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Proud to be involved with...
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Shepherd's Door
Recovery for homeless women and their children
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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, Tigard
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Plumbing Fun Facts
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Albert Einstein was named an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union after saying publicly that he would become a plumber if he had to do it all over again.
The world's most famous plumbers are probably video game superstars Mario and Luigi, of Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers series. Copper piping, which is the #1 material used for plumbing work in today's world, is the same material that the Egyptians used to lay their own pipe - some 3000 years ago! Since 1963 (the year CDA was established), more than 28 billion feet or about 5.3 million miles of copper plumbing tube has been installed in U.S. buildings. That's equivalent to a coil wrapping around the Earth more than 200 times. The current installation rate now exceeds a billion feet per year.
In a typical home, more than 9,000 gallons of water are wasted while running the faucet waiting for hot water.
As much as 15% of your annual water heating costs can be wasted heating this extra 9,000 gallons. (Ask us about the solution)
Though we all have heard the many slang-words of which his cognomen is probably responsible for, the truth is... there is no hard evidence anywhere that English plumber, Thomas Crapper was the inventor of the modern-day amenity that often bears his less-than-flattering name (it's believed Crapper may have bought the patent rights from another man - Albert Giblin - and marketed the concept as his own).
More toilets flush during half time of the Super Bowl than during any other time of year.The toilet uses more water than any other appliance in the house. 72.4% of people place their toilet paper to be pulled from over the roll, rather than under.
A low flush toilet can save you up to 18,000 gallons of water per year.You have a 1 in 10,000 chance of being injured by a toilet.A third of people flush their toilet while they're still sitting on it.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. If a drip from your faucet fills an eight ounce glass in 15 minutes, it will waste 180 gallons per month and 2,160 gallons per year.
In the tomb of a king of the Western Han Dynasty in China (206 BC to 24 AD), archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old "toilet" - complete with running water, a stone seat and even a comfortable armrest! The finding: marked the earliest-known water closet, which is quite like what we are using today, in the entire world.
The Earth has somewhere in the neighborhood of 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons (326 million trillion gallons) of water on the planet.
Roughly 98% of our water's in the oceans of the world, and therefore is unusable for drinking because of the salt content. That means only around 2% of the planet's water is fresh, but 1.6% of that water is locked up in ice caps and glaciers.
Another 0.36% is found in very deep, underground sources - meaning only about 0.036% of the planet's total water supply is found in lakes and rivers (our main supplies of drinking water)!
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".
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Recipe of the monthEaster Dinner
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Tangerine-Glazed Easter Ham With Baby Carrots
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 4 hr 0 min
Serves: 10 to 12 servings Ingredients 1 (8 to 10-pound) smoked ham, bone-in, skin on Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 bunch fresh sage leaves 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut in chunks 2 tangerines, sliced thin, seeds removed 2 cups tangerine juice 2 cups light brown sugar, packed 1 cup water 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 11/2 pounds carrots, peeled
Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Put the ham in a large roasting pan, fat-side up. Using a sharp knife, score the ham with cuts across the skin, about 2-inches apart and 1/2-inch deep.
Cut diagonally down the slashes to form a diamond pattern; season the meat generously with salt and pepper. Chop about 8 of the sage leaves and put it in a bowl; mix with the oil to make a paste. Rub the sage-oil all over the ham, being sure to get the flavor into all the slits.
Bake the ham for 2 hours. Now there is plenty of time to bang-out the tangerine glaze.
For the glaze: Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chunks of butter, tangerines, tangerine juice, brown sugar, water, and spices. Slowly cook the liquid down to a syrupy glaze; this should take about 30 to 40 minutes.
After the ham has being going for a couple of hours, pour the tangerine glaze all over it, with the pieces of fruit and all.
Scatter the remaining sage leaves on top and stick the ham back in the oven and continue to cook for 11/2 hours, basting with the juices every 30 minutes.
