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In Ontario, it can get downright frigid during winter. You can expect the thermometer to drop well below zero. The colder it gets, the more likely you’ll see water “deep freeze”, and this means expansion. Water volume expands by a factor of about 15% when frozen, causing broken pipes and serious water damage to your home.

So if you find yourself in need of heating services in Kingston and Brockville, it’s imperative to get the issue fixed before the next deep freeze. But how can you anticipate the need for repair, though?

Some key signs you’re in need of heating services or repairs in Kingston or Brockville include: 

Olfactory Signs: Sometimes Smells Are A Key Indicator

When you notice thick, heavy, unpleasant smells in the vicinity of your heating system, it’s a bad sign. With water-based heating issues, you’re going to have a sort of “mildew” smell. Heating systems that don’t incorporate water directly, or at all, may have a different unpleasant smell.

If you’re noticing such odors, contact heating services in Kingston and Brockville so an expert can have a look. If the system is still working despite the smell, you can get the issue fixed more cost-effectively.

Areas Of The Home Won’t Warm Despite More Expensive Utility Bills

Sometimes an indicator you’ve got heating issues is that there are pockets of cold air throughout your home—this is especially true if you remember those areas being warm normally. Should this sign be coupled with an increase in utility bills, you definitely have a heating issue.

Uncharacteristic Noises: High-Pitched Squeals, Knocking, Grinding, Etc.

Another indication of the need for heating services in Kingston and Brockville is strange sounds. If your unit is making a weird noise, something isn’t right; have a professional come and have a look. 

Keep your heating system operational by contacting Toshack!

Sounds, smells, increased utility bills, and pockets of cold air where they shouldn’t be are all indications of heating issues you need to address. If you’re having issues with your HVAC system, or you’re simply looking to upgrade contact us online today or call 1 (888) 547-6162.

Water expands when it freezes. This stresses any plumbing systems affected and left unchecked, can result in a condemned property. A 3.175 millimeter crack in a pipe might leak over 250 gallons of water in a day. Kingston and Brockville plumbing services advise taking quick and specific measures, especially in winter. If you notice signs of water leakage, turning off your water is a good first move.

Here are a few other things to consider:

Temporary Fixes

Kingston and Brockville plumbing services recommend leaving your faucets dripping. This means opening both the hot and cold faucets in your home slightly to allow pressure reduction—do this when the forecast says temperatures will drop below freezing.

Another thing that can be done is draining outdoor faucets and disconnecting hoses. Do you have pipes in the bathroom? Open cabinets in front of those pipes to keep things a little warmer. If you’re heading out of town, assure the furnace stays on while you’re gone; just keep it on “low”. A cold house can be all that’s necessary to burst the pipes. Also, open all air vents so warm air blows throughout the house.

Permanent Fixes

For permanent fixes, insulating crawlspaces can keep the cold out if there are exposed pipes. Install frost-proof faucets outdoors. Reroute pipes so they don’t go through cold areas of your home. Assure walls are properly insulated, and if there are any exterior cracks in those walls, fix them. Caulk application is best at higher than 7.22 degrees Celsius.

Installing New Plumbing

Kingston and Brockville plumbing services can also totally revitalize plumbing by systematically reinstalling piping where there are concerns. Firstly, such plumbers know where you may have an issue that needs to be addressed. Secondly, they know how to make repairs, and third, they’ll leave systems alone that don’t need any augmentation to retain structural integrity.

Stopping water damage before it starts by contacting Toshack!

Kingston and Brockville plumbing services can provide a permanent fix for your plumbing issue. We can help you install new plumbing if necessary, so contact us online today or call Toshack at 1 (888) 547-6162.

Forced-air heating often incorporates gaseous compounds that can ignite. However, this is easily avoided with the proper installation, inspection, and maintenance. That’s why the furnace repair and replacement team from Brockville’s Toshack have collected some tips to help you stay on top of things!

Furnace Issues Result In Lethal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You can’t smell carbon monoxide, and if you or your family members inhale too much, it becomes lethal. Annually, people die around the world from carbon monoxide poisoning. Furnaces are a prime culprit, as they can leak, and this results in associated poisoning. Headaches, furnace performance issues, and anomalous utility bills may indicate this problem.

Items Too Near A Furnace Might Just Catch Fire

Another way to minimize furnace repair and replacement in Kingston and Brockville is to avoid a fire. If something flammable is too near a furnace, and it catches fire, not only is the room and the whole house damaged, so also is the furnace. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the furnace on all sides.

Poor Installation Can Be Expensive And Dangerous

Even the best furnace is a safety liability if it isn’t installed right. A good way to stay safe is to work with experts in furnace repair and replacement in Kingston and Brockville from the start. They know the right way to get the job done, and how to test installations to assure things work as intended.

