CJ BC Plumbing Tips

  Water Behind a Tub Spout? How to Find the Leak Before It Damages the Wall Finding a small amount of water around a bathtub spout may not look serious at first. However, water appearing where the tub spout meets the wall should not be ignored. The visible water may be coming from a simple gap around the spout, but it can also indicate a problem with the connection behind the finished wall. The important first step is not to immediately apply more caulking . Before sealing anything, determine when the water appears and where it is actually coming from. As a Certified Red Seal plumber with more than 10 years of hands-on plumbing experience, I recommend approaching this type of problem systematically. A few simple observations can help distinguish surface water from a plumbing connection problem hidden behind the wall. Why Is Water Appearing Around the Tub Spout? A bathtub spout is connected to piping extending through the finished wall. Depending on the installation, the spout may c...

 A sewer smell in a bathroom can be unpleasant and concerning, but it does not always mean there is a major sewer problem. The odor may come from something as simple as a dry floor drain or unused fixture. However, it can also be related to a trap, drainage connection, or venting problem. Before assuming the worst, it helps to identify exactly where the smell is coming from. Where Can a Bathroom Sewer Smell Come From? When I investigate a sewer odor in a bathroom, I first try to isolate the source instead of immediately replacing parts. Common areas to check include: • the bathroom sink drain • the toilet area • the shower or bathtub drain • a floor drain • rarely used plumbing fixtures If the odor is strongest near one particular drain, that gives you an important clue about where to start. Check Rarely Used Floor Drains One of the first things worth checking is a floor drain that has not been used for a long time. A properly trapped drain normally holds water inside the trap. Thi...

 A loud bang from the kitchen when a dishwasher stops filling can be alarming. The noise may sound as if something has struck the wall or a pipe has come loose. One possible cause is water hammer, but a water hammer arrestor should not be installed based on the sound alone. High water pressure, loose pipes, unsupported waterlines, and other plumbing conditions can produce similar noises. The correct approach is to identify exactly when the sound occurs and check the system before choosing a repair. Quick Answer If the banging happens at the exact moment the dishwasher stops filling with water, a fast-closing solenoid valve may be creating a pressure surge in the water-supply pipe. Before installing an arrestor, check the house water pressure, inspect the pipe supports, and confirm that the dishwasher is the fixture causing the noise. What Is Water Hammer? Water hammer is a pressure surge created when moving water stops suddenly. While the dishwasher is filling, water travels throug...

 Finding water under your washing machine can be alarming, but it does not automatically mean that the appliance itself has failed. The water may be coming from a damaged supply hose, a loose valve connection, the drain hose, the standpipe, or an internal washer component. Before replacing any part, dry the area and determine exactly when and where the water appears. Correctly identifying the source can help prevent unnecessary repairs and reduce the risk of serious water damage. Watch the video below to see how a plumber checks the supply hoses, valve connections, drain hose, and standpipe. Why Is There Water Under the Washing Machine? A washing machine has several possible leak sources. Two pressurized supply hoses deliver hot and cold water to the appliance, while a separate drain hose removes water during the drain cycle. Because the supply hoses normally remain under pressure even when the washer is not running, a damaged hose or connection can leak at any time. Drain-related ...

 If your townhouse was built before 1996, it may contain Poly-B water-supply piping. Poly-B, short for polybutylene, was commonly installed in Canadian houses, townhouses, and some condominiums from approximately 1978 through the mid-1990s. In 2026, buildings from this period are roughly 31 to 48 years old. However, the age of a building is only the first clue. Not every older townhouse has Poly-B. Some were originally built with copper piping, while others may already have been partially or completely repiped with PEX. As a Red Seal plumber working in BC, I recommend starting with a careful visual inspection of exposed water-supply lines. You do not need to open walls, disconnect fittings, or move the pipes just to look for identifying features. Watch the video below to see where to look and how Poly-B differs from copper and PEX. What Is Poly-B Plumbing? Poly-B is a flexible plastic pipe that was previously used for hot and cold water distribution. It became popular because it wa...