Plumbing advice for Ottawa homeowners
Plain answers from Michael and the team about drains, sewer lines, older homes, basements and more.
Homeowner GuidesBefore You Dig: 9 questions to ask before replacing a water line
For older Ottawa homes with lead or aging water services.
Homeowner GuidesRepeat-Backup Checklist: why does the same drain keep blocking?
Record the symptoms and ask the right questions before another visit.
Homeowner GuidesBasement Backup Checklist: 7 questions before the next storm
Sump, backup power and backwater protection, checked while the basement is dry.
Basement Flood ProtectionSump pump not working? The 3 most common reasons sump pumps fail
Sump pump not working? The three most common reasons sump pumps fail in Ottawa homes, what you can check yourself, and when to call a plumber.
Basement Flood ProtectionWater coming up through your basement floor drain? Here's what to do
What to do when your basement floor drain overflows or water comes up through it, the usual causes in Ottawa homes, and how to stop it happening again.
Basement Flood ProtectionWater in your basement from snowmelt? Why a battery backup sump pump matters
Spring snowmelt floods Ottawa basements when sump pumps fail or lose power. How a battery backup sump pump works, battery choices, and what installation involves.
Drains & Sewer LinesWhat to expect from a sewer camera inspection
What happens during a sewer camera inspection, what problems it finds, how to prepare, and why seeing inside your drain saves money on the wrong repair.
Drains & Sewer LinesTree roots in your sewer line: signs, prevention and fixes
How tree roots get into Ottawa sewer lines, the warning signs, what you can do to prevent them, and how roots are cleared and repaired for good.
Cast Iron & Older HomesHow old are your cast iron pipes, and when should they be replaced?
How long cast iron drain pipes last, the signs yours are failing, and how to decide between repair and full cast iron replacement in an older Ottawa home.
Cast Iron & Older HomesMain stack vent problems: signs and solutions
What the main plumbing stack vent does, the signs it's blocked or failing (gurgling, slow drains, sewer smell), and how vent problems are fixed in older Ottawa homes.
Water HeatersSigns it's time to replace your water heater
The key signs your water heater needs replacing (age, leaks, rusty water, noises, not enough hot water) and how to choose the right replacement for your Ottawa home.
Winter PlumbingWinter plumbing emergencies: prevention and what to do
Frozen pipes, burst lines and frozen discharge lines: how to prevent winter plumbing emergencies in an Ottawa home, and what to do the moment one happens.
Backflow & CommercialOttawa's backflow prevention program: what property owners need to know
What Ottawa's backflow prevention program means for commercial, institutional and multi-residential property owners: what backflow is, the devices, testing and how we help.
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