Archive for January, 2015

How to Install a Pedestal Sink

January 26, 2015SinkLeave a comment

While a bathroom vanity is a lovely luxury, the pedestal sink is becoming increasingly more popular, as it creates more space in a small bathroom. An incredibly stylish option, the pedestal sink is easy to install and gives the bathroom a new look in no time. Let’s take a look at how to install a pedestal sink in one day, even if you don’t have any prior experience.

Did You Know? The first pedestal sinks were made from enameled cast iron, until 1915 when manufacturers started using the glass-like porcelain which we now know as vitreous china.

Before we get going, a few words of warning. While the process of installing the sink is easy enough, if the plumbing is not in the right place, it can be tricky to position the pedestal and to make it look good. Sometimes, there is no flooring underneath the old vanity, which will either require that you patch the floor and baseboard (and this doesn’t always look good!) or to replace the tile.

“Installing a pedestal sink is the mother of all DIY projects,” says [name], Anta’s master plumber. “If one measurement is slightly off, you throw out the plumbing. Make sure you follow the manufacturer guidelines and double check all the measurements.”

Before You Begin

These steps will ensure that you void mistake right from the start:

Once you have chosen your sink, call a professional plumber to rough-in the new drain pipe, ensuring that it is high enough to fit inside your new pedestal.

Install blocking at basin height to provide a solid anchor for the screws that secure the sink to the wall.

Enlist someone to help you, as you can’t hold the sink and secure screws.

Have all your tools handy, including lag screws and washers, in case the sink is not supplied with its own materials.

Installing Your New Pedestal Sink

Step 1 – Prepare & Rough-in

As always before you start a plumbing project, shut off the main water supply and drain the lines into a bucket before cutting them using a compact tubing cutter.

Tip: If you hire a plumber, he will do this for you the right way!

Hold the p-trap alongside the pipe and mark the spot where the PVC shoulder is joined to the elbow. Cut the waste pipe at this mark using a hacksaw.

Step 2 – Prepare the Supply Lines

Remove the burr that was left on the pipes by the tubing cutter and polish the ends with sandpaper. Polish, then flux the insides and slip them over the supply lines along with the escutcheons.

Solder the ends of the supply line, and let it cool slightly and then remove any excess flux.

Step 3 – Install the Drain

Wrap a piece of plumber’s putty underneath the flange around your pop-up drain and drop the pop-up drain through the basin’s clean drain hole.

Insert the gasket and washer before threading the nut into the drain, and tighten it.

Step 4 – Leveling the Basin

Line up the pedestal with the waste pipe, ensuring the distance is the same from the center of the drain and the wall, using a marker to indicate where the holes should be in the wall.

Now place the basin on top of the pedestal, fine-tuning the placement and leveling the sides.

Put a marker through the mounting holes at the back of your basin to indicate where you will drill the holes.

Step 5 – Install the P-trap

As your helper to carefully hold the two parts together and gently move it away from the wall.

Now test-fit the elbow and the P-trap to the waste pipe in order to measure the distance from the open vertical end of the trap to the floor, marking the distance on the waste assembly.

Install the p-trap and slide the trap up to the mark on the tailpiece before threading the nut onto the trap and tightening it.

Drill the holes in the wall at the points you marked for that purpose.

Step 6 – Mount Your Faucet

The manufacturer may have provided o-rings to be inserted under the flanges of the spout and the valves of the faucet; if not, you can insert plumber’s putty at those points before inserting each fitting.

Insert a gasket and nut onto the fittings and tighten it.

Line up the holes in the basin deck with those in the wall and insert the lag screws and fender washers. Once you have tightened it, double check the level and make your final connections.

Be sure to also check for leaks and ensure that the water runs clear of debris before you sit back to admire your handiwork.

If you don’t have 6-8 hours to devote to this job, we highly recommend that you call Anta Plumbing and having the experts install your new pedestal sink.

How to Install a Water Pressure Booster

January 22, 2015Water Pressure BoosterLeave a comment

So you’ve just moved into a new home, with recently installed new plumbing, but the water pressure is low… Don’t fret – low water pressure could be caused by either poor community water supply from the municipality, or by gravity. The height of your building could be causing you to lose water pressure, as 0.434 psi is lost with every foot water is pushed up, and you will therefore lose around 8 psi in a double-story house when you try to pump water from the basement to the bathroom on the second floor. Today we will explain to you the benefits of, and how to install a water pressure booster pump.

