Category: Construction

What is the Anode Rod?

Are you considering calling your plumber in St. Catharines, ON, from Wellbrook Plumbing about your anode rod? If you’re scratching your head about now, let’s take a moment to go over some of the basics about this very important part of a conventional water heater.

What Is the Anode Rod?

An anode rod is a temporary rod with a steel core surrounded by magnesium, zinc, or aluminum. Starting from the point of your initial water heater installation and set up, the rod acts as a sort of magnet to draw excess minerals away from the walls of the tank.

Why It’s Important

Essentially, an anode rod helps minimize the need for water heater replacement much sooner than anticipated. If your tank prematurely corrodes or rusts, it can leak or even explode if it gets weak enough. An anode rod can be particularly beneficial if you have hard water in your home that contains even more potentially corrosive minerals. Inquire with Wellbrook Plumbing to determine if any professional water heater services are needed.

How to Care for Your Anode Rod

An anode rod is often out of sight, out of mind – at least until there’s an urgent need for water heater repair in St. Catharines, ON. However, you can reduce your odds being surprised by a leaking tank by having your water heater’s anode rod regularly checked. These rods usually last about five years or so,  but we recommend having it inspected every two to five years to see if it needs to be replaced sooner.

We’re Here to Help

Not sure if it’s time to have your anode rod checked? Reach out to our team at Wellbrook Plumbing. You’re also welcome to talk to any of our plumbing pros about a more efficient, anode rod-free tankless water heater if you’re getting ready to replace what you have right now.

Contact us today for fast and efficient service for your water heater needs.

A Guide to Your New Home Pre Delivery Inspection

Congratulations on your new home! Buying a newly built home is exciting; you’ve waiting months, chosen every fixture, and you’re the first people to live in your new home! But before you take possession of your new home, you’ll need to go through a Pre Delivery Inspection or PDI with your builder. 

What is a Pre Delivery Inspection?

A PDI is a required step before possession and it is the moment when you’ll be able to really inspect each element of your new home before you move in, allowing for any issue you find to be noted and solved. In Ontario, Tarion is the insurance body that governs new home construction. They back the workmanship of the builder for 7 years after possession.  

What to look for during your PDI

While you walk through your newly built home with the builder these are the things to make you are paying attention to.

  • Ensure the toilets are properly fastened to the ground by sitting on them and ensuring there isn’t any rocking back and forth. 
  • Flush each toilet and look for leaks around the base, where the toilet meets the floor.
  • Turn every faucet on and off, checking for water pressure, good water temperature changes between hot and cold and ensure that each faucet has the hot and cold taps installed properly.
  • While running each tap, check under the sinks for any leaky plumbing.
  • Walk the outside of the home, looking to see that all gutters and downspouts are installed and properly directing water away from the home’s foundation. 

What to do if you spot something wrong?

Documentation is key during this process. If you or your home inspector come across something that was done incorrectly or poorly, take photos and fulsome notes. The PDI and inspection process through Tarion is strict and enforces stringent timelines. 

Be thorough. It is normal to find things that aren’t quite right as you spend more time living in your new home and really getting to use each item and fixture, but be as thorough as possible during your PDI and don’t feel rushed by the builder representative. This will be your home for years to come and you don’t want any surprises down the line. It’s a good idea to bring a licenced plumber along with a home inspector for your PDI to catch any hidden issues and make sure your new home is built to your satisfaction. Contact Wellbrook Plumbing for an appointment to check out your newly constructed home today. 

 

Your Plumbing Checklist for Renovation Projects

Renovating your home is an exciting time, however, there is no doubt that it can also be a stressful time. Many people try to take on a number of their renovation projects on their own. When it comes to renovations that include plumbing installations, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

There are some steps you should take when beginning your renovation. Here are some things to do in order to set yourself up for success.

Map Out Your Renovation

When planning a renovation it is important to create an overarching plan that covers more than just aesthetics. Make sure you have a full understanding of all the new plumbing that needs to be added in, old plumbing that needs to be removed, or current plumbing that needs to be moved or updated. This includes any appliances that will or currently use water. Having a plan that includes all this information will be incredibly helpful when moving through subsequent aspects of your renovation. This plan will also speed up the process of getting the necessary permits to begin your renovation.

Do Your Research

In many cases, changing the plumbing system of your home requires a permit, and in order to obtain the proper permit and adhere to building and plumbing codes, you will need to be prepared to present your plans. Consulting a licensed plumber can help ensure you understand the plumbing needs of your renovation. Bring your renovation plan to your consultation to ensure both you and your plumber have a full idea of what will need a permit or what can be undertaken without one.

Understand What Fixtures You Need

Once you’ve created a plan that outlines all of your plumbing needs, you will be able to It is important to have a plan and know exactly what you’ll need before starting. Ordering your fixtures and supplies with plenty of lead time will ensure that your renovation doesn’t get held up waiting for a delivery. In many cases, changing the plumbing system of your home requires a permit, and in order to obtain the proper permit and adhere to building and plumbing codes, you will need to have a detailed plan.

