Plumbing Maintenance For Buildings – How to Prevent Costly Plumbing Issues

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Each year, millions of dollars worth of water damages are sustained by Canadian buildings. One of the leading causes of these expensive damages is the “out of sight, out of mind” approach that many home and business owners take in regard to their building’s plumbing. When everything seems to be in good working order, homeowners rarely give their plumbing a second thought. However, overlooking potential problems often leads to quite costly repairs.

Making and adhering to a plumbing maintenance plan is a great way to avoid these repairs. Checking water bills carefully for any spikes in charges that indicate a potential leak, winterizing carefully and being familiar with the water lines and shut-off valve in case of a leak are all part of a good maintenance plan. Also, checking the property’s water pressure periodically can prevent problems with water heaters. Water pressure gauges are relatively inexpensive and easy to find, and can save you a bundle in repairs.

One of the most wasteful and expensive fixtures in your home or commercial building is likely to be the toilet; leaks can lead to higher water bills and a conservation nightmare. Periodically checking your toilets for a leak can save money on both future repair bills and current utility bills.

Water heaters and garbage disposals also need regular maintenance, but should be left to a professional for safety reasons.

Call Derksen Plumbing & Heating at 204-944-3444, to schedule a preventative maintenance check.

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Spring Drain Cleaning

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

When warm weather approaches, it’s important to make sure that your drains and plumbing systems are prepared for those spring showers. Here’s a good checklist to follow:

  • Sinks in infrequently-used guest rooms or other parts of the house should have one gallon of water poured into the drain in order to fill the trap.
  • Any slow drains should be snaked in order to make sure that they’ll carry water as quickly as possible in the event of a flood.
  • Any exposed pipes in the basement or crawlspace should be checked for leaks.
  • If you have a sump pump, this is also a great time to test it. Pour a couple of buckets of water into the sump pit to be sure that it turns on quickly, discharges the water, then shuts off.
  • Floor drains should be fitted with backflow valves to prevent a sewer backup, and flood alarms should be installed in order to alert you to the earliest signs of flooding.
  • Outdoor drains, downspouts and gutters should be cleaned out thoroughly and completely free of debris. This includes checking carefully for birds’ nests in vent pipes.

Should you need assistance with these tasks, Derksen Plumbing will be on standby to serve your plumbing and HVAC needs. Just give us a call at 204-944-3444 to schedule a service call.

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Sump Pump Maintenance

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Melting snow and spring rains are exciting signs of approaching warm weather. They also increase the ground water level and can often lead to flooded basements in homes or buildings without sump pumps that function properly.

The first step in spring basement-flooding prevention is to be sure that your sump pump is in good working order by gently pulling the float up to see if it automatically kicks in. If it doesn’t start, it will need to be checked by a technician. Even if your sump pump is working very well, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your basement for signs of flooding each day to be on the safe side.

Because violent spring and summer thunderstorms can lead to power outages, investing in a backup sump pump that is powered by batteries is usually a good idea. Some models are designed to fit right next to your main sump pump, and come equipped with an audible alarm to alert property owners to the main pump’s failure. This alert can help you discover sump pump problems early and get them repaired in a timely manner, which is the very best way to prevent basement water damage.

For more information regarding sump pump repair and the installation of battery operated sump pumps, give us a call at Derksen Plumbing & Heating at 204-944-3444.

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Air Conditioner Maintenance

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Now that the temperatures are rising, it is time to make sure your air conditioner is clean and ready for the summer ahead. The general care of your central conditioning system is fairly simple. To get started, you must locate the 2 parts to your system – the condenser unit and the evaporator.

The condenser unit is the large unit that sits outside of your home while the evaporator is the part that resides in the plenum or main duct above your furnace. The cool air from your air conditioning system flows through the same filter and ductwork that your warm air does from the furnace. Because of this, you will want to make sure to change your filters throughout the year and not just during the winter months.

For your spring air conditioner cleaning, start by cleaning the condenser coil. Remember to turn off the power to the condenser unit. This is usually located on the exterior wall of the house near the unit. Start by vacuuming the fins of the unit. Use your shop vac with a soft brush attachment to remove any surface debris. Next, spray water into your unit from your garden hose to force out the remaining lodged debris.

It is recommended you carry out regular tune-ups annually to make sure your central air system is operating at its maximum efficiency. Contact your heating and air conditioning professional to inspect your unit and to make sure your unit is ready for the heat and humidity of the coming months.

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Get Your Home Ready

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Preparing your home from heavy rains of spring is easier than you think, and absolutely essential to the condition of your property. Because homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover damages caused by overland flooding, it can also be an essential part of protecting your investment from costly water damages.

One of the best ways to protect your home and belongings from water damage is to be well prepared in advance by taking steps to minimize the risk of damage resulting from spring thaws and rains before they begin. Valuables that you’ve stored in the basement should be moved to higher floors, floor drains should be checked for obstructions and carefully cleaned, and a sump pump should be installed. Existing sump pumps should be tested and checked to be sure that they’re in proper working condition. Sewer backflow valves can also prevent water from entering your basement, though it’s important to check municipal regulations beforehand to clarify any local requirements. These two upgrades alone can help to prevent the bulk of spring flooding, and are proactive methods for the prevention of basement water damage.

