Plugged Toilet with Poo
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Some of the Craziness – Graphic Content

I thought we would compile some pictures of some the crazy, weird, and frankly nastiness we have come across this year. So sit and enjoy, well maybe prepare yourself some of these pictures are not for the faint of heart.

I repeat, some of these pictures are not for the faint of heart.

#10 – The Rip Off

Bad Plumbing

This one is awesome. This poor lady hired a licensed plumber to install this sink for her, she was charged $1700 and the plumber claimed that the inspector approved this installation. Of course she wasn’t home when the inspector supposedly showed up. There is so much wrong with this I can’t even begin to point it all out.

#9 – The Egg

Bird in Roof Top Unit

Yes, that is an egg by the power feed! The request for service was that the roof top unit is making a funny sound. Well, somehow a family of pigeon made their way into the unit and built themselves a little home. All was well until the thermostat turned the unit on.

#8 – Squirrel Cage

This one is of the actual squirrel cage. No explanation needed!

#7 – Greasy Business

Grease Trap Not Working

We’ve shown this one before but it’s a good one. This picture is of a 8′ deep man hole that is now full to the top with all sorts of nastiness.

#6 – The Bong

The Bong Found

Its always amazes me the stuff you find in peoples storage room, mechanical rooms, etc.. All the places the public normally doesn’t go. If my wife would allow it I could take pictures of the thousands of ladies that are plastered all over the walls of these same rooms.

#5 – Bath Time!

Bath Tub Toilet

Anyone feel like taking a bath? Is there really anything nastier than a tub full of poo?? Anyway, look away if you can’t take it.

#4 – Enough Fittings

Too Many Fittings

How many fittings does it take to go around a pipe? By this guy’s math-6-Awesome!

#3 – Explosive Expansion

Blown Expansion Tank

The power of water and cold weather.This little expansion tank was blown to bits and caused quite a little stir when it flooded the restaurant.

#2 – The Classic

Plugged Toilet with Poo

The list wouldn’t be complete without the classic plugged toilet. Although this one shows someone needs more fiber!

#1 – Meow

Cat Dead in Furnace

This one is both nasty and tragic. Poor cat went into the furnace to stay warm and I’m sure enjoying his new found until the furnace motor started. No doubt it ended quickly.

As you can see it was an eventful year! Check this blog often or follow us on Twitter to keep abreast of the wild and wacky world of Baker Plumbing.

Until next time!!

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • • • • • • 0 Comments

Grease Traps – The Nastiest of all Plumbing Jobs

If you’ve ever been involved with the restaurant industry, hospitality game or sort of maintenance gig then you’ve probably run across the dreaded grease trap. If you have no idea what we’re talking about then stay tuned.

A grease trap is a vital component of your commercial or industrial plumbing system. Designed to protect the common sanitary system of malls, commercial buildings, and even cities. Without diving into the good and bad elements of the North American diet, it goes without saying that most of the most we eat contains various types of fat. In fact, fat or lye type products are a part of everyday life. Whether its cooking, cleaning the dishes or cleaning the floor, fat or fat type products makes it taste better, look awesome, and clean it up better. That fat causes very little problem while it is warm and liquid the trouble begins when it begins to cool down and solidify. Once it does that it can become a menacing problem for the operation of the restaurant, hotel, or whatever industrial operation it effects.

How does it work? In its simplest form a grease slows the water flow down to allow the “grease” products to float to the top of the chamber while allowing the water to flow underneath. That grease accumulates at the top of the grease trap until eventually it is cleaned by removal. I’ve included a picture here of a typically trap that we at Baker Plumbing have installed hundreds of times. While there are many different styles and types of traps. This unit provides a simple look at how it works.

Grease Trap Restaurant Calgary

As with all mechanical devices its important that there are maintained properly. We suggest that your grease trap be cleaned no more than every 3 to 4 months. Doing it more often prevents the trap from doing its job effectively and can potentially cause more harm than it solves.

