Lead in Drinking Water: Guide for Toronto, Halton and Peel Region

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Until recently, you might’ve thought that lead pipes were a thing of the past. But a recent investigation by Global News and The Toronto Star has served as a wake-up call to the fact that lead is still a very real concern here in the Greater Toronto Area.

The truth is, there are nearly 26,000 city-owned lead water pipes still underground in Toronto. There are even more lead pipes in service on private properties in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga and the surrounding regions.

You want to make sure your family’s water is safe. As certified plumbers, we have received a lot of calls about this in recent days. We want to help you by providing concrete information on this issue as it pertains to homeowners in the Region of Halton, Peel Region and the City of Toronto.

In this guide, we’ll discuss:

  1. Why people are suddenly talking about lead in drinking water
  2. How and why water becomes contaminated with lead in the first place
  3. What constitutes an unsafe level of lead in drinking water
  4. How to find out if there is lead in your home’s drinking water
  5. What you can do to protect yourself and your family

We will also provide links to sources with more information at the end of this article.

Why Is Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water Back In the News?

Until 1975, lead was commonly used as a material for plumbing pipes. Lead was also present in solder used to join pipes together until 1986, and could be found in faucets and plumbing fixtures and hardware as recently as 2014.

Although lead water pipes have been banned in Canada since the mid-70s, many thousands of lead pipes remain in service to this day. Fixtures and solder containing lead are also present in homes, schools and other buildings.

Recently, a group of Canadian journalists published the results of a Canada-wide investigation into the concentration of lead found in our drinking water. This has served as a wake-up call on the prevalence of lead in Ontario schools and daycares, one third of which tested for higher-than-recommended levels of lead.

The reports have also sparked renewed concerns about the possibility of lead turning up in the water we drink every day at home.

How Does Lead Get Into Drinking Water?

In Canada, lead rarely enters the water at its natural source (which in our region is Lake Ontario) or at a water treatment plant. In most cases, water becomes contaminated at some point between the water treatment and the tap due to aging lead pipes.

Like any metal, lead is prone to corrosion. When pipes and other plumbing materials containing lead begin to corrode, water can become contaminated with dissolved lead.

Lead can enter drinking water at various points between the treatment plant and the tap. It can seep in from a city-owned water supply line, a water line on private property, solder in a joint between pipes, a water valve, or a fixture like a faucet or drinking fountain.

The risk of lead contamination depends on many factors, including:

  • How long water stays in the pipe (stagnant water has longer exposure)
  • Temperature of the water (warm water is more corrosive than cold water)
  • Amount of lead in the pipe or fixture (whether they are ‘pure’ lead materials)
  • Water chemistry (soft water is more corrosive than hard water)
  • Types and amounts of minerals in the water

What Is Considered an Unsafe Amount of Lead?

Lead levels in drinking water are measured based on the amount of lead (in milligrams) found in a one-litre water sample.

On March 25, 2019, Health Canada updated the federal guideline for lead in drinking water from 0.010 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L, reducing the acceptable concentration of lead in half.

As of November 2019, the guidelines in Ontario have not been brought in line with the federal guidelines. In Ontario, a concentration of 0.010 mg/L is still considered acceptable.

However. Health Canada and the CDC agree that there is no “safe” level of lead when it comes to babies, children and developing fetuses. Lead exposure, even at low levels, can interfere with brain development.

How Can I Find Out If There is Lead in My Home’s Water?

Houses built before 1975 are at a higher risk of lead contamination because they are more likely to have lead plumbing. If your home is 50 years old or more, it is also possible that the water supply line from the city to your home is made of lead.

Houses built as late as 1986 could also be exposed to lead through lead-based solder used in water pipes. Additionally, any metal plumbing fixtures installed in Canada before 2014 could contain as much as 8% lead.

To find out if your drinking water contains unsafe concentrations of lead:

1. Contact a Licensed and Certified Plumber

The most efficient and accurate way to get answers about your home’s drinking water. A licensed and certified plumber can inspect your plumbing system for lead and offer a variety of solutions if your home is discovered to have lead pipes.