Which Buildings Will Benefit From a Booster Pump?

Houses at the end of the community water supply line.
Homes high above the supply line or uphill from the pumping station.
Tall multi-family residential properties.

You will also need a water pressure booster pump if you:

are adding new plumbing fixtures, for instance when you add a new bathroom on the existing plumbing system.
are on a gravity water system.
have a problem with the main line that runs between your home and the city’s mains.

In some cases, homes require a water pressure booster pump because of their construction, location, or the fact that there is no high spot on which to install their water tanks.

How A Water Pressure Booster Pump Works

Most residential properties need a simple one-line jet pump. Potable water from the City’s supply enters through the pressure regulator and into the home’s supply line to a pump, which is connected to the water pressure booster pump.

The pump-boosted water is pulled into the home when a faucet is turned on, and the pressure in the water tank drops to draw more water from the City’s supply line. This in turn boosts the pressure in the booster tank again.

In most cases, the water pressure booster pump will be set to provide 30-50 psi water pressure.

Water Pressure Booster Pumps For Multi-family Buildings

Booster pumps are often installed on the upper floors of multi-family residential buildings in order to improve the water pressure for the residents on the upper floors.

Depending on the height of the building, the pump may either be installed on ground level, or on one of the upper floors.

Installing a Water Pressure Booster Pump

1. Test the pressure

The first step to installing your water pressure booster pump, is to test the water pressure by attaching a gauge to one of the outside spigots. If your meter reads anything below 30 psi, you would benefit from installing a water pressure booster pump.

2. Pressurize the tank

Before installing the tank, first pressurize it according to the instructions in the manual.

3. Drain the system

Open the highest faucet in the home, as well as an outside spigot, and then shut off your main water supply valve.

4. Find a location

Choose an installation location in a warm spot in your home, which never drops below freezing temperature. There should be a power outlet nearby, as well as a main water line which you can tap into.

5. Create a bypass

Next, you need to create a bypass on the intake line, which will allow the water to bypass the water pressure booster pump if need be. Open all the valves before soldering the system into place.

6. Install valves

Consider installing a backflow valve on the unit, and solder the adapters into place before connecting the intake line onto the check valve.

Once you have installed the pressure relief valve, install the pressure guage.

7. Service your water lines

Shut off all the ball valves before turning on an outside spigot and the main water supply. Now check all the connections to ensure there are no leaks.

Open the bypass valve and the highest faucet in the home in order to release any built up air that may be trapped in the water lines.

After shutting down the bypass, open your service valve to allow water to flow through the unit.

8. Supply electricity to the unit

Open the unit’s access cover so that you can attach the electrical wires to the pressure switch. Once you have connected and tightened the wires, you can replace the cover over the unit and manually adjust the unit’s pressure.

That’s it! It’s that easy to install a water pressure booster pump. However, if you’re unsure at all and would rather let the experts handle it, call Anta Plumbing

4 Situations That Call for Video Sewer Inspection

January 21, 2015Video Sewer InspectionLeave a comment

If you’ve recently put your home on the market, or if you’ve been involved in conversations about plumbing, you will most likely have heard about video sewer inspections. What is it and why should you have it done? In this post, we will tell you all about it and why you need it.

What is Video Sewer Inspection?

Also known as a sewer scope, a video sewer inspection sends a video camera down your home’s sanitary or lateral main waste line which runs from your home to the city’s sewer connection. During a video sewer inspection, the technician receives live feedback from the sewer main line, which can be recorded on video for the client.

The Purpose of a Sewer Scope

The main objective of a sewer scope is to find out whether the sewer is functioning as it should, and whether it needs maintenance, repair or replacement.

Video sewer inspection is usually indicated when you buy a new home, but there are other reasons that necessitate it too:

1. Sewer Backups

If you experience recurring backups, a drain service company may come out and present you with a sizable repair bill. However, in many cases, repairs aren’t needed, but rather proper maintenance using the right equipment to ensure that:

your sewer lateral is clear of FOG (fats, oils, grease) and root infiltration.
the line flows freely.

We recommend that you call for a second opinion instead. Anta Plumbing will come out to your home, do a sewer inspection and give you a second opinion. In cases where only a section of the line is clogged, it can usually be sorted out with minimum fuss. In most cases, however, a line doesn’t have to be replaced just because of tree roots. You can rely on Anta Plumbing’s expert drain services technicians to give you the facts. Trained to be transparent, they will tell you the truth about whether repair or replacement is needed, and that’s why, in the majority of cases, our second opinions differ from the original scope provided by other companies.