We thought it would be applicable to add a couple of pics of what can happen if your grease traps are not maintained or heaven forbid not installed at all.

Grease Trap Restaurant Calgary

Above is a picture of a city manhole and Yes! they are typically 6 to 8 feet deep in Calgary. So what you’re looking at is 8 feet of grease. We were able to get this looked after for this client but if the city got involved they would be looking at quite possibly a $20,000 bill.

Grease Trap Restaurant Calgary

This one is of a grease trap inside a restaurant that was actually installed backwards. Long story short the lid blew off and the grease filled the entire pit. Not very nice. We were able to make the necessary repairs and so far neither this location nor the one with the manhole problem has had any further issues.

If you have questions about your grease trap or concerns about its operations. Give us a call at Baker Plumbing and we’d be happy to ensure everything is as it should be. Till next time!

Give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

Baker Plumbing logo
By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • • • • 0 Comments

A Word on Water Softeners in Alberta

We have in the last month installed a dozen softeners! They seem to come in bunches so I thought it would be prudent to include a blog on softeners. So without further adieu.

Water softening systems can reduce the calcium and magnesium content in your household plumbing. These and other elements cause water to become hard. Hardness can lead to various problems when limescale build up in your pipes and plumbing fixtures. Hard ions also does not interact well with soap in your washer, dishwasher and when you shower.

Typical home water softening appliances depend on an ion exchange resin wherein hard ions are replaced with sodium ions which soften liquid. Hard water causes a lot of problems with your plumbing and home appliances but can also be beneficial to your health by providing your body with magnesium and calcium and by reducing the solubility of toxic metals such as copper and lead.

Water softening methods usually rely on removing calcium and magnesium with the use of a solution or by replacing hard ions with sodium. By removing the hard ions, the liquid that runs through your household plumbing are unable to form limescale deposits that block your pipes and build up in your coffee makers and shower heaters.

You can also remove hard ions by distilling your water, but this proves to be way too expensive for household use. Softening systems can do this for you the cheap way. Sodium, the main and most common softening ingredient is readily available everywhere. You can find sodium resin and beads at a hardware store or at the supermarket.

Once your water is softened, your soap and detergent will dissolve easily in your dishwasher or laundry washer. You will get cleaner glassware and clothing. Even your bath soap and shampoo will lather better and you can feel cleaner after each bath. Home appliances that use water like a coffee maker of shower heater will last longer and work efficiently.

Water is softened in a water softening system by letting it pass through a bed of resin beads made from sodium or salt. Negative charged resins absorb metal ions which are replaced with soft ions that are released into the water. The positive ions found in sodium beads are also found in other elements like hydrogen and potassium.

Potassium should be used in households where people are on a salt restricted diet. There are also other resins that can be used with your water softening system that also absorb carbonate, sulphate and bi-carbonate ions. These kinds of resins release hydroxyl ions. These resin beads can be used in conjunction with sodium softening beads.

Before purchasing a water softener for your home, find out what you need from your machine. If you have people at home who have heart or kidney problems, then you should stick to potassium softeners and avoid using sodium. If you have metals in your water, then add other resins that can also get rid of these harmful metals.

For any further questions on softeners give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

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Summer Plumbing in Alberta

With summertime on the way, the last thing you want to think about is your plumbing. This is especially true if you plan to spend more than a few nights a week lounging in the Jacuzzi tub, or swimming in your pool. Summer typically means the showers run more than a few times a day, especially as you come in hot and sweaty from exercise or outdoor play. Good plumbing means a happy home, and in order to keep it that way you will want to head off plumbing problems before they require some expensive work.

You don’t need to get a certificate in plumbing mechanics to know how to keep good pipes and fixtures. Just take care not do overdo a few things and not to abuse plumbing during crucial months. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) Watch how you use the garbage disposal. Summer may mean you’ll cook at home more, and make use of your sinks and disposal. Take care, though, not to get carried away by chucking vegetable peels and other compost down the drain. It’s a disposal, not a garbage can. Limit the waste to small shards and liquids when possible.

