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Are you struggling with low water pressure in only one bathroom? If so, you’ve probably been scratching your head wondering why on Earth this is even happening. There are a few things that can cause this, and POM Plumbing is here to help you get to the bottom of it.

What Causes Low Water Pressure?

Low water pressure in a home can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from simple fixes to more complex plumbing problems. Identifying the root cause is essential for resolving the issue effectively. Here’s a table summarizing the common causes of low water pressure:

Cause	Description
Clogged Pipes	Accumulation of sediment or debris can block water flow, reducing pressure.
Corroded Plumbing	Over time, pipes, especially older ones made of galvanized steel, can corrode internally, restricting water flow.
Partially Closed Main Shutoff Valve	If the main water valve is not fully open, it can restrict the flow of water into the home.
Faulty Pressure Regulator	A malfunctioning pressure regulator can cause a sudden change in water pressure.
High Demand Within the Home	Simultaneous use of water by multiple fixtures can exceed the system’s capacity to maintain pressure.
Leaking Pipes	Water leaks in the system can divert water away from where it’s needed, leading to lower pressure.
Municipal Water Supply Issues	Problems with the local water supply, such as broken mains or adjustments at the water source, can affect pressure.
Elevation	Homes located at a higher elevation than the water source may experience lower pressure due to gravity.
Peak Usage Times	Water pressure can drop during times of high demand in the community, such as early mornings and evenings.

To diagnose and fix low water pressure, it may be necessary to inspect the plumbing system, check with neighbors or the local water utility for external issues, and possibly consult a professional plumber for repairs or adjustments.

Sediment Buildup

One of the first things that can cause low water pressure in only one bathroom is sediment buildup. This is especially common if the affected bathroom is on the bottom floor.

If your home has, or has ever had, hard water, there’s sediment and little bits of metal in it. These things may not be visible at a glance, but you can probably taste them in your tap. Furthermore, they can build up over years of running that water. If that sediment builds up in your pipes or in your faucet, water will have a hard time getting through. This can lead to low water pressure, or small streams of water that are higher water pressure than they should be. 

Closed Valve

It may seem obvious, but sometimes the culprit is a closed valve. “I’ve checked the valve!” you may say. And we believe you! Sometimes valves are damaged or installed incorrectly, making them appear open when they’re really closed. If you checked by sight and didn’t fiddle with the valve handle, try turning it and see if it fixes the problem.

Broken Valve

If your valve is simply not affecting the water flow, it’s most certainly broken. In all likelihood, it broke sometime when the valve was partially or completely closed and it never got fixed. Therefore, the bathroom was left with little to no water flow. Having the valve replaced should fix the problem.

Water Flow Restrictor

In many homes, water flow restrictors have been put in place. While many modern retrofits increase water pressure to make up for the lower amount of water, many older models of restrictors simply limit the water. This can mean water coming out at basically a trickle.

If your water is being restricted in an unsuitable way, this can be solved by removing the water flow restrictor. Replacing it with a modern retrofit is ideal for saving water and, therefore, money. However, it’s not strictly necessary. 

Get Professional Help

When facing Toronto water pressure, it’s essential to act quickly and find a reliable plumber who can perform water pressure repair services. If you’re not up to the task of sleuthing out the issue, POM Plumbing’s team of experts can do it for you. We help with water pressure issues (if you have problems with mixing valve shower adjustment or etc.) all the time, from residential to high rise scale. Give us a call and we’ll be out as soon as we can to help get your bathroom back into working order.

Maintaining you plumbing can be difficult to keep up on but there comes a time when it can’t be ignored anymore. That time is when your plumbing begins developing cracks. POM Plumbing is here to talk about how we can repair cracked pipes quickly to prevent disaster in your home.

Finding the Cracks

The first step to repairing cracks in plumbing is knowing that there are cracks and where they are. If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of finding a leak in your home, you may already know where they are. However, if you’re dealing with water damage below the second floor or in the basement, it may take a little searching around.

POM Plumbing has a fantastic group of professionals who have been repairing cracked pipes for years. Whoever is sent out to help you with your plumbing problem will start with finding the source.

