You already know how awful plumbing odors can be if you've ever had to deal with them. They are not just a nuisance; they may also be a symptom of a more serious problem. Bad odors might affect your family's health if they are not handled.

Don't fret. There are easy ways to deal with foul plumbing odors. You can get rid of foul odors for good by taking some simple steps. Keep reading to learn some easy ways to deal with foul plumbing odors!

What Causes Foul Plumbing Odors

Foul odors coming from your plumbing can be a sign of a serious problem. If you're dealing with this issue, don't panic! There are easy ways to deal with foul plumbing odors.

Clogs and germs that produce odors are the most frequent causes of drains that smell bad. Even worse, the stinky clogs are the ideal environment for microorganisms producing the odors. Like a tangled ouroboros of stink, the two main causes of sewer odor feed one another. However, blockages and bacteria aren't the only things to blame for drains that smell bad. Other well-known causes of drain stink include:

Sewage

As sewage breaks down, poisonous gases and vapors are released. These gases have an offensive sewage-like odor. When drain traps are empty, sewer gases may seep through your drains. Sewer odors typically appear in drains that aren't utilized frequently.

Mold and Mildew

The presence of mold or mildew close to your drains is the primary cause of mold and mildew odors. Drains typically smell like mold and mildew when there is a leak in the gutter or pipes connecting to it.

An error by the Plumber

Like everyone else, plumbers could be better. They err from time to time. Severe drain odors can be caused by small mistakes, such as failing to install drain traps or sewage outlets. It can be mitigated by having regular plumbing system checks. We could not emphasize enough the importance of HVAC inspection.

Simple Solution to Eliminate Foul Odors

The initial step to solving the problem is to figure out where the odor is coming from. Is it coming from your drains? Or is it coming from your water heater? When you have an idea of the source of the problem, you can take steps to fix it.

If the odor comes from your drains, it could be due to a buildup of hair, soap scum, or grease. You can use a natural drain cleaner or a plunger to clear the obstruction to fix this issue.

If the odor comes from your water heater, it could be due to a buildup of minerals in the water. You can flush your water heater to remove the minerals to fix this problem.

No matter the source, there are easy ways to deal with foul plumbing odors. With a little investigation and a few simple steps, you can eliminate the foul odors in your home.

Here are some simple DIY solutions to eliminate the nasty plumbing odors:

#1. Pour some bleach

Like other disinfectants, bleach eliminates practically all of the odor-causing bacterial species that are typically found in drains and sewage pipes. So, using bleach is a simple do-it-yourself method to reduce drain stink. Fill the sink with hot water, then add a cup of bleach to clean the drain. After that, let the bleach and sink drain. Continue until the smell is gone.

#2. Pour boiling water

Pouring boiling water down the smelly drain is another simple do-it-yourself method for reducing drain odors. If you use boiling water, be cautious and pour a small amount at a time. Continue doing this until your drains no longer smell.

#3. Sprinkle some baking soda

You may get rid of bad odors by occasionally pouring baking soda down the drain. Did you know that? It is also a great technique to keep the smell out of your drains. Instead of allowing the scent to permeate your home, baking soda left to sit in the drain will completely absorb and eliminate it.

When should baking soda be sprinkled? It can be done immediately following dishwashing at least once each week. Pouring some baking soda into the sink before you leave is a good idea if you're going on vacation.

#4. Pour hot vinegar

Do you have any prior knowledge of the use of hot vinegar? Most of us are aware of using white vinegar to combat unpleasant odors, but what about hot vinegar? Using hot vinegar to keep your drains clean is a terrific idea. It works wonders to clean your coffee maker.

Put water and white vinegar in the water pot of your coffeemaker in equal amounts, and then let it brew for half the time before shutting it off. Complete the brew cycle after an hour. Pour that hot vinegar down the drain instead of throwing it away to eliminate the stale smell coming from your drains. You can mix vinegar and baking soda for even more odor-suppressing effectiveness!

#5. Pour some mineral oil

First and foremost, refrain from pouring mineral oil down your home's foul drains. That can lead to a clog. On the other hand, mineral oil acts as a significant protective layer between your nose and the sewage vapors that can escape from unused drains. Therefore, if a relatively new drain in your house has started to smell, consider pouring a little mineral liquid down the drain to see if it solves the issue.

