Benefits of a Humidifier for Your Furnace (Especially in Winter)

When winter falls in Toronto, it’s time to kick up the heat and make sure your family is comfortable. While your furnace may throw off a lot of heat and warm up your home, we often neglect to think about all the negative effects that dry heat has on our bodies.

We want to help you understand the importance of having a furnace humidifier and how installing one can ensure everyone stays nice and cozy this winter! Here, we’ll cover:

  1. Benefits of a humidifier in the winter
  2. Difference between furnace humidifiers and standalone humidifiers
  3. Types of furnace humidifiers: Bypass, Drum, Flow-Through and Whole-Home humidifiers
  4. What’s required to maintain a furnace humidifier
  5. How to install a furnace humidifier

Why Do You Need a Humidifier?

The winter air is dry, and it does quite a number on your respiratory system and skin. During the winter, we notice things like cracked skin, stuffy noses, sinus problems, and colds. These issues are due to the dry air outside but also from the dry air inside your home.

Having a furnace humidifier helps add moisture to the air, which makes your home more comfortable. The moist air can even help your house feel warmer while still burning the same amount of fuel.

Fluctuating levels of humidity in the home are not only harmful to your body, but it also wreaks havoc on your wood finishings. Too much humidity can lead to dry rot and mold.

There are many different types of humidifiers, so it’s essential to understand each one and how they differ.

The Difference Between Furnace Humidifiers and Stand-Alone Humidifiers

First things first: we want to make sure you don’t confuse furnace humidifiers with the traditional stand-alone ones.

Furnace humidifiers are installed into your HVAC system, so the air coming from your heating unit is humidified throughout the entire house.

A traditional, stand-alone humidifier plugs into a wall outlet and sits on the floor. These are the kind of humidifier you’ll find at stores like Costco or Canadian Tire.

Stand-alone humidifiers only expels the moist air directly from the vents on the unit. This means that the air around the humidifier has the most moisture, and the further you get from the unit, the dryer the air.

To humidify your home with stand-alone humidifiers, you would have to purchase a unit for nearly every room of your house. Not to mention they’re an eye-sore that take up floor space and adds to your electric bill as well!

Plus, stand-alone humidifiers require daily maintenance of filling and cleaning the water tanks. An HVAC humidifier would only require a check at the beginning and end of winter.

Furnace humidifiers require a bit more of an investment upfront, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial cost!

Types of Furnace Humidifiers

There are three primary types of furnace humidifiers: bypass/drum-style humidifiers, flow-through units, and whole-home humidifiers.

Bypass/Drum Humidifiers

These install directly to your HVAC system, and they act as a moisture supply to your furnace blower.

When the hot air blows through the bypass, it runs through a rotating wet pad. These must get connected to your home’s water supply, and they usually have a humidistat.

You set the humidistat to the desired humidity, and when the sensor drops below that level, the unit kicks in!

Flow-Through Unit

This unit does require a water supply, so there is less maintenance but a higher cost.

For these, the unit will detect the level of humidity in your home and kick on when necessary. When the humidifier comes on, it will draw water from your main supply to soak a water panel. The hot air will pass through the water panel and supply moisture to the home through your ducts. These humidifiers have no stagnant water for the pad to run through.

Whole-Home Steam Humidifier

These humidifiers work separately or with your furnace. They hook up to your home’s water supply, and the water is heated. When the humidistat determines that the humidity is below your desired level, it kicks on.

The humidifier will heat the water and convert it to steam and then pass it through your home using the ducts. This choice is most useful for larger homes and people looking for the best long-term solution to dry air.

Installing a Furnace Humidifier

Installing a furnace humidifier does require a certain level of knowledge and skill. Installation instructions come with the units. Drum style and flow-through units install on your home’s bypass duct so they can use the supply plenum to draw air.

For many furnace humidifiers, we recommend hiring a professional to take care of the job. Humidifiers run on 24 or 120 or 240-volts, which can require an extra circuit in your electrical panel. As we said, the upfront cost is minimal when you look at the long-term benefits and lack of necessary maintenance on these units.

Additionally, in many cases, you must hire a professional in order to maintain the humidifier’s warranty. Installing the unit yourself can leave you without coverage in the event of a problem!

