When you’re seeking a Calgary plumber to work on a plumbing project in your home, it’s important to understand the distinction between plumbers and plumbing contractors. The difference goes deeper than the name; there are different certifications for each designation, with the plumbing contractor license being more difficult to obtain.

More specifically, according to Calgary plumber rules, to become a plumbing contractor one must have had a plumber’s license for at least two years, and one must also pass an exam on advanced plumbing techniques.

Meanwhile, standard plumbers simply need to pass a test, and there are no requirements for work experience. However, this doesn’t mean that just anyone can become a plumber. The test is designed so that one has to have extensive first-hand plumbing knowledge and experience in order to pass.

What can plumbing contractors do?

If you have a major plumbing project that requires substantial work or repairs to your home plumbing system, you probably need a plumbing contractor. And if you’re not sure what constitutes a major plumbing project, ask yourself these questions:

• Will the project take more than a day?
• Will the plumber be working with the connections between your home plumbing and the external water system?
• Will the plumber be installing heavy equipment or major sections of plumbing?
• Does the plumbing issue affect the whole house?

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, call a plumbing contractor. There’s nothing involving your home plumbing that a plumbing contractor is not licensed to work with. Plus, contractors are typically much better equipped to handle large-scale projects. They often have at least one certified plumber working under them, and they also usually have a network of connections whom they can call for specialized tasks.

Most plumbing contractors will be happy to do an in-home consultation and price estimate before beginning work. For an especially large project, it’s a good idea to consult several contractors, as prices can vary dramatically.

What can plumbers do?

When you work with a Calgary plumber, the one thing that he or she is strictly forbidden from doing is working with connections between your home and the external water or sewage systems. One caveat, however: Plumbers are not restricted from these activities when they’re working under the direct supervision of a plumbing contractor.

Also, while plumbers are qualified to perform any plumbing-related tasks save that one restriction, they generally focus on smaller-scale projects. It varies from plumber to plumber, but many like to keep their schedules open so they can work with a broad customer base, and they also make lots of appointments. Thus, a Calgary plumber will rarely be available for a project that takes longer than a few hours to complete. However, it can’t hurt to ask.

Thus, if you have a leak, a clog, or any other type of simple project that won’t take longer than an hour or two, get in touch with a Calgary plumber.

Hot-water problems can be frustrating. It’s no fun when you turn on your water and get ready for your shower only to find that the water won’t get any hotter than lukewarm. And even worse is when you’re in the middle of your shower and the hot water gives out completely. Over time, what may seem like a minor inconvenience can become a real headache, and you might start looking into Calgary plumbers who can help you get to the bottom of the issue.

But before you start calling Calgary plumbers, try to get a clearer sense of what’s causing your hot water shortages. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Water heater or plumbing? Do your hot water problems affect your entire household, or are they confined to one fixture? Next time your shower hot water runs out, immediately go around your home to other showers and taps and test whether they work properly. If you can get them to produce a sustained gush of hot water, then the problem is probably confined to your shower, which means that it’s probably in the plumbing, rather than in the water heater. This will be useful information when you start calling Calgary plumbers.

If the other showers and taps have similar hot water issues, then the problem is probably with your water heater.

When does it happen? If the hot water problems are intermittent, make note of when they occur. Do they happen during a certain time of day? What’s the outdoor temperature when the hot water goes out? How long were you running the water? Were you previously running water elsewhere in the house? These things may mean nothing, but it doesn’t hurt to know this information when the plumber comes.

Check the valve. Find where your water valves are located, and make sure that the hot water valve is all the way open. Over time, valves can slowly close on their own, so don’t rule this out as a possible solution. You wouldn’t want to go through all the trouble of researching Calgary plumbers and having one come out to your home only to find that the problem was a half-closed valve all along.

How old is the showerhead? If your showerhead is older than a year or two, it may be that its inner parts are worn out and causing obstructions. If you can, take apart your showerhead, and make sure everything inside still looks new. If it’s falling apart inside, installing a new one is a very easy process that you may be able to do on your own.

Do you need a professional? If the source of the problem is more complicated than a worn-out showerhead, and if you don’t have much plumbing experience, you may want to call a professional. Remember that plumbing is complicated, and Calgary plumbers typically go through years of training and certification before they’re qualified to work on advanced plumbing projects. So if you’re not sure of yourself, put the project in the hands of someone with the necessary know-how.

