503-620-9111  503-253-0030 |
|
Happy Halloween
|
October 2008
|
|
SOME SCARY AND NOT SO SCARY IDEAS
|
Winter Preparations
Don't let this happen to your home!
|
Protect your water pipes.
For non - frost proof outdoor faucets, shut off their respective service valves,  (these
are often in the garage above water heater). 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. 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 971-563-9418, 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. Failing to do so
can cause not only the hose but also the hose bib to which it is
connected, to freeze and be break. The hose
must be disconnected to make the faucet freeze-proof. Failure to do
so will trap water in the faucet body, which then can freeze.
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. Small water
pipes will freeze quicker than will waste or sewer pipes. 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.
Prevent drafts of frigid winter air. Secure all crawl space
openings or windows and insulate and caulk any cracks in the
structure's foundation.
For those of you who may need a little help, give us call and schedule a winter maintenance appointment.
|
| Avoid expensive plumbing repairs this holiday season by considering the following advice about your drain pipes... |
-
Don't put turkey skin or bones, celery stalks, shrimp peels or onion peels down the disposal.
- Avoid pouring grease into the drain.
- Throw large quantities of scraps in the trash instead of the garbage disposal.
- Wipe out greasy pans and plates with a paper towel before washing.
- Rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
- Run hot water into the disposal when using it.
- Use microbial drain treatment (Bio-Clean), to help prevent grease, sludge or soap buildup.
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 503-252-3800
|
TIS THE SEASON TO BE SAFE!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES, CAN BE DEADLY!
 |
TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The
Christmas season is upon us, and outdoor decorations are being
purchased and unpacked with anticipation. The holidays are enhanced by
exterior lighting, but it is important to exercise caution when
selecting and installing them. Each year, holiday lighting contributes
to injuries caused by electrical shock, falls and fires. Holiday
lighting fires annually cause property damage in excess of $16 million.
Consider the following to avoid injury as you decorate for the holidays.
·
When purchasing outdoor Christmas lighting, look for labels marked with
UL or ETL. This indicates the product has been tested by an independent
laboratory recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). Outdoor lights with these labels satisfy the
minimum standards for product safety.
· When selecting lights
for exterior installation, be sure the packaging states that it is
designated for outdoor use. Outdoor lighting is weatherproof and
designed for temporary operation in harsh winter weather. Do not
purchase used Christmas lights or lighting not in the original package.
·
When selecting outdoor lights, consider purchasing strings with
miniature, low-heat producing bulbs. These lights require less amperage
and are less likely to overload electrical outlets.
· Purchase
appropriately sized timers to automatically turn lights on and off.
Lights should be turned off when people are not present and they should
not be left on overnight.
· Electrical outlets for exterior
lighting should accommodate three-prong grounded plugs and should be on
an electrical circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased at hardware stores if
this circuit protection is not available.
· If extension cords
are required for outdoor lights, use those designed for outdoor use
with three-prong plugs. Never use an indoor cord or a cord without the
third prong. Plug the cord into a grounded outlet and select a cord
with the shortest length that works for your project. Do not use a
100-foot extension cord for a 10-foot distance. Keep outdoor electrical
connections above the ground and out of the snow and water. If
extension cords must cross walkways, tape them down.
· When
connecting outdoor lighting, be careful not to create a maze of
extension cords, plugs and wires that all come from the same electrical
outlet. Electrical outlets and timers used for Christmas lights should
be readily accessible for quick disconnection or adjustment as
necessary.
· When installing lights, be sure to read and follow
the manufacturer's instructions. These instructions should be stored
with the lights and referred to when purchasing replacement bulbs and
on future installations.
· Check the manufacturer's guidelines
to determine the number of light strings that may be safely plugged
together. If the packaging does not indicate the number, connect no
more than three light strings together.
· Before installing
newly purchased or previously used Christmas lighting, plug the string
in and make sure all the bulbs operate properly. When unpacking outdoor
lights used during previous years, carefully inspect them for frayed,
loose or bare wires and damaged bulbs or sockets. Discard damaged light
strings.
· One of the greatest dangers when installing outdoor
lighting involves the use of ladders. Use a high-quality, sturdy ladder
that is the proper height. Be sure it is securely positioned. To avoid
falls, move the ladder as necessary rather than leaning on it from side
to side.
· When installing outdoor lights, use screw-in hooks or
other fasteners that will not damage the insulation on the lighting
strings. Nails and staple guns can easily cut or damage insulation and
conductors.
· Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to
determine the recommended spacing for supports and the maximum span
allowed for the light string. Christmas lights are generally designed
to span distances of only a few feet and should be supported at
intervals every few feet.
· Securely attach outdoor light
strings to buildings, trees or other objects to prevent displacement by
wind or other weather conditions. When possible, point the lamp sockets
down to avoid moisture buildup and do not operate light strings with
missing bulbs.
· Unplug outdoor lights when replacing bulbs so
there is no danger of shock. Reduce damage to lights by handling them
carefully when installing and removing them and when packing and
storing.
· Remove outdoor lighting at the end of the Christmas
season. Christmas lights are not designed to withstand prolonged
exposure to sun and weather.
Richard Beard
Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Specialist
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.
West Side 503-643-8833
East Side 503-252-4700
|
|
From the editor
|
Thanks for taking the time to review this newsletter.
In it you will find some helpful maintenance tips as well as a few holiday ideas.
Our ongoing goal with this monthly newsletter is to provide helpful information to our customers especially as it relates to preventive maintenance.
If you have some ideas or recommendations for content, we would love to hear them.
You can send them to contact@caseysplumbing.com
PS...WE ARE SENDING OUT CHECKS for $25 TO THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE WHO OPEN THIS E-MAIL (we do have your address if we have your e-mail).
This will be a monthly incentive to encourage our customers to review our information and check out the specials.
|
|
|
|
|
Halloween Tips
Pumpkin carving
 You can carve some truly beautiful and artistic pumpkins
freehand, but if you want to create really detailed carvings
you'll want to use a pumpkin carving pattern. If you've
never carved a pumpkin this way before you may be a bit
intimidated, but don't worry, its easier than you think and
you'll love the results. Go to http://www.pumpkincarving101.com for more information. Cobb Web DecorationsAdd some spider web to your
Halloween decorations and haunt, you can find it at most stores selling Halloween products.
Just attach to something and pull it out all over!
There's a new product called "Cob Webs in a Can" that lets you add light
layers of spider web effects to your Halloween
decorations and props. More here.. .http://www.yardhaunter.com/halloween_cobwebs.htmlHalloween MasksRemember, wearing a
mask can add a great look to your costume but make sure that the eye
holes and mouth hole is big enough to wear comfortably all night!
Read about the care and feeding of masks
here... http://www.halloween-online.com/costumes/halloween-costumes-latex-masks.htmlHalloween CookiesPackaged candy always takes center stage, but cookies are a perfect Halloween treat. Go to... http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Halloween-Cookies/Detail.aspxHalloween PartiesHave a pumpkin carving night
with your friends or family. This is great for a kids party, give prizes out to the most
creative! Ask your Halloween party guests
to bring a carved pumpkin to the party. Set up a special table to display them all on.
For more on
Halloween parties, click here... http://www.halloweencostumeparty.com/ |
|
About Us
Casey's Plumbing Inc.
PO BOX 30075
Portland, Oregon 97294
Casey's Plumbing Inc.
We greatly appreciate your continued patronage.
|
LIKE OUR SERVICE?
TELL A FRIEND OR RELATIVE AND GET FIFTY DOLLARS
see below
|
|
|