Bonus Tip: Preventing Smells from the Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal starts to smell when food is allowed to sit in the pipes. After using the garbage disposal in the sink, run hot water for 30 seconds to rinse the unit. It will significantly reduce the occurrence of foul garbage disposal odor.

Spend some time cleaning your garbage disposal to avoid problems later. Pour some dish soap and hot water into your disposal, plug it with the stopper, and run the disposal for a brief period for milder cleaning. Next, take out the stopper and clean the flaps at the bottom.

Adding salt and ice to your disposal is another excellent way to keep it clean and prevent odors. Running your disposal with these two aids in breaking up and removing filth, buildup, and food residue from your system, as they are abrasive.

Final Word of Advice

Consider calling a professional to check your system and schedule a drain cleaning service if the smell from your drains doesn't go away despite regular cleaning and preventive maintenance. They'll get your property functioning (and smelling) at its best, using everything from expert drain snaking to more intensive drain cleaning techniques like hydro jetting.

About the author

Shelby Bartz is the new Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Shelby is a devoted bookworm but when she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cruising around town with her beloved ginger husky, Maxxy.

Clogs are among the most common plumbing issues and are often the reason why people have to call a local plumber. Whether they happen in the kitchen sink, bathtub, or toilet, clogged drains can be a significant disruption to daily life. What may seem like a minor plumbing issue can damage your pipes and even cause server sewage backups If you ignore them long enough.

Plumbing clogs are usually caused by what we send down our drains and, in most cases, poor plumbing maintenance. Many homeowners nowadays forego complete plumbing tune-ups to cut back on household expenses, only to find themselves dealing with costly plumbing issues down the road.

To avoid this unnecessary inconvenience in your home, you need to be aware of what causes them in the first place. 

Here are the common causes of clogged drains at home:

1.     Hair

Hair is a major contributor to clogged drains. Prevent them from going down your drain by adding drain guards to your shower drains. And don’t forget to clean them regularly.

2.     Food Waste

Food scraps are another thing that should never go down the drain, even when there’s a garbage disposal in your sink. Instead of dumping leftover food in the trash, why not create a composting pile instead? It’ll be good for your drains and the environment.

3.     Dirt

We often make the mistake of washing away everything in our sinks, thinking drains and pipes are there to wash away everything. However, this simply isn’t true. Excess dirt can build up and clog your drains and block your pipes, especially if they mix with hair and other greasy substances.

4.     Mineral Deposits

Hard water is notorious for accumulating insoluble mineral deposits, which can clog drains and reduce water flow. Sometimes, using a water softener is enough to restore water flow. If not, you’ll have to call a professional plumber to descale your pipes.

5.     Soap

 It's difficult to believe that soap can also cause pipe blockages. But unfortunately, it's true. Soaps are made of minerals and fats, which can build up over time. This is called soap scum or soap residue. When soap scum combines with hair and mineral deposits, they can result in severely clogged drains.

6.     Foreign Objects

 Anyone who has children has probably had a toy or other stray item dropped down a toilet or bathtub drain. Even if an object is small enough to fit down a drain, it is probably still big enough to get stuck in a pipe's u-bend. These objects can obstruct the flow of water and cause a serious clog.

7.     Tree Roots

 Tree roots can grow in the smallest cracks or leaks in your underground pipes. Once inside your pipes, tree roots can quickly grow in size, obstructing water flow and causing pipe damage. Removing tree roots can be a complicated process that may necessitate using a rooter, pressure jet cleaning, trenchless repair, or even excavation.  

Prevention is Key

Most drain clogs form over time, so if you discover one of your drains is draining slower than it used to, it’s a good indication that a clog is forming. Call your trusted plumbing service company immediately and have your drains checked.

With so many possible reasons behind drain clogging, the best way to fix them is to keep them from getting clogged in the first place. In the infographic below, you’ll find useful tips and tricks to avoid clogged drains.

About the author

Shelby Bartz is the new Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Shelby is a devoted bookworm but when she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cruising around town with her beloved ginger husky, Maxxy.

HVAC systems are one of the most expensive investments in our buildings. We do everything we can to ensure they run efficiently and properly. Even though it may be easy to check the thermostat and change the filters, we still require professional, reliable HVAC/heating and plumbing experts to do installations and perform routine maintenance.