Furnace Humidifier Maintenance

Although they don’t require as much day-to-day maintenance, furnace humidifiers do benefit from service from time to time. Basic furnace humidifier maintenance includes:

  • Checking pads or panels for sediment build-up at least once per year.
  • Cleaning the entire unit once per year.
  • For whole-house humidifiers, having a professional check the heating element every few years.

Overall, maintenance of a furnace humidifier is limited as long as you keep up with the unit and the beginning and end of the winter season.

How to Know If Your Sump Pump is Working Properly

We know how easy it is to let your home’s plumbing fall by the wayside, especially when everything seems to be flowing smoothly. But it’s quite important to have your plumbing system checked every now and then, even when nothing appears to be wrong.

That’s especially true of your sump pump.

You might not use it very often, but performing regular maintenance and replacing your sump pump when necessary can spare you hundreds or thousands of dollars in water damage. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about sump pumps: what they are, how they work, what types are available and how long they last.

  • What a sump pump is and how it works
  • How do I know if my home has a sump pump?
  • What kind of sump pump do I need?
  • How long does a sump pump last?
  • Why a sump pump is important for the value of your home
  • Can I install a sump pump myself?

Start by answering the question, “What is a sump pump?”

What a Sump Pump Is and How It Works

A sump pump is an electrical appliance designed to drain groundwater from outside the wall of your basement or crawl space, and keep the space dry. Basically, it prevents flooding in and around the foundation of your home.

It’s actually a pretty simple device. The pump is installed in a pit in your basement (called the sump). When it detects water in the sump, the pump activates and pumps the water away from your house through a network of pipes.

Your sump pump may run rarely or often, depending on the moisture in the soil around your house. It only runs when water needs to be drained.

Things that affect how often your sump pump runs include the slope of the ground around your house and the depth of groundwater in your area.

How Do I Know if My Home Has a Sump Pump?

If your home was built before the 1980s, it probably was not built with a sump pump. However, it may have had one installed later on.

Homes built during the 80s and later that have a basement likely do have a sump pump. If your house is on a crawlspace, you’ll need to look to see if a sump pump is there.

Note the houses built on a slab typically do not have sump pumps.

To identify a sump pump in your home, look around your basement or crawlspace for a formed pit or hole in the floor with a pipe that comes out of it and exits the house.

What Kind of Sump Pump Do I Need?

Sump pumps are categorised by the amount of water they can displace, and they come in a variety of outputs. Typically, homes in Toronto do well with a ⅓ horsepower pump.

Additionally, you’ll see sump pumps in these styles:

  • Pedestal—Good for smaller pits when there isn’t sufficient room for a submersible pump.
  • Submersible—Sits below water level, inside the sump basin, and is quieter, less obtrusive, and safer than pedestal pumps. These are standard sump pumps and they are more efficient and longer-lasting than alternatives.

How Long Does a Sump Pump Last?

Speaking of longevity, a typical submersible sump pump lasts about 10 years. Although your sump pump may run into problems as time goes on, many of them can be avoided through regular maintenance.

Why a Sump Pump is Important for the Value of Your Home

A sump pump is a fast, safe, and reliable way to protect your home from water damage. With the increase in springtime flooding in the Greater Toronto Area, you must make sure your sump pump is ready to help when you need it. So don’t wait until flooding season is upon us to have yours checked out!

Can I Install a Sump Pump Myself?

Some homeowners have successfully installed a replacement sump pump once their current pump has passed its effective date. However, with that in mind, consider the benefits of hiring a professional instead of taking the DIY approach:

  • The work gets done faster.
  • We already have all the parts and materials needed to get the work done.
  • We can help you determine which type of pump is best for your home.
  • We will know what size of pit needs to be made relative to the size of the sump pump.
  • We’ll ensure that the pit is properly sealed to keep dirt and debris out of the pump.
  • Finally, our professional plumbers can offer you tips to keep your sump pump in good condition and your home’s foundation dry.

With nearly 25 years in the plumbing business and over 85 years serving the Greater Toronto Area, our licensed and certified plumbers will go the extra mile to make sure you’re protected from flooding and water damage. Call us or get in touch with us online to learn more about maintenance or installation of your own sump pump.

Must-Know Facts About Kitec Plumbing: Recall, Lawsuit & Repair Costs

After January 9, 2020, you can no longer get compensation for the cost of replacing defective Kitec plumbing. You will have to pay out of pocket, which could easily amount to several thousand dollars down the drain.

