CJ BC Plumbing Tips

Water under a kitchen sink does not always mean the P-trap is leaking. The water may be coming from a supply connection, shut-off valve, drain connection, or loose slip nut. Before replacing anything, dry the cabinet and identify exactly when and where the water appears. This simple inspection can help you avoid repairing the wrong component. Watch the video below for a step-by-step inspection: Three Common Sources of Water Under a Kitchen Sink Start by checking these three areas: Water supply connections and shut-off valves Drain connection directly below the sink P-trap and slip-nut connections The timing of the leak can provide an important clue. If water appears while the faucet is off, check the pressurized water-supply connections. If water appears only while the faucet is running or the sink is draining, inspect the drain system. If water appears around a P-trap slip nut, the connection may be loose, misaligned, damaged, or improperly seated. Before You Beg...

Why Is My Bathroom Faucet Water Pressure Low? Is water suddenly coming out slowly from your bathroom faucet? Low water pressure can be frustrating, but it does not always mean that you have a major plumbing problem. When only one faucet is affected, the cause may be something simple, such as a partially closed shut-off valve or a clogged faucet aerator. Before calling a plumber, check these three things. This guide will help you determine whether the problem is limited to one faucet or may involve a larger part of your plumbing system. Important: This guide is intended for basic homeowner and condo maintenance. Do not force a valve or disassemble plumbing components if they are corroded, leaking, damaged, or difficult to operate. Watch the Step-by-Step Video Watch this short demonstration to see how to check the shut-off valves, compare another faucet, and inspect the faucet aerator. First, Determine Whether the Problem Affects Hot Water, Cold Water, or Both Before working under ...

How to Check for a Silent Toilet Leak in 10 Minutes (Food Colouring Test) Your toilet may be leaking without making any sound. From my experience working in residential homes and condominiums, a silent toilet leak is one of the most commonly overlooked plumbing problems. Many homeowners don't notice it because the toilet still flushes normally and there is no water on the floor. Unfortunately, a toilet can continue wasting water 24 hours a day without anyone realizing it. Over time, this can increase your water bill and cause unnecessary wear on your toilet's internal components. Fortunately, you can check for this type of hidden leak in about 10 minutes using only a few drops of food coloring. Watch the Step-by-Step Video Watch this short demonstration to see where to add the food colouring,  How long to wait, and how to identify a silent tank-to-bowl leak. A simple food colouring test can help detect a hidden toilet leak before it wastes water. Why This Simple Test Matt...

Why Do Pipes Make a Loud Banging Noise? Have you ever heard a loud banging... Have you ever heard a loud banging or knocking sound inside your walls after your dishwasher or washing machine finishes filling with water? Many homeowners assume something is seriously wrong with the plumbing. In many cases, however, the problem is caused by water hammer . From my experience working on residential homes and condominium plumbing systems, water hammer is one of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners overlook until the noise becomes frequent. Fortunately, a small plumbing device called a hammer arrestor can often help reduce these pressure shocks and protect your plumbing system. Watch the Step-by-Step Video Watch this short demonstration to learn what a hammer arrestor does, where it is commonly installed, and why it helps reduce water hammer in residential plumbing systems. In many condominium buildings, hammer arrestors are installed during construction. However, depending...

Why Every Condo Owner Should Know Their Shut-Off Valves Many condo owners do not know where their water shut-off valves are until a leak suddenly happens. From my experience working in residential condominiums, one of the biggest problems during plumbing emergencies is not the leak itself—it is that many homeowners do not know which valve to close. Even a small leak can quickly spread through cabinets, walls, ceilings, and neighboring units if the water is not shut off promptly. Fortunately, learning the basic shut-off valve locations only takes a few minutes and can help reduce water damage while you wait for a property manager or licensed plumber. Watch the Step-by-Step Video Watch this short demonstration to learn where the most common condo shut-off valves are located and how they connect to the unit manifold. Why Knowing Valve Locations Matters Knowing where your shut-off valves are before an emergency can help you: Reduce water damage Respond faster during plumbing eme...