News from O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc.

O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc.

Fall 2012

In This Issue

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Thinking about booking flights for the upcoming holidays? Do it now or you'll end up paying more. You may also have difficulty getting a seat on some flights due to the cuts many airlines have been making. The cheapest flights for Thanksgiving leave the Monday before the holiday or on Thanksgiving Day. Your best time to return home is before Sunday or on the following Monday.

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OJ Around Town

Curious about O.J. Laughlin's current jobs in progress? Our website is updated monthly with job progression pictures starting from the ground rough up to the finished product on our commercial jobs. Take a look here.

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Holiday Schedule

November 22nd - Thanksgiving Day / CLOSED

December 25th - December 26th / CLOSED

Winter Plumbing Tips

1) If you don't already know, find out where the main shut off valve is to your home (this will keep a small leak from turning into a big problem).

2) Look for drafts around fixtures and pipes and seal them.

3) On nights or long periods when the temperature is below freezing, leave the faucet or fixture furthest away from the meter dripping to help prevent pipes from freezing (moving water is harder to freeze than water at a stand-still).

4) Look for open or broken shut off valve lids. The lids prevent filling and freezing of the shut off valve. Call O.J. Laughlin Plumbing at (636) 225-0992 for help.

5) Have pipes insulated in areas that are not well heated.

How to Winterize Your Plumbing

1) Turn off your main shut off valve.

2) When the last of the water has dripped from the traps, open the plug at the main shut off valve if possible, and let it all drain. You may have to call O.J. Laughlin Plumbing at (636) 225-0992 to come and help you with this task.

3) Turn off the power or gas to the water heater and open the drain valve.

4) Starting at your top floor, open all faucets, both indoors and outdoors.

5) To freeze proof the system, empty all toilet bowls and tanks. Once emptied, replace them and fill with plumbing antifreeze mixed with water in the proportions specified for cars in your climate.

6) Taking the time to winterize your plumbing is well worth it! It's virtually a cost free alternative to frozen pipes.

7) Going south for the winter? It is our suggestion to winterize your plumbing.

Top 5 Water-Use Culprits

1) OUTDOOR USE

Average Use/Home: 84.2 gallons/capita/day (70,000 gallons/year/home)
54.9% of daily household use
Water-Saving Options: Potential to replace all potable outdoor water consumption

2) TOILETS

Average Use/Home: 18.5 gallons/capita/day (15,396 gallons/year/home)
Conventional Specs: 3.4 gallons per flush (26.7% of daily indoor use)
Water-Saving Options: 1.6 gallons per flush (est. 56% reduction to 8.2 gallons/capita/day; 18% of daily indoor use) OR 1.28 gallons per flush (est. 65% reduction to 6.56 gallons/capita/day)

3) CLOTHES WASHER

Average Use/Home: 15.0 gallons/capita/day (12,483 gallons/year/home)
Conventional Specs: Water Factor of 9.5 or less (21.7% of daily indoor use)
Water-Saving Option: Water Factor of 6.0 or less (est. 33% use reduction to 10.0 gallons/capita/day; 22.1% of daily indoor use)

4) SHOWERHEADS

Average Use/Home: 11.6 gallons/capita/day (9,654 gallons/year/home)
Conventional Specs: 2.5 gallons per minute showerhead (16.8% of daily indoor use)
Water-Saving Option: 2.0-gallons per minute showerhead (est. 20% use reduction to 8.8 gallons/capita/day; 19.5% of daily indoor use)

5) FAUCETS (KITCHENS & BATHROOMS)

Average Use/Home: 10.9 gallons/capita/day (9,071 gallons/year/home)
Conventional Specs: 2.2 gallons per minute lav and kitchen/bar faucets (15.7% of daily indoor use)
Water-Saving Option: 1.5 gallon per minute lav faucets (no change to kitchen/bar faucets) (no change in estimated gallons/capita/day; 23.9% of daily indoor use)

-Ecohome Magazine. "The Water-Efficient Home." May-June 2001. Web. October 2012.

Looking to Upgrade Your Baths for ADA Usage for a Loved One?

O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc. is proud to be associated with ARC Accessibility Resource Center. Specializing in ADA shower systems, wet room waterproofing and ADA accessories can be designed for both residential and commercial applications. For additional information, contact either Bob or Dan Laughlin at (636) 225-0992. You can also get information by going to ARC's website at: www.arcfirst.net.

Testimonials

Thank you so much for your quick response! The guys you sent over were great.

~Mike C.

Thank you for the always excellent service!

~Ed & Janice V.

Thanks for the job well done. We appreciate your honesty very much and the reduced price.

~Frank S.

Thank you for the great service!

~Laura H.

O.J. Laughlin Plumbing Company, Inc.

306 St. Louis Avenue

Valley Park, Missouri 63088

(636) 225-0992