Service Call Hours

Monday–Friday: 8:30am - 5pm

Saturday: 9:30am - 2pm

Sunday: Closed

Store Hours

Monday–Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

Saturday: 9:30am - 2pm

Sunday: Closed

FAQ

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

FAQ and answers are in general. It’s always a good idea to have your systems checked and maintained by our professionals at Richardson Wes!

Also, please check our Resources Blog for more information.

FAQ: Richardson Wes / Wah Fai?
What’s in a name

Wah Fai is the original retail side, and Wah Fai DBA (doing business as) Richardson Wes is the service side. It was a business decision taken to broaden the service side business to cater to a wider customer base. 

Ducts Need Cleaning?

Over time, debris such as dust particles, dirt, lint, pollen and related materials build up within the ducts.  When not cleaned properly or at all, air filters are more likely to clog which can damage your heating system and the health of those occupying the building.

Symptoms being linked to poor indoor air quality:
  • Dryness and irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue

  • Shortness of Breath

  • Hypersensitivity of allergens

  • Sinus congestion

  • Sneezing and coughing

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

Call Richardson Wes to clean your duct works before you turn the heat on for Winter.
Repair Or Replace Boiler?

Sometimes repairing an aging heating system is not cost-effective. New high-efficiency boilers save energy that help offset the cost of an old system.  In the long run, new systems lower gas bills and do not need expensive repairs.  Homeowners trust Richardson Wes Heating & Plumbing to install the right type and size of modern high-efficiency heating systems that will save customers on energy bills and deliver comfortable heat when needed

New high-efficiency boilers qualify for incentive programs run by FortisBC and other energy companies to further reduce the cost of a new system. Let Richardson Wes help you calculate what’s best for you; call now!

Water Heater - Gas Or Electric?

Natural gas and electric hot water heater installations are one of our specialties.

Natural Gas

  • Fast hot water recovery

  • Requires vented outdoor for safety

  • Not affected by power outages (some models)

Electric

  • Venting to outside is not required

  • Good if you do not have natural gas at home

Tank Or Tankless Water Heater?

Please check out this article by Canadian Home Inspection.

Richardson Wes Heating & Plumbing provides:

  • Navien, Nortiz, and Rinnai on-demand (tankless) hot water heaters, they last from 10 to 20 years with proper maintenance. 
  • Rheem, Bradford & White storage (tank) hot water heaters that typically last from 7 to 10 years.

Common Water Heater Problems

Common repair issues are:

  • Rust coloured water

  • Burned casing cover

  • Not enough hot water

  • Foul odour like rotten eggs

  • Noises coming from the heater

  • Leaking in and around the heater base

The earlier we can do repairs on your system, the less damage is done to your property.
Hot water heaters can also be installed and maintained by us when you buy one.  This will eliminate costly repairs in the future.
Energy Efficient Hot Water Tanks in Vancouver are our specialty and our competitive rates cannot be beaten.

FAQ about Poly-B

Poly-B was developed and approved for use in the USA as early as 1975 at a time when copper prices were very high. The standard at the time for home plumbing systems was copper lines with copper joints which was labour intensive to install. These factors led to the development of plastic piping because it was cheap to manufacture, light weight to transport, had some additional flexibility, and required no soldering. This caught on right away and made its way to Canada as well for wide distribution and use in residential and commercial applications as early as 1978 but with wide appeal during the years 1985-1997. In 1998 the Polybutylene resin stopped being produced because of complaints that some installations were failing, and ultimately the Canadian plumbing code removed Poly-B as a viable material for use in 2005.

The Problem 

The problem with Poly-B piping is that it will fail prematurely. Research found that it was degraded by changes in temperature, could not withstand hot water well, nor chlorine use in the water supply, also affected by UV exposure during initial transport and the metal rings used to secure the joints also corroded and prone to faild prematurely. The resulting water leak from such a failure can cause extensive damage to home properties. Most insurance company will not insure a home with Poly-B piping because of this, and if they do the cost would be very high. So, if this is your problem, consult with Richardson Wes to assess your remedial options. We are here to help!

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