Joe the Plumber – a plumbing legend?

In my meandering course through the whizzing ones and zeros we call the Internet, I was reminded of a certain plumbing story that begs to be dredged up from our hilarious history:
Joe the Plumber was just like any other guy, until he ran into – completely by coincidence – Senator Obama.  He criticized the future President’s tax proposal then and there, catching him unaware and off-balance.
His rise to fame was swift, and sure.  His criticisms were taken to heart by the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain, who set up Mr. Plumber as an avatar of the average American.
Senator John McCain was extremely happy with this strategy, and its outcome, citing Samuel J. Wurzelbacher – Joe’s real name – as “the winner” of October 15’s presidential debate.  Clearly, an important standpoint had been championed by a paragon of plumbing virtue.
And all of this was fine until the media had a couple of days to explore the seedy underbelly of Mr. Wurzelbacher’s real life.  Not only was it revealed that his chance-meeting with the president elect was intentional, when he admitted as much on a conservative web site: familysecuritymatters.org, but it also bubbled up from a routine backcheck that Joe the Plumber was not actually registered to lawfully plumb in Ohio.  Mr. Wurzelbacher, the champion of the average American, was not even a plumber, after all.
But, as the San Francisco Chronicle was apt to point out, Joe the Plumber took more interviews in the brief period of his fame, than did Sarah Palin.  He certainly took the spotlight well.  But where did it leave him?
Corrupt practices such as this may be standard in places like Ohio, but certainly not at George Salet Plumbing.  No one is disgruntled, here, and you can tell by the way they approach their job – with pride and commitment.  Proper registration, licensing, etc. all go without saying.

7 Ways to tell whether a Plumber can fix the kitchen sink

You do not need to settle for the stereotypical plumber anymore, and anyone who tells you otherwise is stuck in the Industrial Age (aka. thirty years ago).  There are in fact a number (small though this number may be) of individuals in the plumbing profession whose social skills and cleanliness defy the stereotype. 

I know, who would dare to ask for a man who can fix things and smile while doing so… without tripping on the rug and exposing the proverbial crack?  Well, now you don’t need to settle for anyone you would not invite to tea. 

In order to ensure that the plumber who arrives at your door will be able to wield the variety of tools in his/her belt properly (that is, without marring various surfaces of your home), be sure to use the following checklist:

1)    Did he/she greet you with a smile?
2)    Does said plumbing professional have his/her shirt tucked in?
3)    Does the plumber listen with his/her mouth politely closed?
      (Studies show that plumbers who do not know to close their mouths have difficulties operating monkey    wrenches.)
4)    Does he/she shift their weight uneasily?
5)    Does he/she avoid eye contact?
6)    Do their shoes look old, worn, or in need of cleaning?
7)    Is said plumbing professional wearing a belt?

If he/she fails in any of the following ways, send them back to the shop and demand another, or try a different company!  You deserve better

*The Soft, Sensitive Side of Garbage Disposals – Maintenance Tips

Garbage disposals are completely misunderstood. It is true that they do not deal with the most sanitary materials, nor do they utter exactly pleasant sounds as they complete their labor. OK, so perhaps it is a wise decision to keep them under the sink basin. But they still deserve some respect and TLC to live long and fruitful lives.

The Vulnerabilities of Garbage Disposals – What Not To Feed Them

Some people idealize their disposals and believe that no matter what the chore, lemon rind or chicken bone, the whirring blades will erase it, simply, effectively, thoroughly. Disposals would never admit it themselves, but they cannot handle:

• Hard/sticky materials, such as bones or toffee

• Vegetables containing fiber, such as celery or corn husks

• Any kind of grease or oil, especially in large quantities – instead, discard with the trash, in closed receptacles

Some of these will not pass down the drain, causing harmless odors, while others can erode or jam the blades. But none of these repercussions should even be considered. Remember, your kitchen appliance wants you to care about its feelings, not just weigh the pros and cons of treating it properly.

General Maintenance Tips that Show You Care

While each garbage disposal is unique, there is a short list of dos and don'ts that every, and I do mean every, one of them will respond to:

• Always run cold water when grinding

• Only grind small amounts of food at once

• Every month or so, process a few ice cubes (a handful or two will do)

• Keep them smelling great by running a citrus peel through (whatever you would like the kitchen to smell like)

Make sure that everyone in the household knows how to operate the device, as well, and the disposal will surely enjoy a long, happy life in your kitchen.

Troubleshooting Tips

But even if you do everything right, problems can still occur. If the device stops working or becomes plugged up, for whatever reason, be sure that you do not reach your hand down the drain to unplug it or remove the debris.

