Clogged toilets, frozen pipes, leaky faucets ... At Plomberie Chauffage Normand, our plumbers working on the Island of Montréal are regularly asked questions when they visit residential, industrial or commercial customers.
In this blog, we respond to 4 of them. Happy reading! 1. What is the difference between hard and soft water? Hard water has a high content of mineral ions, mainly calcium carbonate and magnesium. With hard water, the soap froths hard; Moreover, the composition of the latter tends to entangle the pipes. As for soft water, which contains a smaller quantity of these elements, it is more corrosive, which damages the pipes. According to Health Canada, a water hardness between 80 and 100 mg / l is considered to be balanced. Have yours analyzed to be sure! 2. Can we drink hot tap water? No, it's a very bad idea! Indeed, if your water heater is the least rusty, the harmful contaminants that are inside (eg lead) will definitely be found in hot water. In addition, bacteria that cause severe pneumonia often abound at the bottom of the water heater, where the temperature is lowest. 3. Are drain unblocking liquids effective? Yes, powerful products work to unblock hoses. On the other hand, they should only be used as a last resort because they tend to damage materials and contaminate the environment ... It is better to favor a mechanical solution (deboucheur or Zip-it), or to pour White vinegar on sodium bicarbonate in the drain blocked before rinsing with boiling water. 4. How can I avoid my piping freezing in winter? When freezing, pipes can crack and cause water damage, requiring costly repairs. To prevent this, leave the heater on even when you are away for a few days and insulate the plumbing from unheated areas (eg crawlspace). A power failure is prolonged? Leave a thin stream of tap water running - running water freezes slower than stagnant water. At Plomberie Chauffage Normand, we know the drains and pipes like the back of our hands. If you have any further questions, please contact us!