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O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc.
Summer 2012 |
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 Greetings!
It's HOT!!!! Here are some tips in preventing heat related illness:
- Drink plenty of non-caffeinated liquids. Water is best!! You should be drinking about 5-7 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wear the proper clothing, dress for the heat, wear clothing that "breathes".
- Eat right. In high heat, small snacks eaten every couple of hours is more efficient than one large meal at midday. Fruits and vegetables are preferred over greasy foods which are easier to digest.
- Stretch! While stretching is good all year long, in high heat environments, the body sweats a high amount of water creating the opportunity to "cramp" us. Stretching, combined with good hydration, can serve to reduce the opportunity for muscle cramps, strains, and sprains.
- Do the most physical tasks when the heat is low, preferably in the morning hours when the temperatures are lower.
Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Throbbing headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following:
- Get the victim to a shaded area.
- Cool the victim using whatever methods you can. For example, place the person in a cool shower; immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan them vigorously.
- Monitor body temperature, continue cooling efforts until body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If emergency medical professionals are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
- Do not give the victim any fluids to drink.
- Get medical assistance as quickly as possible.
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Thinking of upgrading your kitchen or bathroom?
What is the single biggest feature when it comes to kitchen upgrades?
- Island - 3.5%
- Flooring - 3.1%
- Lighting - 1.9%
- Faucet/Sink - 1.6%
- Breakfast Bar - 0.4%
- Other - 2.7%
- Cabinets - 36.1%
- Appliances - 22.8%
- Countertops - 27.9%
Cabinets, countertops, and appliances make up the lion's share of upgrade sales in the kitchen, followed by islands, flooring, and lighting.
What is the single biggest feature when it comes to bathroom upgrades?
- Plumbing fixtures (toilet, showerhead, etc.) - 26.9%
- Other - 8.1%
- Lighting - 1.6%
- Faucet/Sink - 3.1%
- Whirlpool/air-jet bathtub - 10.1%
- Flooring - 14.4%
- Separate tub/shower - 18.3%
- Vanities - 17.5%
Upgrades to plumbing fixtures, tub/shower systems, and vanities are the biggest sellers in the bathroom.
-Professional Builder's 2012 Kitchen and Bath Survey |
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Let's Talk Going Green
MotionSense faucets by Moen provide an intuitive, hands-free kitchen faucet experience that responds to users' simple hand movements to activate water flow. There are three ways to turn on faucets with MotionSense: the wave sensor which is at the top of the faucet, the ready sensor near the base of the faucet that identifies when an object is placed below the spout, and the handle on the side of the faucet, which offers traditional manual operation.
Moen MotionSense Faucet
www.moen.com |
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How Old Is Your Water Heater?
The first four numbers of the serial number on your water heater are the month and year. Any water heater over 10 years old is a candidate to be replaced. Call Tom at (636) 225-0992 to discuss replacement options.
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For Your Safety
Never use a toilet plunger after trying to clear a drain with chemicals. Toilet plungers themselves are very safe tools. But the danger in a bathroom toilet plunger is that when it works, it can send whatever is in the drain splashing out the overflow or up through the second side of a double sink. Always have something tightly covering a double sink when you use a plunger, or the pressure will force what's in the pipe out the second sink's drain rather than down the drain. If you've poured boiling water down your drain, wait until the water has grown cool before trying a toilet plunger. Never use a plunger if you've already used a commercial chemical drain opener. In many drain cleaners, the chemicals are so caustic or acidic that they will blind you if they splash in your eyes or can cause nasty chemical burns on skin that may keep burning until medical emergency personnel apply chemical antidotes. Using a plunger is likely to cause whatever is in the drain to splash out of it, and even rubber gloves can be burnt through in no time by a caustic drain cleaner. If you have used a chemical drain opener (such as Drano or Liquid Plumber) and the clog has not improved, it's time to get in a professional. Make sure to tell your plumber that you used the product so he can bring safety clothing, goggles and other equipment.
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 7 Legal Tips for Summer Travel
With summer upon us, many families are preparing to travel. Whether you are driving, flying or taking a cruise, it is important to be prepared. These tips will help prepare you for your summer travel plans. |
- At Home- Ask the postal service to hold your mail. You may also notify local law enforcement that you will be away from home. Many police departments have programs that will have an officer drive by your home while you are away. Be careful mentioning that you will be away on Facebook or other social networks. Thieves sometimes use that information to target victims who are out of town.
- Protect Your Family- Leave a trusted friend or family member with a copy of your will, power of attorney and insurance documents.
- Money- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash while traveling. Traveler's checks and credit cards offer more protection in the event of theft. Contact your bank and credit card company to let them know you will be traveling and check on your credit limits. If you are exchanging money, use only authorized agents or banks.