If the drain has been clogged with grease, melt the grease by heating the pipes with boiling water. If too much water has already accrued in the sink, remove as much as possible before continuing. Once the clog clears, run hot water for five minutes.

If there is debris covering the opening, use thongs to pull it out, and if the problem persists, contact a professional to fix it.

*Understanding Automatic Faucets – Fad or Future?

Hunkering down in front of an automatic faucet and waiting for the thing to grace me with a slight trickle of water always throws a monkey wrench in my cogs. That is not mentioning the temperature that I never seem to agree with, regardless of whether it is luke/warm or cold.

But I think I am biased. I drive a manual transmission, after all; I turned off Word's autocorrect feature years ago, as well. Machines bug me when they presume to make my decisions for me. After reading about the benefits of automatic faucets, I have had to ask myself: am I in left field here? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page, the more strongly you feel, the better!

In the meantime, here are all the reasons why my gut reaction could be wrong.

Pros of Automatic Faucets

We are seeing more and more of these devices, particularly in public restrooms, but also in new homes.

• Automatic faucets conserve water, especially in public spaces where anyone can accidentally (or not) leave a tap on. Reports claim that, even in private residences, they conserve up to 70% of tap water use, reducing 3-5% from one's water bill, on average.

• Most do not realize how hygienic tap-less fixtures are. Each person who runs the water of a standard faucet turns the knob before they wash their hands, leaving germs that will rub off on the person after them, and so on.

• Using an automatic faucet for the home is quite different than using one in a public restroom. Temperature and flow strength can be regulated on most, if not all models.

• Elegant design, simple execution. There is a certain technological mastery and progressiveness that automatic faucets promote. Stylistically, their sharp, mechanized, efficient, message pairs well with modern décor.

• Convenient – Using the more recent models, especially on fixtures that heat water quickly, can transform the act of washing hands into a luxurious experience. It really can.

Will We See Automatic Faucets in the Home of Tomorrow?

But the question remains: will we be seeing these devices gain popularity, or fizzle out, as just another fad gone the way of 3D glasses. For these things to really catch on, people will need to see the above, objective pros over the inconvenient cons. I, for one, hope that taking off 3-5% of the water bill would be worth the adjustment for many, and that people from the Bay Area will use George Salet Plumbing to replace their faucets.

*Before You Remodel Kitchen Sinks – What to Expect

Wondering whether now is the time to refurbish your bathrooms or kitchens? Remodeling projects are infamous for the time and trouble they take to complete, despite Home Improvement companies' marketing efforts to make it look swift and easy.

I think these web sites actually harm their customers by pushing for a commitment people may not be ready for, so I thought that, instead, posting some information on the topic would help my readers be more realistic in their planning for the project budget and timeline.

When Do Most People Decide to Renovate?

Children are actually the best indicators for remodeling projects. According to a new consumer market resource, the HomeSight project, “Kitchen remodels are the province of "Empty Nester" life stage (36%) and of "Mature Families"- those with teenage and young adult children still in the household (43%).” That means that 80% of all remodels occur when the children of a residence are between the ages of 13 and 24.

So, if your last child is six years old and you are beginning to fantasize about shiny new kitchen faucets, you may want to channel that desire into the planning of a renovation to begin six or ten years down the road, rather than pushing a decision too quickly. The same resource goes on to say: “In fact, one third of all home remodel projects currently under way will be postponed for as long as five years. Of those delayed, 17% will never be completed in full.” Just imagine having a gutted kitchen/bathroom lying idle and unused, needlessly. Much better to spend more time on planning and avoid project delays.

Project Scope

Other sources of concern for families considering renovation:

• Will I be able to stop with one room, or...

• Will the budget explode, mid-project and bankrupt me before I can enjoy or sell the results?

Often, in the beginning stages of the project, consumers realize that changes in one room will precipitate renovations in other rooms in order to preserve a sense of balance and harmony in the residence. For instance, most who consider replacing one of their faucets, say, in the kitchen, will replace bathroom fixtures, as well. So, it is generally better to plan for renovating all of the utility rooms in the same project. This will make the budget more realistic, so you can plan for it.

Speaking of Budget Expectations

More food for thought:

• No matter how much money is involved, renovators see a consistent 13% increase in budget from start to end of project

• Average return on investment (ROI) for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects above $15,000 ranges from 80-93%

Who Renovates Bathrooms and Kitchens?

