Plumbing Tips | San Gabriel Valley Plumber

Many San Gabriel plumbing problems associated with winter could easily be avoided. Chilly fall San Gabriel temperatures serve as a polite reminder that once winter arrives it may be unanticipated, often catching proprietors unprepared for San Gabriel plumbing inconveniences associated with extreme cold. Here are a few valuable plumbing tips to keep your San Gabriel plumbing system running well during winter. frozen pipes Plumbing Tips To Prepare For a San Gabriel Winter

Turn off outdoor water hoses. If it is still connected, water inside the hoses can freeze and expand bringing about spouts and San Gabriel connecting pipes in your house to ice up and break down.
Ensure external taps are not leaking out or pouring out. Contact a plumbing contractor to take care of the crucial fixes before freezing temperatures arrive. Understand that once pipes ice up, water pressure grows and induces cracks – no matter whether pipe is composed of copper, plastic, or steel. Even a very little fracture might generate beyond 250 gallons of water in just one calendar day.
If your San Gabriel house has interior shut-off valves giving rise to outdoor spouts, disconnect them and drain water from lines.
Pad pipes in heatless vicinities, such as crawl or garages spaces. Position heating stripe or thermostat-controlled heat cables all over the pipes that are exposed and vulnerable to freezing.
Your San Gabriel water heater is working even harder at the time of wintertime months. Have a San Gabriel plumbing service professional flush it away and remove deposit buildup, which causes corrosion, shortens the length of life and reduces warming functionality.
Once departing from your residence for extended periods of time, shut off the major water regulator and take the water out by releasing open faucets at the highest and lowest places of the house.

Put into use the above mentioned helpful plumbing info and tips to increase the life span of your plumbing system in the course of wintry weather. It’s recommended to seek professional aid to winterize the plumbing system in your property.

Report Asserts Filtered Tap Better Than Bottled Water

First off, I want to give recognition to my good friend Terry Boden owner of Boden Plumbing in Sonoma County for this useful information. He can be reached at 866-663-7477

The Environmental Working Group has released a new report exposing the lack of health and water quality information for bottled water. It’s not a big surprise, but it’s a good reminder that too often we assume that because something comes in a package with a recognized brand name on it, it must be OK.

The report, 2011 Bottled Water Scorecard, surveyed websites and labels of more than 170 bottled waters sold in the U.S. looking for three things:

* Where does the water come from?
* Is it purified? If so, how?
* Have tests found any contaminants?

EWG found that just three — including only one of the top 10 domestic brands — disclose information about the water’s source, the method of purification and any chemical pollutants that remained after the water was treated.

The domestic brand noted is Nestlé’s Pure Life Purified Water, which discloses its water source and treatment methods on the label and offers a toll-free number consumers can call to request a water quality test report.

For a summary of the report, see Report: Filtered Tap Water Better for you than Bottled Water at www.walletpop.com. You can read the report and the EWG summary at Bottled Water 2011.

Of course not knowing the source of the water you’re drinking or its quality is a biggie. On top of that, however, are the alarming number of plastic water bottles thrown away — and the expense of bottled water compared to filtered tap. If you have no idea whether or not the water you’re buying is as good as what you’ve got at home, why pay the extra bucks? Convenience? Really?

Fortunately, point-of-use and whole-house water filtration provide good alternatives. Filter your own tap — if it needs it — and refill BPA-free water bottles for pennies per gallon.

We regularly install point-of-use filters for customers. Give us a call if you would like information on options and choices. We have also installed whole-house filters.

Kevin Shaw is president of Kevin Shaw Plumbing, Inc, serving the San Gabriel Valley since 1982. With over 30 years of In The Field experience, Kevin has the skills and know how to fix most any plumbing, heating, air conditioning and insulation problem and makes it a priority to stay abreast of the latest needs in customer satisfaction as well as technical advances. He has served as the President of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of the Greater Los Angeles Area, and the California State Board of PHCC. He is also a member of the distinguished organization Nexstar Network and a founding member of Service Roundtable, both of which are trade organizations that train and equip contractors to meet their customer’s plumbing, heating & cooling needs.

