Step 1) Own a Plunger

Everyone should own at least one plunger in their home. Not owning a plunger is the same as not owning a fire extinguisher. When disaster strikes it is essential to have quality tools to quickly address any issue before it becomes worse. When looking for a plunger you should look for one with an extension flange. The bell-shaped flange is designed to fit toilets better making it easier to unplug a toilet. 

Step 2) Create a Seal

Use the rubber flange to create a seal within the bottom of the toilet bowl. Start by gently plunging into the toilet pipe as the plunger flange will be full of air, and allow the air to slowly release. Failing to start plunging slowly could cause things to get messy quickly.

Step 3) Loosen the Clog

Once the seal has been established and the initial pocket of air has been released you will be able to address the clog that is preventing water flow for your toilet. After you ensure that there is enough water in the bowl to submerge the plunger, begin to vigorously plunge, while also being careful not to break the seal. Plunge in an up and down motion repeatedly which will force water in both directions and help to break up any clogs. Once the clog has been broken up and the toilet has been successfully plunged you should be able to see the water level in the toilet lower, signifying that the blockage has been removed.

Other ways to Unclog a Toilet:

1. A favorite way of the Price-Rite plumbing staff to unclog a toilet is to pour a bucket of hot, soapy water into the toilet prior to plunging. In some cases, multiple buckets of hot water could be needed, as the water will help to break down more challenging blockages. Simply letting the water sit for 15 minutes without plunging can break up any clogs, but be careful not to let the water sit in a clogged toilet for too long without plunging
2. A toilet auger, also known as a closet auger or a drain snake can help to directly forcefully break up any clog. Use the toilet auger to reach in and push the debris down the pipe by twisting and pushing the toilet auger in a circular motion until you are able to successfully able to flush.

After you have tried to unclog your toilet through the use of a plunger, a toilet auger, and have tried the hot soapy water method it is best to call a plumber as there could be a more obtrusive blockage deeper within the drain pipes of your toilet. Do not attempt to disassemble your toilet unless you have extensive plumbing experience

Price-Rite Plumbing has been in business in Calgary for over 27 years and has dealt with its share of clogged toilets. Price-Rite Plumbing offers hourly prices to ensure you aren’t getting overcharged and a journeyman staff with experience in plumbing repairs. The next time you need help to solve your plumbing issues or dealing with a clogged toilet, call Price-Rite Plumbing at (403) 660-1122 to make sure the job is not only done right but priced right.

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1) Is your plumber licensed and insured?

The most important factor in finding a plumber is ensuring that they are licensed and insured. A licensed plumber will have a much greater success rate at completing a job correctly. If there are any issues then a plumber being insured will avoid you having to pay out of pocket to fix their mistakes.

2) How long has your plumber been in business?

An experienced and knowledgeable plumber will make the most extreme plumbing issues seem straightforward. A more experienced journeyman plumber will finish the job faster and have less potential for a mistake than an apprentice plumber. Some plumbing companies will send apprentice plumbers for a job they are not qualified for, causing costs to increase and increasing the potential for a mistake.

3) Check reviews and references

Typically, the more years a plumber has been in business, the better their reputation. You can always check a plumber’s reviews online through such sites as the Better Business Bureau, HomeStars, or Google Reviews. Social media sites such as Facebook can also allow you to see how they communicate on the site and how others communicate back to them. Are there comments criticizing the job they received, or do customers and clients generally provide positive feedback through posts, comments, and reviews? Ask friends and family about their experience getting plumbing work done with various companies.

4) How does your plumber charge you?

A common way that plumbing companies can overcharge buyers is through “flat-rate pricing.” Flat-rate pricing is more expensive than charging for the time it takes to complete a job as the pre-set pricing rates do not take into account the general time it takes to complete each individual job. This means a company can charge multiple jobs (faucet repair, humidifier installation, and hot water tank installation) individually, even when an hourly rate would be significantly cheaper.

Plumbers can increase their costs through many factors that can prolong the length of a job. Look for a plumber that only charges for the time it takes to properly repair the issue as efficiently as possible. Also, look for a plumber who only replaces the parts that need to be replaced (whether broken, damaged, or faulty). When a part needs to be replaced, does the plumber have the equipment with them to avoid needless travel that continues to increase the time and cost of the job?

Price-Rite Plumbing has been in business for over 27 years, first founded by owner Harry Farrell in 1995. Price-Rite Plumbing only charges for the time it takes to properly repair your issue as quickly as possible. The hourly rate Price-Rite Plumbing provides means you aren’t overcharged for services while always having the option for a quote before larger projects. Price-Rite Plumbing will only replace parts that are required to be replaced for a proper repair, making sure to have well-stocked vans to avoid any needless travel and prolonging the length of the job. All staff of Price-Rite Plumbing are journeyman plumbers with plenty of experience in the residential plumbing industry.

The next time you need residential plumbing repairs, think of Price-Rite Plumbing with their journeyman experience, improved pricing, and superior customer service. Call (403) 660-1122 to ensure your next plumbing repair will be priced right and done right with Price-Rite Plumbing.