If we find that your sewer line is damaged and needs to be replaced, we will provide you with the most cost effective option to suit your needs and your pocket.

2. City Notices

From time to time, you may receive notices from the City, saying that your sewer connection to the mainline is broken, and that you need to repair it.

A broken connection causes sewage to leak into the soil, which causes a health and environmental hazard, and since it causes the soil to move, it may undermine the city’s infrastructure.

We have seen, on many occasions during sewer scopes, that the City sometimes sends the notice to the wrong neighbor, so let us take a peep and make sure that you’re responsible before you take out your pocketbook.

3. New Home Warranty Expiration

While it is important to check out the main sewer line before you buy a new home, it is as important to call for video sewer inspection before your new home warranty expires.

You will often find that the soil is still settling years after a new home was constructed, and this can cause all kinds of trouble with your sanitary system. However, a video sewer inspection can pick up on collapsed pipes, low spots and broken connections that have gone undetected.

4. Selling Your Home

It’s common for buyers to request a video sewer inspection, but if there are issues and you leave it until then, you will have to have it repaired on their timeline and possibly at a higher cost.

Take a pro-active approach by calling for an inspection early on to ensure that you can address any problems at a costs that is within your budget and head off any issues that may crop up during the pre-close stages.

Get the truth about your plumbing system with a video sewer inspection, as it can help ward off any unwanted issues later on.

Home Leak Detection Techniques You Should Know

January 16, 2015Leak DetectionLeave a comment

Household leaks can contribute to a massive spike in your water bill. In fact, according to research, the average home can lose between 7.6 m3 and 76 m3 of water because of leaks in a single year. Some household leaks are obvious, especially when your faucets are dripping and when your water heaters are leaking. However, many small leaks can go undetected for long periods of time, because they are hidden behind walls or underground.

In most cases, the water meter will only verify significant leaks, and not small drips in and around your home. The Anta Plumbing master plumbers recommend that you perform the following checks to detect small leaks in different areas of your home:

Supply Lines

Leaks in the supply line between the home and the water meter can be difficult to detect, especially since the line is buried deep below the surface. In some cases, the water that leaked from the pipe will travel back to the meter along the pipe, and the meter box will be wet. It could also enter the house at the point where the pipe exits the ground and enters the home. Wet soil is usually an indication of a leak in this spot, as the water will seep to the surface. If your supply line is leaking, you should call a licensed plumber to handle the leak detection and pipe repair on your behalf.

Fixture Leaks

A slow dripping faucet can lose up to 3.7 m3 per year, but fortunately, it is real simple to repair. The repairs needed will depend on the type of faucet you use in your home, namely ceramic discs, cartridge, ball or compression valve types.

Toilet Leaks

One of the most common sources of household leaks (which often goes unnoticed!) is the toilet. Research has shown that 20-35% of all residential toilets least at least a little. Major toilet leaks are easy to spot and diagnose, thanks to the gurgling or hissing sounds they make, even when they are not used. You can diagnose a leaky toilet by checking the water level in the tank, or by using the dye test method to see whether the flapper valve is leaking.

Humidifier Leaks

If you have a forced-air central heating system, you probably use a whole house humidifier, which might be attached to the furnace. Unfortunately, the overflow drain can cause actual leaks to go undetected for a very long time, resulting in much water wasted. Be sure to turn off the water supply to your units when you are not using it.

Fountain and Pool Leaks

One in every twenty pools leaks, and even a pinhole sized leak can lose over a million liters of water per year. If your pool is losing more than 0.32cm of water or more in 24 hours, or if tiles are falling, your deck is cracking, or there are cracks and gaps in the shell, or if algae forms soon after treatment, you may well have a leak.

If you suspect that you may have a leak anywhere in your residential plumbing system, call Anta Plumbing. Experts in leak detection, we are able to find and repair leaks in no time, saving you money and saving water to help our beautiful planet.

