Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. is a premier provider of quality drain cleaning and plumbing services in Saskatoon, SK. They are the company of choice to handle all of your plumbing concerns including drain cleaning service, water heater installation, plumbing repair, and more.  Perfection Plumbing are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers on the Saskatoon Directory. In their latest plumbing tip, their topic is maintaining your home's pipes. 

Maintaining The Pipes In Your Home 

Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not important. Case in point: your plumbing. From the hot water in your shower to the water you use in your sprinkler, your plumbing system should facilitate the water flow you need at the time you need it.

It needs a little help from you, however, in the way of maintenance. Take care of plumbing as you would other parts of your home. Not sure where to begin? Follow a few simple tips.

Think Twice About Chemical Drain Cleaners

While these products promise to make quick work of blockages, they may also make quick work of your pipes as well. Just read the ingredients and warnings on the label; drain-cleaning products use harsh chemicals that can erode your drain pipes. Moreover, they typically don’t remove the entire blockage. The best way to address a blocked pipe is to call on trusted plumbers in Saskatoon who will use specialized tools to fix the problem once and for all.

Watch What You Flush Down the Drain

Of course, the best way to address plumbing problems is to avoid causing them in the first place. In this vein, watch what you flush down the drain. Some of the things you should avoid flushing down the toilet include diapers, which can cause blockages in the drain. In the kitchen, make sure only small food scraps are processed by your food disposal unit. Ideally, you should also install a screen over the drains in your shower and tubs to catch clog-causing hair and other debris.

Prepare for Winter

Since pipes are made of metals, they expand—and potentially burst—during the winter. Prevent this by insulating the pipes in crawl spaces and in your garage. Likewise, apply an insulating cap on your outdoor faucets used for hoses and sprinklers. By taking these necessary precautions, you avoid burst pipes that can wreak tremendous water damage to your home and belongings.

Address Problems Early

Is your tap spouting less water than normal? Is your water heater turning on and off repeatedly? Is the pipe under your sink leaking? If you answered “yes” to any of these common plumbing problems, be sure to take action immediately. A minor niggle that you address ASAP can save you from a ton of headaches—and a hefty repair bill—down the line.

Indeed, plumbing is one of the most important yet often neglected aspects of your home. By following these tips, you can help prolong the life of your plumbing and prevent costly repairs. If you need expert help in addressing whatever problems you encounter, get in touch with a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing contractor immediately.

Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. is a premier provider of quality drain cleaning and plumbing services in Saskatoon, SK. They are the company of choice to handle all of your plumbing concerns including drain cleaning service, water heater installation, plumbing repair, and more.  Perfection Plumbing are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers on the Saskatoon Directory and in their latest Saskatoon Plumbing tips they share reasons why you should fix leaky pipes. 

4 Reasons To Fix Leaky Pipes

So often, it’s the littlest of things that can cause the biggest problems. Consider leaking pipes, for example. There are many reasons why a pipe might leak, such as physical damage to the pipes or loose connections. There are many ways that even a small leak can wreak serious damage to your home in general. Following are just some of the dire consequences a dripping pipe may pose.

Floor Damage

Because of gravity, water will always find its way to the ground. So, when a pipe leaks, the floor bears the brunt of the damage. In the case of tiled floors, for instance, the tiles may loosen from the moisture. If your floors consist of hardwoods, the material might become discoloured or even warped when exposed to water. As you might expect, replacing your floor can be quite expensive, with experts pegging it at around $1,000-$1,500.

Slip-and-Fall Hazard

Did you know that falling injuries account for about eight million emergency room visits per year? When your floor is wet, as from a leaking pipe, the chances of you or someone else being injured from a slip or fall spikes considerably. This risk is especially high in the bathroom or kitchen where floors often consist of tiles, which become extra slippery when wet.

Risk of Fires and Electrocution

There are some things in life that simply don’t mix, chief among them water and electricity. When water contacts the circuitry, it can cause an appliance to spark and potentially create a flame that starts a fire. Even if in the absence of a flame, your home’s inhabitants risk electrocution from water-soaked circuitry leading to appliances and other electronics around the home. Because it can short out your appliances, they must then be replaced. Your insurance may or may not cover such instances. You, therefore, put your finances at risk by not attending to a leak in time.

Mold Infestation

Besides potential damage to your home and the risk of electrocution, a leaking pipe can wreak consequences more gradual in terms of your health. Leaks in pipes often occur in dark, out-of-reach or out-of-sight places, which are ideal spots for mold infestations. Inhaling the spores from these fungi can lead to allergic reactions or aggravate conditions such as asthma. Ridding your home of this menace can require great expense as can treating the illnesses caused by mold.