Gaining Pipe Access

Next up is gaining access to the pipes. If the affected plumbing is in the wall or between floors, it may require some drywall removal. If the drywall has sustained water damage, it will need to be replaced anyway to avoid mold problems in the future.

However, not all pipes are hard to reach. Many of them are exposed, such as those under the sink and those in an unfinished basement. In those cases, fixing the problem is even faster. If your sink is dripping water in the cabinet below it, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll get it fixed up in no time.

Assessing the Damage

Next up is checking out what kind of damage we’re dealing with. If the pipe is burst completely, it will need to be replaced. On the other hand, we can repair cracked pipes quickly with the right approach. The typical solution is using a rubber sleeve or wrap. By coating the crack in epoxy and then slipping a tight, rubber sleeve around it, we ensure it won’t crack further. The sleeve keeps the pipe from expanding outward at the cracked point. That’s great for keeping a cracked pipe from turning into a burst one. After all, the last thing you need is a flood in your house because a pipe gave out.

Hire POM Plumbing

If you have a problem with your pipes, POM Plumbing is the company for you. Our team of experienced professionals have been doing plumbing repairs for years and helping repair cracks in plumbing for people just like you. Respectable appearance and respectful communication are two of our top priorities. That’s because we want customers to feel like they’ve hired an exceptional team. We also want them to feel like they’re being listened to and like they know what’s going on.

It’s far too often that plumbing experts walk into a home and start fixing things without explaining the process. We believe it’s your right to know what’s going on in your home. All processes will be covered before they’re started.

If you need help with your plumbing, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!

Buying a house secondhand can mean inheriting some unfortunate problems that the previous homeowners didn’t know about (or didn’t mention). One of the most commonly inherited problems is plumbing issues. So, how do you check plumbing when house hunting? In order to make sure you’re getting a house with the plumbing intact, POM Plumbing is here to help. Let’s take a look at what you should be checking for. If your plumbing is old, you can probably come across a plumbing company Kitec. We carry out kitec plumbing replacement, more information at the link.

Water Heater Age

The hot water heater in any house on the market typically must meet a certain standard to pass inspection, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on the older side. When looking at a house, be sure to ask the realtor how old the water heater is. If they don’t know the answer, request that they get one for you. Any realtor showing you a house should be happy to get information for you regarding such an important system as plumbing. 

If the water heater is older than 8 years, it’s going to need to be replaced soon. If you’re willing to have it replaced, yourself, after buying, that’s no problem. But you should always be aware of how much additional work you need to put into a house after buying. Therefore, you know whether the listing price is reasonable for your budget.

Additionally, you should check tap temperature. If the hot water takes a long time to heat up, this could spell issues with the water heater or with pipe insulation. 

Evidence of Water Damage

This is a big one. To check plumbing when house hunting, include always looking at ceilings and in under-sink cabinets for water damage. If there is any water damage visible in the house, the realtor should have answers about it. If they don’t, that means they haven’t spoken with the homeowner about it and there could be problems that they’re not aware of.

Ceiling water damage on the first floor may have been caused by a plumbing malfunction on the second floor. Ceiling water damage on the second floor may have been from a roof leak. Both of these leaks can lead to mold, rot, or other types of damage. Don’t let it go by unmentioned because you should always get full assurance that it has been inspected and repaired before committing to the house.

Water damage under sinks can be superficial, or problematic, depending on the extent. A small warp in the wood from what may have been an old drip may not be a problem. However, if there’s a wider spot of water damage, it could mean a recurring leak or hidden mold.

Outlet Placement

This is something that frequently misses people’s notice. Always look at electrical outlet placements – especially in bathrooms and kitchens. If outlets are below water sources, it can be a huge hazard. These rooms should always have outlets above the counter and never down by the floor.

Drain Effectiveness

Finally, you should always test drain effectiveness. This is especially true of houses over 20 years old. Run the cold water in each tub and sink for 10-60 seconds and see how the drains handle. The drain should easily keep up with a full flow of water. If it doesn’t, it could be that the plumbing is outdated, doesn’t meet code, or needs to be completely cleaned out. All of those are expensive fixes and should be handled by the current owner or reflected in a lower cost. But you know you won’t want to move into a house where your drains are immediately backing up when you try to shower.

