CJ BC Plumbing Tips

If your townhouse was built between the late 1970s and the late 1990s, it may contain Poly-B (polybutylene) water-supply piping. Poly-B was commonly installed in Canadian houses, townhouses, and some condominiums during the 1980s and early 1990s. However, construction year alone cannot confirm whether a home contains Poly-B. Some homes from this period were originally built with copper piping, while others may have been partially or completely repiped with PEX during renovations. As a Certified Red Seal plumber with more than 10 years of hands-on experience in British Columbia, I recommend starting with a careful visual inspection of exposed water-supply pipes. You do not need to open walls, disconnect fittings, or move older pipes just to look for identifying features. The most useful clues are the pipe markings, material, fittings, and locations where different pipe materials connect. Watch the video below to learn where to look for Poly-B piping, how to recognize common identificati...

Finding water around the base of a toilet can make it seem like the wax ring has failed. In my experience, water around the base of a toilet is not always caused by a failed wax ring. The source should be identified before the toilet is removed. 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 st...

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. 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 opening. Over time, this ...

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 CJ BC Plumbing 3D demonstration to learn how to identify common causes of low water flow at a bathroom faucet. The video demonstrates how to check the hot- and cold-water shut-off valves, compare water flow at anoth...