2) Keep an eye on the common bathrooms. Do you have kids? If so, chances are you’ll have frequent visitors this summer. You’ll want to make sure the toilets flush properly and little ones are not running off while leaving the faucets running.

3) Keep home plumbing tools handy. In case of accidents, have a good plunger and brand of plumbing liquid around to solve minor clogging issues. Some emergencies are not as harrowing as you may first think; your best defense is a clear head, calm hands, and a bit of research to get your plumbing operational again.

4) Watch usage of water for outdoor purposes. You might spend more time watering the lawn, or your kids may wish to fill up a pool. If you have not used outdoor spigots in several months, start gently with the water flow and make sure your hoses and sprinklers are working correctly. If you had a previous cold snap and did nothing for your outdoor plumbing, you may encounter problems. Always err on the side of caution.

With summertime comes more time to play, relax, and garden. As you are more likely to use your fixtures and water at home, you’ll want to head off plumbing issues before they get out of hand. Be vigilant and you should be fine.

If things turn out not to be fine, give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • • • • 0 Comments

Bragg Creek Water Conservation Tips

You have probably heard that it is good to conserve water all the time and not just in times of drought. Are you doing enough around the home? Read and follow these water conservation tips for the home to be sure.

Collect Water to Reuse
There are many times throughout the day that we are wasting and not aware of it. For example, when taking a shower we let the water run until it heats up. Did you know that you can collect this water and use it to feed outside plants or flush your toilet? Also, in the kitchen when you are washing fruits and vegetables you can use a tub to collect the overflow and also use it to nourish plants. If you have a pet you can use their old water to give to plants as well. Also, if you have an ice cold drink, don’t just throw the ice away, dump it on a plant instead. These techniques combined, could save you 200 to 300 gallons a month!

Stop Running Water When Not Necessary
Turning off the water while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, washing your hair, or shaving can save up to three gallons a day. Using the garbage disposal less can also save, use the garbage or compost instead. Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of with the faucet. Soaking pots and pans instead of letting the faucet run while scrubbing them clean. Also, instead of running water while washing the dishes fill up two tubs instead, one with soapy water and one with fresh clean water. Using a small amount of soap will reduce the amount you need to rinse. This simple technique can save 200-500 gallons a month!

Make Sure You Use Water Saving Fixtures, Faucets, and Toilets
Faucet aerators break water flow into fine droplets while using less and they can also reduce splashing while washing hands and dishes. Low flow shower heads also sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads or water saving shower heads use less energy and water. A typical showerhead uses about 5 to 8 gallons per minute, but most low flow showerheads can reduce this amount to around 2.5 gallons per minute cutting your usage by about 30%. Low-flush toilets also known as low-flow toilets, water-saving toilets, or water efficient toilets only use, on average, about 1.6 gallons per flush instead of the traditional 5 gallons a flush. Switching to a low flush toilet can cut your water usage by 70% per year!

If you need a plumber, give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • Tips and Tricks • • • • 0 Comments

The Ten Suggestions of Plumbing

Forewarned is forearmed, notably in terms of plumbing. Repairs may be fairly pricey so it will be significant for you and everyone in your house to know a couple of plumbing fundamentals which can save you money and time down the road. Even children as young as five can study a couple of plumbing ideas! Here are the highest ten plumbing checks each house owner needs to know:

1. Plumbing emergencies could require fast pondering and movement on your part or that of a household member. Everybody in your home should know where the principle cutoff for the water is, just in case.

2. Discover ways to learn your water meter. When no one else is home and you already know there isn’t a water operating, verify your meter to make sure not one of the dials are moving. If they are, then you might probably have a water leak somewhere. Toilets and faucets are the most probably culprits and may add a number of a whole lot dollars a year to your water bill.

