CJ BC Plumbing Tips

 Finding water under your washing machine can be alarming, but it does not automatically mean that the appliance itself has failed. The water may be coming from a damaged supply hose, a loose valve connection, the drain hose, the standpipe, or an internal washer component. Before replacing any part, dry the area and determine exactly when and where the water appears. Correctly identifying the source can help prevent unnecessary repairs and reduce the risk of serious water damage. Watch the video below to see how a plumber checks the supply hoses, valve connections, drain hose, and standpipe. Why Is There Water Under the Washing Machine? A washing machine has several possible leak sources. Two pressurized supply hoses deliver hot and cold water to the appliance, while a separate drain hose removes water during the drain cycle. Because the supply hoses normally remain under pressure even when the washer is not running, a damaged hose or connection can leak at any time. Drain-related ...

 If your townhouse was built before 1996, it may contain Poly-B water-supply piping. Poly-B, short for polybutylene, was commonly installed in Canadian houses, townhouses, and some condominiums from approximately 1978 through the mid-1990s. In 2026, buildings from this period are roughly 31 to 48 years old. However, the age of a building is only the first clue. Not every older townhouse has Poly-B. Some were originally built with copper piping, while others may already have been partially or completely repiped with PEX. As a Red Seal plumber working in BC, I recommend starting with a careful visual inspection of exposed water-supply lines. You do not need to open walls, disconnect fittings, or move the pipes just to look for identifying features. Watch the video below to see where to look and how Poly-B differs from copper and PEX. What Is Poly-B Plumbing? Poly-B is a flexible plastic pipe that was previously used for hot and cold water distribution. It became popular because it wa...

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Finding water around the base of a toilet can make it seem like the wax ring has failed. But water on the floor does not always mean the leak is coming from underneath the toilet. Water can travel down from a loose supply connection, shut-off valve, tank bolt, or tank-to-bowl connection and collect around the toilet base. Before removing the toilet or replacing parts, the first step is to identify exactly where the water is coming from. In this guide, I’ll show you a simple inspection process that can help narrow down the source of a toilet leak. Start by Drying the Area Completely Before testing the toilet, dry the floor around the entire toilet base. Wipe the front, both sides, and as much of the rear area as you can reach. Also dry the supply line and the visible connections around the toilet. Starting with a completely dry area makes it much easier to identify where new water first appears. If you skip this step, water that was already on the floor may make it look like the ...

 A bathroom sink that drains slowly does not always have a deep blockage in the drainpipe. In many cases, hair, soap residue, toothpaste, and other debris collect around the pop-up stopper and restrict the flow of water. Because the pop-up stopper is located directly inside the drain opening, even a small amount of buildup can cause water to drain slowly or remain in the basin. Before using chemical drain cleaners or removing the P-trap, inspect and clean the pop-up stopper first. Cleaning the stopper and reconnecting the pivot rod correctly may restore normal drainage without disturbing the rest of the drain system. Watch the video below to see how to inspect, remove, clean, reinstall, and test a bathroom sink pop-up stopper. Slow Bathroom Sink? Why Does a Bathroom Sink Drain Slowly? Bathroom sinks are used every day for washing hands, brushing teeth, shaving, and other activities. Hair, soap, toothpaste, and skin oils can gradually collect around the stopper and inside the drain ...