Why You Should Keep Your Toilet Lid Closed at All Times

January 13, 2015ToiletLeave a comment

While most of us make a concerted effort to avoid germs, some people leave their toilets open. Some find nothing wrong with it, while others find it a disgusting habit. Unfortunately, many public restrooms have no lids on their toilets, which is why many people avoid them like the plague. Combine the lid-less toilet with the enclosed space and powerful flush, and you can understand why…

Amidst the controversy, you can rely on Anta Plumbing to be your voice of reason and our plumbers agree that it is very important to keep your toilet closed at all times. Why? Because…

1. Germs & bacteria travel up to 8 feet in every direction when you leave the lid up.

A recent study at Leeds University found that the air above toilets can travel up to 10 inches during an open flush. This bacteria, known as C. difficile, causes violent vomiting, is found all over the bathroom, and not only on the floor, on top and on the sides of the toilet – and the bacteria is not only there when the toilet is being used, but all the time. Researchers found it in bathrooms 90 minutes after the toilet was used, along with contaminated water droplets on nearby surfaces, such as where you keep your toothbrush.

2. Small children can fall into open toilets.

Baby proofing companies now make toilet locks to keep your small child safe. Since toddlers move fast, they can easily slip into the bathroom, and the fact that they are top-heavy, makes it easy for them to fall head-first into the toilet, drowning.

Hands up, how many female readers have fallen into the toilet at night when the man of the house has left the lid up?

How many couples fight about the guy leaving the seat up? So much of that aggression can be prevented by simply following the hygienic purpose of putting down both the seat and the lid. It takes a second, and it doesn’t cost anything or hurt at all – so what’s the big deal, right?

3. Veterinarians warn against allowing your pets to drink from the toilet.

Dogs and cats tend to love the cool water in the toilet, however, the bacteria-filled mist is as bad for your pets as it is for you. Think about that next time your pet kisses you!

4. You don’t want your wealth to go down the tubes…

Feng-shui experts strongly recommend that you keep your toilet bowl closed at all times, because the water has power to draw energy out – as well as your money.

5. It can help prevent you from losing things.

Most of us have experienced a toilet roll accidentally falling into an open bowl, but that’s not all. Here at Anta Plumbing, we regularly find strange items in the sewer drains – from wedding rings to goldfish, cell phones, toys and many other items. Save yourself the trouble and loss by simply keeping the toilet shut.

Let’s face it – a toilet is not a recliner, and it should definitely not be used for that purpose. It has a lid for a reason, and that should be used for its intended purpose.

Why you should avoid chemical drain cleaners

January 10, 2015Drain CleaningLeave a comment

Here at Anta Plumbing, we constantly work with the environment, and we are critically aware of the fact that our planet is fast running out of clean water. For that reason, we strive to use the most environmentally friendly methods to perform our plumbing and drain services.

Manufacturers make drain cleaners seem like miracle products that can remove the toughest clogs in no time, but they are not always the best bet. For starters, they contain harmful chemicals and that’s why we don’t recommend them to our clients.

Here are just some of the reasons why we avoid drain cleaning chemicals, and why you should, too:

1. Drain Cleaning Chemicals Don’t Unclog Any Type of Clog

Stubborn clogs usually don’t budge with the use of chemical drain cleaners, as they are made to destroy only organic materials. These clogs require manual prodding with a drain snake, or powerful hydro jetting. If you start out using chemicals, and then realize that it doesn’t work, you would have to ensure that you flush out all the cleaner from the pipes.

2. Drain Cleaning Chemicals Damage Your Septic System

Whatever you do, don’t flush the drain cleaner down the toilet, as it will create issues with the septic system.While chemical drain cleaners kill bacteria, your septic system actually needs beneficial bacteria in order to break down the waste. Without it, the process is disrupted and it could lead to system failure.

3. Drain Cleaning Chemicals Damage Your Pipes

Drain cleaning products generate heat, which in turn breaks down clogs before it is removed from your pipes. However, the heat can cause PVC piping to soften, and it can lead to corrosion on metal piping.

The inconvenience of having to replace broken pipes and the expense of repairing damage to your property can quickly put the “saving” you make on using chemicals in perspective.

4. Drain Cleaning Chemicals Can Cause Serious Burns

Chemical drain cleaners destroy all organic matter, including hair and skin, so unless you don’t protective gear when you use these drain cleaners, you could sustain serious injuries. We have seen homeowners burned by chemical drain cleaners that shot up from unexpected sources, burning their eyes, skin and hair. Even a small spill from the side of the bottle or a small splatter can cause a lot of harm – it doesn’t require a major spill to cause severe chemical burns.