World Health Organization sets international norms for drinking water quality requirements. There are many criteria to evaluate the quality of water, among them are taste and odor, color, dissolved metals and minerals, pH, dissolved organics, microorganisms, etc.

The drinking water supply can be divided into 3 major parts: source water, treatment system, and distribution system. The plumbing inside houses and apartments can be considered as an extension of the distribution system. The treating water for drinking purpose may include such processes as, solids separation, filtration, aeration, disinfection, removing heavy metals from water.

In 2005, in response to changes to the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines, Greater Vancouver Water District approved the combination of ozone and UV treatment to primary disinfect water. Compared to chlorine, ozone significantly reduces the by-products that may have health safety implications, provides faster and better disinfection, reducing the need for a big infrastructure. But chlorine is used as secondary treatment because the disinfectant used during the primary treatment stage gradually becomes ineffective in the distribution system.

Anyways, it is a good idea to run the water before drinking or using it for cooking, especially, if the tap system has not been used for long. Also it is better to use cold tap water for drinking or cooking since hot water may contain more dissolved impurity from distribution system. And make sure to deal only with reliable certified plumbers

Around 70% of human body is water. Water has a simple chemical formula but tap water is not a pure water. Normally, available to us water contain dissolved minerals and gases of the natural environment. In fact, some impurities are not bad, they need for human body to function properly. Water should contain clinically important levels of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), and other minerals otherwise their deficit may lead to health problems. Although scientists still argue what water is ideal for healthy living, most forms of life would be impossible without water. Annually, World Water Day is held on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater.

Water is a complex chemical solution. Its another characteristic is pH, which measures the hydrogen ion concentration. pH of 7 is neutral, pH values less than 7 is acidic, while alkaline water has values greater than 7. Human biochemistry usually performs optimally around a biologically weak alkaline level pH=7.4. Our Metro Vancouver’s water is supplied from three mountain reservoirs – Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam. It is naturally low in mineral content, so-called “soft”. Tap water in most cities of Greater Vancouver, BC is acidic although pH is slowly increasing every year.

Now about bad impurities. In the past, lead alloy was often used to join and fix copper pipes and it could enter the water supply from lead solder in plumbing. Normally, these days lead has been replaced by health-safe soldering materials. Anyway, it is better to use cold tap water for drinking or cooking since hot water may contain more lead or other non-healthy dissolved substances from piping. Also make sure to deal only with certified plumbers. If you are looking for reliable plumbers in Vancouver, please call Papa Plumbing at 604-437-7272. It is a licensed plumbing company with professionals. Services are available 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

What if you can see puddles and standing water in your yard after a rain for too long? When you walk on grass in some areas, you can feel rainwater coming out from soil. Also if grass and trees in your yard do not look green-healthy, it might be a sign of over-watering. Over-watering can happen itself here in British Columbia without a proper functioning drainage because of rainy climate.

During Spring seasons overflowing of water onto land can happen additionally to standing rain water. Too much water can kill plants and cause damage to house. That is why having a sufficient drainage system is important. The reason can be just a clogged up drain. The solution can be perimeter drainage cleaning with high pressure or the repairing (or replacement) of drain tiles.

Anyway, if you have any drainage problem, need water damage restoration or flood restoration, call Papa Plumbing. The drainage team provides a professional drainage services in Vancouver and Greater Vancouver area (Richmond, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Burnaby).

As history evidences, water supply systems were invented and first used several thousands years ago. It was clay, copper and lead – the first materials that were used to make pipes. Initially, water supply was used in limited areas and the technology for cleaning water was not applied. Nowadays, running clean water delivered to our homes, businesses and public buildings. Modern pipes made of iron, steel, copper, or different types of plastics that are able to carry a sufficient water supply for all our needs.

Not many know that the word “plumbing” derives from the Latin word “plumbum” (that is word for lead) because, for centuries, lead was the major material for water pipes. However, as it was discovered at the beginning of the last century, exposure to even a small amount of lead can cause different health issues: anemia, kidney problems, nerve disorders and developmental effects, especially, for young children.

Some time ago, lead alloy was often used to join and fix copper pipes and lead could enter the water supply from lead solder in plumbing. As a rule, these days it has been replaced by health-harmless soldering materials. Homeowners can check the pipes: when scratched with sandpaper, a pipe or junction with lead has gray color. Anyways, it is a good idea to run the water tap before drinking it, especially, if the system has not been used for long. Also it is better to use cold tap water for drinking or cooking since hot water may contain more lead. And make sure to deal only with certified plumbers

A special greetings to you from the Papa Plumbing family: We wish you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with peace, happiness, and hope! Warmest Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your plumbing and heating problems will be fixed in 2013 (if you still have ones)!