Scatter the carrots around the ham and coat in the tangerine glaze.
Stick the ham once again back in the oven and cook for a final 30 minutes, until the carrots are tender, the ham is dark and crispy, and the whole thing is glistening with a sugary glaze.
Set the ham on a cutting board to rest before carving.
Serve the carrots and tangerine glaze on the side. Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe courtesy Aaron McCargo Jr.
Prep Time: 20 min Inactive Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 40 min Serves: 4 servings Ingredients Canola spray 4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed well 1/2 cup green onions, white and green parts, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 4 slices good quality bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 1/4 cups Cheddar, divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 cups sour cream Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a small casserole dish by spraying with canola spray. Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork.
Place in the microwave and cook on medium, turning once, until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes.
Set aside to cool, about 5 minutes. Cut off the top third of the cooked potatoes.
Scoop out the insides and place into a medium bowl.
Add the green onions and mash together. Add the garlic, bacon, 1 cups cheese, salt, pepper and sour cream. Mix together well. Nestle the hollowed out potatoes in the prepared dish.
Evenly divide the potato mixture among the potato shells and top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
Place the potatoes into the oven and cook, about 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Orange Scented Green Beans Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Prep Time: 3 min Cook Time: 5 min Serves: 8 servings Ingredients Peel of 1 orange 2 pounds trimmed green beans, available in produce department 2 tablespoons butter Salt 3 tablespoons fresh chives, snipped
Directions Fill a pan with 2 inches water and bring to a boil.
Add orange peel and beans.
Cook 5 to 6 minutes, beans should remain bright green with a snap to them.
Drain beans and return to pan. Remove peel.
Toss with butter, salt and chives then transfer to a serving dish. Carrot Cake Recipe Recipe courtesy Robert Clinton from Cliftons
Prep Time: 35 min Inactive Prep Time: 24 hr 0 min
Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min Serves: 1 cake or 3 (9-inch) layers Cake Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 4 fresh whole eggs 2 cups pastry flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 cups raw finely ground carrots 4 ounces finely chopped walnuts
Frosting Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar 12 ounces room temperature cream cheese 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 ounces room temperature margarine
Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, mix sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture and blend well.
Fold in carrots and chopped nuts until well blended.
Distribute batter evenly into 3 (9-inch) cake layer pans, which have been generously greased.
There will be approximately 1 pound 5 ounces of batter per pan.
Place in preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
Cool layers in pans, for approximately 1 hour.
Store layers in pans, inverted, in closed cupboard to prevent drying. Layers must be a minimum of 1 day old. To remove layers from baking pan, turn upside down, tap edge of pan on a hard surface.
Center a 9-inch cake circle on top of revolving cake stand.
Remove paper from bottom of layer cake. Place first layer, bottom side down, at center of cake stand.
With a spatula, evenly spread approximately 3 1/2 ounces of frosting on the layer.
Center second layer on top of first layer with topside down.
Again with a spatula, evenly spread approximately 3 1/2 ounces of frosting on the layer.
Center third layer on top of second layer with topside down. Using both hands, press firmly but gently, all layers together to get one firm cake.
With spatula, spread remainder of frosting to cover top and sides of cake.Keep refrigerated until needed.
Display on counter or cake stand with a plastic cover. Filling and Icings: In a suitable bowl of large mixer, place powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and margarine. Beat at second speed until thoroughly blended. Hold refrigerated and use as needed. * Restaurant Recipe This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. Food Network Kitchens have not tested this recipe in the proportions indicated and therefore cannot make representation as to the results. Thanks to...
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Greetings!
Caisie and I just returned from a 5 day business trip in New Orleans and we are anxious to begin using some of the tools we picked up, to provide you better and more personal service.
Speaking of better service, we have just added a new journeyman plumber to our team and will be introducing him to you next month, after he goes through some of our rigorous training. Business has really been picking up and having another top notch plumber on staff will go a long way in meeting these new service demands.
