Understanding your plumbing system, helpful tips and safety

Since childhood, Keith Hankins has loved tinkering and building things. Although he came from a long line of seasoned plumbers, he initially wanted to become a firefighter.

“I had a fear of heights, so that took care of that dream,” says Hankins. “Then, while I was still in high school, my father told me that I had to get my plumbing ticket.”

Hankins knew the moment that plumbing was in his blood.

“When I designed and built my first intricate plumbing system, I knew I was in the right career,” says Hankins. “I get so much satisfaction when I can help a client, whether it’s fixing an issue like a burst water pipe, or building a very technical system.”

Returning to the stage at the Vancouver Fall Home Show for the second year in a row, the seasoned plumber will share his most practical plumbing tips, long-lasting plumbing solutions, as well as the latest kitchen and bathroom trends. After each of his two presentations, Hankins will stick around for a Q&A session.

“Last year, I was inundated with questions, and I was happy to provide advice to as many people as I could,” says Hankins.

The owner of Tri-City Plumbing & Heating Ltd. for three decades, Hankins is passionate about his trade, and trust and education are huge components of his presentations. One of the pieces of advice he always cautions is “Do your due diligence before hiring a plumber.”

“Make sure the plumber is licensed and insured, check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and get at least three quotes,” says Hankins. “There are plumbers out there, luckily not many, who will try to upsell a client something they really don’t need. You really need to do your homework first to avoid potential issues or costly mistakes.”

When it comes to current trends in bathrooms and kitchens, Hankins says he’s seeing a lot more no-name brand fixtures on the market. Although the fixtures are cheaper, in the long run, they can lead to costly expenses. Hankins suggests homeowners only purchase from trusted brand names, such as Kohler, Delta and Moen.

“If you install a no-name fixture, and two years down the road you need a replacement part because that brand has been discontinued, you will have to replace the whole part,” says Hankins. “Big brand names have longer, better warranties and chances are you will be able to find a replacement part.”

Besides new colours in plumbing fixtures, touchless and sensor faucets, and smart shower systems, a hugely popular trend is wall-mounted toilets.

“These wall-mounted toilets are much easier to clean, they look great, can be installed at a custom height, and are space savers,” says Hankins.

Keith Hankins’ Top Tips

• Toilet plumbing seals must be replaced every five to eight years to prevent water from seeping out the sides.

• Traditional supply tubes on your shut-off valves should be switched to braided supply tubes as they are stronger, more flexible and corrosion-resistant.

• Before the first frost, disconnect and drain your garden hoses to prevent the trapped water from causing water damage inside your home

• Once a month, run hot water for 15 minutes in your kitchen sink to keep it from getting clogged. Never use bleach, as it will harm your drain

• Failure to flush your tankless hot water heater every two years can lead to premature breakdown

Keith Hankins will be presenting Plumbing Made Simple: Regular Maintenance of your home’s waterworks, and how to keep those investments lasting for years to come at the Vancouver Fall Home Show Fri., Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 25 at noon.

The Vancouver Fall Home Show runs from Oct. 23 to 26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedules, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at vancouverfallhomeshow.com.