Greetings!   

Happy Spring!  We hope you find this information useful, and we welcome any suggestions on what you would like to see in upcoming issues. 

Please take a look at our website for additional tips at www.ojlaughlinplumbing.com.

Kitchen/Bathrooms:

• Check faucets for drips or leaks.  Make repairs to save water.
• Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap, and debris from clogging the drain lines.
• Check toilets for hidden leaks.  Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank.  If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
• Make sure toilets flush properly.  If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running, you may need to replace worn tank parts.  They are inexpensive and you will notice a lower water bill.
• Clean mineral deposits from shower head by unscrewing it and soak in vinegar.  Or, fill a plastic bag with vinegar, place it over the shower head and hold in place with a rubber band.  Soak overnight, then remove and gently scrub with an old toothbrush to remove deposits.

General:

• If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit.  The pump should turn on quickly, discharge the water, then shut off without any problems.
• Pour a gallon of water into drains not frequently used (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house.  Slow floor drains should be snaked to be sure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
• Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for any signs of leaks.

Outside:

• Make sure yard drains, gutters, and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
• Check for bird nests in plumbing vent pipes.
• Test faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely.  If an outdoor faucet drips or there is leaking inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

NEWS AROUND O.J.  

O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. has been nominated for a Subcontractor Award by the American Subcontractors Association.

The past General Contractor of the Year winners and nominees were sent a ballot to select outstanding Subcontractors in the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) category.  O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. has been selected by these General Contractors as meeting or exceeding the nomination criteria.  Winners will be announced Saturday, April 14th at the ASA Awards Dinner.

O.J. LAUGHLIN PLUMBING COMPANY, INC. EARNS COVETED ANGIE'S LIST SUPER SERVICE AWARD

O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie's List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5% of all the businesses rated on the nation's leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.

"Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie's List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks.  "The fact that O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers."

Angie's List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie's List operational guidelines.

Ratings are updated daily on Angie's List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on Angieslist.com.  This is the eighth consecutive year O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. has received this award.

Water conservation is extremely important.  Here are some ways you can do your part:

• Don't use excessive amounts of bleach, detergents, or chemicals that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system.
• Use biodegradable detergents and soaps.
• To prevent excessive watering of your lawn in the summertime, purchase an economical spring-loaded timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet.
• Water pressure in your home above 60 lbs. per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system causing unnecessary water usage.  Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street.  If it exceeds 60 lbs., consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure within your home.
• Check your water meter while no water is being used.  Make a note of the meter reading and check it 8-10 hours later.  If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be fixed.
• Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage.  Installing a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running more efficiently.
• Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater.  It should not be above 120 degrees Fahrenheit or medium setting on older models.
• Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing full spray action at low or high water pressures.
• A leaky faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 8 gallons a day.  That's 3,000 gallons per year!

• Energy-efficient products and systems
• Low-maintenance materials and landscaping
• Accessible designs that include wider doorways, particularly in the bathrooms; larger showers that accommodate wheelchairs; and entry ramps for homes built on raised foundations
• Rooms that can multitask, such as a study/guest room or a dining room/library
• Multi-generational housing with dual master suites, or living quarters above detached garages to provide private living areas for aging parents or older children moving back in
• Either a dedicated home office or a smaller "resource center" (an alcove adjacent to the kitchen with a desk, file drawers, etc.)

Many airlines don't stock enough bottled water.  When they run out, attendants may resort to the plane's water system.  The EPA found that the water in 15% of planes contained coliform bacteria.  Stick with drinking canned beverages on your next airplane flight. . . .or buy your own bottled water at the airport before boarding.