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Helpful Links
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Plumbing Fun Facts
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Famous and often controversial rockstar Ozzy Osbourne was a plumber's apprentice before getting into the music industry.
The word "plumber" dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. In Rome, pipes were originally made from lead, which is "plumbum" in Latin. People who worked with lead were called Plumbarius, which was eventually shortened to the word we use today.
The term "plumbers" was a popular name given to the covert White House Special Investigations Unit established during the presidency of Richard Nixon in response to the leaked "Pentagon Papers" documents. Their job was to plug intelligence leaks in the U.S. Government relating to the Vietnam War; hence the term "plumbers".
The average person visits the toilet six to eight times a day. During these six to eight visits to the toilet a day, each individual uses approximately 57 sheets of toilet paper.
You have a 1 in 10,000 chance of being injured by a toilet.
Thomas Crapper is commonly thought to have invented the first toilet, though is not true. A man by the name of Arthur Giblin invented the first effective flushable toilet. He was an employee of Crapper's and sold his patent to Crapper.
The first toilet paper was invented in 1880, but it didn't come on a roll. Instead it came as a box, like tissues.
Scott toilet paper has been around over a hundred years. The company developed its toilet paper on a roll in 1890.
72.4% of people place their toilet paper to be pulled from over the roll, rather than under.
The toilet uses more water than any other appliance in the house.
More toilets flush during half time of the Super Bowl than during any other time of year.
A third of people flush their toilet while they're still sitting on it.
Rats can survive being flushed town toilets. On top of that, they can often return to the dwelling they were in via the same route.
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What our customers
have to say
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Casey's Plumbing
"Great people, great service, no need to look anywhere else."
Kieth Robins, Sherwood
"Very pleased with your company. I'll be recommending you to others". Jo Hodges, Milwaukie"Excellent - Explained everything well. Even made friends with my dog". Ross Wine, King City"Thom was great! Professional and good about explaining the process". David Bleyle, Beaverton"Great workmanship; competent and skilled". Ken Moss, Gresham"We found all of your people to be professional, friendly and considerate". Michael Lowe, Beaverton"The best! I am continuing to recommend you guys". Carol Smith, Beaverton"I saw my neighbor using you guys and knew they only use good companies". Patricia Treece, West linn"As usual, work was performed promptly and explained in detail". Dan Ziglinski, TigardThanks to all for the above comments!
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Recipe of
the Month
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Southwestern Rice
By: Michelle Dennis
"'I created this zippy side dish after eating something similar at a restaurant. It complements any Tex-Mex meal wonderfully,' writes Michelle Dennis of Clarks Hill, Indiana. 'Sometimes I add cubes of grilled chicken breast to the rice to make it a meal in itself.'"
Prep Time: 5 Min
Cook Time: 25 Min
Ready In: 30 Min
Servings 8
Original Recipe Yield 8 servings
Ingredients
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 (14.5 ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn, thawed
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, saute the green pepper, onion and garlic in oil for 3 minutes.
Stir in the broth, rice, cumin and turmeric; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
Add beans, tomatoes and corn; heat through.
Footnotes
Nutritional Analysis: One serving (3/4 cup) equals 198 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 339 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 7 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
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Greetings!
I hope you and your family have had a great summer. Although there is still plenty of good summer weather to come, our students will soon be going back to school and our schedules will again shift to make these accommodations. My son will be attending OSU in Corvallis . Our older son graduated from George Fox two years ago and while he was away, Bill and I missed him terribly just as we will miss Brandon while he's away.
Anyway, if you are one the many parents preparing to get your children back to school, we want you to know that we understand. And therefore, we are offering a few discounts to for re-pipes, water heaters and electrical panel upgrades that should still leave you enough to cover your back to school costs.
Consider the following offers that will be good for the next 90 days...
- Up to $1,000 off whole house re-pipes. *
- Up to $200 off any water heater installation.*
- And up to $500 off any electrical panel upgrade.*
Just mention this Newsletter to receive these discounts. And for more details, please call Casey's Plumbing for your plumbing projects and Metro's Best Electric for your electrical needs.