Choosing the best mechanical contractors can be a hassle for property owners and property managers alike. If you're unsure of how to hire the best heating and air, plumbing company, you're not alone. So many people are not sure how to go about identifying, comparing, evaluating, and working with mechanical maintenance companies and HVAC companies. Here's where HPG Mechanical comes in.

HPG is an experienced, 50+ year-old, commercial plumbing and gas fitting company offering mechanical services for property managers, building owners, condo boards, strata companies, etc. in the Calgary area.

There are various companies offering maintenance services for your HVAC and plumbing needs. Your responsibility as a consumer is to look for the best mechanical maintenance company you can find in Calgary. Sometimes it isn't easy for you to figure out the exact problem you are facing. So for the sake of your peace of mind, here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing the best mechanical maintenance company for your building:

1. Experience

Property managers know that compromising on the quality of a building's components can mean huge long-term risks. Therefore, choosing the best mechanical maintenance company has a lot to think about. Being in the industry for quite a while sometimes does not make a company the best nor does it make it the worst. Experience is indeed the best teacher, but training is what separates the ordinary companies from the extra-ordinary ones.

Mechanical maintenance is a matter of precision and that comes with having a great track record even after working in the industry for years. It is wise to always keep a check on the qualifications of the technicians as they know how to deal with different complicated cases compared to new companies. This might end up saving you a lot of trouble.

The slightest miscalculations can negate performance, reliability and efficiency. To avoid costly problems, working with an experienced company that has served the community for several years is a great bargain. Besides, companies with solid reputations have highly experienced technicians who understand how to handle tasks that involve modern and outdated equipment.

Also, experienced company contractors never use improper replacement supplies to simplify repair tasks. They use the best components that are tailored for certain functions so that mechanical problems won’t develop in future. Building owners and property managers understand what it means to provide their customers with exceptional HVAC maintenance services. All these can be provided with experienced companies

2. Industry Certification

The company license is a critical factor to consider before choosing your mechanical maintenance company. The most successful air conditioner businesses serve locals by establishing trust. In the HVAC industry, trust is mainly gained after technicians obtain certain certifications. Typically, HVAC companies that are recognized by property managers and condo boards are trusted in many neighbourhoods.

Reputable companies have dependable technicians who meet industry standards. These specialists maintain trust by incorporating proper procedures to ensure professional results throughout HVAC projects.

It is the duty of property managers to ensure the safety of residents is upheld. Therefore, important certifications should also be put into consideration.

3. References and Referrals

A reputable company that has successfully served building owners will have many referrals and be talked about in condo boards. Even though they might seem challenging to track, there are ways to notice them efficiently.

You can ask for references or even call them up. You can ask if jobs were completed on time and within the allocated budget. Ask whether the company performed clean installations and took care of the building owner's property.

Determine if the company tested the system after it was installed to ensure maximum efficiency. Make an effort of going online to check complaints or ratings, but also considering that some reviews could be fake.

4. Quality of Customer Service

As a client, you have the right to be guaranteed high-quality service and expect your HVAC contractors to deliver results as promised. Always choose the company that offers the best service, even if they may have higher prices than other options. Efficiency is essential and prices can be justified by the exceptional quality of service and results.

5. Personalised Maintenance Services

Property managers should ensure their tenants always remain happy and avoid costly emergency repairs. To have your condominium building regularly maintained, building owners deserve a maintenance program tailored to the construction as agreed by the condo board.

Every building is unique, therefore, a company that provides customized mechanical maintenance programs suitable to the needs and budget of the condo boards. Before executing a maintenance program, it has to perform a site inspection of their equipment and discuss their requirements and concerns. Having a customized routine maintenance plan for your HVAC system will assist in keeping the HVAC system at optimum performance all year round.

6. Building Evaluation

Before having any HVAC systems installed, potential contractors should provide a thorough evaluation to determine the best components and solution. Once one has an evaluation, the prospective contractor should provide a written, itemized estimate so as to compare costs, warranties and energy efficiency in the proposals.

7. Reliability

A good contractor should always be able to explain the problem on the spot without causing too much confusion with unnecessary information. When they use too much technical jargon, it proves that they are not honest about it.

8. Resources

Avoid any mechanical maintenance company without adequate resources to work. Resources may include a reliable team of sub-contractors at its disposal, advanced and cutting-edge components, and adequate staff for larger projects.

