To ensure your plumbing withstands the winter chill, take these steps. Start by insulating exposed pipes with foam sleeves to prevent freezing. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, storing them indoors. Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior to keep cold air out. Consider installing heat tape on vulnerable pipes for added protection. Inside, let faucets drip during frigid nights to keep water flowing. Inspect your water heater and flush it to remove sediment. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the location of the main water shut-off valve in case of emergencies. These measures will help you sail through winter without plumbing predicaments.
If you experience any trouble, call Baker Plumbing ASAP.
The plumbing world just like everywhere else is moving at a record pace. New technologies emerge almost on a daily basis, at the forefront of these technologies are 2 companies leading the way in form and function.
RIDGID and VIEGA are those companies improving the plumbing, heating and gasfitting trade worldwide and right here in Calgary!!
Viega press fitting system solutions are designed to integrate and our preferred press tool for installing Viega systems is designed the same way. One press tool can make connections on Viega ProPress, Viega MegaPress and Viega PureFlow PEX systems, simply by changing jaw sets.
Viega has partnered with RIDGID since 1999 to offer system-matched tools for each of our engineered press fitting systems. With jaws, rings and actuators in sizes ranging from ½” to 4″, these tools can accommodate nearly every type of plumbing, heating or pipe joining project.
Installers no longer need heavy welding tanks or cumbersome threading machines to make a secure pipe connection. With Viega as the single source for the entire installation, you can trust that all components will work together as a unified whole.
No Sparks, No Mess
Flameless press technology eliminates sweating, brazing and grooving. No need for burn permits or fire watches.
Leaves no joining material buildup, exposed threads or tarnish, creating a clean, professional appearance.
Fast and Reliable
Makes secure wet or dry press connections in less than seven seconds on existing or brand new systems.
Installers no longer need heavy welding tanks or cumbersome threading machines to make a secure pipe connection.
Trust every connection you make knowing we spend thousands of hours every year testing our tools in real-world situations; the result is total compatibility on every job in nearly every condition and application.
Time saving
Push fit technology has been designed to optimise time efficiency and to help ensure installers are able to work across jobs more effectively.
No tools needed for installation
Unlike press fit methods, push fit fittings require no additional tools for installation. Once cutting, measuring and deburring of the pipes has been undertaken, the actual jointing takes just seconds to complete.
Easily de-mountable
Another key benefit is that the fitting can be easily de-mounted if there has been an error in installation or removal is required. This is not as simple with press fittings, or where traditional methods are concerned.
Importantly, if removal is required, there is only minimal need for additional materials or new pipework; the installer need only remove the existing fitting with the appropriate release tool and replace with a new one providing the pipe is not damaged.
SHARKBITE USED IMPROPERLY
Its vital to the success of your job and the trade to be blunt that you understand the difference and proper applications of press, push, soldered and mechanically jointed systems. If in doubt hire a professional in the Calgary area like Baker Plumbing Inc.
At Baker Plumbing, we are always trying to find the best and most effective approaches to solve the problems presented to us by our clients. Today we were asked to address the problem of bacteria within an HVAC system. As a professional HVAC contractor in Calgary, we immediately suggested the use of a UV light source inserted directly into the supply air of the HVAC system. You can watch a quick 1 minute video of it here :
UV light sources have long been used by the medical profession as a solution to eliminating infectious diseases and their sources. Learn more about UV below> NYC and UV Lights
Ultraviolet (UV) is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10 nm (with a corresponding frequency of approximately 30 PHz) to 400 nm (750 THz), shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight, and constitutes about 10% of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the Sun. It is also produced by electric arcs and specialized lights, such as mercury-vapor lamps, tanning lamps, and black lights. Although long-wavelength ultraviolet is not considered an ionizing radiation because its photons lack the energy to ionizeatoms, it can cause chemical reactions and causes many substances to glow or fluoresce. Consequently, the chemical and biological effects of UV are greater than simple heating effects, and many practical applications of UV radiation derive from its interactions with organic molecules.
Short-wave ultraviolet light damages DNA and sterilizes surfaces with which it comes into contact. For humans, suntan and sunburn are familiar effects of exposure of the skin to UV light, along with an increased risk of skin cancer. The amount of UV light produced by the Sun means that the Earth would not be able to sustain life on dry land if most of that light were not filtered out by the atmosphere.[1] More energetic, shorter-wavelength “extreme” UV below 121 nm ionizes air so strongly that it is absorbed before it reaches the ground.[2] However, ultraviolet light (specifically, UVB) is also responsible for the formation of vitamin D in most land vertebrates, including humans.[3] The UV spectrum thus has effects both beneficial and harmful to life.