3. Examine for toilet leaks by inserting just a few drops of food colouring within the tank. About 20 minutes later, test the toilet bowl for any presence of colour. In case you do see one thing, there may be seepage around the flapper valve. It’s a simple fix so long as you know there is a problem.

4. Try to drain a number of gallons of water from your scorching water heater tank twice a year. This ensures the valve works and likewise allows sediment accumulating on the backside of the tank to filter, maximizing heating efficiency. Higher yet, if in case you have the funds invest in a tankless water heater and watch your utility bills decrease because no power is spent protecting gallons and gallons of water hot in a storage tank. A tankless water heater heats water on demand, while you need it. Certain conditions apply.

5 Once you rest room looks like it would possibly overflow, remove the tank lid and press down on the flush valve, effectively plugging the opening at the backside of the tank. This prevents the bathroom from overflowing whilst you decide the source of the clog causing the problem.

6. Check all water and drain valves operational by opening and shutting them a minimum of twice a year. If you don’t do that, a valve could freeze up over time. So if you’re caught in a plumbing dilemma and can’t flip the valve off, you would be dealing with critical problems and expense.

7. Find the place the stop valves are for the taps and bathrooms in your home. This allows you to turn off water on the problem supply fairly than inconvenience an entire household by turning off the primary valve to the house.

8. Preserve a plunger around for clogged sinks and bathrooms as they are efficient tools for plumbing issues.

9. Put money into just a few substitute parts equivalent to a ball cock and some washers and o-rings for those simple plumbing fixes around the home.

10. Avoid chemical drain cleaners for eradicating clogs. Instead use a plunger or invest in a roto-rooter device referred to as an auger, nickname “snake,” for these powerful obstructions in plumbing pipes.

For all your plumbing needs, give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • Tips and Tricks • • • • 0 Comments

Tips on Leaks!

Leaks inside the house, no matter from which area, brings nothing but huge problems for members of the family. That is why you are rushing to get the necessary plumbing repair service in your area in order to put a stop to these leaks as soon as possible. Help your plumbers work on these concerns faster by identifying these safety tips to protect you and your family in the course of the repair:

Note Specific Areas Where Leaks Come From
You might want to list these areas out if there are too many leaks in the different parts of the house. Or go ahead and place a tape for small pipes of tie a towel around to prevent the water from dripping while waiting for the plumbers to come.

Test Your Other Faucets For Possible Signs Of Leaks
Go around the house and check every faucet. You can even ask the rest of the family members to help you especially if you own a big house and that doing this all by yourself will definitely take much of your time. Provide instructions on what to do with those leaks as a temporary solution to help the plumbers repair additional pipes that leak in other parts of your house.

Disconnect Outside Water Hoses
This may be applicable more on residential projects rather than in those commercial plumbing services. If left connected, there will be more water to put to waste, something that mother nature does not wants us to do isn’t it? If you have shut-off valves inside the house, then you can just turn these off to prevent additional volume of water from dripping.

Clear Your Kitchen Sink Of Waste That Causes Clogging
This is the usual concerns of those who are calling for plumbing repair service at home. Do not ever put fibrous waste down the drain. Examples of these are plant fibers from fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery and banana peels.

Do Not Pour Fat Or Cooking Oils Down The Drain
You might think that it is convenient for you to do, but this might be the cause of trouble inside your home. If you already did this, you can pour hot water down the drain to minimize the grease that block these pipes. You can also pour cups of vinegar to help do the same thing and flush the waste on the pipes.

Remove Hair, Soap Bits And Other Debris Near The Sink
The plumbers will help us unclog the drains in these pipeline, however, you also need to do your part. Please clean your sinks with these hair strands, soap bits near your shower sink and dispose these properly. Make their work place as comfortable for them as possible even if their job is considered as a messy one.

