ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Our customers often ask us if we provide one service or another after seeing our workmanship for the first time. Our many years of experience have allowed us to learn and practice a variety of construction skills necessary to complete a renovation properly. This means, that we can replace a sink, rebuild a bathroom or kitchen, or just replace a deteriorated silicone caulking bead.

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We ensure a minimum baseline of quality is maintained in our installations. Because of that, we offer three levels of warranty for our installations:

1. One year labour warranty only on small repairs or installations where the customer has supplied the fixtures.
2. One year labour and materials warranty on economical renovation packages, or installations where the customer has purchased warranty approved fixtures through us.
3. Three year labour and materials warranty on luxury renovation packages.

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We feel that our honesty, integrity, and skills set us apart from other contractors out there. We aim to meet and, if possible, exceed our customers' expectations. Our customer's repeat business and referrals are extremely important to us, and we strive to ensure that our customers are happy with every task we perform. Many of our fist time customers end up being repeat customers because they appreciate the non-pressure approach we take, as well as the efforts we go through to ensure the job is planned and performed right the first time!

Some contractors know how to talk the talk, but their workmanship falls short, resulting in delays and problematic installations. And unfortunately since the customer doesn't know any better, and problems don't become apparent until it's too late and the contractor is long gone. Customers have told us of contractors who feel they are not obligated to show up regularly and complete the job in a timely fashion, and some whom have stopped returning their calls to fix problems or complete the work as soon as they are paid and out the door. Unfortunately there are too many of these contractors out there, and it means sometimes we end up being lumped in with the lot of them, but all it takes is one consultation to show we are a different kind of contractor.

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Estimates for small repairs and installations are always free, but as each estimate takes several hours of our time, we do charge customers for extensive kitchen or bathroom renovation estimates. This means, that if you are looking to have a new bathroom with a complex tile pattern for the shower surround or floor, multiple body sprays in the shower, and/or relocation/addition of plumbing fixtures to create a completely custom renovation, then we will charge you a fee to for the estimate process (the fee is non-refundable, but should you choose to contract with us, then that fee will be put towards the quoted price on the sales invoice). However, if all you are wanting is an estimate for a simple bathroom renovation, where the main goal is to update the existing design or address a lifetime of wear and tear, then there is no charge for the estimate process. In any case, we shall inform you before hand when an estimate fee would be required, so there is no need to worry about getting an unexpected bill in the mail.

Unfortunately this policy has arisen due to too many people taking advantage of our free estimate policy by price shopping, looking for DIY ideas, or whom simply do not appreciate the many hours of our time that it takes to put together a renovation quote. We regret having to implement this policy, and understand if any potential customers prefer to take their business elsewhere.

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Every so often, we get asked this question, or we are thanked by an impressed customer when we remove left over construction materials and refuse and take it with us. We believe that removing any leftover materials and refuse created during the construction process is a vital part of a contractor's professionalism, but apparently there are many other contractors out there who disagree.

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In our years of experience, we have selected products which we know to be of a minimum standard of quality that we insist for our installations. Because we trust those products, we can offer a comprehensive warranty when we supply and install those fixtures. Our product catalog is an easy way for customers to see what's available to them and still qualify for one of our comprehensive warranty packages.

However we have no problem installing fixtures provided by the customer, but unfortunately our comprehensive warranty cannot be offered on those installations. See the warranty page for details.

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Many first time customers feel they are better off purchasing fixtures on their own before calling us to install them. This happens time and again as people generally feel they can get better bargains on their own, or they simply trust the sales attendant in the "big box" store they are shopping in. However, the reality is that we can provide our customers with the same (or better quality) fixture for a cheaper price, and we can get it faster as our suppliers have more stock on hand (this is especially true of special order items). Our experience generally outweighs any of the sales staff in retail stores who have no installation experience.

A classic example of this, is when a customer wants a new sink and faucet. Many times we have shown up and are presented with a single hole faucet and a three holed sink. Sure, the escutcheon plate that is included with most faucets will cover the extra holes, but it doesn't look anywhere near as nice as a single hole installation. The need for a single hole sink is something that any experienced sales associate should have understood right away when the customer purchases a single hole faucet, but unfortunately few do.