As you can see from the picture above, this is Women's History Month. Be sure to read more about it below in this newsletter.
Also in this month's newsletter, are detailed instructions on how to repair your own kitchen faucet. These details were gathered from thefamilyhandyman.com. In this article, there are two other types of faucets covered and we will be covering those as well over the next few months.
Finally, I would like to hear from you. As you've probably noticed, I try to cover a new Do It Yourself project every month and I would love to provide tips that you can personally use. So if there are any plumbing repairs you'd like to tackle yourself, please let me know. I'll cover it complete with illustrations.
Thanks for your continued patronage,
 Brenda Casey / Owner and Operations Manager Casey's Plumbing - 503-620-9111 P.S. Because Easter Sunday will occur before my next Newsletter, I have included my entire Easter Dinner menu for the Recipe of the Month. Back to top
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Repairing a "ball type" faucet
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Doing your own faucet repair may seem daunting, but once you learn the basics, modern faucets are pretty easy to fix. In fact, the hardest step is usually finding the right replacement parts. In this article, we'll tell you how to find replacement parts and show you how to stop spout drips on the three main types of single-lever faucets: rotary ball, cartridge and ceramic disc. We're showing kitchen faucets, but you can fix most single-lever bath faucets using the same procedures. We'll also show you how to stop leaks around the base of the spout. The tools you'll need vary a little depending on the faucet you're repairing. You'll probably need an Allen wrench to remove the handle. Buy a set of small Allen wrenches, and you'll be prepared for any faucet. Most repairs also require screwdrivers and a large slip-joint pliers. An adjustable "Crecent" wrench is also a good tool to avoid scratching a faucet's finish. Follow These Basics For All Faucet RepairsBefore you start, examine the faucet closely to determine where the water is coming from. Leaks around the base of the spout require a different repair than a drip from the end of the spout. Then turn off the water supply to the faucet. You'll probably find shutoff valves under the sink. If those valves don't work or if you don't have any, you'll have to close the main water valve to your entire home. After you turn off the water, open the faucet in the center position to relieve water pressure and make sure the water is shut off. Finally, cover the sink drain holes with strainer baskets or rags to avoid losing small parts down the drain. Pay close attention to the order and orientation of parts as you remove them. A digital camera or video camera is handy for recording each step in case you forget. For easier reassembly, set the parts aside in the order they were removed. When all the parts are out, inspect the interior of the valve for bits of deteriorated gaskets or mineral deposits. Use a cloth or fine nylon abrasive pad to clean the surface. Loosen mineral deposits by soaking them in vinegar. Slow water flow can be caused by plugged holes in the faucet body or faucet tip "aerator". Use a small screwdriver or penknife to clean them out. Before you replace worn parts and reassemble the faucet, hold a rag over the faucet and open the water shutoff valve slightly to flush out debris that may have been loosened during the cleaning and inspection. After the faucet is reassembled, open the faucet to the middle position and gradually open the shutoff valves to turn on the water. Leave the faucet open until water flows freely and all the air is out of the pipes. If the water flow through the faucet is slow, the aerator (Figure A) may be plugged. Unscrew the aerator and clean it out. Take the Old Parts to the Store to Find Replacements You'll often find the brand name stamped on the faucet. And this information will help when it comes time to find repair parts. But in most cases, the safest bet is to take the worn parts to the store with you. Figure A
How rotary ball faucets are assembled
 Photo 1: Loosen the Allen screw Lift the handle and pry off the decorative cover to expose the Allen screw. Turn the screw counterclockwise until it's loose enough to lift the handle up from the stem.  Photo 2: Remove the cap Unscrew the cap by turning it counterclockwise with a slip-joint pliers. Note, an adjustable "Crecent" wrench, will work even better to protect the faucet's finish. Photo 3: Remove the rotary ball
Lift off the plastic cam and packing. Lift out the ball and inspect it. Replace the ball if it's scratched, cracked or visibly worn.  Photo 4: Remove the seats and springs Lift out the two rubber seats and springs with a screwdriver. Make note of the orientation of the tapered spring and install the new springs and seats the same way. Reassemble the faucet. Spout LeaksLeaks around the base of the spout are caused by worn O-rings located under the spout. All that's usually required to access these O-rings for replacement is to wiggle and pull up on the spout to remove it (Photo 1).
