Protecting Yourself on a Remodeling Project: June 3, 2010

Many of you might not know, but Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating has an install department that can asset you with all of your remodeling needs. We had one customer bring up a good question and wanted to share it with all of our customers to educate you on how to protect yourself on remodeling projects. Please read the story below, and if you have any questions or concerns please give us a call!

Question: We are about to tackle a major remodeling project and it scares me to death. There is so much money involved and I’ve heard so many horror stories about crooked contractors and botched jobs. How do I make sure someone is reputable? How many bids should I seek? Can you please give me some tips to protect myself!! Concerned Customer!

Dear Concerned Customer-
There is a lot of ground to cover, so let’s take it one step at a time:

1) Finding a reputable contractor – Ask anyone you know and trust for recommendations. Don’t even ask anybody to bid on your job until you are convinced of a good reputation.

This begins with asking for the company’s license number and evidence of insurance. Verify that the license is genuine and current by calling the government agency that has jurisdiction. At Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating we offer this information as soon as we speak with the homeowners!

At Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating we can emphasize the insurance angle enough. If you hire an uninsured firm and someone gets injured on the job, you could be held liable, and there is no ceiling to what that could cost you.

Most contractors will supply you with their own references, but even the shadiest operators can recruit friends and relatives to pretend they are satisfied customers, so don’t rely on their reference alone. At Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating we are on the Better Business Bureau, so please check us out!

Also ask prospective remodelers for supplier references, and more than one. Most contractors deal with multiple suppliers. We cant stay in business without a source of supply, so its common practice for someone in trouble to keep paying one supply house while stiffing everyone else. You’re asking for big trouble if you deal with someone who can’t pay their bills. For a list of our suppliers, click here.

2) Number of bidders – You may have heard the old rule of thumb that says you should get three bids, toss out the high and the low, and take the one in the middle.

There is nothing magical about the number three, expect it seems a reasonable number to manage. More than that gets time consuming. As a result, you’d probably end up skimping on the background check and other details.

More important than the number of bidders is to make sure they are all bidding on the same thing. The only way to be sure is to work from detailed drawing of the project you have in mind.  There also can be large price variations based upon fixtures, furnishings and materials specified. Everyone must bid on the same specifications or else you are comparing apples to oranges.

At Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating we use Up-Front Pricing, which means you know the price before we do the work. When making an investment decision, people want three things: The highest quality, the best service and the value pricing. Our reputation & history allows us to make these claims and to stand by them. We have yet found a company that provides higher quality, better service at our competitive rates.

3) Tips to protect yourself – First, read the contract carefully. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. Pay special attention to payment terms and a timetable for completion. Some give and take might be necessary to negotiate a contract that’s fair to you and the remodeler alike. However, don’t sign any contacts documents until you understand all the terms and ramifications.

• Make sure the remodeling firm has all the required fixtures, appliances, furnishings and materials in its possession before work starts. Otherwise you are vulnerable to potential delivery disruptions’ that can leave your project delayed.
• See that the contractor complies with all permits and notifications required by your local building department.
• Ask the contractor to produce a sworn statement identifying all subcontractors, suppliers and creditors for the project. These people may have lien rights to your property if they don’t get paid for their work, even if you faithfully pay the prime contractor. A line means they can lay claim to a portion of your property equal in value to the amount owed them.
• Be aware that almost ever homeowner underestimates the amount of money a major remodeling project will cost. Budget at least 10% extra for changes you may decide to make in your plans once the project gets underway.

Now relax and call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating today to get started on your remodeling project. We have many solutions to fit every need and budget, and now we are offering financing! And find out for yourself about our legendary service and quality craftsmanship. Call today to set up an appointment or check us out online at www.grandlakeplumbing.com

The Top Ten Most Common Household Repairs: May 10, 2010

Most people don’t pay much attention to their household items, such as their mechanical systems. We take for granted our water heaters, toilets, faucets, furnaces, until the stop working. Then, comes the panicked call to Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating. In this issue of Around the House, we wanted to educate you on the top ten most common household repairs, and how Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating can help you when your appliances need some extra TLC.