9. Environmentally-Friendly

Nowadays, we are going back to basics by providing sustainable, environmentally-friendly services. A mechanical contractor who cares about the environment should contribute to energy and water conservation.

Conclusion

All you need is the best contractor for the job. HPG is the one-stop solution for all your plumbing and HVAC needs, committed to providing their clients with the best possible services available.

Heating and cooling systems that have been poorly installed in your commercial property can have a huge impact on the residents' comfort and your finances.

When not maintained, even the best heating and cooling system can cost you by wasting energy. Some of the maintenance tasks are performed by property owners, but most should be performed by professionals, especially in strata and commercial properties. You will need an HVAC contractor if your system is at the end of its useful life.

Peace of mind is your bottom line!

Here's How to Identify if You Have Too Much Water Pressure

Have you ever noticed how every shower in the world is slightly different? When you’re on vacation or staying in a hotel, the shower just feels different. Maybe the place has more minerals in their water, or they have a seemingly endless hot water tank, or maybe the water pressure is fantastic and you’ll miss it when it comes time to check out. 

Yet, there’s nothing quite like the familiar feeling of YOUR shower; the right temperature, the perfect flow. What’s not to love? And while some people may love the idea of having more water pressure (Who doesn’t love a power-wash exfoliation?), having too much water pressure can, in fact, be a bad thing. 

Put it to you this way: Every gasket has its limit. Sooner or later, she’s gonna blow… 

The water coming from your municipal connection at a rate of anywhere from 50-100 PSI (pounds per square inch). Most residential homes typically have 45-80 PSI coming into their homes. Commercial and large residential buildings might have a larger connection to handle more capacity.

Here’s the thing: Most residential appliances and fixtures are designed to handle maybe 30-40 PSI.  Washing machines, kitchen taps, the icemaker - 35 PSI on average. While most fixtures are fine between 40-60 PSI, anything above 80 can cause some issues …

And here comes the mess. Not only does persistent high water pressure wreak havoc on the endpoints of your plumbing system, it can also stress any of your building’s pipes. Before long, you’re rushing around trying to turn off the primary water connection to the building, so you don’t have to file an insurance claim. Fortunately, most buildings are equipped with a water pressure regulator to keep plumbing hijinks to a minimum.

The regulator uses a diaphragm mechanism to reduce the flow of water as it comes into the building off a municipal source. Many modern regulators can automatically adjust the inbound PSI to your house to a set level no matter the pressure coming off the connection. Many regulators can also be manually set and adjusted by a valve. 

Noisy pipes. 

Clanging, rattling, or just noises pipes shouldn’t be making (which is any noise at all). These clanging noises mean water isn’t moving through your pipes evenly, meaning they are banging against your pipes and causing them to rattle. 

Appliances that are on the fritz. 

Washing machines or dishwashers, especially the ones in your tenant’s units, might already take a lot of abuse. But if tenants are frequently calling for repairs or complaining about how loudly the machines operate, you may be dealing with too much water pressure. These machines are working overtime to manage the task at hand while also working with too much water. 

No Hot Water. 

If your tenants complain about the water running cold too soon (and they will FOR SURE let you know quickly), the issue might not be isolated to your boiler. High water pressure means water is flowing through the system faster than usual. There is just as much hot water as there always was, but most of it is flying down the drain.

Outrageous water bills. 

More pressure means water is flowing through faster, which means you may end up paying the price.

When it comes to high water pressure flowing through your building, you can’t afford not to act on it. Checking to make sure your inbound PSI is within working levels is just one of the many ways we work with building owners and managers to ensure their systems are running optimally so you save time, money, and headaches.

Give us a call today and find out how we can make your building’s mechanics work efficiently.

Why do you do what you do?

When was the last time you really thought about it? We know a lot of owners who love the prospect of an investment property. There are building managers who like working with their hands and solving problems.

Under it all, what is your core reason for doing what you do?

Ownership is, in part, a business: money in, money out. The rents and mortgages are consistent from one month to the next while expenses can fluctuate. There is always the possibility of having major, costly repairs or upgrades to your building's maintenance systems show up unexpectedly. Not only do the books need balancing, but the building needs to be in good shape to maintain and even increase its value.