Most homeowners need an outdoor faucet or spigot of some variety. The question is, how do you go about getting one of those if your home is lacking? The good news is, you’ve come to the right place. POM Plumbing is Toronto’s favorite local plumbing crew and we can help you with your outdoor plumbing as soon as you call us. Here’s how we can help with installing an outdoor faucet or spigot.

Choosing a Water Source

The first step to installing an outdoor faucet or spigot is choosing a water source to take from. If you have no outdoor faucet already, we’ll have to branch off from an existing water source. This can be done from most areas of the house. It’s no different than adding a new bathroom or remodeling your kitchen and moving the sink.

The only limitation is that we need to make sure that whatever source we take from isn’t going to have poor water pressure if the sprinklers turn on. When you give us a call, one or more of our crew members will come out to your home and do some looking around. Then they can give you more information specific to your home and provide you with an estimate.

Installation Location

The installation location is almost entirely up to you. When we’ve figure out the possible water sources, all that’s required to run it to the desired location is some pipe. If you want a faucet attached to the side of your house, that’s an easy addition. However, some people prefer installing an outdoor spigot out in the yard, especially if their yard is large and they need to connect a sprinkler system to it. In these cases, we’ll simply dig a small trench and lay piping out to the desired installation spot.

Faucet Purpose

For some, installing an outdoor faucet or spigot is primarily for recreational purposes. In these cases, putting a faucet on the side of your house is usually best. This allows less piping and also allows you to store any attached hose right up against the house, protecting it and any storage box from unnecessary weathering.

Faucets that are primarily for recreational use can be used to fill buckets, watering cans, water balloons, and more. You can also attach a hose which can then be used to fill swimming pools, can be attached to a children’s sprinkler, or used to spray each other directly.

Spigots that are primarily for gardening use are better placed at a distance, close to where they’ll be in use. These come in multiple styles, but a favorite is an upright spigot with a faucet on either side. One can be used for a hose and sprinkler and the other for washing hands or filling watering cans.

Call Us Today

If you want help installing an outdoor faucet or spigot before summer comes around, call us today. We can get you scheduled for a visit in spring when the ground has thawed and summer heat hasn’t arrived. This will give you plenty of time to start your gardening and plan ahead for summer activities with the family.

Is your home’s water temperature kind of all over the place? Want to find out what’s causing the water temperature irregularity? POM Plumbing is here to help. Let’s check out some of the most common causes of water temperature irregularity.

Poor Pipe Insulation

One of the most common causes of water temperature irregularity is poor pipe insulation. This is especially common in older homes. If poor pipe insulation is the culprit in your case, you may notice that you have to turn the temperature hotter in the winter just to get a warm shower. Likewise, you may have to stop short of your usual heat in the summer or the water will come out near boiling!

When your pipes are poorly insulated, the temperature outside affects the temperature of your water excessively. The summer heat will heat up your pipes and the winter cold will freeze them. Because of that, you have to over or under-compensate when choosing how much water to let out from each tap. Some old pipes will need to be replaced entirely, as the weather’s effect on them is due to aging. Other pipes may just need to be insulated in the lower levels of the building to counteract temperatures in the crawl space or basement.

Old or Damaged Faucet Controls

Another reason for water temperature irregularity is if your faucet controls are damaged or aged. When you turn the knobs to your faucet, or adjust a handle, you’re actually opening up one or both of your water lines to allow them to put out water. If your hardware is old and faulty, it may not be consistent in its function.

For example, if you have a faucet with a single handle, if the part that unblocks the hot water line is loose, pulling it all the way up might not unblock the hot water all the way, meaning the water runs colder than it should. Replacing the hardware of the faucet may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Your water lines and pipes may have nothing to do with the problem.

Water Heater Problems

Finally, the third reason you may be struggling with water temperature irregularity is that your water heater may be struggling. An old water heater can begin to fail at its job. If your water’s temperature varies by the time, it might be that sometimes your water heater is doing its job and other times it’s struggling.

