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Plumbing 101 for homeowners

September 25, 2020October 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

Guelph’s Harco Plumbing and Mechanical offers a full range of commercial and residential plumbing services. Harco Plumbing’s team of professional, courteous and honest licenced and insured plumbers are committed to providing solutions for every plumbing need. A few easy proactive maintenance tips can help to keep your home’s plumbing in good shape to avoid preventable repairs in the future.

Avoid damage to fixtures and pipes by regularly checking underneath sinks for signs of moisture or leaks. A dripping faucet can waste up to 150 gallons of water a day, and be a sign of a bigger problem such as a broken pipe or fitting. Homeowners should also check the overflow holes in tubs and sinks to prevent potential flooding and water damage to floors or cabinets. Toilets can be checked for leaks by adding a small amount of food colouring to the tank and seeing if it seeps into the bowl. If the bowl water changes, there’s a leak.

When dealing with a water heater, be sure to read the owner’s manual first before doing any maintenance, such as an annual draining and flushing to remove sediment buildup. Water heaters should also be inspected by a professional every two years for signs of leakages. Periodically check that the flame under gas water heater burners are blue with yellow tips. If it’s mostly yellow, it may be an indication of a clogged flue.

Harco Plumbing and Mechanical is your neighbourhood plumbing solution provider located at 69 Fleming Road in Guelph. For more information on any of the affordable services from these plumbing professionals, visit the website or call your local Harco Plumbing and Mechanical at 519-265-6423. Don’t forget to ask about their discount for seniors.

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What is video inspection and drain locating?

September 25, 2020September 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

In addition to providing the Guelph community with reliable and affordable plumbing repair services, Harco Plumbing and Mechanical also offers video inspection and drain locating. Video drain inspection can be an effective tool to quickly and accurately assess and diagnose specific drain and pipeline problems.

Using modern video equipment, a video drain inspection drops a camera down the pipe to inspect the interior for blockages or other problems such as broken, damaged, or collapsed pipes. This cost effective service allows the plumber to have a complete understanding of what is happening inside the pipe, and come up with the best solution to fix the problem. The camera is also a great tool for finding the exact location of a drain that is hidden underground. This information, along with knowing exactly how far under the surface the drain lies, can save both time and money when digging into grass and concrete.

Only licenced and professional plumbers like the experienced team at Harco Plumbing and Mechanical have the expertise to diagnose internal pipe problems that are not visible without the use of these effective tools. Other services at Harco Plumbing and Mechanical include boiler, sump and sewer pump installation and maintenance, water softener and water treatment, catch basin cleaning, and high pressure drain flushing. Harco Plumbing and Mechanical also installs in floor heating and radiant floor heating. Contact Harco today for a no obligation, free estimate.

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24/7 industrial service available at Harco Plumbing and Mechanical

September 25, 2020August 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

As a trusted name in the Guelph community, Harco Plumbing and Mechanical prides themselves on providing quality and personalized plumbing service at affordable prices. The fully licenced and insured team of professionals are committed to ensuring every customer’s plumbing and mechanical fixtures remain in safe and working order. In addition to plumbing repairs, water softener and treatment services, and new installs and retrofits, Harco Plumbing and Mechanical also provides installation of new fixtures for showers, sinks and toilets. Are you experiencing a plumbing emergency or need help in a rush? These plumbing professionals also offer 24-hour emergency service.

Plumbing emergencies are never convenient, and usually happen when least expected. Harco Plumbing and Mechanical understands the urgency surrounding a leaking pipe, flooded bathroom, or boiler malfunction and will arrive quickly to your location with the proper tools and fittings necessary to repair the problem right away. Count on the honest and experienced professionals to handle any emergency plumbing job efficiently and without high pressure sales tactics. Every job begins with a free, no obligation estimate so there are no more surprises for homeowners.

Harco Plumbing and Mechanical services residential and commercial customers. To avoid emergency situations, contact Harco at the first sign of leaking pipes, a change in water pressure, a stopped up sewer line or frozen pipes. Other services include in floor radiant heating installation, high pressure drain flushing, video inspection, drain locating, and sump pump maintenance.

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The top DIY plumbing disasters

September 25, 2020July 21, 2015 by graphicsadmin

Harco Plumbing and Mechanical is Guelph’s first choice for plumbing services. From large commercial customers to simple residential repairs, no job is too big or small for the licenced professionals at Harco Plumbing. According to the pros, many emergency repairs are the result of an ambitious homeowner trying to fix a problem themselves without the background or knowledge that comes with years of experience.

The most common do it yourself plumbing disasters usually happen from the wrong type of pipes being used to repair a leak, which can cause corrosion and an eventual burst pipe. Forgetting to turn off the water stopcock before starting a plumbing repair is another costly mistake, and using makeshift tools instead of the proper equipment rounds out the list for the top reasons professional plumbers are frequently called in to fix other people’s mistakes.