The lower wavelength limit of human vision is conventionally taken as 400 nm, so ultraviolet rays are invisible to humans, although some people can perceive light at slightly shorter wavelengths than this. Insects, birds, and some mammals can see near-UV
After a training exercise involving fake body fluids, a healthcare worker’s personal protective equipment is checked with ultraviolet light to find invisible drops of fluids. These fluids could contain deadly viruses or other contamination.
Ultraviolet light helps detect organic material deposits that remain on surfaces where periodic cleaning and sanitizing may have failed. It is used in the hotel industry, manufacturing, and other industries where levels of cleanliness or contamination are inspected.[83][84][85][86]
Perennial news features for many television news organizations involve an investigative reporter using a similar device to reveal unsanitary conditions in hotels, public toilets, hand rails, and such.[87][88]
A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge tube floods the inside of a hood with shortwave UV light when not in use, sterilizing microbiological contaminants from irradiated surfaces.
Ultraviolet lamps are used to sterilize workspaces and tools used in biology laboratories and medical facilities. Commercially available low-pressure mercury-vapor lamps emit about 86% of their radiation at 254 nanometers (nm), with 265 nm being the peak germicidal effectiveness curve. UV at these germicidal wavelengths damage a microorganism’s DNA/RNA so that it cannot reproduce, making it harmless, (even though the organism may not be killed).[97] Since microorganisms can be shielded from ultraviolet rays in small cracks and other shaded areas, these lamps are used only as a supplement to other sterilization techniques.
UV-C LEDs are relatively new to the commercial market and are gaining in popularity.[failed verification][98] Due to their monochromatic nature (± 5 nm)[failed verification] these LEDs can target a specific wavelength needed for disinfection. This is especially important knowing that pathogens vary in their sensitivity to specific UV wavelengths. LEDs are mercury free, instant on/off, and have unlimited cycling throughout the day.[99]
Ultraviolet radiation is used in several food processes to kill unwanted microorganisms. UV can be used to pasteurize fruit juices by flowing the juice over a high-intensity ultraviolet source.[101] The effectiveness of such a process depends on the UV absorbance of the juice.
Pulsed light (PL) is a technique of killing microorganisms on surfaces using pulses of an intense broad spectrum, rich in UV-C between 200 and 280 nm. Pulsed light works with xenon flash lamps that can produce flashes several times per second. Disinfection robots use pulsed UV[102]
As Spring arrives and the urge to clean arises, it the time to clean those drains. Your plumbing system is much like your arteries, they need to clear of obstructions to in order for proper flow and use. At Baker Plumbing, your local drainage contractor which means we clean drains locally, we have all the necessary equipment to do the job right the first time.
For commercial properties one of the most effective tools is the jetter. Capable of blasting dirt and debris with up to 3000 psi, those drains will sparkling inside and out. Most importantly your drains will remain trouble free with regular maintenance, ensuring no downtime during operating hours.
The next time your worried about your drains, give Baker Plumbing a call! We’re your local drain expert.
How does Drain Jetting work?
Drain jetting is a high pressure cleaning method for blocked drains and sewer pipes. It works by pumping water – which is stored in tanks – through a high pressure hose fitted with a jetting nozzle.
This forces powerful streams of water into the pipe, allowing drainage engineers to target blockages and dislodge them with sustained assault.
Remove large drain blockages
Drain jetting is most useful when removing larger, stubborn blockages from pipes. Jetting hoses can negotiate tight bends in pipes, so are great for tackling clogs that would be difficult to reach by any other means – drain rods or DIY clearing kits, for instance.
Clean your drains in the process
Drain jetting is also an effective preventative measure. The sheer focused power of the jet spray won’t just remove a blockage, it will clean the pipe surface itself, reducing the risk of grime, oils, fats and other waste products gathering and turning back into a blockage.
As you can expect, this also improves the flow, efficiency and performance of your pipes; think of drain jetting as a highly intensive spa treatment for your sewer, refreshing it and restoring it back to peak performance.