- Airports- Understand airport security regulations before you leave for your trip. The United States Transportation Security Agency and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority websites offer a great deal of information about what you can and cannot bring with you when you fly.
- Driving- If your plans involve driving in another country, state or province, make sure you understand local traffic laws. Also, make sure you are adequately insured.
- Health- Know your health insurance coverage before traveling. If you are traveling to a remote area overseas, you may consider purchasing additional traveler's health insurance.
- ID Theft- Only carry the personal documentation necessary for traveling. Do not let your passport or other important documents out of your sight.
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 Eternal Tankless Water Heaters
O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. is proud to announce our association with Eternal Tankless Water Heaters.
1.866.946.1096
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Company History: Grand Hall is an international company that has served as a leading manufacturer of innovative gas appliances and components for more than 30 years. In 1985, the Eternal manufacturer opened the U.S. office in Dallas, Texas. Today, the 200,000 square foot distribution facility built in 2003 utilizes state-of-the-art technology to enhance operations. In 2006, Grand Hall launched the first Eternal hybrid water heater in the U.S., released the third generation of the series in 2010, and introduced the GU100 Eternal hybrid water heater for retrofit applications.
Company News: In January 2012, Grand Hall USA launched the GU100 Eternal hybrid water heater for the residential retrofit market; it runs on a 1/2" gas line, supports up to two applications simultaneously, is 96% thermal efficient, and comes with a 15 year residential no leak warranty. Recently, Eternal hosted its first FAST training class in the new Eternal training facility in Dallas. Attendees got hands on experience and met with Eternal personnel.
Assistance to Contractors: Eternal offers contractors training classes throughout the U.S. that provide detailed instructions on the installation process, and a 15 year residential/5 year commercial no leak warranty, 24/7 technical support, and a network of distributors with replacement parts.
Tankless Forecast: The water heating industry has been stagnant for years but is about to change with the DOE's final rule for the 2015 minimum efficiency levels for all gas fired water heaters sold in the U.S. The new standard could lead to a price increase on standard tanks, close the gap with on demand water heaters and boost the on demand market as consumers look for more efficient water heaters. The repair and replace segment of the market is growing due to our weak economy, with many buildings and homes having deferred maintenance and old equipment.
Tankless FAQ: What about venting and piping? The Eternal can be power vented or directed with 2" or 3" SCH 40 PVC. It has a standard top connection on the unit which will reduce soldering time. |
 Do Your Part. . . .Water Conservation
Water conservation is extremely important, especially during these hot spells. Here are some ways you can do your part:
- Don't use excessive amounts of bleach, chemicals or detergents that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system.
- Use biodegradable detergents and soaps.
- To prevent unnecessary watering of your lawn, purchase an inexpensive spring-loaded time which attaches directly to your outside faucet. This will prevent overwatering in case you forget to shut off the sprinkler.
- Water pressure in your home above 60 lbs. per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause too much 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 in your home.
- Check your water meter during a period of time when 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 leak, which should be corrected.
- Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. Consider changing all of your toilets to 1.6 gallon water saving units. Installation of a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running 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 showerhead 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!
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 Preventive Maintenance Tips
When it comes to plumbing, prevention is much easier and less costly than repairs. A few simple preventative measures will make your plumbing perform as designed and last much longer.
- Washerless faucets offer the best performance and least maintenance. Next time you have a leaking faucet, instead of replacing washers or inserts, upgrade your faucet to a washerless variety.
- Bathtub and shower drains should have strainers to stop hair and soap from entering the drain. Clean strainers regularly to avoid clogs.
- Remove mineral deposits from your showerhead to maintain water flow. If it is severely clogged, replace it.
- Don't flush Kleenex in toilets because the paper fibers do not disintegrate like toilet tissue and can cause clogs. It's also a huge waste of water.
- Maintain toilet tanks and prevent water waste by replacing the flapper or ball once a year, and upgrade to the most modern tank fill system.
- Don't put items like carrots, celery, chicken skins, or banana peels in the garbage disposer. The disposer can't properly grind them and they may end up clogging the drain.
- Next time you have a plumber at your house, ask him to show you where your main water shut-off valve is. All of our service plumbers have tags they can put on your valve in case you have to shut down your system.
- A major water leak in your plumbing system can cause significant property damage in addition to water loss and inconvenience.
- We do not recommend that homeowners shut off water at the meter, a licensed plumber can do so with the right equipment.
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Everyone at O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. wishes you a fun and safe summer. Enjoy the sun because we know what's coming later! | |
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306 St. Louis Avenue
Valley Park, Missouri 63088
(636) 225-0992
(636) 225-0939 Fax
www.ojlaughlinplumbing.com |
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