A Gas Furnace Might Literally Explode

If you smell rotten eggs when using any of your HVAC systems, you’ve probably got a gas leak. If ignited, this can totally destroy your home. It can also damage other homes adjacent to yours. Gas leaks develop from cracked heat exchangers, combustion issues, and other things. Have an annual inspection to assure you’re not at risk.

Call Toshack for furnace repair and replacement in Brockville!

Taking preventative measures and collaborating with companies like Toshack can keep your home warm and safe. Contact us online today for more information or call 1 (888) 547-6162.

While you cannot prevent every mishap, there are steps you can take in your home to keep your plumbing services in their best shape and prolong the need for professional repairs. Although some of the information online can be helpful, much of it only provides temporary fixes, and some information is even incorrect.

The best thing you can do for your home is to invest in routine professional checks of your plumbing services, to ensure everything is in working order and prevent any small problems that may arise.

What Causes Plumbing Leaks?

There are many reasons you may be suffering from a leak in your plumbing lines like tree roots, weather damage, pipe corrosion, and many more.

Improper installation is one of the biggest causes of leaks in plumbing systems around the home. Often people will opt to install appliances such as dishwashers themselves, leading to leaks. Leaks can happen anywhere, which means they can sometimes be hidden and go unnoticed until flooding occurs.

To prevent plumbing leaks in your home, invest in a whole home inspection performed by professionals who thoroughly examine in and around your home for signs of plumbing concerns.

Get in touch with a local plumbing company such as Toshack. They are plumbing experts servicing the Kingston and Brockville areas.

How Does Professional Maintenance Prevent Leaks? 

Plumbing professionals have the experience and knowledge to go beyond simply checking your water pressure! They thoroughly investigate every water source and plumbing service in your home, looking for signs of damage that only a trained professional would notice.

Professionals can record signs of new and old water damage throughout your home and look for any moist areas in your garden that could indicate an obstruction in your sewage system. They will also check for signs of corrosion in your water heater, as a water heater leak could warp floorboards, create mold and mildew, and destroy carpets.

Without functioning plumbing services, your home’s lifestyle and ecosystem will suffer. Furthermore, if the damage is extensive enough, it may not only affect your home but spread to neighboring properties!  

How to Protect Your Home

Plumbing professionals like Toshack have both the knowledge and experience to recognize and prevent any issues before they occur. From emergency repairs to routine maintenance, Toshack are the plumbing services experts in Kingston and Brockville.

Contact us now to receive a free quote today!

Staying in a freezing home through the winter is more than just uncomfortable, it is also very bad for your health. You can prevent the breakdown of your home heating service with routine maintenance. Often, before a breakdown occurs, there are warning signs your heating services need professional maintenance.

Read on to discover 5 signs you need a home furnace repair.

1. You Can Smell Gas

A gas leak is the most dangerous problem you can encounter when it comes to your home’s furnace; it has the potential to cause an explosion and fire. Should you ever smell gas coming from your furnace, you need to act on it right away.

After shutting off the gas supply valve, immediately contact an emergency furnace repair service. Toshack offers emergency furnace repairs in the Kingston and Brockville areas, as well as regular maintenance for your home heating services. Once you have contacted a professional service, try to stay away from your furnace until you know it is safe.  

1. You Can Hear Strange Noises

Is there a constant rumble anytime you turn on your furnace? While it is typical to hear a few start-up noises, a constant groaning, or other strange sounds coming from your furnace are signs you need repairs. There are a range of reasons your furnace might be making noises ranging from overheating to rust and debris in the pipes.

1. Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

The most obvious sign of a problem with your heating services is cold air coming out of your furnace when it is turned on. Although you may feel a short blast of cold air when your furnace first turns on, it should not last very long.

Your first thought may be to try and fix it yourself, however, before starting up your heating services for winter, it’s best to get a service check by calling a Kingston furnace repair specialist.

1. Your Furnace Constantly Turns On and Off

A properly working furnace turns on, increases the temperature in your home, then turns off and stays off until the temperature decreases. Your furnace should not constantly turn off and on, or struggle to push warm air through your home.

You could be dealing with issues from a clogged air filter to a problem with the thermostat. You could also be paying too much to heat your home due to this constant “cycling.”

Seek the services of a company that can provide you with home furnace repair.

1. You Haven’t Serviced Your Furnace in Over a Year

As a rule of thumb, you should service your furnace at least once a year. By skipping a year or two, you increase the chances of needing a furnace repair or having to pay for a replacement.

Schedule Your Furnace Repairs Today!

No matter your comfort needs, the Toshack team are experts in heating services and furnace replacements. With winter already here, there is no time to delay! For heating services, maintenance, and repair in the Kingston and Brockville areas, contact us today!