If you’re looking for a Calgary plumber, whether it’s to fix a plumbing issue or to install an upgrade, it will help to enter the situation equipped with some basic plumbing knowledge. This way, when your plumber asks you questions or explains something to you, you’ll be able to follow what he or she is saying with no difficulty.

After all, while plumbing is a mystery to many people, there’s really not much to it. It relies mostly upon the basic laws of physics, using gravity and water pressure to bring water in, move water out, and keep things running smoothly.

So, before you have that Calgary plumber come to your home, understand these basic facts about how plumbing works.

1. Two systems: Plumbing is a two-sided system, with each side working independently of the other, and with the fixtures (tubs, sinks, toilets) acting as meeting points between the two sides. There’s the side that brings the water in, and there’s the side that brings the water out. Why is this important to know? It’s simple: When you’re working with an element of your home plumbing, whether it’s a pipe or a valve, it’s essential to understand which side of the system it’s in.

Plus, as any Calgary plumber will tell you, the incoming system is more dangerous to work with. Outgoing water is dirty, but clearing these pipes is easy—just don’t use any water. Meanwhile, the incoming water supply is unlimited and must be completely shut off before you can do any plumbing work. Otherwise, a burst pipe can very quickly lead to flooding.

2. Hot water vs. cold water: When water comes into your home, it automatically enters the cold water system. For your hot water needs, a separate pipe carries this cold water into the water heater, which warms the water to temperatures as high as 60-70 degrees Celsius. Heating water requires electricity, so the more hot water you use, the higher your electric bill will be. If you have high bills, you might want to talk to your Calgary plumber about ways to reduce hot water usage.

3. Pressure and gravity Your local water supplier pushes water out into the system with a huge amount of force. The water pressure from your taps and showerheads has nothing to do with anything inside of your home; rather, it comes from the force of the water entering from the outside.

Meanwhile, outgoing water relies upon gravity. Basically, the overall trajectory of the outgoing system is set on a downward pitch, so that each step of the process is lower than the preceding step.

And if you’re wondering about that S-shaped pipe that sits underneath most sinks, the explanation is simple: While the gravity of the water draining from the sink is sufficient to push the water through, some water gets caught in the lower portion of the curve. This is a good thing, as it blocks sewer gas from coming back up through your outgoing plumbing system. Without this, the sink would always smell like sewage.

When something in your plumbing system breaks, a pipe bursts, or a drain suddenly starts regurgitating huge amounts of dirty water, one’s first impulse is to get the problem fixed right away, which means calling a plumber. Calgary has many emergency plumbers who will come and fix your problem at a moment’s notice. However, fees and policies vary, so it’s a good idea to do your research before deciding whom to hire.

When you’re in the midst of a plumbing emergency, you may be tempted to rush. And if the issue really could have catastrophic effects, don’t hesitate to call the nearest and fastest plumber Calgary has to offer.

But that’s only a small percentage of the cases. In all likelihood, even though the plumbing issue needs to be fixed as soon as possible, you can still take the time to do the research and find the right plumber for you.

To hire an emergency plumber, follow these steps:

1. Shut off the water: Even if you immediately called a plumber, Calgary is not the smallest town in the world, so it may take him or her a little while to get to you. Turning off the water will prevent the situation from getting worse while you wait.

Somewhere in your home, there’s a valve that will turn off all the water in your home. It may be in the basement, in a closet, or outside of the house, possibly near the water meter. Wherever your valve is, shutting off the water will make your emergency situation slightly less pressing.

Because these valves can be hard to turn, use an adjustable wrench to help get a good grip. Once you’ve turned it, check the water to make sure it’s off.

2. Research plumbers: If you know anyone who’s likely to know a good plumber, give them a call. This may be anyone who has had substantial work done to their home, or anyone who works in the architecture or constructions fields.

If you don’t know anyone who can give you good suggestions, don’t worry. Just go online and do a web search for “plumber Calgary.” This will bring up a list of local directories and review sites like Yelp.com. If you can, find an emergency plumber with plenty of positive reviews. However, if a plumber lacks reviews, this doesn’t mean that he or she is not worth calling.

3. Call plumbers: Emergency and 24-hour plumbers typically charge larger fees than other plumbers, and you may also be required to pay parts and mileage fees. That’s why, before you have a plumber come out to your home, it’s a good idea to call a few of them and compare their rates.

Of course, if you’re reading this, you probably have a plumbing emergency right now. However, in an ideal world, it would be best to have this information available before the emergency happens. So, once you get this problem fixed, keep a handy list of plumbers you can call should a similar situation arise in the future.