2. Inspect Your Pipes

Lead pipes are not easy to spot at first glance if you don’t have much experience with plumbing. However, there are a few things you can do to try and determine if a specific pipe is made of lead:

  • Lead is non-ferrous, so pure lead pipes will not attract a magnet.
  • Lead is easy to scratch with a knife or key.
  • Lead is a dull grey colour, but fresh scratches will appear silvery.

Keep in mind that the majority of your home’s plumbing system is ‘invisible’ − hidden behind walls, beneath floorboards and under the ground. Just because you cannot see any lead pipes doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

3. Have Your Water Tested

An accredited laboratory that is licensed to test for lead can test a sample of your water for a fee.

Depending on where you live and the age of your house, you may also be eligible for free water testing through your regional government.

  • Toronto: If your home was built before the mid-1950s, you can submit a water sample to the City for free testing
  • Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon: You can call or email the Region to request a free lead water test.
  • Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills: If your home was built before 1990, you can ask Halton Region to test for lead levels from your indoor tap for free.

If you’re worried about your drinking water, we recommend installing a reverse osmosis filtration system. It removes 99% of all common chemical contaminants, bacteria and sediment. You’ll be prepared for any drinking water issue that comes to light.

How Can I Protect My Family from Lead?

We understand how stressful it is to question whether your water is safe to drink. Here are several concrete solutions you can take immediately, in the near future, and in the long term to protect your family.

What To Do Right Now

  • Do NOT boil water before drinking it if you suspect it contains lead. Because water evaporates during boiling, this actually increase the concentration of lead in the water.
  • If water has not been used for several hours, run each tap until it becomes colder (for 30 seconds to 2 minutes) before drinking or cooking. This flushes the line and can reduce the concentration of lead by up to 90%.
  • If you have a baby who is on formula, use ready-to-drink formula instead of formula that must be prepared with water.

What To Do Next

What To Do Eventually

  • Have any lead pipes or fixtures containing lead removed and replaced. Although a reverse osmosis filter can ensure that your water is safe according to Health Canada’s guidelines, repiping is the only way to guarantee that all sources of lead are removed from your water supply.

More Information

To book a same-day or next-day plumbing inspection for your home in the Greater Toronto Area, call (905) 829-1296 or get in touch online. Our plumbing technicians can quickly determine whether your home’s plumbing system is safe.

We can also install a reverse osmosis filtration system, which removes traces of lead and 99% of all common chemical contaminants, bacteria and sediment from your drinking water. With a reverse osmosis system, you can rest assured that your family is safe from exposure to lead from household plumbing or city-owned water lines.

For more information about lead contamination in drinking water:

To find out if you are eligible to have your water tested for free by the City or Region:

 

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

AtlasCare Announced Title Sponsor of Golf Fore MS Peel-Dufferin

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September might just be our favourite month of the year.

Granted, it marks the bittersweet end of the summer season (and the start of six to eight months of cruel weather.) But it also brings us one of the single most anticipated events on the AtlasCare calendar: the annual Golf Fore MS Classic.

This year’s event takes place on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019, at the Royal Ontario Golf Club. We know many of you have already secured your spot in the tournament – but if not, you can still register as a participant today.

We’re counting down the days and can’t wait to see you there! In the meantime, here’s a bit of background on what makes this event so special to the AtlasCare team.

What Is the Golf Fore MS Classic?

Golf Fore MS is an annual charity golf tournament organized by the Peel-Dufferin Chapter of the MS Society of Canada. The funds raised here go towards supporting two very important causes: researching the cause, cure and treatment of MS, and helping people in our community who are affected by MS.

Each September, Golf Fore MS takes place at the beautiful Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton, located just off Trafalgar Road. The tournament kicks off at 8 am and continues into the early afternoon, with plenty of food and refreshments to go around.

For those of you who aren’t the best golfers, you still have a chance to win other fun awards, like the Best Dressed Foursome!

