Getting your home ready for spring...

Given our nice winter Chinooks this year, spring already feels right around the corner. That means it will soon be time to run the outside water lines and revive what's left of your lawn! Remember, when you run water for first time this year, be sure to check your basement for possible freezing and splits, especially within the first minute of running the water. Check inside your basement where the water line exits the house. Also, make sure your downspouts are attached onto the house, so your spring run-off heads away from the foundation wall.

What can you do to save water?

A leak of one drop per second wastes 10,000 litres of water per year! Each of us uses 350 litres of water each day, 40% is flushed down the drain, 35% in showers/baths, the rest in laundry/dishes/cooking/consumption. So here are a few quick tips: Check inside faucets for leaks. Water your lawn in the early morning hours to avoid evaporation. Never oil or chemicals down the drain. Use a broom to clean a driveway instead of a hose. Water the lawn and not the sidewalk. And only use dishwashers and clothes washers when you have full loads!

What should you do if your toilet is about to overflow?

Lift the tank lid and push the flapper down. Then, shut the water supply to the toilet off – this is a valve near the floor on the left side. Turn it clockwise to turn off until it stops. The water level should eventually lower on its own. You can try plunging it once the water level is lower, but if it is plugged solid, you’ll likely need a plumber to auger it out.

What should you do if your ceiling is dripping?

First, try to determine which fixture is causing the dripping. If it is a constant drip, it is likely a water line. If it is an intermittent drip, it is probably a drain. If it is a steady drip, shut your main water lines off. If it is intermittent, limit the use of the fixtures above.

Why is there no water pressure at my tap, i.e. neither hot nor cold will flow?

First, see if all the rest of the taps in the home are working. If so, this means the problem is local to the one tap. The first step is to remove the aerator (screw-off the end of the tap to take out the aerator) and clean it out. Before replacing the aerator, run the hot and cold water through the line (holding a rag over the spout to prevent splashing) to clear the lines. Then, re-install aerator (screw it back on) and test. If the problem persists, it is further down the line, and you’ll need to give us a call.

Why is there no pressure in my shower?

It could be one of a few things: A plugged shower head, scaled-up with hard water is one cause. You can pull and check as you would an aerator at the end of a tap (see previous question about “There is no water pressure at my tap”). Another possibility is that the shower cartridge is worn out and needs replacing. Or, it could be that the water heater is plugged up, affecting the pressure in the whole house.