Seemingly simple miscalculations can also have a large impact on the outcome of a DIY plumbing project. Connecting different types of metal in plumbing pipes without using a special tool that separates them, or over tightening plumbing components are also plumbing no-nos. Professional plumbers are trained to prevent leaks, breaks and corrosion when working on pipes and know how to make sure the end result is a quality job that is up to code. Save time and money by making sure that every plumbing job done in your home is done right the first time. Contact Harco Plumbing and Mechanical today for a no obligation free estimate.

Harco Plumbing and Mechanical is your neighbourhood plumbing solution provider located in Guelph. For more information on any of the affordable services from these plumbing professionals, visit the website or call your local Harco Plumbing and Mechanical at 519-265-6423. Don’t forget to ask about their discount for seniors.

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Radiant floor heating: Which type should I get?

September 25, 2020June 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we know how beneficial radiant floor heating can be.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), it doesn’t dispense allergens around your home like a forced air heating system can, and takes duct heating losses out of the equation.

But which kind of radiant floor heating system is best for your home? To help answer this question, we’re pleased to provide the following breakdown of the three types of radiant heated floors (courtesy of DOE).

Air-heated radiant floors

Homeowners rarely install air-heated radiant floors because they aren’t cost-effective (air cannot sustain considerable amounts of heat). However, they can be installed with solar air heating systems, but the heat generation is hindered since heat can only be produced during daytime hours.

Electric radiant floors

Since electricity costs are typically high, electric radiant floors, which comprise of electric cables installed in the floor, are only economical if they incorporate a large thermal mass, such as a thick concrete floor, and your electric utility provider offers time-of-use rates. With time-of-use rates, you can “charge” your concrete floor with heat during off-peak hours (9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).

If the thermal mass of the concrete floor is big enough, the stored heat will keep your home warm for eight to 10 hours without the need for additional heat generation.

Hydronic radiant floors

Homeowners prefer hydronic (liquid) radiant floors since they are the most cost-effective for heating-dominated climates. This radiant floor heating system works by pumping heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern underneath your floor.

Some hydronic systems manage room temperature by utilizing pumps, zoning valves, or thermostats to regulate the hot water flow through each tubing loop. Though they are economical, the cost of installation depends of a number of factors, such as location, house size, and labour.

At Harco, we specialize in radiant floor heating and other heating and plumbing services, including boiler installations, plumbing repairs, and catch basin cleaning.

Harco Plumbing & Mechanical is located at 69 Fleming Road in Guelph. Call us at 519-265-6423, email us at bradharco@gmail.com, or visit us online at www.harcoplumbingandmechanical.com for more information. We also service Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Stratford (519-880-0105), as well as Woodstock and Innerkip (519-421-1827).

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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The benefits of water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, and iron filters in your home

September 25, 2020May 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we know how important water is to you and your family. Whether you use it to clean your clothes or to cook dinner, water is an integral part of our lives.

That’s why you should consider getting products like water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or iron filters that will ensure your home gets only water of the highest quality.

Water softeners

As their name implies, water softeners soften your water by eliminating minerals that cause it to harden, such as magnesium and calcium, says freedrinkingwater.com.

Hard water has many negative effects, says freedrinkingwater.com. It can shorten the lifespan of your water appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, coffeemakers, etc.) by creating a scale buildup, and cause your hair and skin to feel sticky and rough after a shower.

However, installing a water softener in your home can alleviate these problems, as well as lower your monthly energy costs, says freedrinkingwater.com. (For maximum effectiveness, you should have your water softener installed near your water heater, says hometips.com.)

Reverse osmosis systems

A reverse osmosis system is, essentially, a home water purification system, says waterbenefitshealth.com.

When used in the kitchen, it purifies your water by removing several unwanted elements, including copper, lead, sodium, arsenic, and nitrates, says waterbenefitshealth.com. This leaves you with healthy drinking water.

Iron filters

According to aQuatell Canada, high levels of iron in your water can cause stains to appear in your bathtub, toilet, sink, and other fixtures.

An iron filter installed on your water main, however, can eliminate these problems by lowering the amount of iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide in your water, says aQuatell Canada.

At Harco, our team of highly skilled plumbers can outfit your home with a top-of-the-line water softener, reverse osmosis system, and/or iron filter. Just give us a call. You’ll be glad you did!

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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Water saving tips

September 25, 2020April 1, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we know that you’re always looking for new ways to save money, especially when it comes to your home.

That’s why we’re pleased to provide the following tips to help you reduce your household water costs (courtesy of plumbingsupply.com).

Kitchen

Repair a leaky faucet, put in a water-efficient faucet, or outfit your current faucet with a new low-flow aerator.
Only place full loads in your dishwasher and scrape any food off your plates prior to loading rather than rinsing.
A good alternative to running your faucet until the water is cold enough to drink is to always have a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.