This event is one of the Peel Dufferin Chapter’s biggest and most important fundraisers. In 2018, the Peel Dufferin Chapter contributed close to $55,000 towards funding MS research and provided $60,000 worth of support to individuals living with MS!

AtlasCare continues to be a lead organizer, title sponsor and eager participant in the Golf Fore MS tournament.

Why AtlasCare Supports the MS Society

Charity is at the core of our company culture, and MS is a cause that is very close to our hearts.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is classified as an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.) The disease impacts the function of nerve impulses, resulting in a variety of symptoms that have numerous impacts on daily living.

Many people who have MS experience unpredictable remissions and relapses, alternating between manageable periods and difficult ones. You don’t really know when it’ll come knocking at your door. For others, MS is a progressive condition that steadily worsens over time, and it is common for people to gradually transition from one type of MS to another.

Researchers aren’t certain what causes MS, but they do know that Canadians have the highest rate of MS in the world. There are over 77,000 Canadians living with MS today, including people here at home in the GTA.

Multiple Sclerosis has personally affected the Grochmal family twice. Roger Grochmal lost his first wife, Kathy (Michael’s mother) to the disease in 2003, and Michael’s mother-in-law also passed away from MS in 2012.

The MS Society of Canada provides information, support, educational events and other resources for people and families living with MS across Canada. The organization also contributes millions of dollars to research, leading to significant breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment since 1948.

Our local Peel-Dufferin Chapter provides education sessions and webinars, facilitates self-help groups, and provides quality-of-life grants to individuals. Last year, the Chapter contributed $60,000 to help 80 people in the Peel Dufferin area purchase important equipment like wheelchairs, walkers and lifts.

How You Can Support Golf Fore MS

  1. Turn out and play in the tournament! We promise you’ll have an absolute blast. Flip to page 50 of our Culture Book to see what you’d be missing.
  2. Make even more of an impact leading up to the Golf Fore MS Classic by asking your friends, family and co-workers to support your day on the course!
  3. Can’t make it on the 25th? You can still donate to support other participants. Pick your favourite team and help them race to the top!
  4. Become a Golf Fore MS Sponsor! If you miss the opportunity to sponsor this year’s event, you can always plan to do so next year.
  5. Help spread the word about the event on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or wherever you like to hang out!

We’re grateful for your support and can’t wait to see you on the green!

What Happens to Your Furnace When Your Home is Under Construction

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Construction is, by nature, a messy process. You can’t build a house without making some dust. Not to mention sawdust, drywall dust, paint fumes, glue vapour…and all sorts of airborne particles you wouldn’t ever want to breathe in

What you might not know that it isn’t good for your HVAC equipment, either.

We hope this article helps shine a light on an issue that every Ontario homeowner should know about.

What Happens to Your Furnace When Your Home’s Under Construction

Heating and cooling technicians warn you not to run your furnace or air conditioner while you’re renovating your home. Construction dust can enter the system through the return air vents and accumulate inside, clogging your equipment and causing significant strain.

The worst culprit of all is drywall dust. If drywall dust gets in your furnace, it can quickly clog the secondary coil, infiltrate the motor and eat away at the bearings inside of the blower fan assembly.

Not to mention the state of your air ducting once it’s been blasted with drywall particles.

Shockingly, we’ve learned that some home builders in Ontario will actually run the home’s furnace while they’re still working on the house…knowing full well that drywall dust could infiltrate the entire HVAC system.

What’s worse, this action will likely void the furnace’s warranty, and future homeowners might have no knowledge of this damage until they’re on the hook for repairs.

Why Your Home’s New Furnace Might Be ‘Used’ After All

You’d expect a brand-new home to come with a brand-new, unused furnace. So, it’s no surprise that homeowners feel cheated when they discover that the builders used it first.

According to one homeowner interviewed for a CBC investigation, “I opened up the front of the furnace and it just looked like a bag of flour exploded in there. The furnace filter was caked with drywall dust and debris.”