 

As part of this plan, you should create a list of all of the plumbing fixtures and appliances using water that will need to be installed during the renovation. This will not only help you organize your renovation, but it will speed up the process of getting the necessary permits to begin your renovation.

Hire a Licensed Niagara Plumber

Working with a trusted and experienced Niagara plumbing company with renovation experience is the best way to be sure your renovation goes smoothly, and that all work is done with building and plumbing codes. An experienced Niagara plumbing contractor can work closely with you during the renovation process to help secure permits and make recommendations for the most effective plumbing solutions in your plan.

If you are beginning a renovation, call Wellbrook Plumbing. Our team of Niagara based plumbers are experts in plumbing installations and have worked on a number of renovation products. Call (289) 686-4695 today or head to our contact page for more information.

Why your new construction home needs a plumbing inspection

Congratulations! Your dream home is just a few signatures away from becoming a reality. Before you cross your T’s and dot your I’s, make sure you follow the proper home-buying procedure with a valuable home inspection. While you may believe your new construction home can go without a plumbing inspection, it’s important to consider why even brand new homes require this important step.

Custom builds require custom solutions

If you’re about to be the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind house, you will want to make sure that everything is working with your one-of-a-kind plumbing system that supports your family’s needs. If an error was made when building your unique plumbing system, this is the time to catch it. Not only will a licensed plumber be able to catch any faulty mechanics, but they will also be able to ensure that your plumbing system is up to code, which will prevent problems down the road.

What do plumbers look for?

Water lines and valves

Running your main water line while opening and closing your water valves along smaller pipes will locate any leaks. This will be valuable information to know if you ever need to turn the water off to just one part of the house during an appliance upgrade or renovation. Likewise, identifying issues in your future home can help you negotiate better terms for your sale agreement.

Faucets, sinks and toilets

Drips and leaks will show any signs of incorrect installation. And while it’s not likely to come across this issue in a new construction home, testing your faucets, sinks and toilets will also check water pressure, drainage speed and temperature change.

Future concerns for you to keep in mind

An experienced professional will not only be able to fix problems happening right now they will be able to inspect for problems you might experience in the future. Does your future home have plumbing along an exterior wall? Your plumbing technician will be able to advise you where you might need to add pipe insulation to avoid frozen pipes during winter cold snaps.

If you’re ready to move into your custom built home, don’t forego an inspection to keep your home from costly water damage. Our experienced plumbing technicians have the tools and know-how to catch current concerns and detect future plumbing problems. Contact Wellbrook Plumbing to inspect your new construction home today.

Important plumbing updates to make to your home (and when)

Seasons, usage and age all play a factor in the efficiency of your home’s plumbing system. While regular maintenance to your system will prolong its life, it’s still necessary to invest in updates to keep your home comfortable and functional. If you’re not sure the best way to care for your home’s plumbing system, here are a few plumbing updates to make and when to make them:

Your water heater has an expiry date

Most water heaters can live for 10-15 years with regular maintenance before it’s time for a replacement. Not only do old water heaters become less efficient with time, but they also have a higher risk of springing a leak or producing rusty water near the end of their lives. While this may seem like a daunting and costly update, it is critical to have access to hot water in your home for cleaning, bathing and more. If you’re making the leap to a new water heater, consider a tankless water heater for better energy-efficiency and a reliable supply of hot water.

Keep your pipes and your water hot all winter long

Be prepared the next time winter comes back around in Niagara with proper pipe insulation. Pipe insulation is affordable and easy to install by simply wrapping a foam sleeve around your exposed metal pipes that line exterior walls. Avoid insulation all together by updating your metal plumbing with plastic pipes. Not only do plastic pipes not freeze, but they also are more affordable than copper and just as durable.

Updating your bathroom fixtures for a stylish and functional change

Switching out your bathroom fixtures can change the aesthetics of your bathroom completely. This simple remodel update will also provide better water efficiency while elimination leaks and drippy faucets. New bathroom fixtures are a win-win-win update. So when is the right time to make the switch? If you’re seeking a new look in your bathroom, anytime can be the right time. But, to get the most bang for your buck, update your bathroom fixtures before you sell to increase your home’s value.

If your home’s plumbing is due for an update, trust our team of experienced plumbing technicians to do the job right the first time. At Wellbrook Plumbing, we offer installation of boilers, faucets, toilets, water heaters and more. Click to learn more about our residential services or call us at 289-686-4695 for your in-home consultation.

Custom Homes Need Custom Plumbing

A custom home is unique and original. Therefore, they will need a unique and custom plumbing system. When building your dream home, you will want every feature to look how you envisioned it and be adaptable to your lifestyle. That is why it is crucial to consult a trusted plumbing company when designing your home and to properly install any fixtures for your plumbing needs in your new home.

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