“Old Reliable” churns away in your basement or utility room day after day, month after month, year after year.  Expect every once in awhile, when the modern water heater doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do. That’s when you call a plumbing contractor saying “no hot water.” This is the #1 reason why people call a plumbing or heating contractor, according to a survey taken a few years ago by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau (PHCIB) in Chicago.  A related problem, a leaking water heater, came in at number five out of the top ten.

Regular care and maintenance can forestall most of these breakdowns. Have your plumbing & heating systems inspected, cleaned and checked at least once a year. At Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating we offer three different service agreements, plumbing, heating, and a combination of plumbing & heating, for you. We will come to your house once a year and perform a yearly service inspection to make sure your systems are in the best working condition. For more information please click here.

Homeowners also need to consider replacing ancient water heaters, toilets, furnaces, boilers and other appliances with new high-efficiency or water-saving models. Most of us are in the habit of squeezing out every last day of service out of such equipment. Yet any unit more than 12-15 years old probably can pay for itself within a few years through reduced energy or water usage.

Here are the rest of the most common household repairs identified by Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating:

#2) Clogged drain – Many of these calls could be avoided by taking greater care in what you put down drains, especially the kitchen sink drain; the most used and most clogged drain in the house. We also recommend regular treatment with Bio-Clean, which is a biological drain cleaner sold through Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating.

#3) Dripping Faucets – This is an annoyance that most homeowners have to deal with from time to time as the washers in the faucet wear out. You can extend the life of your faucet washers by not turning them off with too much force. You may also consider replacing your older faucets with those that feature washer less valve cartridges instead of rubber washers. Since the valve mechanism is contained in one cartridge, these faucets are easier to repair and replace. In addition, cartridges are generally more durable and do not leak because they do not deteriorate with friction or age as washers do.

#4) Leaking Pipes – In extreme cases, these can cause expensive damage to floors and belongings. To stop a small leak from turning into a big one, take a look at your pipes periodically to check for rust or white lime deposits that may indicate a leak is starting.

#5) Leaking Water Heaters – Most often when you have a leaker, it’s time to get rid of the water heater. Usually leaks indicate rusting through at the bottom of the storage tank, for which there is no good repair. By the time this happens, the water heater is usually so old you’d benefit from replacing it with a more energy efficient model anyway.

#6) No Heat - When your furnace or boiler stops operating, it can make for a long, cold night. An ounce of prevention here is worth of ton of cure. It’s important to make sure you heating system is functioning properly before the first or last cold snap hits. Have Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating do a thorough examination and cleaning in later summer or early fall every year to prevent any mishaps from happening.

#7 - #8) Running & Leaking Toilets – This is not only an annoyance, but a waste of water and money. Leaky toilets can cost you upwards of $100 a year on you water bills. If you hear a low humming noise, or if the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism solves the problem with cost. Otherwise you may need to replace the entire mechanism.

# 9) New faucet Installation – Many homeowners replace faucets not only when they break down, but for decorative reasons as well. This is the ninth most common reason for a service call.

#10) Malfunction Food Waste Disposers - This can be a messy headache for homeowners. Here are several tips to keep you unit in good working order. First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.                                                            Almost all biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, corn husks or other material with high fiber content. Under no circumstance should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items our service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.

After reading this issue, please make sure you do a Spring walk through of your house to make sure all of your plumbing & heating systems are in working condition. If you have any questions or concerns please give Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating a call, or you can schedule an appointment online that meets your busy scheduling needs, just click here!

