Notes from the editor.
On June 1st this year, Casey's Plumbing made a significant change to our Diamond Club program.
We decided to pull a very large chunk of our Yellow Page advertising money and give it back to our customers.
D/C members now receive 20% off any work done (exception - larger bid jobs).
Previously, these discounts only applied to repairs, not to installations. This means you now can get 20% off on water heater installations, toilet installations, faucets, etc.
And then there are the regular benefits which are also huge. D/C customers go to the head of the line when they call in for service; they receive free annual checks ups to insure the proper working of their systems. And the best part as always - all this is free for the first 30 months. The $9.95 monthly membership dues go right into an account with the customer's name on it and is theirs to use whenever they need service.
The Diamond Club really is a wonderful idea for home owners and many of you have responded.
Since our change on June 1st, D/C memberships have doubled.
So thanks to all our new Diamond Club members; we hope you don't need a plumber any time soon but when you do, you'll love the red carpet treatment and the huge savings.
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A little preparation can prevent painful holiday disasters.
Autumn tips
Draining your outdoor faucets
 - For non - frost proof outdoor faucets, shut off their respective service valves.
 These are often in the garage above water heater or under bathroom and kitchen cabinets. Open the outdoor faucet and leave it open. Return to the service valve and open the air inlet on the side to allow the water to drain. Finally, if you have a vacuum breaker on the outdoor faucet, check the nozzle for a little pin in the center or a ring that can be pulled down. These will have to be activated as your finial step to drain these lines. If you need help with this, please call 503-253-0030, and ask for Bill Casey. I will be glad to help you over the phone if you need it.
- For frost proof outdoor faucets, make sure that all the
garden hoses outside your home are disconnected. Hoses
must be disconnected to allow the faucet to drain.
- Water pipes which are exposed to freezing temperatures or drafts
should be covered with insulation. Whenever possible it is best to
drain systems not being used in severely cold weather. Water
pipes will freeze quicker than waste or sewer pipes; and yes, exposed drains pipes can freeze.
- Prevent drafts of frigid winter air. Secure all crawl space
openings or windows and insulate and caulk any cracks in the
structure's foundation.
- Consider installing specific products made to insulate water
pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape,"
"heat cable" or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Many
products are available at your local building supplies retailer.
Pipes should be carefully wrapped, with ends butted tightly and
joints wrapped with tape. Follow manufacturer's recommendations
for installing and using these products.
- For those of you who may need a little help, give us a call and schedule a winter maintenance appointment.
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DRAIN ISSUES
Blocked drains can be one of the worst type of
household emergencies. As with most emergencies they happen without any
warning. The worst aspect of a drain problem however is that it can
cause unpleasant odors and mold, result in flooding of your home and loss of
electrical power. If you are a business that is impacted, the disruption can
result in the loss of customer and staff goodwill with the associated lost
productivity and sales revenue.
Preventative Measures
There are some simple preventative measures that you can take to
reduce the likelihood of a blocked drain whether it is through
structural defects or foreign objects and they are listed below...
Regularly remove any hairs that get trapped in the waste plug hole. Keep small objects such as combs, medicine bottles and toilet rolls
away from places where they could accidentally fall into the toilet. Regularly flush the wash basin and bath or shower pipe work with hot
water and a disinfectant to clear soap residue and prevent build up
over time. Don't flush away large and disposable items such as sanitary
towels, napkins or product wrapping as they can become caught in the
drainage pipe. Do not dispose of waste food scraps and cuttings down the kitchen
sink. These are much better composted. If any items do fall into the
sink, pull the vegetable material out and dispose of it in the garbage. Never dispose of cooking fats down the drain system. As they hit
cold water they will solidify. If there is absolutely no alternative
you should dilute and emulsify the fats by mixing them with hot water
and detergent. Keep the water running for a minute after you have
done this to keep a clear water flow.
Regular Maintenance
There are also a set of regular maintenance activities which can reduce the likelihood of your drains becoming a problem.
Check the house roof gutters and rain downpipes twice a year. Take
care when working on ladders and remove any accumulated debris and
leaves with a trowel. Regularly check that your drains are free-flowing by periodically
inspecting the discharge openings where they connect to the down spouts. Keep external drain grids free of fallen leaves, autumn moss and
other garden materials. As with the internal drains you should
regularly wash external drains with hot water and disinfectant.
For complete peace of mind, particularly if you are running a
business, you can request a regular drain cleaning with high pressure water and the pipes checked with drain inspection equipment (drain - vision).
This will give early warning of any potential blockages and also
enables you to keep an eye on the structural condition of the drainage
pipework.
Remember that drain leaks can result in environmental
pollution.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or if we can be of any help when you do have a drain problem.
West Side 503-643-4433
East Side 503-257-3800
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Old Home Wiring
The Fire Protection Research Foundation recently issued a first-of-its kind report to assess the electrical risks and hazards found in many older homes in the United States.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends that homeowners have their homes inspected by a qualified licensed electrician if:
* The home is 40 or more years old
* The home is 10 or more years old that has had major renovation, an addition or major new appliance
* You are the new owner of a previously owned home
Each year, home electrical problems account for an estimated 53,600 fires. These fires cause more than 500 deaths, injure 1,400 people, and account for $1.4 billion in property damage. Many of these fires occur in aging homes. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the frequency of electrically related fires is disproportionately high in homes more than 40 years old.
Today, we expect more from our aging homes. The lifespan of a home in the United States is continuing to increase. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average age of a home has jumped from 30 years in 1997 to 35 years in 2005. In addition, with the advent of new technology and electronics our use of electricity in our homes is constantly increasing. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, average monthly energy consumption by household has increased from 830 kWh in 1993 to 920 kWh in 2006. The result of these two trends is that greater demands are being put on older and antiquated home electrical systems.
According to a report conducted by Underwriters Laboratory, electrical problems in older homes can be attributed to a number of factors, including: inadequate and overburdened electrical systems, re-insulated walls and ceilings burying wiring, misuse of extension cords and makeshift circuit extensions, worn-out wiring devices not being replaced, poorly done electrical repairs, socioeconomic considerations resulting in unsafe installations, defeated or compromised over-current protection.
The following are signs of wiring electrical hazards commonly found in aging homes:
* Circuit breakers that frequently trip or fuses that often need replacement
* Dim and/or flickering lights
* Arcs and sparks flashes of light or shower of sparks anywhere in your electrical system
* Sizzles and buzzes unusual sounds from your electrical system
* Overheating overheated wires giving off an odor of hot insulation; switch plates or receptacle covers are hot to the touch or discolored from heat buildup
* Electrical shocks. Any shock, even a mild tingle, may be warning of an electrical danger
* Damaged wire insulation cut, broken or cracked insulation
* Overrated panel electrical panels with fuses or circuit breakers rated at higher currents than the capacity of their branch circuits.
If you observe any of these signs in your home, call in a licensed electrician to inspect its wiring.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE
If you need some professional help, call Metro's Best Electric for a low cost evaluation. A little prevention now is always the safest course.East Side 503-252-4700
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