So again, we still have some good summer weather left and I hope you are able to take all the time you want to enjoy it.
As always, it's a pleasure to have this opportunity to serve you and I thank again for your patronage.
Until next month,  Brenda Casey / Owner and Operations Manager Casey's Plumbing - 503-620-9111 Metro's Best Electric - 503-643-8843 * Cannot be used with other discounts, offers or work previously performed. BACK TO TOP
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News Flash - P.S. from Brenda Casey
Servicing Senior Citizens
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In case you've heard the News regarding one of our larger competitors, I would like you to consider a few things.
When complaints such as the ones being levied against a company get broadcast to the public, people tend to pile on and indeed, often times, the public will actually exaggerate to justify their feelings. I'm not for a second making excuses for this company, I'm just making some observations that should be considered when evaluating complaints about any company. My primary purpose of adding this last minute message to our Newsletter, is because of the complaints made about this company regarding over charging senior citizens. Because of the special relationship my husband had with his grandmother, (she raised him), he learned to love senior citizens deeply and from the very beginning of Casey's Plumbing, he saw to it that they were and are given very special treatment. Besides senior discounts, Bill has created policies that ensure the fair and equitable treatment of senior citizens. He has trained our technicians to ask any and every senior citizen if there are any children or other interested parties that should be a part of this financial decision. Often times there is a son or a daughter and our technicians immediately get them on the phone and bring them into the decision making process. We care deeply about our seniors are proud of the policies we have put in place to protect them. And we wish the very best for all those who have had problems with this other company and we especially pour our hearts out to the seniors who may have been taken advantage of. Bottom line - Casey's Plumbing has policies in place that demonstrate our concern for senior citizens. If an employee of ours can ever be shown to have violated these policies, they will be terminated immediately. Thanks again for our time,
Brenda and Bill Casey
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Do it yourself Drain Cleaning Tips
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When one considers the number, type of substances and household items that go down the drain, it becomes evident why the system experiences an overload and clogs. A host of items ranging from soap scum, toothpaste, and shaving cream to foreign objects, shower gels, body oils, and hair contribute to clogged drains.
To avoid paying an arm and a leg for plumbing repairs, homeowners can follow simple, self-help measures to fix a clogged drain. All that is needed is a little know-how and a few basic tools. While plumbing and piping can be complex undertakings, fixing as opposed to installing the former can often be done by the average person.
To clear clogged drain, consumers may utilize a popular method relying on commercial drain cleaners(never use on older steel drain systems). Drain openers are available in crystal, foam, and liquid form.
However, these powerful and pricey industrial chemicals are potentially hazardous to one's health, PVC pipes, and the waste water stream. With the green revolution underway, an increasing number of consumers are turning to environmentally-friendly, non-toxic alternatives to acid or lye to unclog a drain. There are numerous natural, ecologically-beneficial approaches to clear the majority of drains of commonly-encountered clogs, and they include the following:
Utilization of a plunger Local hardware stores carry small plungers that are specifically designed for sinks ('sink plungers'). For an overflow hole in the lavatory, individuals can seal it with a wet cloth, fill the sink, and plunge. Where there is no standing water in the bowl, they can add a small quantity of tap water, which will enable the plunger to produce suction and function more efficaciously by opening the clog. The plunger is then placed directly over the opening of the sink and pushed up and down a few times in order to clear the clog. In the rare cases that plunging does not clear a clogged sink drain, homeowners may remove the p-trap and stopper to ensure that they are free of obstructions. To collect the water, they can place a bowl underneath the p-trap.
Sometimes the culprit is hairs on the stopper; in this case, individuals can simply remove and clean the stopper.
The vinegar-plunger method This technique is optimal for drains that are not completely clogged. To prevent their drains from clogging, homeowners are advised to pour 1 cup of white vinegar or boiling water down their drains on a monthly basis. After pouring the vinegar, they should let it sit for a minimum of 20 minutes. Alternatively, they can remove the goop and clear drain by mixing vinegar and baking soda, which produce foam that clears the pipes. They can pour baking soda into the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. The baking soda-vinegar mixture is highly effective on clogs emanating from grease and food build-up.