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Sometimes a customer will not want to break a bathroom fixture colour set, or perhaps they are attached to a sink, and in which case they will ask us to reuse an old fixture. In those instances, we will inspect those fixtures and advise if it's possible to reuse them or not, however we are not able to offer our comprehensive warranty on those installations. See the warranty page for details.

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ABOUT HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING

Some customers have an affinity for European styling, and so we are occasionally asked if we can install these foreign fixtures purchased through the internet. Unfortunately, we do caution against the installation of such fixtures as they were not designed for the North American market. Installation of such fixtures require special installation measures to adapt them to North American building practices, and moreover, finding repair parts is next to impossible. So while we can install foreign fixtures (which meet local codes) for you, we strongly advise against their installation and use, and therefore we will not warranty such installations.

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When a faucet is turned on, or a toilet is flushed, it creates a pressure drop in the water lines. This pressure drop will cause the surge of cold water, or the blast of scalding hot water, when a shower is being used and another plumbing fixture in the house is turned on. This problem can only be addressed by installation of a modern pressure balancing shower valve.

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Generally, if any plumbing fixture which uses a washer or o-ring to make a seal, such as a faucet or toilet fill valve, is continually leaking and requiring servicing every few months or so, it is a sign of high water pressure in the system. Excessive water pressure will deteriorate seals faster than usual, and the installation of a PRV (pressure reducing valve) on the house main is required.

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Many plumbing manufacturers are starting to offer kitchen sinks in alternative materials, such as granite. Granite sinks can come in a variety of colours, and they can immediately give a kitchen a luxurious feeling. However, granite sinks require more care than a traditional stainless steel sink. A lighter coloured sink can stain permanently, while a stainless steel sink can be cleaned fairly easily. A granite sink can crack if a hot pot or boiling water is placed into it, while a stainless steel sink would be able to handle the temperature change. This being said, a granite sink is definitely worth considering, but the practicality of having one depends on the end user.

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Both types of lavatory sinks are perfectly fine, however there are some differences. China sinks are very easy to keep clean, definitely give a sense of quality, and they come a range of shapes and styles. Porcelain enamelled sinks are also easy to keep clean, but they come in less shapes and sizes than their china counterparts, and they can chip easily leaving behind a metal chip area which will rust. While that chip area can be repaired, it will be a noticeable patch. So why would anyone ever install a porcelain enamelled sink? Because they are cheaper, and they match a porcelain enamelled bathtub better than a china sink would.

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"Pipe banging" is caused by water hammer. As a faucet is opened, water rushes through the pipes towards the faucet, but if that faucet is closed quickly enough, the water suddenly slams to a halt, and the force created causes the pipes to move. Water hammer wasn't such a big problem years ago when faucets had to be cranked open or shut, but modern faucets and appliances use quick opening cartridges and solenoid valves which make water hammer an increasing issue. Water hammer can only be addressed by securing the piping properly, and addressing water hammer issues by the installation of water hammer arrestors.

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Running out of hot water can only be one of two things, either the usage is greater than current storage or replenishment times can accommodate, or the water heater has become faulty. If usage suddenly jumps due to additions to the household, then either a larger electric tank is necessary, or a gas tank (which has a faster hot water replenishment rate than it's electric counterpart) should be installed. However, if the amount of hot water suddenly drops from what's normally available, such as only being able to take a 10 minute shower when you used to be able to take a 20 minute shower, then it points to the tank needing servicing.

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Over the years, drain piping eventually build up material on the inside, and as the material builds up, the inside of the piping becomes rougher, and as it becomes rougher as time goes on, the faster it will snag solid material, until a clog eventually forms. This is especially true of drainage system which have a lot of grease poured into them. Cast iron piping, and plastic ABS piping are both very smooth inside, so the buildup of material on the inside is fairly minimal. However, galvanized steel piping is notorious for developing clogs because it will rust on the inside of the pipe! This means, that over the years, the galvanized steel pipes will form a tremendous amount of rust and build up on the inside, which will effectively shrink the inside diameter of the pipe, which will translate into slower drain times and easy formation of clogs. Unfortunately, the only remedy is to replace these galvanised lines which a modern alternative. However, slow draining fixtures can also be the result of material building up in the fixture's "p-trap." Most frequently, this build up tends to be hair, which can only be removed by disassembling the p-trap and/or fixture tailpiece and physically pulling out the clog of hair. This can be addressed by placing a "hair trap" over the drain in the bathtub, so that hair does not pass into the drainage piping.

