ask a plumber Archives

Low Water Pressure? Here’s what’s wrong and how to fix it

Posted on April 4, 2024June 20, 2025 by Charlie Avoles

There are few things worse than taking a steamy shower, only to be interrupted by a sudden stream of cold, trickling water when a toilet flushes. Having low water pressure can be highly frustrating. From slow dishwashing cycles to showers that feel more like a sprinkle, low water pressure can disrupt the way your home […]

Why do I have two pumps in my basement? Ask a Plumber

Posted on March 14, 2024April 4, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

What is a waste ejector? A common plumbing device in many homes is a sump pump. The purpose of the sump pump is to pump excess groundwater away from your house into your yard or a storm sewer. It pumps groundwater, not wastewater that has gone through your plumbing system. There also may be a […]

How does one become a plumber? Ask a Plumber..

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

What does it take to become a plumber? Plumbing is one of the construction trades that require an individual license for each worker. In other words, the person working in your home is required to have a specific plumbing license. Apprenticeship To get a plumbing license, a person must serve an apprenticeship that requires four […]

When To Replace A Concrete Laundry Tub: Ask A Plumber…

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

St Paul Pipeworks plumbers are called often to replace outdated laundry tubs. The tubs are most commonly located in the basement of the home. Up until around 1960, these laundry tubs were made of concrete and were very substantial and heavy-duty. In those days, concrete laundry tubs were much less costly. Over many years though, […]

What’s the difference between an Apprentice, a Journeyman, and a Master Plumber?

Posted on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

The plumbing industry and other construction trades use designations to determine the skill level of employees. Much like the designation titles that were used coming out of the Renaissance, the titles that we are familiar with today are Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. Let’s explore the difference between these different classifications of plumbers. Apprentices are plumbers […]

How can I tell if my leaking pipe is a water pipe leak or a waste pipe leak? Ask A Plumber

Posted on October 19, 2023October 26, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

A leaking pipe can be a water supply pipe or a waste pipe leak. How can you tell which one you’re dealing with? The most difficult problem in determining where a leak is coming from is that often the leaking pipe is concealed and you notice the symptoms of the leak first without being able […]