To figure out if your water heater is the culprit, keep a log for a few days of when it’s hotter or colder and see if there’s a pattern. If it’s hotter in the afternoon and colder at night, it’s more likely an insulation problem. However, if the temperature changes seem to be fairly sporadic, it’s more likely your hot water heater just being more or less effective at random times. If that’s the case, it’s time to call someone to check it out and probably replace it. Any water heater older than 8 years is likely to need replacement if it’s struggling.

If your water heater is on the newer side, it might be that your mixing valves just need adjusting. We can do that too.

Give us a call at POM Plumbing if any part of your plumbing needs service. We’re here to help!

If your washing machine is leaking water, you need some help fixing it ASAP. POM Plumbing is here to help. A washing machine leaking water can be caused by a handful of things. Therefore, let’s check out some of the most common.

Broken Door Seal

If you have a front-loading washer and have had it for many years, it’s possible the seal on the door is broken. The rubber seal along the perimeter of the door is vital for keeping water in. After many years of use, the seal can break or get damaged. Therefore, it’s important to maintain it.

It can break in a few different ways. The first is that it can come away from the door. If the door seal’s adhesive wears down, the seal may come away from the door without actually breaking. This can be fixed by buying a waterproof adhesive from your local hardware store. Then, apply the adhesive to the back of the door seal and press it back into place, allowing it plenty of time to set. Keeping the washer door closed while the adhesive sets will improve the adhesion.

If the seal has split, cracked, or otherwise been damaged, it will need to be replaced entirely. Washer door seals can often be bought at the hardware store. If your store doesn’t have one, you can order them online. Make sure the seal you buy is the right size and model.

Disconnected or Broken Hose

If the source of your washing machine leaking water seems to be from beneath it, it might be a hose issue. There’s a hose attached to your washing machine that allows it to fill with water. Therefore, if that hose gets disconnected or breaks in some way, the entire laundry room may flood. If the leak or flood started suddenly, when you weren’t washing clothes, it’s probably a hose issue.

Hose replacements can be bought at a hardware store. If the hose is disconnected, it will simply need to be reconnected. If you don’t know how, getting some help from a professional never hurts. This is especially true if your washer hose is connected somewhere that’s hard to reach or which requires moving the machine.

Leaky Drain

Another one of the connections between your washing machine and home is the drain connection. If your washing machine is leaking water from the drain, your leak or flood will likely be soapy. A leaky drain may be a simple problem with the drain connection. However, it may also be as complicated as a pipe burst. In that case, the drain pipe will need to be replaced. Our team at POM Plumbing can come to your house and check it out for you. If any plumbing work needs to be done, we’re here to help.

Give us a call today and we can give you a quote for our services. We can also schedule a consultation if you need some investigative help. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you find yourself asking, “Why does my toilet clog so easily?” you’re in the right place. If your toilet seems to clog a lot, there’s got to be a reason. Let’s figure out what that reason is so it can be fixed. 

Water Pressure

Why does your toilet clog so easily? It might be a problem with water pressure. If your home gets poor water pressure throughout, even the slightest obstacle will clog your toilet. The problem can be as simple as wiping twice. If there’s not enough pressure to push the toilet paper down, it will block things up.

In some instances of low water pressure clogging, the toilet paper from the last use didn’t get all the way down. Then, one innocuous trip to the bathroom later can have additional toilet paper getting caught on the first offender. The clog may seem sudden, but it’s possible it was a chain of events.

Water pressure issues are often a system wide issue in houses with poor general plumbing. Bents in the pipes where there shouldn’t be, pipes that are too narrow, and many more things can cause water pressure issues. Check out how we can help with replumbing.

Toilet Flush Model

Similarly to the water pressure issue, your toilet flush model might be the culprit. Many toilets are designed to use less water. Some of these models only work with certain types of in-home plumbing. If your water pressure isn’t enough to make that smaller flush effective, the model will be your downfall.

If your water pressure seems to be fine otherwise, compare your frequently-clogged toilet to the other toilets in your house. Are they all the same model? Are the others clogging as well? If it’s the only one of that model that’s clogging regularly, you might want to look into getting a new toilet.

Pipe Size

If your drain pipes are too small, clogging can be a regular occurrence all over the house. Pipe diameter standards have changed over time. These days, we typically use wider pipes. This is especially necessary for toilet drains. We’ll need to replace drain pipes that are too narrow.