But there is still time to make sure you get reimbursed for having these faulty pipes removed from your home. The sooner you act, the less you risk having to open your wallet later.

If you want to talk to our certified technician immediately you can call this number: 647-952-2012. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about Kitec Plumbing.

You know those bright, blue and orange pipes running from your water heater? Bad news: those colourful water lines could be a flood waiting to happen…and the time to replace them is quickly running out.

Kitec plumbing systems, which were recalled due to defects back in 2005, were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes across Canada – including many thousands here in the Greater Toronto Area.

Depending on the size of your house, the cost to replace defective Kitec plumbing could range in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Kitec is not an issue to take lightly, but don’t panic. There are several ways you can recoup the cost of replacing Kitec in your home through your insurance company, plumbing installer, or the ongoing Kitec class action lawsuit.

We’ll help you understand everything you need to know about Kitec systems in your home, including how to join the Kitec class action lawsuit.

  1. Quick Facts About Kitec
  2. What is Kitec Plumbing?
  3. How Do I Know if There’s Kitec Plumbing in My Home?
  4. How Much Does It Cost to Replace Kitec Plumbing?
  5. Can I Be Compensated For Kitec Plumbing in Canada?

Quick Facts About Kitec

  • Installed as plumbing and heating piping in Canada and the United States between 1995 and 2007.
  • Identified by a bright blue or orange colour and the label ASTM 1281.
  • Sold under the brand names Kitec, PlumbBetter, IPEX AQUA, WarmRite, Kitec XPA, AmbioComfort, XPA, KERR Controls, Plomberie Améliorée.
  • Recalled in 2005 due to failure of pipes and fittings, costing millions of homeowners thousands of dollars in catastrophic water damage.
  • Cost to replace Kitec plumbing depends mainly on the size of the house but typically costs upward of $2,000.
  • Homeowners with Kitec installations are entitled to get money from a $125 million settlement but time to claim that money is running out. You can join a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer IPEX. The deadline to join is January 9, 2020.

What Is Kitec Plumbing?

Kitec was the “go-to” pipe used in plumbing and heating installations between 1995 and 2007. It was manufactured by a company called IPEX Inc. which still exists to this day.

Kitec is a composite plumbing material made from five layers of metal, plastics and resin adhesives, with brass fittings.

The outermost plastic layer is usually colour-coded to indicate hot water (bright orange) or cold water (bright blue). The label ‘ASTM 1281’ is printed on the outer layer in black lettering.

Starting in the late 1990s, Kitec was marketed as a cost-effective alternative to copper pipe that was also much easier to install. IPEX Inc. and its distributor sold Kitec plumbing under the names Kitec, PlumbBetter, IPEX AQUA, WarmRite, Kitec XPA, AmbioComfort, XPA, KERR Controls, Plomberie Améliorée.

Kitec caught on big time. And why not? It was cheap, simple, and at first appeared to work just as well as traditional copper piping.

Of course, it wasn’t long before things started to go south.

Homeowners across Canada and the United States began to report numerous problems with Kitec pipes:

  • Despite layers of protective plastic and resin, both the aluminum layer of the pipes and the brass fittings had a tendency to corrode quickly.
  • Kitec fittings contained very high levels of zinc, which reacted with the chemical composition of Kitec and leached minerals into the pipe. This caused the fittings to degrade quickly and a build up of zinc oxide that restricted the flow of water.
  • The plastic and aluminum layers expanded and contracted with temperature changes, weakening over time until the pipe burst.

These defective pipes caused millions of dollars in damage in a very short period of time. Not only did people have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to have their pipes replaced, but many were also left with extensive water damage, structural deficiencies, electrical problems and black mould.

In 2005, Kitec plumbing was recalled across North America. Unfortunately, some plumbing and heating contractors continued to install Kitec plumbing for years afterward, so there are homes built as recently as 2007 which contain Kitec.

Many contractors and homeowners have been proactive in removing Kitec plumbing before it inevitably fails. There’s no telling exactly how many people live in homes that still use Kitec today…and unfortunately, many of them don’t even realize it’s a flood just waiting to happen.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Talk to a licenced and certified plumber about having your Kitec plumbing replaced now while there’s still time to claim compensation for your trouble.

How Do I Know if There’s Kitec Plumbing in My Home?