Independent Study Found That Softeners Are Among The ‘Very Best’ Household Energy Savers: April 26, 2010

Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating wanted to forward the Press Release from The Water Quality Association, sent out on April 14, 2010, in regards to water softeners. We know at Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating that your water is vital to your home and your health. You rely on it for cooking, cleaning, washing, bathing, drinking and nourishing. And when you think about all of the ways that water touches our lives, you see why it’s so important that we make sure you’re your water is as clean as it can be. We have partnered up with Culligan, who is the leader in home water treatment systems, to offer you simple; cost saving systems to make sure your water is safe!

Please read the press release below from the Water Quality Association on how water softeners are among the “very best” household energy savers, and if you have any questions please call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating at 970.879.1504

Water softeners can save significant amounts of money and energy in the home, a major new study by the independent Battelle Institute revealed.

Softeners help preserve the efficiency of water heaters and major appliances and keep shower and faucets unclogged, the report found. The study was commissioned by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) in 2009/ Battelle Memorial Institute is a renowned independent testing and research facility dedicated to applied science and technology development. Among some of the key findings of the study:

Gas Water Heaters:

Gas storage tank household water heaters operated on softened water after maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15-year lifetime. On the other hand, hard water can lead to as much as a 48% loss of efficiency in water heaters.

Each five grains per gallon of water hardness causes a 4% loss in efficiency and 4% increase in cost for gas storage tank water heaters when using 50 gallons of hot water per day. (On 30 gpg hard water, that’s 24% less efficient than with softened water.)

Each five grains per gallon of hardness causes an 8% loss if efficiency and 8% increase in cost when using 100 gallons of hot water per day in a gas storage tank water heater. (On 30 gpg hard water, that’s 48% less efficient than with softened water.)

Electric Water Heaters:

Up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate rocklike scale can accumulate in these heaters over time, according to the study. The life of the heating element will be shortened due to scale buildup because of increased operating temperature of the heating element.

Also each five gpg of water hardness causes 0.4 pounds of scale accumulation each year in electric storage tank household water heaters. Such scale adversely effects the water heater’s performance. Battelle says in the electric storage water heaters operating on unsoftned water “the life of the heating element can be expected to shorten due to scale buildup increasing the operating temperature of the element.”

Tankless Heaters:

Indoor Tankless Water Heaters, operated on softened water maintained the original factory efficiency rating over a 15-year lifetime.

The study found that tankless water heaters completely failed to function because of scale plugging in the downstream plumbing after only 1.6 years of equivalent hot water use on 26 gpg hard water. Softened water saves 34% of costs compared to operating on 20 gpg and saves 47% compared to operation on 30 gpg hard water.

Showerheads and Faucets:

Showerheads on soft water maintained a brilliant luster and full flow. Faucets on softened water performed well throughout the study; nearly as well as the day they were installed. Showerheads on hard water lost 75% of the flow rate in less than 18 months. Faucets on hard water could not maintain the specified 1.25 gallons per minute flow rate because of scale collection of the strainers. The strainers on the faucets using unsoftened water were almost completely plugged after 19 equivalent days of testing.

 Appliances:

In the study, dishwashers and washing machines were operated for 30 days and 240 completed wash cycles on soft and hard water sources. The units using soft water were almost completely free of any water scale buildup. As the report states, they appeared as if they could be cleaned up to look like new with just a quick wipe down. The appearance of the inside of units using hard water showed the need for deliming and cleaning due to the buildup of scale and deposits.

After reading this article you can see all the negative effects that hard water can cause. We want to be able to offer you a simple and affordable solution to make sure that your water is not causing these types of side effects. For a Complementary water hardness test, please call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating today, and mention this Press Release. Thanks for your interest and we look forward to providing you with our legendary services.

Getting Your Home Ready For the Summer - April 20, 2010

As the snow starts to melt away we are reminded of all the chores around the house that are needed to be done before the summer. Let Grand Lake Plumbing and Heating help you with your plumbing & heating chores, so you can enjoy the best time of year in the mountains.

