Top 7 Most Common Plumbing Problems in Calgary, Alberta and How to Fix Them

All Your Questions Answered by a Local Plumbing Expert, Knight Plumbing

by Anastasia Dvorak
most common plumbing problems in Calgary

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Ryan and Bernie Wandler, a father-son duo who run Knight Plumbing. Knight Plumbing is a local award-winning Calgary team of experienced furnace and air conditioning experts, plumbers, and electricians who can take care of all your home’s heating, cooling, and plumbing needs. Ryan and Bernie answer the important questions about Calgary’s most common plumbing problems. Whether you are an experienced homeowner or a brand new first-time home buyer in Calgary, this information will help you prepare for any potential problems with your home in Calgary, Alberta. 

Common Plumbing Problems in Calgary, Alberta

If you’ve just moved into a new home in Calgary, Alberta, you’re probably not thinking about the pipes! You’re excited to renovate and decorate, to make your new home your own. Of course, even your dream home will have plumbing problems eventually. Today, Knight Plumbing and Heating is here to talk about some of the most common plumbing problems Calgary homeowners face and how to solve them.

Clogged Drainsmost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

There are few things more frustrating than turning on a tap and seeing the water pooling in the sink despite the drain being open. There’s never a good time to find out you have clogged drains. This is a common plumbing problem with a variety of causes.

Fix: Try using your plunger first. If that doesn’t work, then try using Bio-Clean drain cleaner.

Fix: Try using your plunger first. If that doesn’t work, then try using Bio-Clean drain cleaner.

Why Bio-Clean? Other drain cleaners include strong chemicals that might harm your pipes and water supply. Bio-Clean is safe for the environment. If the problem continues, call Knight Plumbing, and we can help.

Slow Draining Bathtub

If your bathtub drains slowly as it gurgles and sucks eerily, you might fear a monster coming up from the bowels of your house. Good news, the culprit of your slow draining bathtub is most likely a collection of hair, dirt, and debris; not a vengeful ghost.

most-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

While you don’t need to call the Ghostbusters, you may need to call a plumber. When your draining is slow, your pipes are close to clogging—and it might not be an easy fix.

Fix: Hair, dirt, and debris can end up in two places: the easiest and most common place is right in the tub drain. If you remove the tub stopper, there’s a grate that traps debris. It’s as easy as putting needle tip pliers down the drain and pulling up as much hair and grime as you can to solve the problem.

The second area where hair, dirt, and debris can build up is in the trap. Many times a product like Bio-Clean can be used to clear up some of the build-ups, but if that doesn’t work, it’s time to call your local plumbing expert.

Your first thought might be to purchase drain-cleaning chemicals from your local hardware store. However, these chemicals can cause corrosion and melt in your pipes. Harsh chemicals often create just a small passage through the block, but it’s not a permanent fix.

Your first thought might be to purchase drain-cleaning chemicals from your local hardware store. However, these chemicals can cause corrosion and melt in your pipes. Harsh chemicals often create just a small passage through the block, but it’s not a permanent fix.

If you’re contacting a plumber and have recently used a chemical cleaner, let them know so they can avoid injury.

Drippy Faucetmost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

Dripping faucets are irritating and mean that water is being wasted. You won’t be losing thousands of litres of water, but if you don’t get the issue fixed, you’ll drive up your water bill. 

Damaged or broken washers on the tap are a common cause of dripping faucets. When they’re new, washers will form a watertight seal. They can dry up or become damaged over time, allowing water to pour through.

Damaged or broken washers on the tap are a common cause of dripping faucets.

Fix: While you can replace washers yourself, it can be difficult if you don’t have the proper tools and the right-sized washers. A plumber can get the job done fast and easily.

Common Causes Of A Running Toiletmost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

A running toilet happens when water from the tank flows into the bowl without stopping. This will cause the water level in the tank to drop too low, triggering the float to restart the flow of water to top up the tank. The most common cause of this problem is an improperly sealing flapper valve letting the water through. It could also be an unbalanced float or a loose fill tube.

Fix: These things are relatively simple to fix at home with toilet repair kits, but only if you know what you’re doing. Incorrect installations and repairs could make the problem worse.