Although Kitec pipes were sold under many names, they almost all have a few things in common that makes Kitec relatively easy to identify:

  1. Colour. Most Kitec pipes are either bright orange or bright blue. Ironically, this was originally one of its selling points, since it helped people distinguish their hot and cold water lines. Now, it helps us know which pipes need to go.
  2. Number. The label ‘ASTM 1281’is printed on the outer layer of Kitec pipes.
  3. Age. Knowing when the pipes were installed is also helpful, since most installations occurred during or after 1997 and no later than 2007.

One easy way to tell if your home has Kitec plumbing is to look at the pipes leading from your water heater. You can also check under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.

If you’re still not sure whether your home has Kitec, the best thing to do is to call a plumber now.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace Kitec Plumbing?

The cost to replace Kitec plumbing in Ontario really depends on the size of your house.

It’s difficult to pin down the cost of an ‘average’ Kitec replacement job because Kitec was installed in so many different types of homes: bungalows, townhouses, multi-story homes, and many, many condominiums.

Given such a wide range of possibilities, we’re reluctant to provide a concrete estimate without knowing anything about your home. However, we can say that it often costs upward of $2,000. If you don’t submit a claim before January 9, 2020, you will need to pay these costs out of pocket.

Understand that even if your Kitec plumbing has not caused problems yet, you cannot count on it to last. Many thousands of homeowners have made that mistake and paid dearly for it.

Contact us now for fast answers to any questions you have about replacing Kitec.

Can I Be Compensated For Kitec Plumbing in Canada?

If there is Kitec installed in your home (or did before you had it replaced) you may be able to receive some compensation to help cover the cost of replacing your Kitec pipes if you act as soon as possible.

Your potential avenues for compensation include:

  1. The class-action lawsuit against IPEX Inc.
  2. Home insurance coverage
  3. Your plumbing contractor

Please know that the following is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should contact your legal counsel for advice on any specific legal issues and speak to a licensed and certified plumber regarding the Kitec plumbing in your home.

1. Join the Kitec Class Action Lawsuit

In 2012, the manufacturer of Kitec plumbing, IPEX Inc., entered into a class action lawsuit settlement for $125 million.

As part of this settlement, IPEX paid into a monetary fund will eventually be paid out to compensate homeowners and others who who had Kitec installations.

Homeowners in Canada who make a claim before January 2020 are eligible for 50% of the average cost to repair or replace Kitec piping and fittings.

To join the Kitec class action lawsuit:

  1. Visit the Kitec Settlement website. This site is run by the law firm representing the claimants.
  2. Find out if you are eligible to make a claim.
  3. Follow the instructions on the site to request and complete a claim form.

Unfortunately, even if you are eligible, there’s no way of knowing how much money you can or will receive from this settlement. Since there is a limited amount in the settlement fund, the amount that each claimant receives will depend on the number of claimants in total.

The deadline to file a claim is January 2020. Contact us to book your Kitec plumbing replacement today.

2. Make a Home Insurance Claim

Depending on the terms of your home insurance policy, you may be covered in the event of a flood caused by burst or leaking Kitec piping in your home.

Some home insurers have been willing to cover all or part of the cost to replace Kitec piping to avoid having to eventually pay out a claim for water damage.

However, this is not true of all home insurers.

Some insurers, when informed that your home has Kitec, will require that you replace it in order to keep your coverage…but not cover the cost of that replacement. Others will increase your insurance premiums if you do not have the Kitec plumbing replaced yourself.

In any case, it’s important to familiarize yourself with what your home insurance does and doesn’t cover when it comes to water damage.

3. Reach Out to Your Plumbing Contractor

When Kitec was recalled back in 2005, contractors who had installed Kitec were required to inform people of the recall.

If your contractor never bothered to inform you, they could be on the hook for the cost of replacing it.

However, since many homes with Kitec were purchased and sold before the recall, it’s not always easy to track down the contractor and hold them responsible.

What to Do If Your Home Has Kitec Plumbing

The first step will be to confirm that your home does, in fact, have Kitec. A licensed and certified plumber can do that in no time.

Next, you’ll want to have the plumbing assessed for any immediate risks. This will help you figure out the timeline for replacement and whether it is worth making interim repairs.

In the meantime, it’s also imperative that you know exactly how to turn off your water main in the event of a burst pipe. This is something we think every homeowner should know, but when you’re dealing with Kitec, you cannot take any chances.

