Q: What should I do about a clogged toilet/drain?

There are only three way's to really unclog your toilet, plunging, snaking or removing the bowl and manually removing a firmly lodged obstruction. Your best bet is to call Shuswap Water Services. Not only will we unclog your toilet or sink, we’ll ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again any time soon.

Q: Why is my shower pressure so weak?

Poor water pressure can be caused by hard-water buildup in pipes, hot water tank issues such as sediment buildup, or a problem with the water line such as it being pinched. Multiturn stops or valves that use rubber sealing components are also a source of issues, these valves need regular maintenance as the rubber breaks down over time due to water being a solvent. These components should be serviced every 10 years to ensure there are no losses of service due to pieces of broken rubber coming off and lodging in supply lines or fixtures. Regular maintenance should stop these things from happening but if they have happened, you’ll need to call in a professional licensed plumber.

Q: What should I do during a plumbing emergency?

Call us immediately! We make ourselves available 24/7 for this exact reason. And, if there is potential for electrical danger, keep as far away from the emergency site as possible. In the event that we are unavailable the city or district you live in should have emergency services to shutoff and isolate the main water supply line that is in you yard. If you are on a private water system you should make yourself aware of the steps to isolate water in case of an emergency either by contacting a plumbing company or your water purveyor.

Q: What should I do if the toilet won’t stop running?

Toilets water level is controlled by two different styles of fill valves, one with a float ball and the other with a float that raises vertically, both are adjusted by a screw on the fill valve. The other reason your toilet may be running is a leaking flapper or flush valve. Get in touch with Shuswap Water Services and we can do the job quickly and affordably.

Q: What are the benefits of a low flush toilet?

Water conservation and in association, cost savings. By using less water, you’ll be helping the planet and saving yourself on water bills!

Q: Why does my toilet clog easily?

If you find that your toilet is clogging easily all the time, chances are there’s a large obstruction in there that is being added to every time you flush. Something that contributes to this is the use of too much toilet paper, or the flushing of absorbent materials such as tampons. Flushable wipes has also led to a rise in plumbing service call's no matter what it says on the packaging flushable wipes are NOT flushable. You could also be experiencing water flow issues or venting issues. Give Shuswap Water Services a call and we’ll assess the situation for you and figure out the best, most affordable repair!

Q: How do I unclog my toilet?

Grab the plunger! Stop the bowl from filling by controlling the flapper in your toilet’s tank, and get plunging. To properly use a plunger make sure the plunger is sized and shaped correctly for you toilet bowl, a good seal to the bowl is necessary. Also, when plunging your toilet make sure the plunger is filled with water not air before plunging, to do this tilt the plunger on an angle when inserting into the toilet bowl. Slowly compress the plunger to force out any remaining air, then seal the plunger to the bowl with proper positioning. This method works because air is compressible and water is not, forcing water into the drain line creates hydraulic pressure and will help force out a clog. If this doesn’t help, there may be a bigger problem in which case you’ll have to call in the pros.

Q: One of my taps has a very low water supply. What could be causing this?

This could be caused by a problem with the tap’s aerator or a leak somewhere along its pipeline. If you cannot fix the problem by cleaning the aerator, you may be dealing with a bigger issue such as the breakdown of rubber components in shutoff that can break off and obstruct the flow of water to your fixture.

Q: How do I shut off the water to the entire house?

The main water shutoff is usually located in the mechanical room close to the water heater. Follow the cold water supply line from the water heater back to where the water line comes out of the floor slab or exterior wall. This will allow you to trace the line back to the location of entry if the main water line is hard to locate. There will most likely be a water meter attached to this line if it is a newer home, valves can be multi-turn handles for globe or gate valves or 1/4 turn ball valves. Well system's should have a shutoff located close to the pressure tank, if this can't be located you may need to turn off the breaker to the well pump in the electrical panel.