From a health point consideration, in winter time, it is advisable to keep indoor temperature slightly colder than in summer time to minimize the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. What are optimal indoor temperatures? Normally, in summer time 23 – 25 C (73 – 77 F) is good, in winter time 21 – 23 C (70 – 73 F) is the best. A day and night temperatures also can differ.  Many researches have found, in general, the optimal temperature for a healthy night sleep is quite cool, around  16 – 20 C (60 – 68 F)

Another important factor of healthy environment is humidity. A relative humidity lower than 50% can cause some discomfort, on the other hand, a higher humidity is even more dangerous. Too high humidity not only can make your home or room feels “stuffy” but it can contribute to the development of different bad types of bacterias, not to mention it can be damaging to the building. As studies show, an optimal relative humidity is in a range of about 50% – 60%. The temperature and humidity in your residence depend on how your heating system  is well-maintained. Besides, any problematic pipes or seals can introduce a higher humidity to your living space. 

If you have any problem with your heating system, unable to set optimal temperature schedule for your healthy living, or worry about high humidity, please do not hesitate to contact a plumber-heating company. Papa Plumbing is always at your service to provide you with best solutions.

Depending on the type of heating system, furnace or boiler, heating problems, as well as, their troubleshooting can differ. Most heating systems have similar parts, for example, thermostat or gas heater. Even if you can easily fix many possible problems, it is a good idea to have your central heating system serviced regularly by a licensed professional.

No heat. The first thing to check is thermostat. It can be set too low. If it is a programmable (digital) one, the timer or other settings can be wrong due to power outage in the past. Also it may be not working. Other possible reasons can be in furnace (boiler) module: circuit breaker or fuse is blown; the pilot light does not work; unusual flashing lights inside furnace or boiler, etc. If you do not know how to check and fix listed above, call experts.

Boiler problem: Noise. If your house is heated by conventional boiler, then there may be a lack of water in the water tank. Water gurgling. It indicates air in the pipes or radiators. Lack of water, as well as, air in central heating system can cause more serious problems that is why it is better to call heating specialist as soon as possible.

Boiler problem: Water leaking from heating pipes or from water tank. To avoid house flooding, immediately shut off the water supply and the water heater, and then call professional plumbers.

Although BC summers of the recent years do not surprise us with a hot weather, residential and commercial air conditioning systems (A/C systems) are often used during our summer hot days. There are many types of air conditioning systems that are installed in homes. Normally, an air conditioning system consists of outdoor and indoor parts.

Outdoor one has a pump driven by electric motor which compresses low pressure refrigerant gas into a high pressure gas. During this process gas reaches high temperature. The outdoor part has a condenser unit to convert gas into its liquid form. The change of state of the refrigerant, from a hot high pressure gas to a liquid also releases heat. The condenser consists of a coil of finned tubing and a electric fan to blow air across the coil to cool the refrigerant gas to a liquid state.

Indoor part has a cooling coil to evaporate from liquid to gas state inside the coil. When the refrigerant change its state, from liquid form back to gas, it becomes cold and, therefore, absorbs heat. The indoor part has a blower unit with a fan to blow building air across the evaporator coil. A duct system distributes conditioned air from the air handler into the occupied space and which also takes air from the occupied space to return it to the cooling system air handler. Additionally, air conditioner has many other smaller but important parts, such as, controls, thermostat, electrical switches, circuit breakers (fuses) and air filters.

Papa Plumbing experts are always ready to answer whatever questions you may have about your current air conditioning system and explain the options if repair or replacement is needed. Give us a call if you have any air conditioning needs, whether you are in Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Delta, White Rock (or other cities from Hope to Horseshoe Bay).

Plumbing problems can be different. It can be a small but annoying issue or an emergency plumbing problem. It could be a low water pressure in your house or no water at all due to incoming water line bursting. It can be the creaking noises that come from the plumbing pipes within the walls of home. A properly functioning furnace with thermostat is necessary to heat homes during cold seasons. Not to mention, our kitchen or bathroom cannot function without cold and hot water and drainage.

The most common area of homes that suffers from plumbing problem is a kitchen sink which is mostly due to the fact that it is the most-used part of our home. Frequently clogged drain pipe can cause headaches. We all have some kitchen repair skills and we think that do-it-yourself plumbing repairs can save money. However, sometimes, it can worsen the situation. For example, liquid drain cleaners usually contain chemicals that may damage older types of pipes (not to mention, they are toxic).

How often we hear that a child accidentally flushes a toy down the toilet? Unfortunately, it happens. You may try different ways to get it out but in some cases it can be not easy. Eventually, you may discover that the best way to get the toy out of the toilet is to simply call a plumber.

Another example is a water heater. It is important part of our home that should have a periodic maintenance. Such basic requirement is ignored by owners very often. That is why heaters can stop working due to rust and corrosion. Replacing water heater is hard and it can be really risky to do it yourself. The quickest and easiest way to replace a water heater is to have it done by a plumbing professional.

Plumbing problems can be different. Some of them are simple to do it yourself. Some require a special expertise or immediate attention. In any situations it is better first to consider consulting with a local plumber.