Unless you possess experience in plumbing, specifically repairing a leak, this is something best left to a pro. If you suspect a leak in your plumbing, be sure to contact a Saskatoon Saskatoon plumbing contractor immediately.

Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. is a premier provider of quality drain cleaning and plumbing services in Saskatoon, SK. They are the company of choice to handle all of your plumbing concerns including drain cleaning service, water heater installation, plumbing repair, and more.  Perfection Plumbing are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers on the Saskatoon Directory and in their latest Saskatoon plumbing tip they share their trusted advice on keeping hot water tanks in good condition

Keep Your Hot Water Tanks in Good Condition

Many integral parts of your home’s plumbing system demand proper maintenance. One of the most costly, if you’re not careful about its maintenance, is the hot water tank. Fortunately, you can avoid any pricey dilemma by learning about your water tank’s operation and understanding how to take care of it.

Know What Type of Tank You Have

Several types of water tanks exist these days. Some of the most common include natural gas, electric, and propane. It’s important to know what type you use at home because different types require different repair methods.

If something breaks down, you can tell the repair specialist the type of unit in your home so that the experts can bring along the right tools. You can assist them further by writing down the model and the serial number of your tank. This way, the chances of a mix-up will be minimized and the repair technician can complete the work quickly. This coding information is also needed in case your model is under warranty or you want the exact model as a replacement under warranty or otherwise.

Understand How to Turn off the Water

Whenever you encounter an issue with hot water tanks, always turn off the water first. Every model is different, so, you need to practice in advance. This prepares you for emergency scenarios such as a leaking water heater or the presence of gas. Most shut-off valves are located near the water heater.

Consider keeping the necessary specialized tools near this shut-off valve. So, when you’re short on time and something drastic happens, you’ll know exactly where to look and don’t have to second-guess your actions.

Identify Warning Signs of a Failing Hot Water Tank

Like all household appliances, hot water tanks are not designed to last forever. No matter what you do in terms of maintenance, there’s going to be a time when you have to say goodbye and get a new unit. Most units last an average of 10 years.

Other than age, some clear warning signs indicating your tank is failing,  includes rusty water and rumbling noises. Signs of rust usually indicate the tank is rusting from the inside. You should act fast to prevent any harm to your family.

Over time, water begins to harden in your tank, settles and turns into sediment. This sediment then causes your tank to make loud noises. Not only does this mean your tank is not working as efficiently as it should, but it may cause severe damage to the internal components of your tank.

If you have done all you can to keep your hot water tanks in good condition and they still need repair, talk to a repair specialist. Let them inspect your unit to see if it can be salvaged or if a new tank is the best option for your household.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants and in their latest accounting tip, they answer a client question about how the new Climate Action Incentive ( CAI) (commonly referred to as the carbon tax rebate) program works. 

Climate Action Incentive (CAI) 

Recently a client emailed us to ask a few questions before they dropped off their 2019 personal tax information. This particular client has been in a common law relationship for 7 years and has 3 children from a previous relationship.  

The CAI Question: 

Greetings Roseline, I'm going to drop off my information tomorrow, but I just wanted to ask about the new Federal ECO/Carbon Tax rebate program/ incentive - how is it decided , how is it calculated and who receives it? 

The Answer 

What About Other Family Circumstances? 

The amount for a single parent's qualified dependant:

To claim the CAI payment for a single parent’s qualified dependant, on December 31, 2018, you must:

• not be married or in a common-law partnership, and
• have a child (or dependant) who meets all the conditions of a qualified dependant.

Shared custody

Only one claim for a CAI payment can be made per child. The payment cannot be split between parents.

Supplement for residents of small and rural communities

To claim the supplement for residents of small and rural communities, you must have resided outside of a census metropolitan area (CMA) on December 31, 2018.

Contact Hounjet Tastad Harpham today if you have any further questions related to CAI. 

Hounjet Tastad Harpham Services:

• Corporate Accounting 
• Farm Corporate Accounting
• Personal Accounting

If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountant for your personal taxes or business accounting needs, contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

Hounjet Tastad Harpham are Trusted Saskatoon Accountants

 Is Your Roof Leaking or Is It Condensation?

There are basically 3 types of roof “leaks” which are detailed below. The solution to your roof moisture issues depends on what type of “leak” it is. If you notice excessive moisture during extreme temperature changes, and not when it rains, then the moisture probably isn’t a roof leak. The following information should help determine what issues you might be experiencing and what you can do to alleviate condensation.