You might wonder why home builders are allowed to run a home’s residential furnace during construction. The truth is, they’re not, at least not before the home is still in the drywall phase.

Back in 2016, furnace manufacturers took a stand against this very issue. Working with the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI), the industry adopted the position that gas furnaces are not permitted to be used in Canada for the heating of buildings or structures under construction.

The Technical Standards and Safety Institute (TSSA) followed suit, issuing Advisory FS-232-17, which states that:

For a furnace to be used during the finishing stages of construction all of the following requirements must be met:

  • The furnace’s return air and supply air openings must be covered to minimize infiltration of dust prior to and during dust-generating construction activities (e.g. drywall installation, woodworking). 
  • All interior drywall must be installed, taped, sanded and first coat of primer applied.
  • The building must be cleaned of all debris and drywall dust. 
  • A new furnace filter must be installed, rated at MERV 11 or finer. The filter itself must be labelled accordingly by the manufacturer for easy identification. 
  • The furnace must be commissioned by a TSSA-registered heating contractor in accordance with the manufacturer’s certified installation instructions and to match values shown on the furnace’s rating plate. 
  • Arrangements must be made with the fuel distributor to inspect the furnace subsequent to it being used for Finishing Heat (can be done in conjunction with inspection of all other gas appliances prior to final occupancy)

These new rules draw a clear line between ‘Construction Heat’ and ‘Finishing Heat,’ which essentially bans builders from running the furnace while the house is still full of drywall dust.

However, it’s clear from CBC’s investigation that some builders are still skirting the rules.

What You Can Do

So, you suspect that your furnace was operating during construction (either during the home build or a renovation.) What should you do?

  1. First, don’t panic. If you’re comfortable looking into your furnace, you can take off the front panel and do a quick visual inspection. Drywall isn’t subtle, so you might see evidence of damage right away. One person described it as, “looking like a bag of flour exploded in there.”
  2. Next, call a home heating professional to conduct a furnace inspection. A knowledgeable service technician can advise you of your options if your furnace is caked with drywall dust or sawdust.
  3. If there’s drywall dust or sawdust  in your furnace, there’s drywall dust or sawdust in your ductwork as well. Many HVAC manufacturers recommend that home builders have the air ducts cleaned before the homeowner moves in, but that doesn’t always happen. Call us to discuss whether you could benefit from an air duct cleaning.

How Our Business Gives Back to the Community – And You Can, Too

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Since our start back in 1932, helping others has been an integral part of AtlasCare’s company culture. Whether it’s raising funds, spreading awareness or donating our time to a local cause, we’re always looking for ways to give something back to this community we call home.

Sometimes, we all get together to contribute as a team – but we also support individuals on our team who give back in their own way.

Here, we’d like to introduce you to a few of the efforts we’ve undertaken and organizations we’ve supported over the years. We hope that these stories can inspire you to do some good, too!

 

Care to Share Charity Program

Whether you’re a volunteer, a donor or a beneficiary, you can surely name at least one charity that has made a positive difference in your life.

There are literally thousands of charitable organizations doing important work in the Greater Toronto Area. As a local family-owned business, we have seen their impact on our communities first-hand.

Sadly, many of these organizations have urgent needs that are not being met. That’s why we started our Care to Share program.

Care to Share invites anyone in the community to tell us about a worthwhile charity and nominate them for a monetary donation. We revived the program in 2017 to celebrate our 85th anniversary. That December, AtlasCare made three cash donations totalling $8,500 to three worthwhile causes:

  1. Eagle’s Nest Association of Waterdown, which provides compassionate support and numerous services for local families in need.
  2. The Dale Ministries, which supports people experiencing poverty in Toronto’s Parkdale Community by providing free meals, drop-in programs and on-the-ground outreach.
  3. Scientists in School, which brings hands-on science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workshops to over 660,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 each year.

We had the privilege of meeting representatives from each of these organizations at our offices in Oakville. There, AtlasCare President Michael Grochmal and CEO Roger Grochmal presented each organization with funds in support of their essential services!