After allowing the drain to remain static for thirty minutes, a pot of boiling water is quickly poured to flush the drain. The liquid should stand for fifteen minutes. For homes with PVC or ABS piping, hot water instead of boiling water should be used. A plunger is then employed to stir up the clogged-up mass, and the drain is flushed again with boiling water. This procedure is repeated until the drain is cleared. For problematic clogs, homeowners should consider pouring warm vinegar into the drain.
Enzyme cleaners  Another way to clear clogs from pipes is to apply natural enzyme drain cleaners, which have no harmful impact on surrounding material and operate by eating away and breaking down organic material such as grease and food in clogs. Natural enzyme cleaners should be used periodically to help avoid clogs. (Ask Casey's Plumbing about "Drain Maid".) Removal of the U-bend pipe  Another technique to clear a clogged sink drain is by taking out the U-shaped drain pipe found beneath the bathroom sink or faucet. Homeowners should first turn the water off by turning the knob to the right and place a bucket under the pipe. Using a pipe or plumber's wrench, they can then loosen, remove, and clean the pipe fitting as well as check if there are any clogs. The pipe can be cleaned with a bottle brush.
If there are no clogs on this portion of the plumbing, then homeowners should utilize an auger, which is a thick pipe with a handle on the side for winding and unwinding as it is moved down the drain pipe. They can also purchase a snake at a hardware store or online for a small price and run it down the drain prior to removing the pipe. After clearing the drain pipe, the trap is replaced and fastened securely. To ensure that it is fully opened, hot water should be flushed down the drain. Finally, the homeowner should look under the sink to verify that there are no leaks in the pipe.
Manual removal  For clogs caused by hair, the "Zip-It" is an inexpensive thin tool featuring teeth- can be introduced into the drain. The instrument's teeth traps the soap residue and hair, enabling individuals to clear the drain. (I used this technique once to clear my teenage son's bathroom sink that had standing water
for 2 days!)
Snaking a tub drain 
To tackle a clogged tub drain, homeowners can begin by removing the screen from the drain to clear it of any soap residue and hair. For tubs with pop-up drains, they can raise the level and pull the stopper from the hole and extract soap and hair that is on it. If the tub drain is still clogged, they can place a wet towel underneath the holes of the overflow plate and plunge. In cases of stubborn clogs, a cable auger may need to be used. Homeowners must first remove the overflow plate and push the cable forward and into the tube by using the hand crank. They should continue cranking until the cable enters the P-trap. The cable is then removed, and the drain is flushed with several gallons of boiling water. The homeowner then replaces the screen and overflow plate.
If all else fails, give us a call we'll get a professional right out and get those drains working again in no time!
503-620-9111 Back to top |
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If your water heater is more than six years old, gas OR electric, it may very well look like this on the inside. The average water heater will last between eight and fourteen years.
The image above illustrates how debris can accumulate over time and thus, require your water heater to work harder than it needs to, resulting in higher energy bills. In areas where water is high in debris (wells, hard water etc.), the debris seen above will eventually pile high above the lower electrical element and cause it to fail
The broken dip tube pictured here is also a real concern. The dip tube forces the cold water to enter at the tank's bottom so you will have a full tank of hot water. When it breaks, the cold water enters and exits the top without getting hot water to the bottom. This will cause you to run out of hot water very quickly. Water heaters made between 1992 and 1997 have defective dip tubes. During these years, all water heater manufacturers obtained their plastic from the same source. This source was defective and hence, all these water heaters have dip tubes that will dissolve and or, decompose. And simply replacing the dip tube is not a solution either. As you can see, the dip tube almost always begins to decompose close to the top. It of course, then falls into the tank where it will continue to decompose and thus begin to clog up every hot water outlet in your house. So given that replacing dip tubes won't cure the problem and that water heaters made between 1992 and 1997 are clearly pass their normal lifespan, replacement is the only solution.
If your water heater is over eight years old and or made between 1992 and 1997, I have some great news!
Simply mention this E-Newsletter and you will receive $100 off any standard water heater installation and $150.00 off any 10 year Deluxe or Lifetime Premiere!*
*Cannot be used with other offers, discounts and work previously performed. Applies only to water heaters that Casey's Plumbing supplies and installs.
