WALTEC NOW OWNED BY DELTA

Looking for parts for your WALTEC faucet? Look for DELTA parts. Delta apparently bought up Waltec (says the plumbing guy at Home Depot)

Does your WALTEC kitchen faucet drip? The culprit is a rubber spring-loaded  washer in the base of the water inlet  under the cartridge. Parts are cheap but tough to replace. Plumber's grease will help to insert it.  www.waltecfaucets.ca

NO FLOW? CHECK FOR CRUD

Whether it's water coming in or going out, it needs to flow. If the water exiting the faucet is slow it could be a clogged aerator, the screen that attaches to the end of the faucet.    SEE PHOTO

Once cleaned the flow will return to normal. Same applies to shower head screen and washing machines with an in-line filter.

As for drains, the leading cause of a plugged drain is hair. Look into the drain and if the cross member is clogged with hair, pull out the hair mass with a pair of needle nose pliers or other similar tool. Check the drain by opening the taps and notice the flow. If the obstruction was completely removed the water should quickly travel down the drain. There should be no pooling of water in the basin regardless of how open the taps are.

Once a month run some degreaser though all your drains to keep them flowing smoothly.

NOTE: In older homes with steel pipes (supply and drain) rust can build up inside the pipe, restricting flow. Sometimes the corrosion is so bad it causes perforation which may become worse if the pipe is disturbed.

YOUR NOSE KNOWS - WEIRD ODORS ANYONE?

Recently I diagnosed a potentially dangerous issue with a dryer. The customer complained of an odor from the dryer. I discovered the plug and receptacle were corroded and the resulting arcing on one terminal had caused overheating at the point of contact, leading to melting of the plug base which was where the odor originated.

An electrician replaced the faulty parts.

CHECK YOUR DRYER  & STOVE  PLUGS: TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE DRYER/STOVE AND PULL THE PLUG OUT OF THE RECEPTACLE. IF ALL IS GOOD, THE PINS SHOULD LOOK SHINY. IF ANY SIGNS OF CORROSION OR BLACKNESS, HAVE  A PROFESSIONAL INSPECT IT.

REUSE & RECYCLE = GREEN

Recently I did a demolition in  a restaurant and the cabinets were too good to throw away so I found a home for most of them at a customer's whose garage I had just finished painting. They were thrilled to have them and hired me to install them. So it was a win-win for everyone and the environment.

I always try to reuse or recycle whenever I can. It doesn't always make economic sense to do so however. This is why so much goes to the dump.

If you would like to follow my lead and do good for the environment, consider buying used items at the Habitat ReStore in Langford (NOW ALSO ON OAK STREET, Victoria)

The cabinets here were make of high quality maple veneer plywood. The hardware alone was worth about $100!  

LATEST PROJECT

The original tub was longer than today's "standard" so the end wall had to be restructured. Roxul was used to insulate the walls and GPs DensShied backer board was used for it's excellent waterproof properties. Parts of the floor had to be repaired using spare and salvaged tiles. 

All tiles were set in mortar for strength, mold resistance and longevity.

The window was replaced with a custom sized unit from Van Isle Windows. The window sill was fitted with a one-piece custom cultured marble slab, pitched to shed water. 

 

 

 

 

 

ASBESTOS The Deadly Fiber

Many older homes have asbestos in many of the building materials used in the day. Asbestos is a natural fiber which was used for it's fireproof properties which has been proven to be harmful to health. Nowadays many renovators will assess a dwelling for possible asbestos materials, and have those materials tested for asbestos.

A finding of positive for asbestos is a concern. Depending on the situation, it may or may not be a hazard. If renovationg it is best to leave asbestos abatement to the pros as they have the training and credentials to safly remove and dispose of it.

If you suspect asbestos in your property, do not disturb the offending material. Usually if the material isn't disturbed, it's relatively safe. It's when you disturb the material that fibers can be dislodged and become airborne.

Please see the article from the CRD here. Also, look at the photo of proven asbestos containing materials common in older homes.

DO A HOME SAFETY AUDIT NOW

In light of a recent fire reported in the news, here are some tips to keep you and your property safe.

Clear away anything from around electric heaters. This includes clothing, draperies, papers etc. There should be enough space around such devices to aid air circulation.

Avoid laying electrical cords over a heater and use extension cords only temporarily. Do not over load electrical outlets. Make sure electrical outlets are grounded  and in kitchens and bathrooms, make sure any electrical outlets near sinks/shower are GFCI equipped. 

DO NOT STORE GASOLINE or any other combustible liquids in the home. Keep them outside in a shed or the like. Make sure the caps/seals are tight.

Make sure any lights do not come into contact with combustibles (clothing, draperies etc.). Do not over load a lamp socket. Excessive heat from a high wattage light bulb will damage the wires and could lead to failure.

Test your smoke alarms once a month. replace smoke alarms every five years.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in the basement or on the same level as any appliance that emits exhaust (furnace, water heater, stove).