Fix: These things are relatively simple to fix at home with toilet repair kits, but only if you know what you’re doing. Incorrect installations and repairs could make the problem worse.

However, if you do make the necessary repairs and the toilet is still running, there might be a more serious issue that a professional should handle. 

Leaking Pipesmost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

Seeing a puddle of water under your kitchen sink could mean big trouble. If left unfixed for too long, the repairs could cost a small fortune.

If left unfixed for too long, the repairs could cost a small fortune.

Leaks are most common around your pipes’ joints, and they may be a major mess both before and after the repair.

Fix: This problem could mean you’re in for a messy repair because it requires some disassembly of your drain pipes. If you don’t fix the leak immediately, it could turn into a bigger problem depending on where it came from and how old your pipes are.

Low Water Pressuremost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

Have you ever stood under an uninspiring dribble of water in the shower wondering where all the pressure went? 

Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, including something as simple as a clogged shower head. While that may not seem like a big deal, many small issues, when combined, can make for a big problem.

A leak in the pipes could potentially be the cause of low water pressure. A leak could lead to water damage, meaning expensive repairs. In short, low water pressure affects more than your shower experience.

A leak in the pipes could potentially be the cause of low water pressure. A leak could lead to water damage, meaning expensive repairs. In short, low water pressure affects more than your shower experience.

Fix: Fixing low water pressure could be as easy as cleaning or replacing your shower or tap head. If this doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to call your local Calgary plumbing company.

Banging In The Pipes When Shutting Off The Watermost-common-plumbing-problems-in-calgary-alberta-knight-plumbing

When you shut off a water source in your home, do you hear rattling or banging in the pipes? Water hammer, as this issue is called, occurs due to built-up water pressure in your pipes. 

Why does this happen? When you turn on the tap in your washroom, the water that comes out of the faucet is being pushed along by the water behind it–all the way through the pipes until it reaches the faucet. 

There could be a hundred feet of pipe and moving water before it connects to the tap. All of the water is moving at the same rate through the pipe. When you turn off the tap, the water wants to keep flowing, but there’s nowhere for it to go. This results in the water slamming into the back of the valve, vibrating and shaking the pipes all the way through the house.

Many Calgary homes will have small chambers filled with air tied into the pipes that will take up some of the inertia of the flowing water, easing some of the impact. After many years, the air in any open “shock absorber” will be reabsorbed into the water, completely filling the chamber with water and removing its ability to absorb the shock. Over time, water hammers can damage many of your appliances that use water, like dishwashers and hot water heaters.

Over time, water hammers can damage many of your appliances that use water, like dishwashers and hot water heaters.

Fix: A simple solution to clear your air chambers is turning off the main water valve of your home and opening all the faucets. By draining all the water in your pipes, any existing air cushions will hopefully be drained. Once the pipes are fully emptied of water, close them and turn the main valve back on. Additionally, look and listen for the places where the pipes are knocking on walls, floors, or cabinets and try to minimize the impact by tying them down.

Whether you’re moving into an older Calgary home that needs a little plumbing maintenance or a new Calgary home with brand new plumbing, these are some of the most common issues any homeowner will run into. The important thing is to be able to identify how serious the issue might be and what you need to do to fix it. 


Knight Plumbing in Calgary, Alberta has been providing exceptional service in Calgary and the surrounding areas since 1970. Knight Plumbing has been a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta for over 30 years. It has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1991.

Knight Plumbing began when Tony Hinger started out as a commercial plumbing provider. The business soon expanded to residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, with Tony’s daughter Belinda and son-in-law Bernie taking active roles. Today they are joined by Tony’s grandchildren Ryan and Meagan, making Knight 3 generations strong. Book a free quote today. 

 

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Top 7 Most Common Plumbing Problems in Calgary, Alberta and How to Fix Them
Article Name
Top 7 Most Common Plumbing Problems in Calgary, Alberta and How to Fix Them
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Learn about Calgary's most common plumbing problems and how to fix them from Calgary's Plumbing Expert - Knight Plumbing.
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Calgary Lifestyle Guide
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