 

Volunteering

Everyone has a unique skill or expertise they can put toward helping a worthy cause. We encourage our staff to get involved in the community hands-on, and we often get together to volunteer together!

Earlier this year, we spent a day at the Compass Food Bank in Mississauga. Our duct cleaning technicians cleaned the facility’s duct system top-to-bottom, while the rest of the team helped to organize and prepare meals. We were thrilled to donate our services so that Compass could have cleaner air and a smoother-running HVAC system. The Compass Food Bank is always looking for more volunteers and donations of food and household essentials, so you should give them a call if you’re in the area!

The AtlasCare team has also been long-time volunteers and supporters of the Oakville-based charity SafetyNet. SafetyNet provides a wide range of services for kids and families, including free bicycles, clothing and household items. They also offer tutoring and music lessons for children who don’t have access to these services otherwise. We love volunteering at the SafetyNet warehouse, and just about anyone who wants to pitch in for a few hours can help with sorting donations! If you happen to musically or academically inclined, you can also make a big impact as a volunteer tutor or music instructor.

Fundraising and Sponsorship

We’re eager participants in a variety of local fundraisers – especially when we can take part as a team! In 2017, Roger and Michael Grochmal participated in Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Walk of Hope to help raise funds towards improving the lives of people living with ovarian cancer.

Our success as an HVAC and home services company has also given us the ability to sponsor organizations in the community. This year, we had the privilege of supporting  Burlington Soccer Club (Go Bayhawks!) as a sponsor. AtlasCare is also the Title Sponsor of the annual Golf Fore MS Classic event – a fundraiser golf tournament in support of our local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada.

The funds raised at Golf Fore MS go towards helping to achieve two very important missions: researching the cause and cure of MS while providing services for local people affected by MS. Last year, our local Peel-Dufferin Chapter of the MS Society contributed $55,000 towards MS research and provided close to $60,000 in support to individuals in our community (including purchasing 63 pieces of equipment like wheelchairs and lifts.)

MS is a cause very close to our heart. It has affected the Grochmal family personally, along with many other families in our community. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, affecting an estimated 1 in 385 people and over 77,000 Canadians overall.

AtlasCare continues to be a lead organizer, title sponsor and participant in the Golf Fore MS tournament. It’s a wonderful way to honour the memory of our loved ones while raising money to support those who still live with MS.

We hope you’ll join us at the 2019 Golf Fore MS Classic on Wednesday, September 25th! You can learn more about the event or register online right here.

 

Education and Mentorship

We believe technical excellence comes from a commitment to continuous learning, whether it’s discovering new products or simply a better way to work. We’re also eager to encourage and nurture the next generation of HVAC professionals – which is why AtlasCare proudly supports skills competitions at technical colleges and through Skills Ontario.

AtlasCare has been involved with Skills Canada for many years.  Dick Thomas, our VP of Sales (and part of AtlasCare for over 40 years!) serves as the Skills co-chair for HVAC. He, along with our HR Coordinator Catherine Brelik, also lend their insight to several college advisory boards to help ensure young people learn the skills they need to succeed in our industry.

Dick also invited a group of local Scouts to AtlasCare’s offices to learn about trades in the mechanical fields. During their visit, the scouts got to see the rewards of a career in the trades!

Discover More About Our Culture

We couldn’t possibly fit all of our community engagement into one blog post, but you can learn all about us in the AtlasCare Culture Book! Here, you can see even more photos and stories about the things we do here at AtlasCare. Give it a look, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our company.

 

Why Your Home Insurance Might Not Cover Water Heater Damage

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You know that home insurance is important. But are you completely certain that all your home’s systems are covered?

In our previous blog on home insurance, you learned of the various kinds of water damage that are and are not covered under the standard home insurance policy in Ontario. There, we talked about damage caused by burst pipes, leaky plumbing, spring flooding and sewer back-up.

One thing we didn’t cover in that article is another potential source of damage in your home: your hot water heater. Does home insurance cover water heater damage?