Everyone is familiar with that feeling of dread that sets in when, after flushing the toilet, you see the water begin to rise to an unusual level. Lots of things flash through your mind in this moment. You hope that it’s not going to overflow and that you’re soon going to hear that reassuring sound indicating that the water is draining. If it’s night time, you may wonder how many 24-hour plumbers Calgary has, and if any of them would be available to help you.

And instead of draining, the water just sits there. Even if it doesn’t overflow, you know that one more flush would  push the water over the edge, and nobody wants that. But before you start Googling “plumbers Calgary,” let’s see if you can do anything to fix this problem yourself.

Drain cleaners

First of all, as any plumber will tell you, store-bought chemical drain cleaners usually have little or no effect on clogged toilets. Of course, you can try one if you already have it, but buying one would just be a waste of money.

Plungers

Most people have plungers, and fortunately you do not need any advanced plumbing knowledge to use one. However, if you don’t have a high-quality type of plunger, you greatly diminish the tool’s potential effectiveness. You need one that is made of tough, durable but flexible material and has a fold-out cup. Most plumbers, Calgary and elsewhere, have a plungers like these, and it’s usually the first thing they try when they’re called to fix a clogged toilet.

Plunger use is simple: Press the rim of the plunger around the toilet opening so that it forms a ring of suction. Push down on the handle, and then pull up with force. Do this several times. The important thing is to put your force into the pulling, not the pushing.

Toilet augers

If you’re still not ready to start calling plumbers, Calgary has many hardware stores that carry toilet augers, and they usually sell for anywhere between $10 and $50. While this may seem cheap, toilet augers are not guaranteed to work, so you may end up wasting money.

A toilet auger is usually the second tool that a professional plumber will use to try to unclog a toilet. Basically, it’s a metal snake that works its way into the draining system of the toilet, hooks the obstruction, and then pulls it out—sort of like fishing. The machine is simple and easy to use, but, again, it’s not guaranteed.

Advanced techniques

If none of these things work, and if you’re not experienced with advanced plumbing techniques, it’s probably best to give up on the idea of fixing the issue yourself. If you don’t know any plumbers, Calgary has several websites where you can find directory listings of plumbers who can come to your home at any time of the day or night. And if you wish to be helpful, when the plumber is on the way, clear the area around the toilet, and use a bucket or bowl to empty as much of the toilet water as possible.

If you’re having problems with a drain in your home, there are hundreds of Calgary plumbers who would be happy to help. But before you pick up the phone, there are a few things you can try on your own. And even if you’re not comfortable tinkering with your house’s plumbing, a basic check of what’s going on will help you tell those Calgary plumbers exactly the nature of your problem.

Before making that call, go through these steps.

1. Identify the problem: A drain problem usually falls into one of a few different categories:

• The water in your sink or tub is slow to drain.
• Water backs up into your sink or tub.
• Areas of wall near the drainage pipes become wet.
• There are unusual and alarming sounds when water is draining.

Each of these problems has a few possible causes, which Calgary plumbers will be quite familiar with.

2. Determine the seriousness of the problem: If the problem is confined to a single drain in your home, then it’s probably not a serious issue. And even if you do have to call a plumber, it’s likely to be a quick fix.

For example, if the water in your bathtub is slow to drain, but all the other drains in your home work fine, it may be that there’s an obstruction in the pipe leading out from the tub. It could just be some hair or other debris caught a few inches below the drain opening. In this case, there are a things you do to try to get rid of the obstruction before you call any Calgary plumbers.

On the other hand, if the drain issue affects multiple areas of your home, this could mean that there’s a problem deep within your home’s plumbing system, which means that you’re probably going to need a professional.

3. Try to unclog the drain: Since so many of these problems boil down to a simple clog somewhere down in the pipes, it can’t hurt to at least try to remove the clog before calling a plumber. Here’s one procedure that often works for both sink and tub clogs:

Step 1: Run the hot water until it’s as hot as it can get.

Step 2: Plug the drain.

Step 3: Fill the tub or sink with as much hot water as it can hold.

Step 4: Unplug the drain. Since the water’s very hot, you might want to use a long rubber glove to reach the plug, or rig up some kind of reaching device to pull the plug out without immersing your hand.

The idea behind this tactic is that it applies a large amount of heat and water pressure to the clog.

If this doesn’t work, try a drain cleaner like Drano or Liquid Plummer. These products are designed to dissolve certain kinds of obstructions until they become easier to remove, but they don’t always work. And if they don’t, it’s time to start calling Calgary plumbers.