Depending on the faucet, you'll also have to remove the handle and other parts to access the spout. Be persistent. The spout may be a little stubborn. Spout O-ring kits are available for many faucets, or you can take the old O-rings to the hardware store or plumbing supply store and match them up with new ones. Remember to pick up a small toothpaste-type tube of plumber's grease while you're there.
In Photo 1, you can see the diverter valve, which controls water to the sprayer. Their appearance varies considerably among brands, but you'll usually find them under the spout.
If your sprayer isn't working properly, first clean it in vinegar or simply replace it. If this doesn't work, the diverter valve may be clogged. If it doesn't simply pull out, contact the manufacturer or ask a knowledgeable salesperson for help with cleaning it.
Photo 1: Remove the spout to access the o-ring seals
Remove the handle and cartridge. Twist and pull up on the spout to remove it and expose the O-ring seals.
 Photo 2: Replace the o-rings Slip the tip of a screwdriver under the O-rings to slide them out of the groove. Install the new O-rings, lubricate them with plumber's grease and reinstall the spout.
503-620-9111 and schedule your appointment today! 
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MORE THAN JUST A 20% SAVINGS
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Click on documents below to download and print out
Our 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. Because we couldn't possibly accommodate all of our clients, we limit the membership to 22% of our customer base. So if you are interested in becoming a member, do so 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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MONEY SAVING COUPONS
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Click on coupon to download and print
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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 plumbing 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 it's always a good idea to get more than one quote when choosing a contractor. 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! 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.
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Women's History Month
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by Cathy Pickles,
National Women's History Museum staff member
As I write this, there are signs of Spring in my garden. A few daffodils are in bloom and visitors to my bird feeder seem to have more to say (and LOUDLY) than in the last few weeks. The earth is waking up again and there is talk everywhere of new beginnings, the setting of fresh goals and general optimism. It seems appropriate, then, that March is National Women's History Month in the United States.
I confess that I knew little about the origins of this commemoration of the lives of our foremothers and their impact on all of us until recently.
The seed of a month-long celebration of the lives and accomplishments of women was planted on March 8, 1911 with the celebration of International Woman's Day (singular) in Europe. It was reported that over one million people observed that day in Austria, Denmark , Germany and Switzerland.
The focus of this first commemoration was the fight for women's voting rights. In 1977, the United Nations designated March 8 as the "UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace" also known as "International Women's Day." This year's theme is, "Empower Women - End Hunger and Poverty."
In the United States, National Women's History Month began in 1981. Congress petitioned President Reagan to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as "Women's History Week." He did so, saying: American women of every race, creed and ethnic background helped found and build our Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways ... As leaders in public affairs, American women not only worked to secure their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity but also were principal advocates in the abolitionist, temperance, mental health reform, industrial labor and social reform movements, as well as the modern civil rights movement.
Women's History Week was recognized for the next five years until the National Women's History Project lobbied Congress to designate the entire month of March as "National Women's History Month." Since President Reagan issued such a proclamation in 1987, March has been officially labeled as such. The theme for 2012 is "Women's Education - Women's Empowerment."
There will be events all month in nearly every American community. Check your local newspaper or civic organization events calendar.
Here at the National Women's History Museum, we having a women's history trivia contest on Facebook, complete with prizes.
We also hope you will spread the word to your family, friends and co-workers about our mission to build a permanent home to celebrate women's history year round. Happy Women's History month to one and all!
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