At Baker Plumbing we understand the importance of keeping both ourselves and our clients safe during these uncertain times. That means we take all the necessary precautions to ensure the latest levels of protection are part of our daily routine. Make no mistake we at Baker Plumbing STILL provide top level services while protecting both people and equipment. If you need service in Calgary, call Baker Plumbing today!! Stay safe, be safe!!
Drain cameras can make the difference. Cameras have a long way over the last 20 plus years with HD images, amazing push distances, wireless connections, sonars, the ability to tell slope. The medium to transfer the information has moved from VHS to DVD and now we can transfer to to USB and now we can transfer directly to a mobile device.
Drains and plumbing can be tricky business. Here at Baker Plumbing we bring the tools and the skill to tell our clients exactly what the issues are and how to fix them, PERMANENTLY! Don’t settle for, you should be good!! In Calgary, call Baker Plumbing and know your problems are flowing down the drain. Drain cameras can make the difference!
At Baker Plumbing we understand the importance of knowing as much information as possible. That gives us the most options in determine what exactly is happening with your drain system. Those options ensure we can quickly diagnosis and solve your issues and prevent further issues.
A sewer camera is a valuable tool to help determine if there’s a problem with your home’s sewer system.
Maybe you noticed a nasty sewer gas odor. Or maybe your water isn’t draining as fast as it use to. Or worse, you’ve got an overflowing toilet.
If you’re like most people, you’ll call a plumber for help. And when that plumber comes to your house, more than likely, he’ll perform a sewer camera inspection.
But it’s important for you, the homeowner, to know what a sewer camera inspection can find and what it can’t. Armed with this information, you will know if the plumbing company you hire to come out and inspect your pipes is ripping you off or not.
What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
First, let’s cover what a sewer camera inspection is. Typically sewer lines are installed under the foundation of your house. There’s the concrete slab which is about 4 or 5 five inches thick and then about 2 feet or so of dirt above the pipe.
To inspect the pipes and find possible problems, a special sewer video camera head connected to a flexible cable is inserted into the main sewer line cleanout, or in some cases, the vent stack and snaked through the pipes. Then the plumber watches on a monitor at ground level to see what’s going on in your pipes.
Here at In-House Plumbing, we use a sewer camera to help us determine what your problem is. However, unlike our competition, we know there are some problems a camera alone can’t find.
What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can’t Do
Despite what many in the plumbing industry think, there are limitations to what a sewer camera sees inside your sewer lines. But there is one thing a sewer camera absolutely cannot see.
Locate Leaks
A sewer camera alone cannot determine if you have a leak or to locate a leak or leaks in your sewer lines. In fact, this is so important, it bears repeating.
While it’s a useful as a secondary tool in a leak location test, a sewer camera by itself cannot be used to to determine if you have a leak or to find a leak.
4 Reasons Why a Sewer Camera Can’t Locate a Leak
A leak is water escaping the pipe through a hole, break, or crack. Since the camera is inside the pipe, it cannot see the outside of the pipe. Meaning, it can’t see if something is leaking OUT of the pipe. It can only show what is going on INSIDE the pipe.
The plumber is looking at a monitor displaying what the camera “sees.” So the plumber has to interpret, or guess, what he’s seeing. He might think he see something that looks like a hole, break, or crack in the pipe. But keep in mind, this is your sewer system we’re talking about. This is where your waste flushes and runs through. Trust us when we say it does not look good. And all that gunk and waste makes it hard to tell if something is a leak based solely on what can be seen on the monitor.
Sewer pipes are usually one of two types: cast iron or PVC, both thick-walled pipes. So something very possibly might look like a hole or a crack or a break. But because the walls of the pipe are so thick, it’s possible what the plumber is seeing does not go all the way through the pipe so no water is leaking out at all. The result: no leak.
Particularly with cast iron, but this could also be true for PVC, there are years of buildup on the walls of the pipe. Calcium, soap scum, grease, debris… you name it, builds up on the walls of your sewer pipes. So any cracks or holes the plumber sees could very well be in the buildup and not the actual pipe.
We estimate about 95% of plumbing companies in the Dallas area are using a camera as their primary tool to locate a leak. They come in, run an inspection with just a sewer camera and then tell you you have a leak.
But keep in mind, what may look like a leak on camera may not actually be a leak. And vice versa.
Look at this image taken by another plumbing company and shown to a homeowner.
