbing contractor over to even look at a problem is far less than the potential damage in the long run.

_{For more information on 24 hour plumbers in Ottawa and emergency plumbers in Ottawa:
Emergency Plumbers Ottawa
Best Ottawa Plumber
Plumbers Ottawa
Emergency Water Shut Off}

_{What is a Journeyman Plumber?}

A journeyman plumber is known to have solid working knowledge of plumbing systems, and is able to perform a number of tasks, including (but not limited to) installation, repair, and maintenance on plumbing systems.
Often, a Journeyman Plumber in Ottawa will have worked as an apprentice for a master plumber for minimum number of hours (usually over a 5 year period), as well as passed the Journeyman Plumber exam.
As well, the individual is required to take a few years of courses on plumbing and plumbing systems, along with the required provincial examination.
As well, once having achieved the designation, there are requirements to keep up the specific licensing levels and continue to be considered properly licensed.

_{Where can a Journeyman Plumber in Ottawa be found?}

In most cases, it is a matter of asking the organization you’re working with. As the “Journeyman” title is a highly prized designation, many Ottawa plumbers are happy to showcase their achievements.
When choosing an Ottawa plumber, simply have the conversation of the abilities and how they impact your needs. Sometimes the skill is needed for more complex tasks, while for basic tasks like unclogging a drain or a toilet, an apprentice plumber can often do the task with a high level of professionalism.

_{What other types of Plumbers in Ottawa are there?}

There are also Master Plumbers and Apprentice Plumbers. Apprentice plumbers work under a licensed plumber for a designated period of time to get the proper level of experience before they can become licensed. Master Plumbers have several years of experience as a Journeyman Plumber.

_{For More Information on Journeyman Plumbers in Ottawa:}

Journeyman Plumber Jobs in Canada (WowJobs)
Journeyman Plumber Test Review
How to get a Journeyman Plumber License (eHow / US)

When searching for plumbers, Ottawa residents have several options. There are standard plumbers, who are certified to perform routine maintenance, installation, and repair; plumbing contractors, who generally perform more complicated projects; and backflow prevention specialists, who work on stopping contaminated water from flowing back into the water system.

As a homeowner, you’ll primarily be working with the first two types of plumbers. Ottawa does have many hills, which means that there is a great need for backflow specialists, but these professionals generally work with builders and contractors, so you probably will never have to call one yourself. And if you do need one, your plumber or contractor will tell you.

In order to make the distinction clear, let’s look at the main differences between plumbers and plumbing contractors.

Plumbing contractors:

If you have a large plumbing project that you estimate will require very extensive repairs or substantial work to your home plumbing, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need a plumbing contractor. In order to be certain, consider these factors:

• Is the project going to take more than a couple of hours?
• Is the professional going to have to work with external water connections?
• Will he or she be required to install major plumbing elements or replace large sections of pipe?
• Does your plumbing project affect the entire household?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then you might want to call a plumbing contractor.

The main difference is this: To become certified plumbers, Ottawa professionals have to have proven experience, and they must pass a demanding exam. Plumbing contractors must have the standard plumbing certification, but they also have to pass an advanced test, and they have to have at least two years of plumbing certification under their belts.

If you’re still not sure whether you need a plumbing contractor, call a few that you find in the “plumbers Ottawa” directory. Many contractors would be happy to do an in-home consultation and price estimate. And if all you need is a standard plumber, they’ll tell you.

Plumbers:

Plumbers are our go-to people for those minor tasks and plumbing emergencies that don’t require significant amounts of time or parts to repair. All plumbers are experts in their field, but standard plumbers simply have a different way of working. Rather than working on large, multi-day projects, they usually work by appointment, and they may work with several customers each day.

Thus, when calling plumbers, Ottawa residents can expect to make an appointment, and you can usually get a moderately accurate price estimate over the phone.

There’s one thing that standard plumbers are not permitted to do: They’re not allowed to work with connections between your plumbing and the external sewage and water systems. Other than this one limitation, they are qualified to work on any aspect of your home plumbing.

So, if you have a simple plumbing job, call a standard plumber. And if your plumber thinks you need more extensive work, he or she can refer you to a contractor.

A quality water heater should be able to produce a sustained stream of hot water for at least 30 minutes before needing time to recover. Thus, if your hot water regularly runs out in less than 30 minutes, this is a sign that there’s something wrong with either your plumbing or your water heater. Ottawa plumbers can help you with these problems, but before you call a professional, it’s a good idea to do a little investigation on your own. If you get lucky, you may even stumble upon a solution to your hot water woes.

Before you start calling Ottawa plumbers to deal with your hot water shortage, try these solutions.

1. Check the water valve. Even if you feel 100% certain that your water valve is all the way open, it can’t hurt to check. After all, over the years, tiny vibrations in the water system can cause the valve to slowly close on its own. So if you haven’t touched your water valve in a long time, it could be that it’s just closed itself. So, before you do anything else, check the valve.

2. Is it the heater, or the plumbing? Most hot water problems result primarily from a faulty water heater. However, it is possible that the issue is somewhere between the heater and the showerhead. If so, this will be important information to have when you call Ottawa plumbers.

Here’s how to find out: Next time you take a shower and your hot water goes out, immediately go around to the other showers and taps in your home, and check to see whether or not they can produce hot water. If not, then you can feel reasonably certain that the problem is in your heater. On the other hand, if they do produce hot water, then the problem could be in the pipes leading up to your shower.

3. Are there any patterns? Sometimes, just by looking at when these outages occur, you can get to the bottom of why they’re happening. For example, if the hot water only runs out at night, it could be that the cold nighttime temperatures are affecting the pipes, which would mean that you need either better pipe insulation or a stronger water heater. Make a note of any patterns that you find, and tell the Ottawa plumbers that you call what you have noticed.

4. How old is the showerhead? Everything falls apart eventually. And with showerheads, you may see no outward sign that the equipment has declined on the inside. If you want to check, take your showerhead apart, and examine all the elements.

If any of the pieces are rusted, worn, or loose, this is more than enough to interfere with the hot water. And if your hot water problems are the result of a faulty showerhead, then you may not even need to call any Ottawa plumbers. With a few basic tools, showerheads are easy to replace.