Provide Cleaning Supplies Near The Area For Faster Cleanup
This is something that you need to do as soon as they are done with finishing touches on covering those leaks. Ask for any recommended way to clean the area when they are done with their work. This is to make sure that you will not hit parts of the repaired pipes that might cause bigger trouble. If they advised that you let the area untouched for a few days, follow their lead, if that means being a leak free house after a few days then cleaning is worth the wait.

These are just simple, but effective ways to help these experts to come up with a safer plumbing repair service activity as soon as possible. Remember that their job is to look after and repair these problem leaks, so make it possible to let them work safely and comfortably in your place as much as you can.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Plumbing • Tips and Tricks • • • 0 Comments

The Must Haves for Plumbing Tools

You may not run into plumbing issues very often, but when you do they can be a real hassle. Fortunately, most of them can actually be fixed yourself fairly easily. All it takes is a bit of knowledge and a few simple tools and you’ll soon be on your way to performing your own plumbing repairs and avoiding the potentially high costs of hiring a professional plumber.

Plunger
Arguably the most popular plumbing tool that most people have is the plunger. By using the application of force and vacuum, plungers can be used to help unclog all sorts of drains, including but not limited to toilets that most people may associate them with. Bear in mind that plungers can come in a variety of styles and sizes so you know what kind to purchase for different types of plumbing. What all plungers have in common is the general design: a rubber cup attached to what is usually a wooden shaft that serves as a handle. Sink plungers generally look like a ball that has simply been cut in half while toilet plungers are somewhat mushroom-shaped. They even make one now that looks like an accordion which is very effective

Pipe Wrench
While perhaps not as commonly owned, the pipe wrench is the classic plumbing tool that comes to mind for most people when they think of “plumbing”. Widely considered a must-have for any plumber, pipe wrenches allow gripping around objects of a wide variety of shapes and sizes thanks to its adjustable design. As the name suggests, they are usually used on pipes, whether securing or removing them.
Pliers – While normal pliers can be used for plumbing repairs and even be interchangeably used with wrenches in certain situations, plumbing pliers are usually highly adjustable and have an irregular clamp shape. Such a design allows for better gripping on rounded objects such as piping, naturally.

Drain Snake
Possibly the least known plumbing tool and maybe even the most intimidating, drain snakes are fairly straightforward to operate and can be very useful in solving what may appear to be major plumbing issues without enlisting professional assistance. Thanks to its rigid yet flexible design with an auger at the end, drain snakes can remove tougher clogs when plungers can’t get the job done. They can be pushed and navigated through piping with relative ease to otherwise hard-to-reach places. Like plungers, drain snakes can be useful in a variety of situations ranging from toilets to bath tub drains. While they tend to be the most expensive tool on this list, they can arguably also prove to be the best investment.

Teflon Tape or Ribbon Dope
Also called thread seal tape or plumber’s tape, teflon tape is used to secure pipe leakages. They are commonly applied on the pipe’s threading to provide an effective sealing surface when connecting piping together. Think of it as the duct tape of the plumbing world.

As you can see, investing in just a few tools and learning how to use them can save you on potential costs and headaches that may come with hiring a plumber. With a little practice, many common household plumbing mishaps can quickly and easily resolved on your own.

Of course there may come time when a plumbing issue becomes either too time consuming or too dangerous to fix on your own. In the event you do require a plumber’s services call us at 403-279-7554 or book online.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary Heating • Plumbing • • 0 Comments

Trouble with Hot Water Tanks

Here’s some straight talk and practical advice on how you could repair water heater problems. No hot water coming from the faucet, puddles of discolored water close to the heater tank and banging, popping, gurgling, boiling or other strange sounds coming from the tank are all signs that problems with your system have crept up on you. Because there are many things that can cause problems with your water heating system, it is a good idea to call on a professional to diagnose and repair your tank.