Another great way to prevent problems is to carefully inspect the grading around your home. The slope of the ground around your house’s foundation does significantly contribute to flooding and flood prevention alike.

Call Derksen Plumbing & Heating at 204-944-3444 for assistance in protecting your home against flood damage.

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Derksen: A Newly Certified MSCC Contractor

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Derksen Plumbing & Heating, established in 1984, is proud to announce that we have become the first business in the province of Manitoba to receive the distinction of a Mechanical Contractors of Canada certification! MSCC certified contractors are among the best in their respective fields, with a proven track record of service excellence. In addition to their superior workmanship skills, MSCC certified contractors also offer their customers top-notch support and reliability while adhering to stringent safety guidelines, in order to prevent accidents or injury.

The training and continuing education programs provided by the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada also ensures that certified contractors, like Derksen, will always be abreast of the newest advances in their fields, establishing their ability to provide quality repairs and installation services in the most efficient manner possible.

In order to receive the designation of MSCC Certified Contractor, a business must be considered industry leader in the areas of training, safety and customer support, with MSCC Certified Technicians on staff; MSCC recognized technicians have passed a written examination of their skills and practices, showing unsurpassed levels of professionalism and dedication. These outstanding technicians have participated in an apprenticeship training program, which provides comprehensive on-the-job experience prior to the examination. Certification also requires that technicians maintain their level of professional excellence through annual training and refresher courses, ensuring that all MSCC Certified Technicians’ skills are current.

When you call Derksen Plumbing & Heating, you can rest assured that the technician sent to your home will showcase the standards of excellence set by the Mechanical Contractors of Canada.

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Warms a Plumber’s Heart

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Trapped Puppy Rescued

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Difference between a grease trap and an interceptor

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Oil and water are not a good mix, at least they aren’t a good mix if they show up together in a public drinking supply, and this is always a potential danger where a restaurant is concerned. Grease and cooking oils must be prevented from entering the public system, and this is where grease traps and grease interceptors enter the picture.

The biggest differences between grease traps and grease interceptors is size and location. Both types of devices are alike in that they collect grease and oils and prevent these substances from entering the public water system via a private line.

Grease traps are the smaller of the two devices, and are usually located directly under a sink. Interceptors are much larger, are located outside of a restaurant or facility, and they are most often located a few feet underground.

It takes a licensed plumber to determine what size device is best suited for your facility, and this will be contingent on the volume and flow rate of wastewater from your facility’s kitchen sinks, dishwashers and mop sinks.

It is a legal requirement for food establishments to install and maintain proper grease interceptors, because these can mean the difference between a pure water system and a compromised system. Grease needs to be removed from traps and interceptors on a regular basis in order for them to work effectively.

Derksen Plumbing & Heating recognizes the needs of restaurant owners, and the company is expert at installation, maintenance and repair of traps and interceptors. Call one of our professionals at 204-668-4450, and we can arrange to take care of your situation.

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Food Establishments Require Grease Interceptors

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

Grease and cooking oil have great potential to clog drains and pipes. In the home it means that people need to be careful about what they put down the drain, but in a restaurant the potential problems are much greater, and special devices must be employed to contain all the grease and oil. Food establishments are required by Winnipeg city code to install and maintain grease interceptors.

Grease interceptors are required to be installed by a licensed plumber, so this is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. The business owner also owns the pipe from the point of connection to city services, and this area is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain. Maintenance logs have to be kept, and annual inspections are also mandated by city code.

What about restaurants that don’t use grease? Are they required to install an interceptor? The answer is “yes”, because a grease interceptor will also capture cooking oils, which also have great potential for fouling drain pipes. Although there are cases where requirements are waived, this can only be done on an individual basis, and necessitates an on-site inspection and appraisal of your business.

Derksen Plumbing & Heating is well-versed in city codes, and stands ready to assist you with your commercial and residential needs. Call us (204-668-4450) if you need assistance, or call our 24-hour hot line (204-944-3444) if you have a pressing emergency.

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Install and Test a Backflow Prevention Device

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating

A backflow prevention device is required whenever there is potential that cross connections can lead to contamination of the city drinking water supply. There are three basic types of backflow prevention devices: a reduced pressure assembly, a double check valve assembly or a dual check valve assembly.

It requires a plumbing permit to install a prevention device, and these permits are only available to someone who holds a Plumbing Contractor’s License. It is, however, up to individuals to make sure that a device is properly installed, maintained and repaired, tested periodically and retested if any repairs or maintenance are performed on the device.

It is also the responsibility of the owner to ensure that annual inspections are performed by a tester who is licensed by the city. Potential hazards are rated on a scale, and this rating helps determine the type of device that is needed. The greatest hazards are generally related to industrial and commercial facilities, and hospitals and mortuaries. The lowest ratings are for such household devices as flexible showerheads and water softeners, and in places like hair salons and beauty parlors.

Derksen Plumbing & Heating is available to address your needs, from repair and maintenance of an existing system to design and installation of a brand new system.

Contact us by phone (204-668-4450) or complete our online form , and we will be happy to serve you.

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