If you are one of the many homeowners who turn the water off to your cabin in the winter, let Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating come in and get the water back on. We will come and turn the heat on to your home. This allows your home to warm up, before we turn the water on, and before you arrive. We will then reconnect any of the appliances that were disconnected, turn on the main water, fill your water heater and then test all fixtures to make sure nothing is leaking. This allows you to gain a sense of comfort knowing that your home is running and ready for you to enjoy.

Also in the area we live in, we know that we still have cool nights, where you still want to bump up the heat. We want to make sure that your heating system is in tip-top condition, even in the spring and summer months. Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating offers heating inspections, which allows our technicians to check to make sure your system is clean and running efficiently.

Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating is here to help you with all of your plumbing and heating needs. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, to provide you with the our legendary service. Let us help you shorten your household to-do list! Call us today, at 970.627.3441.
Enjoy the spring weather and we look forward to working with you!

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April Is National Plumbing Industry Month - April 1, 2010

In this issue of Around the House, we think it's time to thank plumbers all around the nation.
By an act of Congress, April is National Plumbing Industry Month, and April 25th is Plumber's Day. We think Plumbers and their day deserve a little recognition. Please read this newsletter to learn some tidbits on plumbing history! Next time you see a plumber be sure to thank him or her for their help when they are there to help you with your plumbing problems!   

April 25, dedicated to America's Plumbers. Most of us take plumbing and plumbers for granted. But think for a minute how it used to be, and look at how lucky we are today! Below are some fun, interesting plumbing facts: 

• The word "plumber" is derived from the Latin word for Lead-Plumbum. Lead use to be the primary material used in the creation of pipeworks used to carry water into cities and towns, before it was found to be a cumulative poison.  
• Early Native Americans, American's first plumbers, built vast, sophisticated irrigation systems for farming, but did their "business" in the fields and forests due to the lack of toilets. 
  Pipes haven't always been made of metal. 
• In the 1800's, both Boston and Montreal used wooden pipes. They were logs that were hollowed out and tapered at the ends. 
• It is known that over 2,800 year ago, King Milnos of Crete owned the world's first flushing toilet, complete with a wooden seat. In 1596, Sir John Harington built the first modern "water closet" for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth.
• There are actually two common types of plungers - a toilet plunger and a sink/shower plunger.  Toilet plungers narrow at the bottom to fit into the toilet drain, while sink and shower plungers have a flat rim.
• In 2004, there was over 91,000 miles of water distribution piping (4" pipe) in the U.S. 78% of that pipe is made of PVC.
• The most recognized video game character in the world is a plumber. Nintendo's Mario (of Super Mario Brothers game) was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, and Mario has appeared in more than 200 games.
• The fire sprinkler was invented in 1864 by Henry Parmelee to protect his piano factory.  He patented the idea, but by 1883 had only successfully had the system installed in 10 factories.
• In a typical home, more than 9,000 gallons of water are wasted while running the faucet waiting for hot water. As much as 15% of your annual water heating costs can be wasted heating this extra 9,000 gallons.

Plumbing Is A Funny Business. We recently received an email regarding plumber's sense of humor.  Since April is National Plumbing Industry Month, we thought we would share this humor with you. 
 
Most plumbers have a good scene of humor. Some even incorporate jokes into their logo, truck or slogan. All of the following are actual slogans we've seen used in real plumbing business.

• The Lone Drainer - He Came Pronto
• Call Us When You're Backed Up
• Professional, Affordable - and we always leave the seat down
• We Repair What Your Husband Fixed
• Don't Sleep With A Drip. Call Your Plumber
• Where A Flush Beats A Full House
• Tap Into 20 Years of Experience!
• #1 In The #2 Business
• Thanks For Calling, How Can We Make You Smile?  

We wanted to thank all of our plumbers that work at Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication!
 
If you have any questions or need a service call, please call us, we have operators standing by to make an appointment that fits your schedule! Or you can now schedule an appointment online, just click on the appointment bell in the upper right hand corner of the home page.
 
Thanks again for your interest in Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating, and we look forward to serving your plumbing & heating needs! Have a great week.


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