503-620-9111
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MORE THAN JUST A 20% SAVINGS
| |  The Diamond Club Plus Diamond Club Plus members enjoy a number of benefits,
including 20% off any work performed*. They also receive special treatment when calling in for a service call; they go to the front of the line regardless of how many non-Diamond Club Plus customers were on the board. A Diamond Club Plus member will receive a FREE annual plumbing and electrical evaluation to ensure your system is safe and operating smoothly. And finally, it's FREE! The $14.95 monthly dues accumulate in an account to be used for future work. So let's say that you've been a member for 10 months and now need some plumbing or electrical work done. You will now have accumulated around $150.00 that can go towards that work. So there you have it; it really is FREE. Finally, if you are interested in becoming a member, do so now. Because we couldn't possibly accommodate all of our clients, we limit the membership to 22% of our customer base. So what are you waiting for? Why not sign up today? Just call, 503-620-9111 and tell them you want special treatment too and are ready to sign up for the Diamond Club Plus. *Does not apply to larger bid type work. Back To Top |
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Tips for hiring a contractor
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Check with the CCB (verify contractor's license), before asking for bids or entering into any agreements with a contractor. When checking a contractor's license: - Verify the contractor is actively licensed. This means the contractor can legally work in Oregon, has a surety bond, provided proof of liability insurance at the time of application and insurance renewal*, and assures that you have access to the CCB (Construction Contractors Board), Dispute Resolution Process.
- Check the contractor's history of complaints (disputes) and any other licenses associated with the contractor's name.
Get more than one bid from licensed contractors before making a decision. Don't automatically accept the lowest bid. A higher bid may be worth the price in better materials or workmanship. If you get a very low bid, the contractor may have made a mistake or not bid everything. If the bid is too low to make a profit, they may use cheaper materials or take shortcuts. Ask for references. Check with previous customers. Were they satisfied with the work? Was the work completed on time? Did the contractor return phone calls? Check the BBB (Better Business Board) and Angie's List for records of complaints and / or praise. Learn as much as you can about the contractor you are hiring. Read "Building/ Remodeling Checklist" and "16 Ways to Avoid Remodeling, Repair and Construction Problems" for a more comprehensive list of issues to consider when hiring a contractor. *Many insurance companies do not contact the CCB when the policy is cancelled since they are not required by law to do so. Consumers may want to verify coverage is still in effect. The above information was taken straight from the CCB as we believe they are your best resource for checking lincensing. If you have any questions or need to schedule a plumbing service call, please contact us at... 503-620-9111
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Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
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Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Founder of Labor Day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day Legislation
Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states - Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York - created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday - a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership - the American worker.
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MONEY SAVING COUPONS
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COUPONS NOT GOOD WITH OTHER OFFERS
OR WORK PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED
 
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All Plumbers Are Not The Same
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- All Casey's Plumbing employees are background checked to insure that a safe person is entering your home.
- All employees at Casey's Plumbing are drug tested to insure that an alert professional will be performing your electrical work.
- We offer a full two year warranty (three years for Diamond Club Plus clients), on all our repair work and a lifetime warranty on all workmanship. That's right - if any work we perform ever fails due to workmanship, we will repair it at no cost to you.
Sure, there are a number of plumbing contractors out there to chose from. And especially on larger jobs, it's always a good idea to get more than one quote. But I want you to know, that when you need a plumber, we'll be there for you. There will be no price surprises and if you are unhappy at anytime with our service, we'll do the job over for free! And don't forget our Diamond Club Plus program (See enclosed article). As a member, you will not only save 20% on most jobs but the small monthly membership dues will accumulate to be used for ALL future work. So it really is free and a wonderful thing to be a part of for those seeking peace of mind in their plumbing and electrical systems. So who should you choose? I am humbled and indeed proud, of the loyal customer base we have grown and believe that if you give us a chance, you'll be a happy loyal client as well. You'll be happy with our service - I personally guarantee it!
Thanks your continued patronage.
Sincerely,
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August