Deciding to upgrade your home is not as simple as picking a color scheme and finding a good contractor. Every time you modify your home, you must ensure your renovations are compliant with local building codes. These are regulations that govern the installations around your home. For example, if you were installing a furnace replacement.

Code legislature, however, can exceed 1,000 pages and is frequently updated, so even if your home installations were code-compliant a few years ago, they might not be now. You can contact your local furnace repair specialists to survey your home and inform you of any necessary changes.

For a general understanding, read on to discover more about building codes and what to do when you are out of compliance.

What Is a Building Code?

If you decide to make structural changes to your home, you must follow the laws governing what you legally are and aren’t able to do. Although it can be frustrating to have to ask permission to work on your own home, codes are there primarily to protect the safety of a home’s occupants.

Building codes vary by area, but most stem from models, like the International Residential Code or the Uniform Mechanical Code.

Is My Heating and Cooling System Up to Code?

Your HVAC system is an integral part of your home, however, furnace replacement is an intricate process that is subject to lots of code provisions. Most localities’ codes governing furnace replacement come from the Uniform Mechanical Code, which is updated every three years by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

If you aren’t a qualified furnace repair technician, you should never try to install a furnace replacement on your own. You may unknowingly break the law by violating local codes. It’s also dangerous since you are working with harmful chemicals and combustible fuels.

Get in touch with a Kingston-based furnace repair service to install your new system safely, and in compliance with the current building legislature.

What Happens If I’m Out of Compliance?

If you live in an older home, there are probably a few areas where it violates the current code requirements. Pre-existing homes are grandfathered, meaning you don’t have to update your heating and cooling system to comply with the code while you’re living there.

However, if you plan on selling your house, or completing a project that requires a city permit, your home must comply with current code requirements. In addition, some insurers may decline home insurance for older heating and cooling systems.

Contact us to update your building to code or install a new furnace!

For furnace replacements and repairs guaranteed to comply with local codes, you can rely on the Toshack team. Toshack services the Brockville and Kingston areas and has excellent knowledge of local building codes to keep your home in compliance.

Contact us today to receive your quote.

With the variety of home contractors available for different tasks, it is not always clear who you should call for something as specific as a dishwasher installation. Many homeowners in Brockville and Kingston wonder whether this task falls into the category of plumbing services, or whether it is the job of an electrician to perform this type of installation.

Installing a dishwasher should always be done by a professional, and plumbers are in fact some of the most qualified contractors for the job. At Toshack, our team of plumbing experts are here to explain why a plumber is a great person to trust with your dishwasher installation.

Reasons to Hire a Plumber for Your Dishwasher Installation

Leak prevention

One of the biggest risks involved with installing any system that uses water is the presence of leaks. Plumbers are the experts on sealing systems properly so that your home is protected against water damage. Hiring a plumbing contractor to install your dishwasher will therefore prevent expensive repairs going forward.

Inspect the quality of the machine

Once your dishwasher is installed, it is important to have a professional inspect the system to ensure it is running smoothly, and not at risk of any malfunctions in the near future. A plumber is by far the best person to assess the quality of the machine and flag any potential issues. Other contractors may be able to successfully install one of these units, however, they may not be able to give you any further information about the system.

Comply with plumbing regulations

In areas such as Brockville and Kingston, there are certain municipal regulations that need to be met to stay up to code. If you decide to have your dishwasher installed by someone who is not well-versed in these restrictions, you may be fined for failing to comply with a by-law. Avoid the stress of researching these codes on your own by opting for a professional plumbing service.

Responsible disposal

If you are replacing an existing dishwasher, you may not know how to dispose of the old equipment in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Professional plumbers offer years of experience with these units and will remove your old dishwasher themselves so that you do not have the burden of throwing it away on your own.

If you are thinking about installing a new dishwasher, contact our contractors at Toshack today for top-rated plumbing services in Kingston and Brockville

It is never a good sign when your heating or cooling equipment begins to make noises that you’ve never heard before. This is often the case with a malfunctioning boiler, however, there is such a wide range of sounds that these units make, that most homeowners do not know how to diagnose problems when they arise.

While performing boiler services, our team at Toshack has seen a correlation between certain issues, and the sound that the boiler will make as an indicator. The following is a guide to help you understand what your boiler is trying to tell you based on the specific noise it is making.

How to Interpret the Sound Coming from Your Boiler

Banging

The sound of banging coming from your boiler could indicate overheating, or a problem within the piping. Over the years, your pipes may loosen simply due to the amount of hot and cold water that has run through them. If this is the case, the pipes may begin to move with the heavy flow of water and start making a banging noise.