If you’ve tried everything to reduce your water usage but you still can’t get your bill down to where you’d like it to be, you may want to think about calling some plumbers. Calgary has a number of them, and many of these plumbers would be happy to come out to your home and assess whether there’s anything that can be done to reduce your household water usage. But before you call one of the many fine plumbers Calgary has to offer, let’s look at some of the ways in which you can cut back on your own.

1. Look and listen for drips. A little drip from the tap or the showerhead may seem like no big deal, but when you add it up over a month, it can translate into hundreds of litres and several dollars. And some drips are easy to fix. It may just be a matter of tightening the washers in the head of the tap, which are easy to access with tools that you probably have yourself.

2. Look for damaged pipes. Nobody knows this better than the plumbers: Calgary has cold winters, which can wreak havoc on pipes. Of course, there’s the risk of frozen pipes, but systems are built with this in mind. The other problem that many people face is pipe damage caused by the chilly temperatures. Pipes can get corroded, loose, and even cracked, just from being out in the cold.

If a damaged pipe is easily accessible, you should be able to fix it on your own. This will help prevent leaking and sweating, which will cut back on your water usage costs while making the hot water system more efficient.

3. Listen to your plumbing. When you flush your toilet, turn on the shower, or run the tap, do you hear any strange noises? Rumbles or rattles can signal that there is something not working properly within the inner workings of your water system. Try to get to the bottom of where this problem is coming from, and maybe the fix will be something simple. If not, it might be best to start Googling “plumbers Calgary” for someone who can help you with these strange sounds.

4. Make your hot water more efficient. Most households waste tons of water simply waiting for it to warm up. Does your  water at home tend to take more than 30-60 seconds to go from cool to hot? If so, your hot water system is underperforming, and you could probably benefit from an upgrade. Of course, this type of job can be hard to do on your own, so poor hot water performance may mean that you need a plumbing contractor.

5. Get a low flow toilet: If you still have one of those old fashioned commodes that seems to use about 50 gallons with each flush, it’s time for an update. Of course, while jobs like this are for plumbers, Calgary has many hardware stores where you can shop for your own toilet, and the people at the store should be able to help you pick the best one.

If you’re looking for a plumber, Calgary is full of seasoned professionals who will give you a good rate and perform high-quality work. Even though Calgary has its share of good plumbers, it’s important to take the time to find the individual that is the best fit for your needs

Even if you have a plumbing emergency that needs attention right away, it’s usually best to take a moment and find a plumber that’s best for the work you need done.. Instead, do your research, make sure everything is clear, and be sure to ask these questions.

Here are some questions to consider asking:

1. Are you a licensed plumber? Calgary has certain requirements for plumbers who want to work in the city. Specifically, you have to have either a plumbing license or a plumbing contractor’s license. If a plumber is hesitant to share this information with you, move on to the next one.

2. Do you have emergency service? Some plumbers are unwilling to go out of their way to accommodate customers who have emergencies. Keep in mind that you want to start a long-term working relationship with a plumber who can help you out of emergency situations, so make sure he is open to working at any hour.

3. Are you insured? Whenever a plumber is working in your home, there’s always that small chance that something could go  wrong. If you hire a plumber who’s not insured, you could end up paying all the charges for any potential plumbing related damages that your plumber causes.

4. Do you have references? If you’re looking for a good plumber, Calgary has plenty of websites where you can read customer reviews for plumbers and pretty much anything else. If you can’t find anything like this for a particular plumber, ask if they have any references that you can call.

5. What are your rates? Don’t work with a plumber until you’re certain about what you’re going to be paying. If the plumber can only give an estimate, ask for a range of prices, and find out which variables will go into deciding the final price.

6. What’s your charge for travel time? When you’re looking for a plumber, Calgary should be your focus. Try to stay away from plumbers based in the suburbs on the other side of the city or anywhere else out of town. Many plumbers charge for travel time, so keep this in mind, and be sure to find out what your plumber’s rate is.

Don’t wait until you have an emergency before you start looking for a plumber. Calgary may have a lot of them, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not busy. In fact, you may have to call several of them before you can find one who can help you right away. So, start the process now. Even if you don’t foresee needing a plumber any time soon, it’s good to have a list of professionals you can call at a moment’s notice, without having to do the research.

