Tag Archives: Must

Furnace Inspections A Must Under New Oilheat Regulations

Furnace Inspections A Must Under New Oilheat Regulations

(NC)-The Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) is encouraging oilheat customers in Ontario to book inspections on their heating systems as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen delays or interruptions in service.
Basic and/or comprehensive inspections on oilheating systems are now required under new regulations from Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). The new regulations will ensure that heating with oil remains one of the safest and most dependable home heating options.
“Basic and comprehensive inspections are mandatory and should be seen as a part of regular furnace maintenance,” says COHA president John Butt. “They can generally be booked at the same time as your regular tune-ups and service checks.”
Basic inspections involve a general, visual examination of the system. By May 2004, all fuel oil customers must have had at least a basic inspection performed by a certified individual.
Homeowners are also required to have a comprehensive inspection of their heating and delivery system by a certified oil burner technician (OBT). This inspection is required every 10 years. By May 2007 all fuel oil customers must have a comprehensive inspection.
“It is important for homeowners to remember that their fuel oil distributors are required by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority to complete the inspections, repairs and replacements within the prescribed timelines,” says Butt. “Sometimes that can mean that service calls may take a little longer than usual, but homeowners should rest assured that they will be taken care of in a timely and efficient manner.”
The following are a list of Frequently Asked Questions that TSSA has been receiving regarding these new regulations:
Q: What exactly is on the inspection checklist?
A: First, it is important for homeowners to realize that a fuel oil system consists of more than just a storage tank. It also includes a fill and vent pipe for oil supply and an outlet line with a valve and filter to supply oil to the furnace.
Some of the things a fuel dealer will look at during the course of an inspection include:
Verifying that the tank has a proper gauge and vent whistle
Checking whether the tank is leaning over and may topple
Checking whether there are signs of leakage at the tank bottom
Ensuring that the fill and vent are piped outside.
Q: What happens if the fuel oil supplier finds an unsafe installation?
A: Depending on the potential danger from the unsafe installation, a fuel supplier can specify a time period of up to 90 days for corrective action before the delivery of fuel oil must cease. If the unsafe installation is very dangerous, then a distributor must immediately stop the supply of fuel oil to the installation.
Q: I don’t agree with my fuel supplier and I think that my equipment is safe. What can I do?
A: Homeowners can get a second opinion from other Oil Burner Technicians and other fuel oil suppliers to confirm whether or not there is an unsafe installation.
For more information on these regulations, please contact your Fuel Oil Dealer or visit www.tssa.org. To find an oil company in your area, visit www.coha.ca

Have Plumbing Problems? You Must Read These Tips!

Have Plumbing Problems? You Must Read These Tips!

Did you know that you run the risk of freezing your plumbing pipes if you have any rooms that are not heated? This can sometimes come unexpectedly because you expect the adjoining rooms of your house to stay warm enough. For this and other plumbing tips, read the rest of this article.

If a pipe ever freezes, you need to make sure to shut off the water. This will keep the pipe from bursting and causing you major damage to your home. Make sure to shut the water off at the main valve, and then open the faucet that is closest to the frozen pipe so it can drain while it is thawing out.

When searching for a good plumber you should always check references. It is easy to just go with the lowest price, but you have to do your research and make sure the plumber has a good reputation with the people they have done work for in the past so you do not get a bad plumber.

Make sure that when you are doing any home improvements to your plumbing that they are done up to the building codes in your area. The building codes are there to protect people from being scalded by hot water, trap harmful sewer gas from entering the home, and ensure plumbing is done properly before finishes are applied.

If you have a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is due to food debris buildup. You need to put ice cubes, orange peels, and lemon peels into the disposal and run for about 30 seconds. Next, run some liquid dish soap through the disposal. This should take care of the problem if there is not a substantial blocking buildup.

Be careful with putting household cleaners in your toilet. They can cause the toilet to malfunction. The debris that these cleaners leave can sit in your toilet’s pipes and harden, making them almost impossible to get rid of. If it does harden, it usually requires the help of a professional.

Are you looking for a simple tip to determine if your toilet has a hidden leak? Here is one that is not only simple, it also will not make a big dent in your wallet. Simply add six drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If your toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.

Make sure your plumbing contractor has the proper insurance before letting them work in your home. This is a big problem with all types of construction contractors. They may have the proper licenses, but because of the high cost of insurance, they may not be properly insured and can end up on your homeowners policy if they get hurt.

In conclusion, it is important to know what to watch out for so that you do not find yourself underwater when it comes to plumbing issues. Use the great advice provided to you in this article and you will be glad that you took the extra few minutes to further your knowledge.

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