Toilet Surprise

Hi there,

Sometimes there is more than meets the eye when looking at a toilet.

Last Friday, all our warnings to clients about "possible broken toilet flanges"  (the things to which we seal and bolt our toilets) came true.

We lifted the old toilet to replace it with a new one that our client had purchased.

And here is what we found......

As you can see (in the photo), we have taken the liberty of taking it apart, cleaning it up, cutting the pipe below and setting it beside the toilet hole.

The picture might have looked a lot more disgusting if we did not clean up the old wax seal (which is kind of brownish yellow in colour and gooey looking)

In this case, the toilet flange was not screwed down.  It was only held in place by the tile itself and the lead bend / stub that actually folds over the flange.  If you look at the left side of the photo, you will see a half flange and a missing chunk of  metal.  That is where the bolt would go to keep the toilet attached to the floor and the toilet drain pipe.

The next picture is that of the new toilet flange that is on its way to being installed.  All we have to do is knock out the middle and screw it down (and attach it to the old copper drainage pipe in the basement).
--- and leak test it, of course (very important).

See the slots on the right and left of the flange.  These are where the T-bolts for your toilet are suppose to be installed. 

Needless to say, a basic toilet replacement turned into something more.  There was no way for our client nor ourselves to know this before the job started.  That is why we will warn you (at the time of our free estimate) that the price of a toilet replacement could increase (more time, tools, and parts are required), if we find something like this.


Anyways, that's enough about plumbing for today.

Thanks for reading,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939



 

Toilets - Knowing this could save you money

Hi there.
We just saw something you should not be doing with your toilet.

Just in case you can't see the words in the picture, they say:

"CAUTION
Use of in-tank cleaning products voids warranty, as they can destroy parts and cause water leaks that may lead to property damage."

This warning is clearly marked by the manufacturer in this case.

This is not an idle warning.  The flapper is usually the first thing affected. The flapper will lose its seal and will cost you money in lost water.  The fill valve is activated when the water level goes down in the tank.  Even more frightening is how this affects the rubber washers around the bolts and the fill valve.  If these were to leak while you were away, then the fill valve would constantly be on because the tank would be leaking.  This could cause massive water damage.

Please do not put any chemical cleaner in your toilet tank.  And always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
....Unless of course, you really want to needlessly pay for more plumbing in your house...
We didn't think so.

Thank you for reading,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939

A Plumbing Tip

It's great to see that a major manufacturer sees the value in engaging the services of licensed plumbers.
Remember always check for a Alberta Journeyman Certificate and Liability Insurance Certificate.
 

Thanks,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939

A Homeowner's Visual Plumbing Inspection

Hi there and Happy Thursday.

Here's a list (in no particular order) of some of the plumbing you should be checking on a regular basis (weekly/monthly).  This list is certainly not exhaustive.  But it is a start.

1.  Faucets (Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry, Outside)

     Do they drip (one drip doesn't cost much, but what about an extra gallon of drips a day)?
     Are they loose (this could cause serious problems, because a lot have delicate connections)?
     Is there enough water flow (or has it been declining)?
     Check the outside faucets as well.

2.  Sinks

     Are they getting slower to drain?
     Is there moisture under the sink? (you may have to clear everything out to check this)
     Is there hard water stains on the outside of the drainage piping under the sink?
     Do you have a metal enamel sink in your bathroom?  (these usually rust around the drain & start to leak)

3.  Bath Tubs / Showers

     Does the faucet drip?
     If it is a tub with a shower, does all the water get diverted to the shower head?
     Are there water stains on the ceiling below the tub or shower?

4.  Toilets

     Can you flush without having to hold the handle down?
     Is it a strong flush?
     Does your toilet make noises when no one is using it?
     Is there water/moisture around the base of the toilet?

5.  Laundry room

     Is the floor wet after doing the laundry?
     How do the water hoses look (are they fresh and new or old and dry looking)?
     Is there a smell in your laundry room that is not fresh?  Maybe pour some water in the floor drain.

6.  Piping

     Do you have copper drainage piping that is soft to the touch?  (in homes that were built before the 70's)
     If your big black vertical drainage pipe (3" ususally) is exposed, run your hands up and down.  It should    be dry.

This brings me to my last point.  Normal functioning plumbing should be dry on the outside (of the fixture or pipe) and wet on the inside.  If the outside of a pipe is wet, or under a sink is wet, or even the inside of a sink is wet after it hasn't been used for a day, then it needs your attention.

Cost is always a consideration.  Everybody operates on a budget and needs to know how much things are going to cost.  We appreciate this and that is why we are offering FREE estimates to our fellow residents in North Edmonton.  Our estimates are good for 30 days.  That gives you time to think, plan, and allocate funds for these important fixes.  But beware, act today, because leaks wait for no one.  One day they are a small drip, the next they are a gusher.

If you have any of the plumbing issues above,

Call us today and book an appointment for a FREE estimate.

 

Sincerely Your North Edmonton Plumber,

 Jay Bortnik

Journeyman Jay Plumbing

780-266-3939

 

If your Bath Tub Faucet Looks Like this ....

If your Bath Tub Faucet Looks Like this ....

 Did you know this tub/shower valve no longer meets plumbing code (if installed new)?

You might consider replacing it with an anti-scald model (which is NOT in the pictures above).

The above pictures were just a repair / replacement of the existing faucet.  Its pipes (really copper tube) in the wall are arranged ONLY for this brand and model of bath tub / shower  faucet (which is no longer approved in the Plumbing Code because it is not anti-scald).  To have changed the type of tub/shower valve would have involved a minor bathroom renovation (tiles removed, etc).

Some of you may say that this is easily solved by turning down the hot water tank to 120 F.  However, that is the point at which HARMFUL Legionella bacteria start to thrive.  The catch-22 is that there is risk of SERIOUS INJURY from scalding if water is above 120 F.  The answer to this dilemma is either a "pressure balanced" or "temperature sensitive" tub/shower valve so the mixed hot-cold water never goes over 120 F WITHOUT having to turn down your hot water tank. 

The one in the top photo had several problems with it, so the home owner opted to buy a whole new assembly (instead of individual replacement parts - the knob was even stripped and wasn't turning anymore).

A more long-term solution would be to eventually renovate the bathroom (changing out / replacing the bathroom fixtures - Bath tub, etc.).  In the process, you could change the tub/shower faucet to a new Plumbing Code approved anti-scald, single handle tub/shower valve.


Here is a picture of a new tube shower valve (with the anti-scald feature) we installed on another recent job.

Thanks for reading,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939