Several mornings of frost during the past week remind me it is time to WINTERIZE. While I always appreciate ways to increase my bottom line, I don’t like to do it at the homeowner’s expense especially when there are a few simple things you can do to avoid having to call me to come out and repair damage caused by freezing weather.
To WINTERIZE - first I disconnect all hoses, drain them and place them in storage. Frost free hose faucets MUST have hoses removed to drain properly. The exception is the Woodford Model 19 - it has a pressure relief device that protects it even if hoses are left attached. Hose faucets should be covered. Covers are available at most hardware stores. Many hose faucets on garage walls and on some older homes are not frost free. They usually have shut-off valves in a heated wall. In many newer homes these valves are near the water heater in the garage. Shut the valve and open the hose faucet. If the valve has a drain, open it also. After the faucet is drained, cover it.
Insulation blocks, also available at hardware stores should be placed in foundation vents to protect the plumbing under your home. I have repaired many broken pipes that could have been prevented by simply covering the foundation vents. Remember to remove the insulation blocks once the risk of extreme cold is gone in order to keep good air flow in your crawl space. Too much moisture building up in there can cause mold and rot.
Doing these simple steps ahead of time, will ensure you will sleep easier during cold weather.
Bringing clean water to America… Rick the Plumber
We remember the days of cascading waterfalls onto the bathroom floor, the mandatory bathroom accessory, the plunger and the multitude of service calls from angry homeowners begging us to help them. Our only option at the time was pressure-assist toilets that were noisy and expensive. Since 1992 when 1.6 gallon toilets were foisted on us all by federal mandate they have often been a sore spot. When first required the toilets were produced by the manufacturers but the engineering needed to make them work properly was not done in my opinion.
Over the past 19 years improvements have been made and now some manufacturers produce toilets that flush very well. With the models we are now installing we rarely have clogging, with the exceptions being a child’s toy or similar object. Plungers no longer are a necessary item in a bathroom.
All in all manufacturers have responded to customer feedback by creating toilets that are both environmentally and consumer friendly. Gerber Viper and Toto Drake are two models I highly recommend to my customers. We install well over a thousand a year with almost zero callbacks for service.
Bringing clean water to America… Rick the Plumber
We frequently replace hose faucets that have frozen due to hoses left attached during freezing weather. We now have available hose faucets that offer protection from bursting in this situation. If we replace your hose faucets for you, we will recommend them as replacements.
The Woodford Model 10 has a 5 year limited warranty and Woodford will pay up to $5,000 toward the cost to repair damages incurred as a result of a defective Model 19 faucet. This hose faucet comes highly recommended by me.
Bringing clean water to America… Rick the Plumber
On a recent flight home from the Midwest, I had time to ponder and reflect on all that had transpired in my life over the past few days. I marveled at the impact one can have on you by just being there.
On Saturday, I, along with my wife and children traveled to eastern Washington to attend my son’s graduation from Washington State University.
Four years had flown by and here I sat in the auditorium of the performing arts center watching five hundred students garbed in their black robes lining up to receive the read leather-bound diploma folder.
While it was easy to get caught up in all the excitement surrounding me, it was however the sight of the people filling the seats around me that caused my heart to overflow. there beside my immediate family was my sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. they had traveled many miles to be there to show love and support to my son. That level of caring is priceless.
Two days later, I found myself surrounded by people who had traveled from all over the United States to this rural South Dakota church. They had come to pay their last respects to my aunt. The church sanctuary was filled to capacity and overflowing out into the nearby dining hall.
This small in statute, gentle in manner, farmer’s wife and mother to eleven had lived a simple life of God, faith and family, and yet had touched so many.
I, in my mind, had traveled this distance to be here with her family thinking I maybe could be of some comfort to them in their grief and to say my final farewell to one who had loved me and whose parting was going to leave a gaping hole in my heart. Very soon, I realized it was her family and community that were showing me unconditional love. they repeatedly expressed their gratitude to all of us who had traveled to their area. We were overwhelmed by the thankfulness towards us all.
Rarely do we realize until we are impacted in a big way, how it is truly the little things we do for others that make the greatest impression.
In this busy life we bring upon ourselves it is easy to forget the value of a hug or just listening.
During this season of graduations, weddings and other celebrations, I encourage you to make the time to attend when invited. Your presence is important and who knows, it may be you who will be rewarded beyond measure.
Bringing clean water to America… Rick the Plumber
We’re creating our new blog here at Waterways Plumbing. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!