This is cast iron pipe with a PVC repair. The plumber told the homeowner he had two leaks based on the image alone. But when In-House Plumbing came out to perform our Free Second Opinion leak isolation test, we found there zero leaks.
Everything was working and draining properly, and in our under slab leak test we found zero leaks.
What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can Do
While a sewer camera cannot find leaks, there are certain situations where the camera alone is effective.
Locate Lines
Sewer cameras have location devices that send out a signal. Using a special signal receiver above ground, our plumbers pinpoint where the camera is underground.
Drainage or Stoppage Issues
We call this your “sewer is not working as it is designed to work.”
Sewer pipes work using the power of gravity. The pipes flow downhill so when something goes into the pipe—waste, debris, water—it flows or drains down through your piping system and ultimately ends up at your city’s waste treatment center or septic tank, depending on your particular situation.
However, if something is causing your system to not work properly, in most cases we can use a sewer camera to determine what is causing it. Often in cases like these we find stoppages, blockages, roots, mud, broken pipe, etc.
PVC or Cast Iron Pipe
We determine what type of system you have by running a sewer camera inside the pipes.
Sewer System Connections
With a sewer camera, we can see fittings, tee’s, and other types of connection. We can also use it at the connections to run water. We’re able to see where the water flows to or from and/or comes from one line to another.
Unnecessary Plumbing Repairs
Depending on your situation, a sewer camera inspection alone may not be adequate in finding potential problems. And it is not at all adequate if it’s leaks they are looking for.
The most important thing to know is if a plumbing company does a leak location test with a camera as the only or primary tool, it’s very possible you’re being told there are leaks when there are none. If that’s the case, you could end up paying for repairs you don’t need.
Of course, Baker Plumbing is the best of the bunch! We’re here for 24/7/365. COVID-19 or not!!!
There’s nothing more inconvenient than losing your access to clean drinking and bathing water. A clogged sink or toilet will hinder your everyday tasks, so to minimise your suffering, here’s a list of the best emergency plumbers in Calgary!
Having faulty plumbing systems can cause electrocution, sanitary problems, and physical injury if left alone. Addressing these problems as quickly as possible is required to guarantee a safe household.
And we’d like for you to have an emergency contact you can count on whenever your pipes let you down. The best 24-hour plumbers in Calgary are here to take your call anytime!
Today’s high end and high efficiency boilers are marvels of technology. As such they require no less than an annual inspection and cleaning. Due to the myriad of sensors, safeties and limits these appliances incorporate maintenance of these devices are an absolute must to ensure longevity. Pictured here we can see the problems that arise from neglecting the required maintenance schedules. Think maintenance is due? Do it now! For Boilers and maintenance in Calgary and area, call Baker Plumbing for all your boiler maintenance needs!
The boiler must be inspected and started annually at the beginning of the heating season by a qualified service technician. In addition, the maintenance and care of the boiler designated on page 5 of this manual and explained on pages 6 through 8 must be performed to assure maximum boiler efficiency and reliability. Failure to service and maintain the boiler and system could result in equipment failure, causing possible severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage.
Service and maintenance schedules • Address reported problems • Inspect boiler area and boiler interior • Clean condensate trap • Check all piping for leaks • Check air openings • Flue vent system and air piping • Check water system • Check expansion tank • Check boiler relief valve • Inspect ignition electrode • Check ignition ground wiring • Check all boiler wiring • Check control settings • Perform start-up and checks • Check burner flame • Check flame signal • Check flue gas temperature • General maintenance • Review with owner • Cleaning boiler heat exchanger
Experienced some flow issues with one of our boiler systems. Investigation lead to suspicion of main circulation pump. Here we are removing and confirming the wear and tear we suspected!
Some may believe that pressing technology is a recent development, Truth is press has been a joining method for decades now. Admitedly, the popularity of press has grown emmensely as costs to enter the market have decreased signficantly.
Baker Plumbing has always endeavoured to be amongt the industry leaders when it comes to technology and it use in our day to day efforts. This enables Baker to provide the best solutions to all of our clients and their changing needs.
Here we are replacing some defective 2″ copper pipe and fittings! First we cook up some 45s using the old school method of soldering everything in place. Next we remove the defective pieces and install new pipe and fittings, finishing off the job by breaking out the new school press gun and pressing 2″ couplings. A perfect example of the merger of old school techniques and new school technology.
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