Plumbing

Question: Good afternoon Ari. I usually read your article in the Free Press and have come to appreciate your knowledge and insight into the various problems out there. I have a question. This is becoming an issue of frustration. We moved from Regina into our present home in July 03. I have … [Read more...] about Leaking Shower

Question: Hello Ari Marantz! Literally dozens of cottage owners in Manitoba are suffering from ground water leaking into their fibreglass holding tanks, caused by heavy rainfall, which raises the groundwater table. The leakage occurs at the junction of the tank’s body to its extension collar. … [Read more...] about Leaking Holding Tank

Question: We replaced our natural gas furnace with a forced air electric one three years ago, after having a Lennox Pulse fail in only 13 heating seasons. Changing codes during the ensuing 13 years regarding the fresh air intake and exhausting of a new high efficiency gas furnace made converting … [Read more...] about Gas Vs Electric Water Heater

Question: Hello Ari, This past spring, we had an unfortunate incident in our basement where our sump pump hose froze after we prematurely reconnected the extension hose that takes the water to the yard. The pipe froze up one night, causing a huge backup in our sump pit, which caused flooding … [Read more...] about Frozen Sump Pump Hose

Question: Hello Mr. Marantz. I read your article on sewage in weeping tiles Sun Nov 30 th 2003. As I have never heard of a sewage smell coming from the weeping tiles after a sewage backup incident, I think the smell is coming from elsewhere. However, you say it is possible and suggest flushing … [Read more...] about Flushing Weeping Tiles

Question: I've been following your column in the Free Press and I have a question you may want to answer. I am considering installing a bathroom in the basement. How would I go about hooking up to the drain lines that are beneath the concrete floor? Answer: The addition of a basement … [Read more...] about Drains For Basement Bathroom

Question: I read your column in the Free Press on Sundays with enthusiasm. I have a problem with my sump pit that I need some advise on. I just bought a 1400 square foot bungalow in Whyte Ridge in July 05. The sump pump would go off several times per day which was not too concerning until … [Read more...] about Cracks in Sump Pit