• The first type is where water is leaking through the roof system while it is raining. This could include leaks due to damaged or deteriorated shingles, improper installation of the shingles or poor/failed flashing details at penetrations and walls. It may even be due to damaged window sills, improper siding installations or severe wind driven rain. These are external leaks which can usually be inspected and repaired by a roofer

• The second type of “leak” is caused by ice dams. This is not workmanship related. The best way to prevent or reduce ice dams is to eliminate or reduce the amount of warm air that is escaping into the attic and melting snow on the roof to the point where it creates glacier-like ice build up. Another temporary solution is to remove the snow from the roof before it can turn into ice and penetrate the roof system.

• The third type of “leak” is caused by condensation or frost buildup in the attic. This is not workmanship related or an actual roof leak. To prevent frost & condensation from developing in your attic you must eliminate or reduce the amount of air leakage into the attic as well as improve insulation & ventilation to allow moist air to escape the roof.

What is Condensation?

Condensation comes from the moisture in the air and is caused by too much moisture in the air for a certain temperature. Condensation forms when warm, moist air touches a surface that is colder than the dew point of the warm air. As that air becomes colder and its temperature drops below its dew point, it must release excess moisture to reach its new, lower dew point. It releases moisture in the form of water, which appears on the colder surface.

There are many things in our homes that put moisture into the air. Normal breathing and perspiration add 3 pints of water to the air every day for each person in your home. In fact, every activity that uses water adds more moisture to the air including cooking, taking showers, dishwashing, and doing laundry. Condensation is more apt to occur in climates where the average temperature is 35º F or colder. Condensation is a common sign of inadequate insulation and/or ventilation.

Condensation in the Home - A Warning Sign

Condensation is usually first noticed on your windows and skylights because they are the most visible areas of your house. While it’s natural to blame the windows, you shouldn’t always. Window and skylight condensation is the result of excess humidity in your home. And the glass only provides a visible cold surface on which humidity can condense. This could be a sign that your excessive indoor humidity is causing damage elsewhere in places you cannot see, such as: your walls, ceilings, floors, and your attic roof. Excessive indoor humidity can cause blistering and peeling paint, warping and rotting wood, as well as the formation of mildew & mold.

During extremely cold temperatures, frost can build up on the underside of the roof sheeting (attic roof). Once the outdoor temperature rises, that frost melts and can mimic a leak. This “leak” can be excessive when the temperatures dramatically change, as is common during our Alaskan winters. Frost build up is most common above heat sources such as light fixtures, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, bathrooms, fans, and improperly vented exhaust fans. When the frost melts, this “leak” is most commonly found dripping out of those heat sources.

High ceiling beams and cathedral ceilings with water spots can be confused with an active leak, when in fact it is a result of condensation.

If you have ever noticed a lot of icicles hanging from the edge of your roof, chances are your house is leaking significant (and expensive) amounts of air and heat into the attic.

Controlling Indoor Humidity

Most new homes are now made tighter than ever. They are well insulated and no longer "breath" on their own. Both insulation and ventilation should be addressed to control condensation. Steps must be taken to ventilate the house, allowing moisture and humidity to escape. 

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO CONTROL THE HUMIDITY IN YOUR HOME INCLUDE:

• Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, as well as dryer vents, should never be discharged into the attic space, always discharge outside. You may have an
  adequately ventilated attic, but this won’t matter if the bathroom exhaust fan dumps warm moist air directly into the attic space. This will result in condensed water vapour freezing onto cold attic materials, which will eventually thaw creating wet attic materials resulting in damage in the attic and inside the home.

• Installing exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

• Controlling or covering other sources of humidity (radiator water pans, fish tanks, large numbers of plants, etc.)

• Installing a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are an inexpensive way to reduce the moisture in your home. Highly recommended in vaulted roofs with a loft.

• Opening fireplace damper.

• Ventilating the crawl space or basement: Install foundation vents or leave a basement window cracked in the fall or early winter to ventilate your basement or crawl space.

• Research shows keeping the attic air temperature below freezing when the outside air temperature is in the low 20s can reduce the occurrence of ice dams. Proper attic ventilation is key to keeping the attic cool, while adequate and properly installed insulation is key to keeping your house warm. It is critical to keep soffit vents free from obstructions to allow the natural flow of cool outside air into the attic space to replace the warmer attic air that rises and flows outside ridge and/or roof vents. This flow of air will keep the attic cool and free of moisture build-up.

• Adding additional roof vents, such as box vents, turbine vents and ridge vents will also allow the warm air to escape the attic space and reduce condensation issues.