Plumbing Installation Problems

An unfortunately common problem in old houses, large houses, houses that have been remodeled, and houses that were cheaply built, is plumbing installation errors. Plumbing only works effectively if it’s installed right. You can’t just attach a series of pipes together and expect them to work well.

When it comes to plumbing installation problems making your toilet clog so easily, it could be a number of things. The drain pipe might turn at a 90 degree angle and continuously block up when someone’s #2 gets stuck. All of the toilet drains in the house might meet at an intersection that shouldn’t exist and cause “collisions” that back up.

Therefore, if your home is full of plumbing installation errors, you might need the whole system overhauled to achieve consistently working toilets. 

Get the Solution

No matter what the problem is, we’ll get to the bottom of it. Give us a call at POM Plumbing and have us come out for a consultation. There, we can work up a quote, so you can make an informed decision on whether or not the project is within your budget. We look forward to hearing from you.

Frozen pipes are a disaster for any home. No matter how big and fancy your home is, if your pipes freeze, there’s a high chance they’ll burst and end up flooding your house. So, how can you prevent frozen pipes in winter? There are lots of creative solutions that we’re happy to share with you.

Leave Bathroom Doors Open

The first thing you should do when winter approaches is keep your bathroom doors open – unless you’re using them of course. When the bathroom isn’t in use, keeping the doors open allows air flow. This isn’t strictly necessary if your bathroom has its own forced-air vent. However, it doesn’t hurt. If your bathroom doesn’t have its own forced-air vent or radiator, it can become much colder than the rest of the house if the doors are left shut. Allowing warm air to flow into the bathroom will ensure the pipes beneath the sink don’t freeze.

Leave Sink Cupboards Open

For the same reason, sink cupboards should be left open. This applies to anywhere with a sink above a cabinet. The bathroom sink, kitchen sink, and even a laundry room sink should have their cabinet doors left open. If there’s no other insulation keeping your pipes from freezing, allowing warm air into the cabinets may help.

Let the Sink Drip

While it may not be necessary if you’re still at home, when on vacation, leave the sinks to drip. Turning on each hot and cold tap in the house, just enough to allow it to drip, will aid in preventing pipe bursts. The water continues to move around, lowering the likelihood of freezing. Plus, the dripping helps to relieve pressure in the pipes. 

Keep Heat On

If you’re going somewhere else for vacation, don’t turn your heat off. This is important no matter what time of year you’re leaving. Always keep your heat set to at least 50 Fahrenheit when you’re traveling. Doing this keeps your home’s pipes warm enough to prevent freezing. Even during the fall or spring, if you leave with your heat off, a sudden drop in temperature could have you returning to a flooded house. A small amount of heating will cost a lot less than flood repairs.

Blanket Insulation

If your pipes are getting too cold, even with maximum airflow and keeping the heat on, it might be time to insulate your pipes. If you don’t have money to buy insulation, wrapping blankets or towels around your pipes is the way to go. It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing. A nice, thick barrier between your pipe and the cold air may be just the trick. This applies to sink pipes under cabinets as well as pipes in the garage that may lead outdoors, such as to a spigot.

Styrofoam Insulation

If you do have the money for some dedicated insulation, buying styrofoam insulation for your pipes is easy. Check with your local hardware store and you’ll find there are dedicated styrofoam forms meant to fit over your exposed pipes. If there are long stretches of exposed pipe – perhaps in the garage – you might want to get some expanding spray foam insulation instead. This will last longer and be more effective than a styrofoam form.

If it’s too late and your pipes have burst, once the initial disaster is cleaned up, we’re more than happy to come out and fix your pipes. That’s what we’re here for! Give us a call at POM Plumbing if you need assistance with pipe repair in your home.

Dishwashers are one of those appliances that most people know how to turn on and not much else. They’re somewhat mysterious past their most basic use. However, did you know dishwashers require maintenance? Check out these types of dishwasher maintenance you’ve been completely ignoring.

