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AQUA Plumbing
96 Signal Hill
Circle SW
Calgary, Alberta
Cell:
(403) 702-2505
danilo@aquaservicenow.com
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Use this section as an emergency guide to help you minimize plumbing problems
and damage until they can be corrected by AQUA PLUMBING
Water
Heater Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Water heater leaks |
Turn off power supply or gas supply to water heater.
Turn off water supply valve to heater. |
Water heater has hole in tank or
element may be leaking |
Replace water heater or replace defective element |
| No hot water or running out of hot water too soon |
Check electrical switch or circuit breaker to be sure power is on |
Heating elements or thermostats may be bad.
Lightning strikes or
power surges can damage elements or thermostats. |
Have elements and thermostats checked and replaced if necessary |
| Very low water pressure in hot water system only |
Be sure water supply valve is open all the way |
Blockage at hot or cold connections to water heater |
Replace pluming connections to water heater |
| Bad odor coming from hot water faucets |
Use hot water sparingly |
- Accumulation of bacteria in water heater
- Defective anode rod in water heater
- Newly installed water softening equipment may be causing a chemical reaction with the
anode rod in the water heater
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- Disinfect water heater and flush
thoroughly
- Replace anode rod if
necessary (Note: removal of anode rod voids warranty on water heater)
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Top
Toilet
Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Toilet overflows |
Turn off water supply valve at the toilet. Do not
flush again. Move rugs and other objects off floor. Soak-up over-flow water to
avoid water damage. |
Obstruction in toilet or sewer line. Septic tank
problem. |
Toilet and/or sewer need to be rodded-out. Septic
tank may need to be pumped-out. |
| Toilet only flushes partially and without much force |
Pour a bucket of water into toilet bowl to stimulate flushing and clear
the bowl |
Parts in tank may be worn. Mineral or foreign matter buildup in or
around flushing rim. |
Replace defective parts. Adjust flushing mechanism. If needed,
replaced toilet fixture. |
| Toilet continues to run; won't shut-off |
Open tank lid to see if flapper is properly seated over drain.
Turn-off water supply valve if necessary. |
Ball cock, flapper or other parts worn out |
Replace defective parts. Better yet, call Aqua Plumbing for a
complete toilet tune-up. |
| Toilet comes on by itself or when another valve is turned off |
Check ball cock inside tank to be sure it isn't hung-up or binding |
Defective ball cock or water hammer |
Replace defective ball cock. Install air chamber on water supply. |
| Water Hammer (banging sound when
faucet or other valves are turned off) |
When possible, slowly close
faucets or valves |
Air chambers are clogged or worn |
Replace air chambers |
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Faucet Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Faucet drips or fails to shut
off all the way |
None. Call Aqua |
Faucet stems, washers, o-rings,
sets, or cartridges are worn |
Replace worn-out items |
| Faucet hard to turn |
None. Call Aqua |
Cartridge is sticking |
Clean and lubricate cartridge |
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Garbage
Disposal / Dishwasher Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Disposal won't run |
Check reset button on bottom of disposal. Check circuit breaker. |
Disposal jammed or worn out |
Replace unit |
| Disposal makes loud racket when turned on |
Discontinue use |
- Foreign object has fallen into disposal
- Blades are loose or worn out
- Bearing worn
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Remove foreign object or replace disposal |
| Disposal has bad odor |
Fill disposal with ice cubes and let run until ice is gone. Flush
with cold water. |
Accumulation of rotting wastes in mechanism |
Let Aqua Pluming service disposal with their exclusive "Disposal
Sani-Service" We'll degrease, disinfect, deodorize and clean the grinding
blades for a very nominal fee. |
| Disposal leaks under sink |
Discontinue use of sink |
Gasket seals worn out. Disposal base is rusted
through. |
Replace seals. Replace unit if needed. |
| Sink drain or garbage disposal backs up when dishwasher is running |
Discontinue use of dishwasher |
Garbage disposal full of garbage. Or partial blockage in sink waste
drain. |
Run garbage disposal until clear. Have sink waste drain rodded out. |
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Sink
/ Lavatory Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Sink drains slowly or backs up to overflowing |
Discontinue use. Use a "force cup" type
plunger to clear the obstruction. Turn off water supply valves below the fixture, if
necessary. |
Drain blockage |
Sink or lavatory drain should be rodded-out with proper
power equipment |
| Faucet drips or fails to shut
off all the way |
Turn off water supply valves beneath sink or lavatory |
Washers, seats, "O" rings or cartridges are
worn or broken. Faucet stems may be wearing out. |
Mechanisms need to be checked and worn parts replaced.
If faucets are very old, this is a good time to replace them. |
| Lavatory or sink won't hold water |
Clear hair or foreign matter from pop-up drain or strainer |
Worn pop-op drain or basket strainer. Lift rod nut loose. |
Clean out hair or scum build-up. Tighten assembly nut connecting
lift rod attachment to waste mechanism under lavatory drain. If waste assembly or
basket strainer are worn, they should be replaced. |
| Leak under fixture drain or at "P" trap |
Place bucket or container under drain or "P"
trap to protect cabinet from damage. If leak is severe, discontinue use of fixture. |
Age or abuse |
Replace defective drain or "P" trap |
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Bathtub
/ Shower Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Tub or shower drains slowly |
Use sparingly |
Accumulation of soap and hair in drain reducing draining capability |
Rod-out drain. Also, tub drain mechanism may be defective and need
replacement. |
| Water backs-up into tub or shower when toilet is flushed or when washing
machine is used |
Discontinue use of all plumbing fixtures |
This is an indication of a major drain blockage which could affect the
entire system and cause considerable trouble |
Main drain needs to be rodded-out. Or problem with septic tank. |
| Shower head or faucet drips |
Be sure faucets are turned off tightly |
Washers, seats, "O" rings and/or cartridge are worn out |
Replace worn out parts |
| Water shows up on floor after bathing or showering |
Discontinue use |
Cracks in tile grout. Drain may be broken under
tub or shower pan. |
Tile may have to be re-grouted. Tub drain may have
to be replaced. Shower pan may need replacement. |
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Washing Machine Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Low water pressure at washing machine. Takes too long for machine to
fill |
Be sure intake valves are open wide |
Screens in washing machine hoses are clogged |
Remove hoses from washing machine and clean screens. Reattach hoses. |
| Washing machine is flooding floor |
Run off water supply valves behind washing machine |
Defective washing machine hose |
Replace both hoses |
| Washing machine drain overflows |
Discontinue use |
Drain Blockage |
Rod out drain |
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Miscellaneous
Plumbing Problems |
| Problem |
Temporary Solution |
Probable Cause |
Permanent Solution |
| Bad odor coming from hot water faucet |
Use hot water sparingly |
Accumulation of bacteria in water heater. Defective anode rod in
water heater. Newly installed water softening equipment may be causing chemical
reaction with the anode rod in water heater. |
Disinfect water heater and flush thoroughly. replace anode rod if
needed (Note: removal of anode rod voids warranty on water heater.) |
| You can hear water running through pipes but all water is shut off and no
water is visible |
Turn off main water shut-off when not using water |
Leak under house slab |
This problem will require the services of a highly trained professional.
The leak has to be located and repaired. This repair may be covered under
your homeowners insurance policy. Even though a leak can be detected under the slab
and repaired, a similar leak may reappear at any time. The best solution is to
re-pie the entire home with new piping. (Note: Dark stains or damp areas developing under
floors or carpeting or in walls could indicate this same problem.) |
| Flow from water filter is slow or stopped altogether |
Don't drink water |
Filter media or cartridge is blocked |
Replace cartridge or filtering media |
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