Bathroom

Use water sparingly. Don’t turn on the tap when soaping up your hands or brushing your teeth.
Repair a leaky toilet or replace it with a new 1.6-gpf (gallons per flush) low-volume or 1.28-gpf high-efficiency toilet.
Outfit your current shower head with a water-saving flow control. This allows you to slow the water down while you’re shampooing or shaving.
Periodically check your water pipes for damage or leaks and fix any problems as soon as they arise.
Only place full loads in your washing machine and outfit it with a leak detector (this will automatically shut down the unit’s water supply if problems occur, such as cracked fittings or ruptured hoses).
Be cognizant of where your master shutoff valve is. This is extremely important as you can prevent water damage to your home and save on water should an unfortunate problem arise, such as pipes bursting.

At Harco, we specialize in a wide variety of heating and plumbing services, including plumbing repairs, boiler installations, high pressure drain flushing, and radiant floor heating.

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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The advantages of radiant floor heating

September 25, 2020March 25, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we strive to provide our clients with top-of-the-line heating and plumbing services. We are particularly proud of our work with radiant floor heating.

But you may ask yourself, “is radiant floor heating right for me and my family?” The answer is yes.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are many benefits to outfitting your home with a radiant floor heating system.

Firstly, radiant floor heating, which delivers heat either to the floor or to the panels in the ceiling or walls of your home, is more effective than both baseboard and forced-air heating because it removes duct heating losses.

As well, people with allergy concerns more often than not favour radiant floor heating because it doesn’t disburse allergens like forced air systems do.

Finally, hydronic (liquid-based) radiant floor heating systems are ideal for homes with expensive electricity rates of off the power grid since they require very little electricity to operate (hydronic heating systems can use a wide range of power sources to heat the liquid, such as solar water heaters or wood-fired, gas-fired, or oil-fired boilers).

At Harco, our professional technicians can help you choose a radiant floor heating system that is right for you and your family.

Be sure to also inquire about our other heating and plumbing services, including plumbing repairs, high pressure drain flushing, boiler installations, and catch basin cleaning.

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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Toilet leaks: How to pinpoint them

September 25, 2020March 21, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we take great pride in alleviating your plumbing issues. However, we can’t help if you don’t realize there’s a problem.

As such, we offer the following tips to help you determine if your home has a plumbing dilemma, specifically your toilet (courtesy of the Region of Durham).

Inspect your water meter

If your meter measures water flow in cubic metres, it should have a small red diamond shaped dial. This dial is very delicate and will rotate once for every 1/58 gallon of water you use. If the dial moves and you’re not using any water, then you may have a plumbing issue.

It could be your toilet

A damaged toilet accounts for the majority of undetected plumbing problems in the home and can cause water and sanitary sewer bills to be extremely high (over $1,000). Toilet leaks usually occur at the overflow pipe or at the flapper valve inside the tank, so this is where you should look to see if you have a problem.

Overflow pipe

To inspect the overflow pipe for leaks, first take off the lid of the toilet tank. If the water level inside is too high, then water could be trickling down the overflow pipe. To stop this, make sure the water level is at least one centimetre below the top of the pipe.

Flapper valve

To test the flapper valve for leaks, put food colouring in the toilet tank and don’t flush. If the food colouring should appear in the toilet bowl after 15 minutes, then there is a leak somewhere in the tank. If there is no food colouring in the bowl, look inside the tank to make sure that it didn’t fully drain from the bowl and into the sewer system.

At Harco, we offer a wide range of reliable heating and plumbing services, including high pressure drain flushing, radiant floor heating, catch basin cleaning, and boiler installations.

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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What to look for when hiring a plumber

September 25, 2020March 20, 2015 by graphicsadmin

At Harco Plumbing & Mechanical in Guelph, we understand how important your home is to you and your family. That’s why, when plumbing issues arise, you deserve only the best plumbing services.

To help you find a qualified plumber who will properly take care of all of your plumbing needs, we offer the following tips (courtesy of the CID Network, an online resource for community associations).

Ask the company if they are licenced. This is important as a licenced plumber will more often than not provide you with better service than a non-licenced one.
Ask the company if they are insured. You may think that having a plumbing issue is bad enough. It gets worse if you hire a plumber who exacerbates the problem and, on top of that, isn’t insured. Protect your home, and your pocketbook, by hiring only insured plumbers.
Ask about extra charges. Some companies may charge you for an estimate or tack on labour fees. If possible, only hire a plumbing company if they can produce a written estimate. (At Harco, we provide free estimates for our work.)
Ask about the company’s prior experience with your plumbing problem. Some plumbing companies have expertise in low flushing toilets while others specialize in blocked pipes. If a plumber already has experience with your issue, then the chances of him or her fixing it right the first time are better.
Ask the plumber if he or she knows what caused the plumbing problem and what you can do to stop it from happening again. This can save you a lot of time and money in the future.

At Harco, our plumbers are fully licenced and insured. So, you can rest assured that they can handle any plumbing problem you may have.

Be sure to also ask us about our 24/7 emergency service.

We are also on YouTube. Click here to see our video.

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Trust Harco For All Your Home Comfort Needs