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Toilets used to perform fairly reliably, but when the switch was made to water saving units, not all companies did the proper research and development to design new toilet bowls which would work with the smaller toilet tanks. One company which did, was TOTO, a company whom is well known for the quality of their low flow toilets. It is extremely rare for a TOTO toilet to develop a clog, unlike most of the other brands out there. The TOTO units all produce a strong flush, ensuring that the bowl contents are emptied on the first flush. This is not true of other toilets on the market which have trouble emptying solid matter reliably.

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Toilets used to perform fairly reliably, but when the switch was made to water saving units, not all companies did the proper research and development to design new toilet bowls which would work with the smaller toilet tanks. One company which did, was TOTO, a company whom is well known for the quality of their low flow toilets. It is extremely rare for a TOTO toilet to develop a clog, unlike most of the other brands out there. The TOTO units all produce a strong flush, ensuring that the bowl contents are emptied on the first flush. This is not true of other toilets on the market which have trouble emptying solid matter reliably.

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While it is true, that the west coast, and Greater Victoria specifically, has the best sustainable quality drinking water in the world, it is also true that the infrastructure of our water deliver system is aging. This means, that the water mains are composed of a number of different materials, and that their long service life has allowed a fair amount of buildup on the inside of the piping. Eventually this buildup will end up in your drinking glass. However, the issue of material buildup is also a real concern if your home's water lines are that of galvanized steel. Galvanized steel piping rusts on the inside, and a tremendous amount of buildup can occur, effectively shrinking the inside diameter of the piping. This means, that your home's water piping could be shrinking inside, causing a system wide pressure loss, as well as releasing foreign material into the drinking water that ends up in your glass. So yes, even though the west coast has some of the best drinking water in the world, it should still be filtered for optimal health.

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Modern acrylic bathtubs are becoming common place to install, because they are easy to keep clean, they are warmer to the touch, and they come in a variety of shapes, styles and colours. Steel enamelled bathtubs are becoming increasingly rare, and while they are cheaper to install than their acrylic counterparts, they can chip and rust fairly easy if the user is not careful of dropping items.

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Upgrading a water heater is not a difficult job from a plumbing perspective, however, if the tank is electric, it can quickly become a large project if the electrical panel is not close by.

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Installation of an island sink is an advanced instigation which require a lot of planning and understanding of structural framing. An island sink definitely adds a luxurious feeling to a kitchen, but they are not always practical or possible.

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ABOUT HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL

GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. A GFCI outlet essentially works by monitoring the current flowing through it when something is plugged in. When that current drops, because some of it is flowing through you, then the GFCI will trip, shutting off the flow of current and hopefully saving your life. GFCI outlets are required in bathrooms and kitchens, because the potential for electrocution in these wet areas is greater because water conducts electricity.

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Lighted switches are just like regular light switches, but they have a small LED light embedded in them to gently backlight the switch. Lighted switches are not only very modern and stylish, but they are also very practical as well. Think how many times you have arrived home after dark, or have gotten up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and you are fumbling about trying to locate the light switch. A lighted switch would provide a dim light from within the switch, allowing you to easily locate and operate the switch quickly. And because the light is coming from an LED, you never have to worry about any internal bulbs burning out.

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Electric floor heating immediately gives a room a luxurious feeling, and in the case of a bathroom or kitchen, helps to put the user at ease.

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Yes, special certified lighting can be installed in a shower to light dim alcove installations.

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Recessed lighting is very modern, and practical. It can easily work with the aesthetics in any room, and it can be installed in low ceiling areas so as to maximize ceiling height. Recessed lighting can be used as a primary lighting source, or as a secondary light source to accent special areas of the home.

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Electrical breakers will "flip" when a circuit becomes overloaded. As older circuits, which were not designed to carry modern load demands, become overloaded with high wattage modern electronics and appliances, they will flip due to the protective load sensing action of the circuit breaker. However, as the breaker flips off, it becomes more sensitive, or possibly damaged, and so replacement may be necessary should the breaker flip repeatedly.

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Aluminium wiring was typically installed during the 70s when a number of building codes changed to accommodate newer materials on the market. Unfortunately, as was the case with most of these new materials, aluminium wiring was not a step in the right direction.

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VICTORIA, BC, CANADA
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