What you will find here
These notes cover the questions that come up again and again: why basements flood, whether to rent or buy a water heater, what Poly-B is, how to winterize, and when a clog is a sign of something bigger. They are free to read and free to share.
Emergencies
The opening minutes of a flood, and the valve that ends it.
Hot water and hard water
Tank or tankless, rental contracts, lifespan and Lake Ontario's moderately hard water.
Everyday care
Clog prevention, running toilets, disposers and seasonal checklists.
Nothing in these guides replaces a permit or an inspection where the rules require one. When in doubt, call (365) 517-6529.
All guides
- Why Mississauga Basements FloodMost basement floods here come from a handful of causes.
- How to Winterize Your PlumbingOntario winters test every pipe that sits near an outside wall.
- Hard WaterChalky rings round the tap, cloudy tumblers, flakes rattling in the kettle.
- Tank or Tankless Water Heater?Both kinds heat water well.
- Signs of a Hidden Water LeakFew leaks begin with a puddle.
- What to Do When a Pipe BurstsWater pouring from a ceiling is frightening, but the first few minutes follow a short, clear list.
- Finding Your Main Water Shut-OffOf everything a householder can know about pipes, the spot where the main valve hides, and whether it turns, matters most.
- Preventing Drain ClogsMost clogs are built slowly, one rinse at a time.
- Sump Pump Maintenance ChecklistA sump pump is the quietest appliance in the house until the night it is needed most.
- Looking After a Backwater ValveThe flap inside that floor fitting has one job, and it can only do it if nothing is stuck around it.
- Mississauga Flood Protection SubsidyFlood protection devices such as backwater valves can qualify for municipal help in some cases.
- Lead Water Pipes in Older HomesSome older Ontario homes still have a lead water service line or lead solder on copper pipe.
- Poly-B Plumbing ExplainedGrey plastic pipe in a basement ceiling can unsettle a buyer or an insurer.
- How Long a Water Heater LastsA tank never picks a good morning to quit.
- Causes of Low Water PressureLow pressure can come from one clogged aerator or from the city main down the street.
- Plumbing PermitsThe City wants a permit for certain plumbing jobs and not for others.
- Trees, Roots and Your Sewer LineMature trees give older neighbourhoods their character.
- Plumbing Checks Before You BuyA general home inspection looks at plenty, but it cannot see inside the sewer line or behind finished walls.