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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes:

Whenever there are extended below-freezing temperatures, consider that your pipes have a possibility of freezing and bursting if proper precautions are not taken. While nothing we can do will prevent Calgary from getting cold weather, we can take steps to ensure that pipes will not freeze. To prevent pipes from freezing and causing major damage, consider these measures:

• Draining water from any pipe that is likely to freeze – unless you plan on swimming or watering your lawn, it may be best to drain your swimming pool and sprinklers as well as the attached water supply lines.
• Disconnect any hoses on the outside of your home – don’t forget to shut off the valve supplying water to these outside hoses.
• Make sure all doors and windows have proper seals – this will prevent cold weather from entering and hot weather from leaving your home, keeping pipes warmer as well as saving you money on heating costs.
• Seal any wall cracks – a step beyond ensuring proper seals on windows and doors which will only further limit the cold weather from entering your home.
• Keep your garage closed as much as possible – another way to prevent warm air from escaping your home.
• Allow your faucets to drip on extremely cold days – running water is harder to freeze than still water within pipes. 
• Add insulation to the areas around vents and light fixtures, as well as basements, attics, crawl spaces to further prevent heat from escaping.

Symptoms of Frozen Pipes:

The earliest sign of a frozen pipe is when no water comes out of the faucet after it is turned on. As soon as you notice this issue, act quickly to prevent the frozen water inside the pipes from continuing to expand and build pressure. 

The first step is to check to see that your water is still turned on and there isn’t a leak within your hot water heater. If there aren’t any issues with your water tank, inspect the pipes themselves to make sure they haven’t already burst. Once you’ve determined that there are no issues with the tank or pipes, you can decide how to fix your frozen pipes.

How to Fix Frozen Pipes:

The best way to fix frozen pipes is to call a professional who can safely fix them without any risk or potential additional damage caused to your home. If you are inexperienced in dealing with this sort of home repair, calling an experienced plumber who can safely thaw the frozen pipes is the better, safer option. Please be aware that all home repair projects are done yourself come at the homeowner’s risk. If you do decide to fix the frozen pipes yourself, please keep the following tips in mind:

• Keep your faucet open – Keeping the faucet open allows for water to flow, which is especially important as the ice begins to melt into water and evaporate into steam. The faucet needs to be open to discharge the flowing water created in the thawing process.
• Apply heat to the section of the frozen pipe – Use something that will bring on a low amount of heat at a controlled temperature, such as a hairdryer, a towel soaked in hot water, or a heating pad.

NOTE: Never use any sort of open flame to thaw a frozen pipe, and never leave any heating product on a frozen pipe unattended as this is extremely dangerous and is a severe fire hazard. 

If you cannot reach the frozen pipes (they are located in the house walls, for example), it is strongly recommended to call an experienced plumber for assistance. A responsible homeowner takes preventative measures to look after their home and fixes the issues they are able to, but also knows when to call additional help. 

Price-Rite Plumbing has been in business in Calgary for over 27 years and has dealt with its share of frozen pipes. Price-Rite Plumbing offers hourly prices to ensure you aren’t getting overcharged and a journeyman staff with experience in plumbing repairs. The next time you need help to solve your plumbing issues, call Price-Rite Plumbing at (403) 660-1122 to make sure the job is not only done right but priced right.

The post How to Prevent Frozen Pipes – and Thaw Frozen Pipes if they Happen appeared first on PriceRite Plumbing.

Let’s start by reviewing the red flags and tactics that plumbers use to lure you in before overcharging you.

The most common way buyers get overcharged is by overlooking language such as “flat rate plumbing.” Flat-rate plumbing sounds like a good concept in theory, but it can be expensive for homeowners in practice. In reality, it is more expensive because many plumbers do not consider the overlapping time between jobs. 

For example, if the plumbing company charges $150.00 per toilet and $200.00 per faucet, and you needed two toilets and three faucets repaired, then you would be paying upwards of $900.00 total. Even if the job only took two hours, they will still charge you the full flat-rate fee. Realistically this is about a 3hr job, which should cost around $450.00 parts and labor! Since a Flat-rate plumbing company uses a pre-set rate, they can do the same work and charge more! Leaving you feeling “soaked.” 

Another downside to flat-rate plumbing pricing is the quality of work drop-off. Companies that charge flat rates pay their employees a flat rate as well. Employees will often rush to complete the jobs faster to make themselves more money. These employees are inclined to hurry with flat-rate pricing, which can consequently reduce their quality of work. 

The next red flag is when plumbers keep poorly stocked vans and charge you for their commute time. Many plumbers will show up at their scheduled appointments without the proper equipment, meaning they have to leave and come back, sometimes multiple times. This back and forth driving will run up the bill and waste work time. This can be a frustrating tactic for both the homeowner and the plumber because it is very time-consuming. 

Lastly, be sure to ask about the plumber’s experience over the phone before confirming your appointment. Companies often send apprentices who are not experienced to diagnose and get the work done efficiently. Inexperienced plumbers can mean extra labor costs, and their inexperience may lead them to miss underlying issues. A fully qualified journeyman plumber should always accompany trainees.

At Price-Rite Plumbing, we care about the work we do, and we never overcharge for the services we provide. Price-Rite Plumbing works at an hourly rate and offers a quote option for larger projects. We maintain fully stocked vans to ensure that they are properly equipped with all the necessary gear to complete the job right the first time. Our staff are fully qualified journeyman plumbers who have extensive experience in the residential plumbing industry. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority.

So next time you need some plumbing, give us a call at 403-660-1122  and“stop getting soaked” by your plumber!

Check out our new commercial!

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