Should you fix that leak?

Water water everywhere....

Well not so anymore. Water, as I have said in the past, will be the next oil. Look the writing is on the wall. You now pay more for 12 oz. bottled water per gallon than gas. We can run out of oil and survive but if we run out of water then disease and death are soon to follow.

It always amazes me when I go to a customers home and find plumbing leaks during my free routine inspections I do. I will point out that these other problems should be addressed and corrected yet the customer is reluctant. Dismissing a leak is wasteful and harmful to the environment. Water, like oil, is a resource. Use it wisely and you will not have to adjust your lifestyle when a drought comes.

So how can you conserve water? The number one way is low flow toilets. Low flow toilets help each of us slow the flow and can save tremendous amounts of water each flush. Next is irrigation and landscape selection. You can consult with a landscape architect who can show you what you should plant in your particular area and don't be afraid to ask them how long or what time you should water your existing landscape.

Then comes showers and shower heads. If you have teenagers then you know how long a shower can last. It is not uncommon to let the shower run until the water is warm enough to get into but did you ever wonder how much water that wastes? Estimates are near 60,000 gallons per year per household! Wasted! A circulation pump would eliminate most of that and so would catching that with a bucket and using it on your landscaping. Shower heads can use from .5 gpm to 8 gpm (gallons per minute) So in one minute you could have taken a sixteen minute shower! Something to consider. Sewer treatment facilities are running at capacity and the housing keeps going up so conservation to control your personal costs is a prudent investment.

Finally we come to leaks. Waste with no purpose. Fixing those running toilets, dripping faucets or the newly discovered "wet spot" in the yard should be done as quickly as time allows. Bad plumbing probably accounts for most of the loss we face overall since it is a total loss and is not used by anyone. These leaks usually go unnoticed.

Prudent conservation, water saving devices and technology will help you do your part in the great water conservation effort soon to be coming to a city near you! Be ready and reap the benefits of a properly working water saving plumbing system. You will feel good for doing it and the planet will too!

If you need any help or have any questions feel free to call me at (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

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Backflow Prevention, what is it?

Ever see those big valves sticking out of the ground near the sidewalk and wonder what they are for? Have you heard of anti-siphon devices and wondered what they were talking about? Even though you may not know what they are they work relentlessly to protect the public health. These valves are installed on domestic water lines to prevent the back flowing of water into your fresh water supply.

Now, you may ask, when is it possible for water to flow backwards into the fresh waterline? Often, when there is a fire, firetrucks will pump the water from the domestic supply. If, during this time you are say, filling a swimming pool, the negative pressure will siphon the water from the pool and make its way back into the utilities water supply contaminating it. Same goes for when you are gardening and lay the hose on the ground and the water is drawn back into the water supply dirt and bacteria can contaminate the water supply.

Back flow devices and anti-siphoning devices prevent this from happening. With back flow devices if a negative flow occurs the valve "checks" or prevents the flow of water when the pressure coming into your supply is lower than the pressure already past the valve thus preventing an equalizing or back flow situation. This is usually accompanied by what is commonly called dumping. This occurs when the water is released from the relief valve it is a sign that a back flowing has attempted to occur.

Anti-siphon devices are somewhat the same although they usually are installed on landscaping supply lines and hose bibs. These prevent back flow by opening and allowing air to enter the line when a negative pressure situation occurs.

If you have any questions or comments about installing or maintaing your backflow devices feel free to call me at (408) 263-8433.

your plumber,

Cameron

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The ten reasons I would hire a contractor

Much information is shared across the internet. Personal privacy is under attack. So would you knowingly allow a criminal into your home? One way to protect yourself is to hire a licensed contractor. If the person who comes to your home is licensed then you are protected. Part of the process for getting that license is that they are required to get a bond and more recently a background check, fingerprinting et.

Isn't who you let in your home a matter for concern? Employers don't always perform background checks on their employees, so ask the contractor you hire if they do.

Here we go, the ten reasons I would hire a contractor:

1.) You know who your dealing with. When you hire a contractor and they come to your home you have recourse.

2.) They can get a permit for the work done if you request it. This protects you and them. Say the job they do in your eyes is of poor quality, you can get it inspected and if it doesn't meet the minimum code they will have to bring it up to code. This doesn't cover preexisting conditions or other work that may need to be done, only the work they did.

3.) They have met some sort of State mandated testing in both the trade they work in and in legal matters concerning their conduct and have proved competent in those areas. If they had a qualifying partner then that person was responsible for the company actions for several years.

4.) They understand the why of how their trade is performed. A competent professional should be able to answer questions related to their trade. If they can't answer in plain verifiable english maybe you should consider looking elsewhere.

5.) Liability Insurance. Now this doesn't mean they have to have it, it means that they can get it. Remember, its your investment, protect it. Make sure the licensed contractor you hire has CURRENT and VALID liability insurance. For certain jobs you may even ask about an additionally insured certificate. You may have to pay a fee but, if the job is big enough, its well worth it.

6.) Their name is on the line if you are not satisfied. The world is a smaller place. With the internet we will soon see community ratings that are quickly and easily accessible on companies. Bad contractors fear this, quality contractors have been waiting for it for a long time. Some already use this. Many of the "rating" companies charge a fee to be listed so don't believe everything you read. Do your homework, ask for referrals from friends and for references from the contractor.

7.) Some things you just don't want to do yourself. This shouldn't mean that you should hire someone who needs to pay rent and is clueless about the trade you need them to perform. Most of what contractors charge is for your protection. There is a lot more to contracting than talking the talk.

8.) Warranty work. Ever try to find that person from the home center when something goes wrong? Contractors who use quality products and install them to manufacturers recommendations will be there for you should anything happen. Ask what hours your contractor will come to perform warranty work should anything go wrong.

9.) Product knowledge. A person worth their salt knows how to guide you comfortably to what you need and protect you, if necessary, from what you think you want. Rarely has what someone wanted been exactly what they needed. It does happen, but those people are the exception and have done their homework thoroughly. Informing a client is a tricky business. If you tell them what they need they head down to the home center and pick up the unlicensed person and buy your recommended product have them install it and ask you to come back and "fix" it.

10.) Contractors are people who care. We get a contracting license, business license, conform to trade standards, government standards, have to follow codes, plans, blueprints, train, retrain, read, train again, teach, educate, multitask, overcome obstacles, overcome objections, meet deadlines, find parts and more while still trying to maintain a great relationship with you, our greatest asset, our customer.

Now these may not be the reasons you would hire a contractor. They sure are the reasons I do.

your plumber,

Cameron

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Water free urinals, water wise, envirornmentally friendly!

That's right, water free urinals. Commercial applications such as office buildings to convention centers. Water free urinals are a great product for those people looking to protect the environment while conserving resources. Sleek new designs and modest operating costs are no match for the savings you'll enjoy for installing this product. So if you doing new construction or just remodeling call me and we can discuss if there is a model that's right for you!

I can be reached at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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Where will you be when "the big one" hits?

Major earthquakes cause great loss of life and property. We can't predict when or where they occur, but we can prepare for the effects. One way to assure you can attend to the more important matters after a major earthquake is by installing a seismic safety shutoff valve on your gas line. These valves work in various ways by automatically shutting off the gas, in case you can't. Fire, explosions and danger from gas leaks are a major reason considering an earthquake shutoff valve may be a prudent investment for you and your building. Costs are modest and valves come in sizes from 3/4" to 6".

If you'd like more information or an estimate feel free to call me and we can make an appointment for this and other safety features for your building or home.

I can be reached at (408) 263-8433

your plumber,

Cameron

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