TL;DR: A small leak can run for days while you are away, and the damage grows every hour. Before any summer trip, close the main water shut-off valve, set your water heater to vacation mode, and work through the seven checks below. Ten minutes of prep protects your home until...
Unclog Your Kitchen Sink Without Chemicals
TL;DR: You can clear most kitchen sink clogs without chemicals using hot water, a plunger, baking soda and vinegar, or by cleaning the P-trap. Start with the gentlest method and work up. If water still backs up after the trap is clean, the blockage sits deeper and is worth a...
Prep Your Hoses and Taps for Patio Season
TL;DR Before connecting a hose this spring, turn your outdoor tap on full and cover the spout with your thumb. If you can stop the water, you may have a cracked pipe inside the wall. Inspect taps, hoses, and washers now to avoid leaks and burst pipes once patio season...
Going Away? Shut Off These Plumbing Risks
TL;DR: Before you head out for a trip, shut off your main water supply. Can't do that? At least close the lines to your washer, dishwasher, and toilets. A little leak that springs up while you're gone just keeps running, and it'll wreck your floors, cabinets, and drywall long before...
Hidden Water Leak? Your Meter Knows in 15 Min
TL;DR: Think you have a hidden leak? Your water meter will settle it in about 15 minutes. Shut off every tap and water-using appliance, write down the meter reading, then wait without touching the water. If the number moves, something is leaking out of sight. Key Takeaways The whole test...
5 DIY May Plumbing Fixes to Avoid Repairs
TL;DR: May's the right month to knock out five plumbing maintenance jobs that prevent expensive repairs later. Flush the water heater, test the sump pump, check washing machine hoses, look behind your outdoor spigots for hidden winter damage, and clean your faucet aerators. Do them now; they cost nothing. Skip...
Water Heater Noises: Popping, Rumbling, Hissing
TL;DR: Most water heater noises come down to one of three things: sediment buildup, pressure trouble, or a part that's failing. Popping and rumbling usually mean it's time for a flush, and you can handle that yourself. Hissing near the pressure relief valve is the one sound that means stop...
Rain Barrel Install Guide: Save Water This Summer
TL;DR Saving water and keeping your garden green this summer is surprisingly easy when you install a rain barrel to catch those spring showers. This simple weekend project takes minimal tools and gives you an eco-friendly way to water your plants. The team at South Surrey Plumbing has put together...
How Often to Test a Sump Pump? A 5-Minute Check
TL;DR Test your sump pump every three months, with an extra check before fall. It takes five minutes and a bucket of water. That's the best free basement insurance you can set up. Key Takeaways Quarterly testing is the minimum, with monthly checks during the wet season The Pacific Northwest...
5 Signs of Winter Pipe Damage to Check This Spring
Winter pipe damage is not always dramatic. It does not always look like a burst pipe or water pouring through the ceiling. A lot of the time, the first signs are smaller: a dripping outdoor tap, weaker water pressure, a musty smell, new pipe sounds, or a water bill that...