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About this episode of the I Love Edmonton Real Estate Podcast:
Kevin Korte, owner of Edmonton-based Butler Plumbing, is our guest in this episode. Progressing through his plumbing apprenticeship, Kevin was a journeyman for three years before deciding to start his own business. Now 15 years in business, he shares some worthwhile plumbing and heating tips!
[1:27] What are some common issues you get called for after someone has bought a home?
- A lot of them will come down to the main sewer drain. We have to go in, auger it out, and clear it.
- It’s important to look at the drain when buying a house. Some house inspectors can do this, but usually, it’s better to have a plumber check it out.
- Houses in Edmonton built in the 50s sometimes use interesting material in their drainage lines. These pipes can collapse over time.
- We also get a lot of calls to repair fixtures and faucets.
- We do a lot of water softening as well. The water in our area is very hard, and that can really decrease the life of your hot water tank.
[8:07] Is there any preventative maintenance to make the tank last longer?
- Starting with a new tank, flushing the drain periodically at the bottom can help get some of the scale out.
- One of the biggest things for maintenance is keeping the air intake clean.
[10:30] I would imagine that one major call you get is related to back flow valves. If the city has issues, things can start backing up in someone’s basement.
- Any plumbing fixture below street level needs to have protection.
- It can be expensive depending on where the valve needs to go. It always involves breaking concrete.
[12:41] If I’m buying a house, are there types of pipes that I should be cautious about?
- Poly-B. It’s grey and pretty noticeable.
- We’ve seen some houses with Poly-B and no issues. However, if you’re buying a house with it, budget having to change it out just in case.
- Another big thing is water damage that can be out of sight, like behind walls, caused by damaged weeping tiles.
[18:20] What are some of the horror stories you’ve worked on lately?
- The most common horror story is a renovation that wasn’t done properly.
- I feel bad for people who buy a house not knowing it wasn’t put together properly. One thing leads to the next.
- The best advice is to ask if a permit was done. If there wasn’t, I’d be asking a lot of questions.
[20:21] Is there anything we should talk about that I haven’t mentioned?
- Another big part of our business is boiler or hydronic systems.
- A lot of the time, home inspectors don’t have a lot of experience with these. We can do a separate inspection for them.
- Without doing annual boiler maintenance, there’s a potential for carbon monoxide. Replacement costs can also get crazy.
[22:39] What do people need to be aware of when buying acreage properties?
- You might have a few extra components, but they’re usually pretty straightforward.
- Maintenance is important here too.
[25:37] Are there any things to be aware of when it comes to condos?
- You need to get approval from your board if you’re doing a renovation beyond the paint on the walls.
- The type of piping you need to use in a high rise is not the typical piping you find in a hardware store.
[27:40] How would you go about selecting a plumber?
- Word of mouth. Everybody knows someone who had to use a plumber at some point.
- Having both great service and huge knowledge can be hard to find.
Connect with Kevin Korte
Website: www.butlerplumbing.ca
4260 93rd Street,
Edmonton, AB T6E 5P5, Canada
Phone: 780-432-3947
Cell: 780-994-7562
Social:
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More About the I Love Edmonton Real Estate Podcast
Host Jason Scott of The Mortgage Group talks to everyone and anyone who knows real estate in Edmonton.
Learn from local experts and get the inside scoop on anything that impacts Edmonton’s real estate market. Whether you are thinking of buying, selling or investing in the Edmonton market, Jason and his guests are here to help.
We interview top real estate professionals, decision-makers, influencers, and people who can help you learn more about what’s happening in Edmonton.