While men tend to renovate entertainment centers and basements, studies show that women see kitchens and bathrooms as expressions of themselves. This means that kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects, including sink and faucet replacement, are most often completed, in the end, by professionals, rather than by husbands.

More behind-the-counter information can be found at:

https://www.quickenloans.com/refinance/learn/why/home-improvements-increase-home-value

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/faucets/

http://www.nkba.org/consumer_tools_statistics.aspx

*New low flow toilets – How much money will I save?

The new, low-flow and high-efficiency toilets may be good for the environment, but are they good for my wallet? Many Californians are wondering whether the money saved will be worth the upfront costs. Sure, people know it's good for the environment, but is it good for them? In the following, old toilets are compared to the new, 1.28-gallon per flush (gpf) high-efficiency toilets to make heads/tails of the issue.

Performance: Do High-Efficiency Toilets Stack Up?

People still worry about the performance of high-efficiency and low-flow toilets, and it makes sense that with restrictions on water usage, toilets would necessarily sacrifice power. This was true to some extent before 2003, but innovations in flushing technology are now making high-power, water-efficient toilets the norm. If performance is important to you, look for toilets with MaP test ratings of 1000 g and higher. For more explanation, read my blog: What is the MaP test for toilets, and Why Is It Important?

Water and Money Saved By High-Efficiency Toilets

So far, convenience and luxury are the same for conventional and low-flow toilets, but still, why would anyone willingly shell out the money for new toilets?

• Normal toilets use 3.5-7 gallons

• New toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush, or less

• on average, 4 gallons saved per flush

According to the San Francisco Examiner, by upgrading to high-efficiency toilets, the average American family will save:

• 87.5 gallons of water each day

• $12 in water utilities each month ($360 in 3 years)

Calculating Payback Period

Eventually, the savings gained by upgrading household toilets will outstrip the upfront costs. The only question is: will that happen before the mortgage is paid off. I estimate that upgrading a household in the Bay Area with 2 toilets will pay for itself within 6 years. That is not taking into account government rebates offered through the EPA's WaterSense program, installation costs, or more expensive models.

*What is the MaP test for toilets, and Why Is It Important?

Many consumers do not trust low-flow or high-efficiency toilets to flush as well as the standard models. This infamy is leftover from toilets manufactured in the last decade of the 20^th century that were as low in their flushing power as they were in their water usage. But now, technology has caught up, in part, because of the MaP test (2003).

Before 2003, new toilets could not be told apart by their flushing power, so manufacturers did not have a big reason to research technologies that would increase power, even with low amounts of water usage. The resultant negative product reviews were throwing the entire water-efficiency movement into doubt. Users would sometimes need to flush these old models two or three times, which would waste as much water as the standard toilets except with more hassle!

Fixing the Problem: the MaP Test and Its Impact on Toilets

To address the problem, Canada and the US devised the Maximum Performance Test (MaP Test), which was to rate toilets based on their flushing power. As a result, consumers could tell the difference between high-end and low-end models before purchasing. As one can imagine, the higher-end models began to sell much better, and the ineffective toilets were kicked back to the drawing board.

What the Rating System Means

Now, most toilets on the market perform up to consumer expectations. Still, check the rating on each model. The rating represents the maximum fecal size that the toilet model will reliably flush. So, because the largest fecal size for the average male is 250 g, the test does not go below that threshold. Ratings larger than that indicate superior performance, and most models being produced today boast ratings at or above 600 g. For more information, view the latest MAP test report  Here.

The WaterSense Program – How It Builds on the MaP Test

The EPA's WaterSense Program uses the MaP test to either pass or fail toilet models, as well, but the program only passes models that:

• Rate at 350 g or above on the MaP test, and

• Have equal to or less than a 1.28 gallon flush (called high-efficiency toilets)

The downside to this certificate is that the stamp of approval covers up the MaP rating, so it is impossible to distinguish between toilets with a 350 g rating from those with a 1000 g rating. If the difference matters, then you may need to look up the results yourself on the pdf given above.

Why the WaterSense Program Matters – Save Money

There are plenty of rebates one can claim for replacing old toilets with WaterSense-certified models. These will often take up to $40 off each replacement, which adds up to more than 10% savings on most models. These rebates can be found on the EPA's site, with applications and instructions.

Only One More Thing To Do – Installation

If you are excited about saving the environment and money by purchasing a new toilet but want more specific information regarding the amount of money and water a high-efficiency toilet will save you, check out my last blog (link “New low flow toilets – How much money will I save?”). But remember that installation costs some money on top of the purchase price. Click here for a free estimate.