Plan Your Plumbing Project

The plumbing in your house can make your quality of life extraordinary, but only if you have a plan.

I've spent the last number of years constructing (and, yes repairing) plumbing systems (water, drainage, and heating).

Over this time I have noticed the traits of a successful building project.

1) Enough money to do the job (because things do happen to increase costs along the way).

2) A set of drawings that have been agreed to, by all the different trades involved.

3)Competent trades people (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, lather interior systems
 mechanics,etc).  How do you know they are competent?  Start by asking for their Journeyman cards, then see what other work they have done.

4)Flexibility by all involved, to solve building challenges  (things that each trade does often affects  what other trades need to do -  example, a standard rough-in for a tub is usually 60 inches, but the carpenter should double check before building the walls where the tub goes).

5)General safety and Code compliance.  Believe it or not, even in this very safety enlightened time we live, there are still quite a few contractors that may talk the talk, but don't walk the safety walk.  As a home owner (building owner), you are ultimately responsible for what goes on in your building.  This is probably the one factor that you can use to screen through all the possible contractors that want to do work for you.  Contractors should be bonded (otherwise they can't get permits).  Trades people (especially plumbers, electricians, hvac) must be Journeymen.

 I am pretty sure books and articles have been written about this already, but it bears reminding.

Thank you,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939
 

Do I need a plumbing PERMIT?

Journeyman Jay Plumbing (Jay Bortnik) has recently become bonded.

This is a big deal.  So please continue reading.

To do more than repairing (or replacing) toilets, faucets, sinks, valves, leaks, etc., a plumber has to become "bonded" (see surety bond) to access ("pull") City of Edmonton Mechanical Permits (Plumbing, Gas).

Any "construction, reconstruction, replacement, alteration or extension of any plumbing system" requires a permit from the City of Edmonton.

As well, the City of Edmonton, could require you (the home owner) to get a development permit and/or a building permit.  I also found out that I cannot get my mechanical permit (for the job I would be working on) until a building permit has been entered (ie. new basement bathrooms).

Why do you need these permits?
http://www.chba.ca/renovating/before-begin/building-permits.aspx  (a more general discussion on permits)

The City of Edmonton even requires permits for bathrooms that are already half done (as a lot of new houses already have the pipes in the floor for "future" basement bathrooms.  A lot of people often assume that they don't need nor want permits for what they are doing (as evidenced by a few estimates we have done recently).

REMEMBER permits are for your protection.

If a plumber cannot "pull" their own mechanical (plumbing/gas) permit, he shouldn't be doing your job.  Also remember, not everyone calling themself a plumber is actually a plumber.  Ask for their Alberta Certified Journeyman CARDS (Plumbing and Gas) before engaging their services.  Only a Certified Journeyman can charge for their services.  And only a "bonded" Certified Journeyman can pull permits (for more than repair and fixture replacement) from the City of Edmonton.

Hopefully this helps you decide on the right plumber.

The Plumbing Museum

I am always on the look out for eclectic stuff.
This time I found you... The Plumbing Museum

Their Blog looks more interesting...  CLICK on:  

The Water Closet  The Official Blog of The Plumbing Museum

The Plumbing Museum