Life in Toronto has its benefits and disadvantages. We have milder winters than most of Canada. “Toronto the Good” has little in the way of crime, and our economy is one of the best in the country. A downside to living here, however – apart from the bedbug infestation – is the old homes and … Read more
Do you have a blocked drain, leaking toilet or other plumbing issues that isn’t serious enough to warrant calling out – and paying – a plumber, but is enough of an irritation to make you want to resolve it? We’ll do our best to answer your most common plumbing questions in a series of posts, … Read more
Hiring a plumber is easy, right? You just pick up the phone and call one of the many plumbers in Toronto who are listed in the online directories, the Yellow Pages, or wherever. It’s not that simple, however; as with every other type of contractor, some plumbers are “more equal” than others. When it comes … Read more
Winter 2012 is almost here, and Torontonians know it could be a long, cold one. We also know what a pleasure it is to come in from outdoors and take a hot bath or shower, thawing out all the chilly nerve-endings in our body. Most GTA hot water heaters are located in the basement, which … Read more
Fall has arrived in the northern hemisphere, and in Toronto that means a profusion of glorious colors as the leaves turn from green to red and gold. What’s slightly less intriguing for the homeowner, however, is the problems caused by those leaves when they drop into the drainage system. The backup they cause in the … Read more
A common toilet problem is that the toilet tank doesn’t fill properly. This makes it impossible for it to work correctly, and if you find yourself having to flush multiple times to clear the bowl, it could be that there isn’t enough water in the tank each time. The good news is that it’s an … Read more
Ontarians lose billions of dollars’ worth of water because of water leaks every year, according to a 2009 report by the University of Toronto. Although the study focused mainly on municipal water pipes, it’s not much better in homes across the province. Residential water requirements equal 51% of Toronto’s total annual water usage of 393,251 … Read more
Buying toilet paper is something we do without thinking. We choose our brand based on price, previous experience or press hype. Advertising ranges from cuddly golden retriever puppies running amok with toilet rolls, to cartoon bears who “can’t pass inspection with white bits stuck” to their tail ends. One thing few consumers consider when choosing … Read more
Toronto’s record for environmental health is pretty good, with a sustainability plan that was approved back in 2000 for a clean, green and healthy city. The plan is implemented by an environmental task force made up of representatives from government, business, education, and agencies across the GTA. One of the vital factors in the plan … Read more
The issue of mandatory downspout disconnection has given rise to a scam currently operating in Toronto. Scammers are knocking on doors and using high-pressure sales tactics to “sell” residents their disconnection services, on the pretext that they are not in compliance with the change in the law. The City has recently issued a statement that … Read more
Toilets across the GTA get plugged daily as a result of any number of factors. Infrequent flushing, use of too much toilet paper, or disposal of paper towels and other foreign matter in the toilet can all lead to a blockage. A clogged-up toilet is unpleasant and unhealthy, and usually happens when it’s least convenient … Read more