We’re all familiar with the horror stories about plumbers coming into homes and either doing shoddy work or charging unreasonable rates for quick jobs. Maybe you even know someone who has had these problems with a Calgary plumber. If so, don’t worry. In Calgary, plumbers are known for their professionalism and high-quality work, and you have to be pretty unlucky to stumble upon one who just wants to scam you.

Even so, if you want to protect yourself from that small minority of scam artists, there are certain guidelines you should follow when you need a plumber. Calgary has hundreds of certified plumbers and plumbing contractors, so if you take the extra precaution of following these guidelines, you’ll be fine.

-Listen to people you trust: Ask around for plumbing recommendations. Of course, plumbers who are very good rarely have free time, so they may not be able to work you into their schedule. That’s why it’s a good idea to get several recommendations from several different people. Then, call around and find out if any of these plumbers a) charge suitable rates, and b) have time for you.

-Ask the right questions: Even when a Calgary plumber comes highly recommended, it’s a good idea to ask certain questions. For example, it’s important to ask how long the plumber has been in business, and it’s essential that they have a business address.

Meanwhile, you can also ask the plumber for relevant references. Even if a plumber has been recommended by someone you trust, it’s possible that the work he did for that person is completely different from what you need. So, after telling the plumber what you need, find out if he has any references who can address their experiences having similar work done.

Also, ask about whether his work is guaranteed, and ask if the guarantee is backed by insurance. In Calgary, plumbers should have insurance to cover anything that goes wrong. If they don’t have it, you could end up with huge charges for any damage that is done.

Finally, ask about licenses. Before anyone can become a Calgary plumber, the city requires certification. There are two main levels of certification—one for standard plumbing, and one for more advanced work—so be sure to ask the plumber exactly what kind of license he has.

-Don’t rush: Having a plumbing problem in your home can be stressful, but unless there’s a safety concern or a risk of permanent damage, don’t just hire the first plumber you find in the directory. You may be in a rush, but this doesn’t mean you can’t ask the right questions and find a plumber who is truly right for the job.

-Quotes and contracts: For smaller jobs (i.e., anything that takes less than a day), it’s not necessary to ask your plumber to sign a contract. However, it is important to get a quote beforehand, and ask the plumber for a guarantee that the quote will not change. And if the job is going to take two days or more, or if it involves more complicated work, ask your Calgary plumber for a written contract.

If you’re in need of a plumber, Calgary is a great place to be. In order to work as a plumber in Alberta, one has to have a license, and these aren’t as easy to get as you might think. In Calgary, plumbers tend to be very qualified, and they’re known for their professionalism and courtesy. Still, before you have a plumber work in your home, go through these 4 steps.

1. Do your research: If you’re reading this because you’re currently experiencing an emergency, you probably don’t have a lot of time for research. If you can, it’s best to do your research before any problem comes up. It may seem a little silly to be asking around about plumbers when everything in your home is working perfectly, but when something does happen with your plumbing, you’ll be glad you put in the effort.

To start, ask friends and coworkers if they can recommend a good plumber. After that, do a search for “plumber Calgary” on Google, and see if any reviews come up. You can also ask builders or contractors you’ve worked with on other types of home projects.

2. Make sure you can’t fix the problem yourself: If you’re completely baffled by what’s going on with your plumbing, then you might as well call for some help right away. However, if it’s something like a clogged drain or a leaky pipe, you may be able to fix the problem yourself.

Just don’t be too ambitious. Some of us don’t have talent for plumbing, so if it’s a serious project, it’s best to back off and let a professional handle it. You don’t want to end up doing more damage.

3. Call plumbers: Calgary has many plumbers, so it’s hard to know where to begin. The most important thing is not to automatically go with the plumbers who have the most advertising. This is not necessarily a sign of high-quality work. Instead, start with the tips you got from your friends. Start calling Calgary plumbers and asking about their rates, and don’t forget to ask if their rates include travel time. Pay attention to how they treat you over the phone, as this is a good indication of their overall customer service.

When you’re on the phone with a plumber, it can’t hurt to ask for his or her plumber’s license number, and you can also ask about warranties.

4. Prepare: Before you have Calgary plumbers comes out to your home, do everything you can to prepare. If you’re having something replaced and you know what parts are needed, you can even go out and get those parts beforehand. Also, if the plumber’s going to be working in, for example, the bathroom, clear out everything in the room, including the towels, the shower curtain, and anything on top of the toilet and sink.

5. Get a quote: Having a plumber come to look at your problem is not a guarantee that you’re going to work with him. Make it clear that you only want a price quote. If the plumber can’t give an exact rate, ask for a range.