You don’t have to deal with this alone. If you have any questions about Kitec piping and how it affects you, call us at 647-952-2012 or reach out to us online by filling out the form below.

Learn More About Kitec Plumbing Today

We’ll respond to your request within 2 hours during regular business hours. For emergency service, please call 647-952-2012.

How to Protect Your Home From a Sewer Backup Using a Backwater Valve

Sewer backup is one of the last things you ever want to happen to your home. It’s nauseating just to imagine.

But sewer backups do happen…and truth be told, they’re happening more and more frequently in our neck of the woods.

Fortunately, you can greatly reduce the risk of a sanitary sewer backup in your home using a device designed for this exact purpose called a backwater valve.

In fact, backwater valves are so effective in preventing sewer backup that many municipalities and insurance companies will pay you hundreds or thousands of dollars to help cover the cost of installing one.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your home from a sewer backup! Here, we’ll lay out one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce your risk.

Am I At Risk of a Sewer Backup?

The short answer is this: if your home is connected to a sewer, it is possible for sewage to backup into your home.

The pipe that connects your home to the underground sewer pipes is called the sanitary sewer lateral.  Everything you flush down the toilet or pour down the drain eventually makes its way into that pipe, and from there, into the municipal sewer system.

Ordinarily, the sewer lateral is a one-way street. But when the sewer system receives more water than it can handle, the water can move backwards up the pipe toward your house.

In a worse case scenario, sewage can even come into your home through any of your basement fixtures: the floor drain, toilet, sink, or even your washing machine. Next thing you know, there’s sewage spilling onto your basement floor.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing this happen more often now that urban flooding has become so common. It’s not only urban Toronto that’s affected – just look at how flooding has hit Stratford, Orangeville and other cities on the outskirts of the GTA in recent years.

But the scary thing is, sewer backup can occur even when there hasn’t been any flooding! It can also happen at any time of year if there’s a major sewer blockage downstream.

Sewer backups don’t happen terribly often, but when they do, they can cause significant  property damage. The damage can extend to your:

  • Basement drains and plumbing fixtures
  • Flooring, carpeting and drywall
  • Electronics and belongings stored in the basement
  • Furnace and water heater units
  • Home’s foundation and structure

Even one of these items could cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace, and then there’s the items that are irreplaceable.

What Is a Backwater Valve?

A backwater valve, also known as a check valve or backflow prevention valve, can effectively stop sewage from backing up into your basement. It is a one-way valve that allows wastewater to flow out of your home into the sewer system, but not the other way around.

When sewage comes back up the pipe toward the house, the flow automatically forces the valve shut. It will only reopen when the water level drops back down. This simple mechanism works requires no electricity and minimal maintenance, so it’ll continue to protect you even in a blackout or when you’re away from home.

Some newer houses are sold with a backwater valve already installed, but most are not. Call us if you need help finding the backwater valve in your home.

Installing a Backwater Valve: What You Need to Know

For those of us who live in flood-prone areas, a backwater valve might seem like a perfect solution to a growing problem. However, installing a backwater valve isn’t as simple as replacing a few pipes.

Here are a few things to consider when you’re thinking of having one installed:

  1. When the backwater valve closes, you can’t use your plumbing system as you normally would.
    You’ll have to avoid showering, flushing the toilet, using the washing machine or dishwasher, or putting anything until conditions return to normal. Consider having an alarm installed so you’ll always know when the valve is shut.
  2. You’ll need to apply for a permit before you install one.
    Paperwork and permit fees may apply.
  3. Installing a backwater valve is a big job.
    The installer will have to cut out part of your basement floor to service your sanitary sewer lateral. The valve must be installed just outside of the point where the lateral exits your home. You will also need to account for your home’s weeping tile.
  4. Your backwater valve will require some maintenance.
    Otherwise, it could fail when you need it most. A licensed plumber should check to ensure the valve is sealing properly and free of blockages once a year.

Call us or reach out to us online to find out whether a backwater valve is right for your home.

Backwater Valve Subsidies

With the rise in urban flooding events, many municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area have begun offering subsidies to help homeowners cover the cost of installing a backwater valve.

Need something we haven’t covered here? Call us or send us a message to learn more on the benefits of a backwater valve. We’re happy to help!