The problems in poorly maintained buildings tend to worsen exponentially because of one crucial variable: your tenants—the people behind the doors and the names on the mailboxes. Without them, your collection of units are lifeless.

The truth is: focusing on the welfare of the people around you will always bring the long-term results you are after.

We are in business to make sure your tenants are comfortable. When they are comfortable, they stay longer and have an emotional investment in the building. Your tenants are what transforms your business. We're in business for them, which is why we are eager to deliver the best service to building owners and managers. The team at HPG Mechanical follow a few main ideas to help keep us accountable to the communities we serve.

Preserving Your Reserves

We work on quite a few condo buildings throughout the Calgary area, and we know all about the reserve fund. Funded by Home Owner Association fees, the reserve fund is on hand to cover emergency expenses - like a late-night visit from your plumber. Emergency callouts usually means something expensive happened. With each preventative maintenance consult we do, we show you all the ways you can save money by removing the surprises and preparing for the future. The goal is to drain your sink, not your reserves.

Convenience for the Customer

Building owners and managers are OUR customers, and your tenants are YOUR customer - and we aim to make both happy. This is why we have an extensive fleet of fully-stocked vehicles and stick to a rigorous timetable. When we arrive on time with the tools to do the job, everyone can go back to relaxing sooner.

A Community is Built On Integrity

When you tell a tenant something will be fixed "tomorrow," you have exactly that long to get the job done. Anything after tomorrow means you have lost their trust. Excuses don't get people anywhere, which is why we always give an honest and straightforward answer. From the repairs and upgrades your mechanical system might need to the inevitable discussion of price and service time, we are always going to be straightforward.

Honesty and integrity, all the way down the line - because that’s what everyone, especially your tenants deserve.
The team at HPG Mechanical is dedicated to helping you maintain your building’s mechanical systems so you can best serve your tenants. Our preventative maintenance approach is a simple way to prevent surprises while planning for energy-saving upgrades in the future. Click here to schedule a visit from one of our certified professionals and see how HPG can help you.

When you tell a tenant something will be fixed "tomorrow," you have exactly that long to get the job done. Anything after tomorrow means you have lost their trust. Excuses don't get people anywhere, which is why we always give an honest and straightforward answer. From the repairs and upgrades your mechanical system might need to the inevitable discussion of price and service time, we are always going to be straightforward.
Honesty and integrity, all the way down the line - because that’s what everyone, especially your tenants deserve.
The team at HPG Mechanical is dedicated to helping you maintain your building’s mechanical systems so you can best serve your tenants. Our preventative maintenance approach is a simple way to prevent surprises while planning for energy-saving upgrades in the future. Call us at 403-259-0049 to schedule a visit from one of our certified professionals and see how HPG can help you.

Hank’s Plumbing and Gasfitting Ltd. is seeking an immediate service plumber Journeymen to join our team.

Hanks Plumbing has been a family-run operation since 1971. Offering commercial and residential plumbing/HVAC/ hydronic service. We offer above industry standard pay structures, health benefits, health spending account, RRSP contributions, DPSP contributions, and company vehicle.

Role Responsibilities:

• Install, repair, and maintain both residential and commercial plumbing systems.
• Install, repair, and maintain both residential and commercial water treatment systems.
• Install, repair, and maintain both residential and commercial underground sanitary and potable water distribution piping systems.
• Perform manufacturers specified preventative maintenance procedures on customer equipment.
• Provide excellent customer service to customers through proper communication and quality of work.
• Participate in the emergency service on-call rotation.
• Comply with Hanks Plumbing Safety Standards and OH&S legislation.
• Ability to work independently and in a team atmosphere.
• Ability to make effective technical decisions in emergency situations.

Role Qualifications:

• Have a journeyman certificate.
• Have the functional capability to service, repair, and install building mechanical systems.
• Have working technical knowledge of water treatment equipment, potable water distribution piping, sanitary drainage piping, storm drainage piping, plumbing fixtures, hydronic heating systems, water heaters, etc.
• Have working technical knowledge of local building codes, local plumbing codes, and local natural gas installation codes.
• Have current Alberta Driver License with the record in good standing.
• Provide a criminal background check.
• Be highly motivated with a strong customer service focus.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.

If this sounds like you, then we would love for you to apply to become apart of the Hank's Plumbing family. You can send your resume to charlotte@hpgmechanical.com. We look forward to hearing from you.