Learning how to repair water heater problems yourself can help you to avoid costly mistakes. If you are on a shoestring budget, early diagnosis is key, but before we go any further, a word of caution: If you go near the unit and smell natural gas (a rotten egg type smell), immediately turn off the pilot light and close the gas shutoff valve. Contact a licensed, certified plumber right away for help with the problem.

Now, one of the most common issues with these systems is that it is not doing its primary job. It is important to remember that gas heaters work much differently than electric heaters and the types of solutions to problems will not then be the same. That said, if you water heater stops giving you enough hot water, the tank may need to be flushed to ensure that mineral deposits are not bringing down the efficiency.

If your hot water is too hot, a plumber can find out exactly what is causing the problem and take necessary steps to repair water heater problems such as replacing your tanks thermostat. By the same token, water heater leaks should be diagnosed by professional plumbers because there is no one cause. Usually the problem with noisy tank heaters is an accumulation of minerals due to hard water.

A plumber may be able to repair the problem by flushing the sediment from the tank. But often it is too late by this time and the heater must be replaced. Foul smelling water that smells like sulfur may mean that your anode rod has been damaged and needs to be replaced by a plumber.

If you find that the water is dis-coloured, in most instances, it is often the result of iron, copper and other minerals being dispersed into the water in your hot water tank. Installing a whole house water filter and flushing the tank will help with this problem. It is also a good idea to have a water softener installed as well.

With all of this in mind, it may be that the most cost efficient way to repair water heater problems is to contact a plumber. Be sure to check the validity of the plumber’s business license and that they are insured. With proper maintenance and care your water heater can provide you with at least 10 years of good service. However, when there is a problem, let an expert plumber be your first line of defense.

Give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.

By Baker Plumbing and Heating | Calgary General Information • Plumbing • • • 0 Comments

The Plumbing Consultant Okotoks

Plumbing is something that everyone needs to deal with. Every person some time or the other needs the help and assistance of plumbing consultants. These plumbing contractors can give you the best plumbing solution.

Plumbing consultants are people that come up and give you plumbing advice. They are the people who can tell you the exact problems of your plumbing. The plumbing consultants not only solve problems related to the plumbing field, they can also do many things in the areas where the plumbing is concerned. However, there are many reasons why you should hire a plumbing contractor. Read as we give you the reasons.

You need to consult a plumber for new construction of your home. Having the consultant at the site would make you know what you need to do or which direction you should take the plumbing. You should always consult a plumber to get the plumbing work done.
If you have plans of remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, you should hire a plumbing contractor. With the help of the plumber, you will be able to know the best way to get the work done and moreover, if remodeling will be possible or not. Call the consultant before you start the work to save money and time in the long run.

If your pipe is leaking under your home which is being impossible for you to fix up, then it’s the time to contact a plumbing consultant. They by coming to your home will give you the best piece of advice of how to get your pipe fixed and keep them away from leaking.

You may sometimes face problem with plumbing and you may simply do not want to handle it yourself. What should you do then? Call the plumbing consultant to get the job done for you. Their help and assistance will keep you away from crawling under the house to get the work done.

Moreover, if you have plans to install bathtub, water heaters, shower, sinks or faucet in your home; call the plumbing consultant to get your work done smoothly. Just be sure to find the plumber that is knowledgeable about the part you are planning to do in your home. Make sure that the plumber you have hired knows the best way for the installations and the plumbing to be handled at the same time. A reputable plumbing consultant can surely help you out with this.

So, there are many reasons for which you may need a plumbing contractor. These plumbing consultants are more than just a mere plumber. They can get your work done smoothly if you do not want to mess it up yourself. So, it is best to consult them whenever you are faced with some plumbing problems. They will take money for their help and assistance but you will find that they worth the price for the work they have done for you.

For all your Plumbing, Heating, Gasfitting and HVAC needs call the “consultants” at Baker Plumbing!

Give us a call at 403-279-7554 or book online.