CJ BC Plumbing Tips

Finding water around the base of a toilet can make it seem like the wax ring has failed. But water on the floor does not always mean the leak is coming from underneath the toilet. Water can travel down from a loose supply connection, shut-off valve, tank bolt, or tank-to-bowl connection and collect around the toilet base. Before removing the toilet or replacing parts, the first step is to identify exactly where the water is coming from. In this guide, I’ll show you a simple inspection process that can help narrow down the source of a toilet leak. Start by Drying the Area Completely Before testing the toilet, dry the floor around the entire toilet base. Wipe the front, both sides, and as much of the rear area as you can reach. Also dry the supply line and the visible connections around the toilet. Starting with a completely dry area makes it much easier to identify where new water first appears. If you skip this step, water that was already on the floor may make it look like the ...

 A bathroom sink that drains slowly does not always have a deep blockage in the drainpipe. In many cases, hair, soap residue, toothpaste, and other debris collect around the pop-up stopper and restrict the flow of water. Because the pop-up stopper is located directly inside the drain opening, even a small amount of buildup can cause water to drain slowly or remain in the basin. Before using chemical drain cleaners or removing the P-trap, inspect and clean the pop-up stopper first. Cleaning the stopper and reconnecting the pivot rod correctly may restore normal drainage without disturbing the rest of the drain system. Watch the video below to see how to inspect, remove, clean, reinstall, and test a bathroom sink pop-up stopper. Slow Bathroom Sink? Why Does a Bathroom Sink Drain Slowly? Bathroom sinks are used every day for washing hands, brushing teeth, shaving, and other activities. Hair, soap, toothpaste, and skin oils can gradually collect around the stopper and inside the drain ...

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 ...

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...