Why A Busted Water Heater Could Cost You Big

Although it isn’t mandatory here in Ontario, most banks and lenders will insist that you purchase and show proof of home insurance before they’ll approve you for a mortgage. It’s easy to understand why.

Home insurance can protect you from the costs of a fire, storm, or another unexpected disaster. It also represents peace of mind – the comfort of knowing that your family won’t have to be responsible for a major financial hardship in an already difficult situation.

Without this coverage, many of us would be forced to pay for the significant repair and replacement costs out-of-pocket.

But as you already know, home insurance doesn’t cover every kind of damage and disaster that can occur to your home. And recently, the list of exceptions has expanded to include certain water heaters.

Today, most basic home insurance policies no longer cover damage resulting from a water heater that has been installed for a certain number of years – often 10 years or more.

This means that if your water heater leaks, you could be financially responsible for fixing your basement and replacing your water-damaged belongings yourself.

Why Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover Water Heater Damage

How can insurance companies get away with not covering this type of damage? After all, a water heater is something every single home has.

To understand what’s going on here, it helps to explain what insurance companies mean when they talk about ‘insured perils.’

A peril is a chance event that is both unexpected and accidental. Most home insurance plans cover these types of events.

For example, suppose someone comes by and sprays graffiti on your garage door. Since this event wasn’t something you did on purpose, and you couldn’t reasonably predict that it would happen, your home insurance would likely cover the cost of this damage.

Vandalism is generally considered an insured peril. Other commonly insured perils include fire, lightning, theft, wind, hail, falling objects, vehicle impact and smoke from a malfunctioning appliance.

But what about a leaking water heater? Most storage tank water heaters hold 50 gallons, or around 200 litres, of water, which is more than enough to seriously damage your basement floor and any nearby belongings.

As far as most insurance companies are concerned, this is not an insured peril – at least if the unit is over a certain age. Here’s why.

As the name suggests, storage water heater units keep hot water in a tank to be available immediately when you need it. When you turn on the tap, hot water flows out of the tank and cold water flows into the tank to replace it. A thermostat controls the burner or electrical element that maintains the water’s temperature.

Over time, the corrosive minerals in the water can wear away at the tank’s metal components, including the valves and the walls of the tank itself. Storage water heaters do have measures in place to minimize corrosion (the anode rod, for example) but they still require regular maintenance to stay in top shape.

Unfortunately, so many people forget to have their water heater serviced. It is common to see water heaters leak or fail around the 10-12 year mark for exactly this reason.

This has led many insurance companies to view water heater failure after 10 years as an avoidable incident, not an insured peril.

How to Protect Yourself from Water Heater Damage

First thing’s first: if you ever notice your water heater leaking, shut it off right away! You can shut off the water valve near the unit or cut the main water valve in your basement. It’s important to know where to find these valves before it becomes an emergency!

Next, there are a few things you can do right now to avoid unexpected water heater expenses in the future.

  1. Call your home insurance provider to find out what your policy says. Some policies cover water damage to your home caused by a broken water heater, but not a replacement unit. Others only provide coverage for units installed or manufactured less than 10 years ago. It’s important to know where your policy stands.
  2. Check the age of your water heater. Most water heaters come with a certification plate that states the year of manufacture. If you have rented your water heater, check with your provider.
  3. Have your water heater serviced by a professional. This is especially important if your unit is approaching its 10th year. If it’s not in great shape, you should start thinking about a replacement before you find yourself with a soggy basement.

When it comes time to replace your water heater, there are several extra measures you can take to minimize the chance of water damage, including:

  • Install a leak detector that will automatically shut off the water intake valve when it detects a leak.
  • Install a water heater recovery plate under the new tank to contain any leaks that do occur.
  • Have your other basement appliances elevated off the floor to keep them from being damaged by low levels of flooding.
  • Drain the water heater storage tank any time you will be away from home for an extended period, especially in the winter. This will prevent the pipes from bursting if they freeze.
  • Invest in basement waterproofing.