The Food Trap

This is one of the most important parts of dishwasher maintenance – and one of the most ignored. Did you know you’re supposed to be emptying and cleaning the food trap in your dishwasher? It’s also known as the filter. You’ve certainly seen it before while loading dishes. At the base of the dishwasher basin, there should be a spot covered in mesh or a plastic strainer. This is where food bits collect and water drains. If you don’t wash your dishes completely free of food before loading them, your dishwasher’s food trap probably has a number of things collected in it by now.

The food trap in a dishwasher can be removed, then dumped into the trash and washed off in the sink. Keeping the filter free of food collection makes draining easier and keeps the dishwasher more sanitary. After all, do you really want the water circulating in your dishwasher to be running over month-old bits of food before being sprayed up onto your dishes? We didn’t think so.

The Door Seal

While door seal dishwasher maintenance isn’t strictly necessary for the dishwasher to function, it can help prevent the seal from breaking. Plus, it will also alert you to any damage in the seal before it gets bad enough to break or cause a leak.

If you want to maintain your dishwasher’s door seal, simply take a minute to wipe it down once a month. Ensuring no minerals or food particles are building up on it ensures it continues working its best.

The Sprayer

The sprayer in your dishwasher is one of the parts that are vital to its function. Wiping the sprayer down every once in a while is a key part of dishwasher maintenance. Not only can food remnants get onto the sprayer, making it less sanitary, it can also get blocked up with hard water. Take some time once a month to wipe the sprayer down with soapy water and check for blockages. If one of the holes is blocked with mineral buildup, use a sewing needle of other pointy object to clear the blockage. To prevent future blockages, you may want to consider investing in a water softening filtration system for your home’s water.

Run the Dishwasher

Last, but not least, keep running your dishwasher. Did you know a month of no use can lead to problems with your dishwasher? Similarly to a car’s motor, continued use is an important part of dishwasher maintenance. Plus, your dishwasher saves on water. Running your sink continuously to hand wash dishes – or even filling multiple sinks and leaving running water out of the equation – uses up more water than a modern dishwasher. Do yourself a favor and keep your dishwasher in use.

Most homes have a water heater of some kind, but most people don’t know much about them. The main thing that makes most people remember their water heater exists is the running out of hot water. However, if you’re a homeowner or beginning to have water issues, you may start asking the eternal question: When do you replace your water heater?

Outdated 

Let’s cut to the chase. If your water heater is 8-10 years old, you should consider replacing it. If it’s over 10 years old, you should almost definitely replace your water heater. Finally, if you’re even wondering about when it should be replaced, there’s a good chance things are going wrong already.

An appliance that turns off and on, runs all the time, and has such a heavy workload as the water heater must retire. Ten years of heating up water for showers every day – or sometimes multiple times a day – is a lot of work. If you have two people living in a home and showering about every day for ten years, your water heater has provided enough hot water for over 7000 showers! That doesn’t even include hot water for laundry, dishes, and washing up at the sink.

Rusty Tank or Water

If your water heater’s tank is rusty or the tank is dispensing rusty water, you need to replace it. If the rust is coming from hard water with iron in it, you should consider buying a water filter that softens water. Otherwise, the hard water will continue to destroy appliances that take water, such as your sink or a fridge with a dispenser. Plus, the rust will coat the inside of pipes, damaging their integrity and narrowing them. If you need home replumbing because of hard water damage, give us a call. We can come out and take a look, then give you an estimate.

If you don’t have hard water, rust could be a sign that the water heater has lost its internal coating and/or has some kind of crack that’s letting in air. Either could be dangerous and shouldn’t be ignored.

Leaking

If your water heater is leaking, it is no longer airtight. That’s a huge safety concern, as it could mean pressure causing further damage, the water heater exploding, and more. Leaking is never something to ignore in a water heater. Have a professional replace it immediately.

Mysterious Noises

Mysterious noises in a water heater are never a good sign. Generally, your water heater should only make the kind of noises you expect, such as a hum. If there are any popping, klinking, dripping, or tapping noises, something is loose or damaged. Any damage in a water heater poses a serious safety risk.

Water Isn’t Getting Hot

If your water is no longer getting hot, your water heater has given up the ghost. Something vital broke completely. If your water heater is fairly new, you should check the warranty. You may be able to get a replacement or refund. However, if your warranty is no longer valid or the water heater is already reaching its age limit, opt for a replacement.