Humming

If you notice a humming or vibrating noise coming from your boiler, your heat pump is most likely the culprit. When the water pressure inside the system is too high, it can often overwork the pump, causing it to shake and make noise. During a boiler maintenance service, the contractor will test the water pressure and ensure it is running at an appropriate rate. Another possible cause of a humming boiler is a lack of air coming into the system. We recommend inspecting the air intake equipment outside your home to see if something is blocking it.

Whistling

A whistling boiler can be thought of in the same way as a whistling tea kettle. The same process of boiling occurs, causing the steam to generate a high-pitched noise. This is often the case when rust begins to form, causing debris to get caught in the system, creating a slower path for water to pass through. This can begin to overheat the water, causing it to boil.

Gurgling

Thankfully, a gurgling sound is not always the sign of a major problem. If the noise is particularly noticeable, you may want to contact a professional for a boiler service to ensure the water pressure is correct, and that there is no excess air in the unit.

If your boiler is making an unusual sound, reach out to us for a free estimate on boiler maintenance or repair service.

An electric furnace is a reliable heating option that will keep your home comfortable during the cold seasons. However, unfortunately, there is a price to pay for this type of equipment. Electric furnaces are some of the most hazardous heating units on the market. Homeowners are at risk of electrocuting themselves or starting a fire if the equipment is not properly maintained.

At Toshack, our mission is to provide effective heating and cooling solutions that are safe for your home and your loved ones. Continue reading to learn what you can do to prevent electric furnace-related safety issues from occurring.

How to Reduce the Risks Associated with Electric Furnaces

Keep the unit clean

One of the main causes of furnace fires is nearby flammable objects. If you have an electric furnace, we recommend tidying up the area around the unit, so that nothing is at risk of overheating. Additionally, it is important to keep the equipment itself clean by clearing out the furnace filter on a regular basis. If you do not clean or change this element at least once every four months, the buildup of dust and debris could eventually start a fire.

Hire a trusted professional for your furnace replacement

If your electric furnace is coming to the end of its life, you may want to start looking into skilled HVAC technicians in your area. Hiring a contractor to perform a furnace installation without the proper licensing and credentials could lead to shoddy electrical work, putting your family in danger and home at risk of fire. Always hire licensed professionals to perform any electrical installations.

Address furnace issues promptly

If you notice a problem with a large electrical unit in your home, it is always best to call a professional to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Furnace repair can be highly involved and pose a serious threat to homeowners who attempt to fix damages themselves. If you are in the Brockville or Kingston area, do not hesitate to call our furnace repair experts in an emergency.

Maintain the system

One of the best ways to keep all heating and cooling equipment hazard-free is by scheduling regular maintenance checks. By contacting a professional contractor at least once per year, you will be able to flag any potential safety issues in advance and avoid causing unnecessary damage to your home.

Furnace Repair & More

Are you concerned about the safety of your electric furnace? Contact our team at Toshack today for all your furnace repair, installation, and maintenance needs.

When it comes to keeping your boiler maintained, the more attention you can give it, the better. Having it running at peak performance levels will help cut down on energy costs, as well as reduce the amount of annual maintenance it needs; it will also help extend its lifespan.

That’s why the team from Toshack has collected some insight for you below. Here you’ll find some in-depth reasons why regular boiler service is essential, especially when it comes to your maintenance plan.

Determining the Efficiency of Your Boiler

Are you wondering how to determine the efficiency of your boiler? If so, you might first want to check your boiler’s user’s manual, which will often have its efficiency rating clearly listed. However, if you can’t find your old manual don’t fret, you can also check its efficiency by calculating how much oil it consumes on a monthly basis. Try comparing it to last month’s bill or its performance annually. If there’s a noticeable difference, it likely signifies a drop in efficiency. Scheduling a boiler service visit is also an easy way to check its efficiency. 

Why Is Annual Boiler Service a Must?

When it comes to maintaining your boiler, one of the very best ways to do so is by investing in annual boiler services. As your boiler ages, it can become clogged with debris that needs to be cleaned to maintain its efficiency. Having it inspected regularly can help ensure it’s properly cleaned, as well as prevent issues that could cause costly repairs down the road. It will also help keep you safe, making certain there are no carbon monoxide issues. Depending on the type of boiler you have, annual service costs will vary, so it’s always best to get a quote from Toshack directly.

A Few Boiler Maintenance Tips Before You Go

There are a few things you can do on your own to make sure your boiler is functioning properly, like regularly checking its pressure levels and noting any changes you see. Also, inspect your boiler for leaks or any other signs of damage. Keeping all of its external vents and ducts clean and clear of debris will also help ensure it functions at peak performance levels.

Let us be your boiler service experts!

If you can’t remember the last time your boiler was inspected by a professional, give Toshack a call today! Our team in Kingston and Brockville can make sure that it’s running like a dream. Contact us online or call 1 (888) 547-6162 to schedule a service visit.