For questions, please contact info@kevinshawplumbing.com or call 626-359-1864. You may also visit the company’s website at www.KevinShawPlumbing.com for more helpful tips and homeowner articles and general information. You may also send any questions or comments to: 224 E. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016

The Secret To Earthquake Preparedness

General Emergency Preparedness:
It is really sad to see what has recently happened in Chili & Haiti and other places around the world. After a major incident, there’s a good chance that public safety services will be busy handling emergencies. Your best defense is to be prepared at all times.

Before we get hit by the BIG ONE in Southern California:

Be prepared. Know where your gas meter is located. Even in the case of an earthquake or other emergencies, turn off your gas meter ONLY if you smell gas or hear gas leaking.

Better yet, make sure your home is equipped with earthquake Activated gas shut off valve from Kevin Shaw Plumbing, Inc.

To help prevent your water heater from moving or toppling in an earthquake, strap it firmly to the wall studs in two places — the upper and lower one-third of the tank — with heavy bolts and metal tape. Be sure to place the lower strap at least 4 inches above the thermostat controls. Fill out our handy dandy on-line order form here, or give us a call @ 626-359-1864.

Make sure that all semi-rigid aluminum or copper gas connectors have been upgraded with approved flexible metal appliance connectors.

Check safety devices, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, to ensure that they are functioning properly. Have extra batteries available.

Check your furnace and other gas appliances for safe operation. Call us @ 626-359-1864 to make any needed repairs.

Emergency Plan:

Most of us have at one time or another thought about what we would do in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, too many of us never go beyond just thinking about it. Even worse, some people believe having stored food supplies and a few thoughts about what they would do in an emergency is being prepared. The truth is without formalizing your thoughts on how you want to approach various emergencies you are not prepared. In other words, being prepared means not only having supplies but having a written plan that includes training and practice. Developing a written plan not only organizes your thoughts it also provides a systematic and repeatable approach to emergencies. It’s also an excellent tool for training and practicing.

Your plan should be tailored to meet your specific situation and the special actions required to meet specific types of emergencies. For example, what action should be taken in the event of a fire versus an earthquake or flood. Here are a few examples of emergencies for you to consider:

— House or wild fire
— Flooding
— Earthquake
— Intruder
— School or work emergency
— Large chemical spills near your neighborhood

Create an emergency plan for your family, identifying two places for the family to meet.
#1 a place outside your home
#2 a spot away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.

Practice the plan with your family, including your children
Make sure your children are aware of the routes away from home.

Develop a plan for family pets and livestock. Evacuation shelters may not allow animals.

Plan safe routes away from your home and business to high, safe ground.

Designate a friend outside the area who family members can call if separated.

Review the emergency plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center and other places where members of your family regularly spend time away from home.

Check the condition of your roof.

Clean debris from drains around your home or yard.

Emergency Supply checklist:
Now is the time to stock up on at least 72 hours worth of emergency supplies that add to your safety and comfort during and after an earthquake.

Below are some essential items to include in your emergency preparedness kit:

Bottled water – three day supply of bottled water (one gallon per person, per day)
First-aid kit, handbook, and essential medications
Packaged, dried or canned food and any special diet items
Special provisions for babies, elderly, disabled family members, and pet
Non-electric can opener
Blankets or sleeping bags
A portable radio, flashlight, batteries and light sticks
Extra eyeglasses and sets of house and car keys
Fire extinguisher –A-B-C type
Rubber boots, rain poncho,
Plastic trash bags
Sturdy pair of shoes, warm clothing and personal hygiene items
Cash

Contact a licensed contractor or your gas company to relight any gas appliances or pilot lights that are out. Do not turn gas back on by yourself.

It is recommended that a shut-off valve be installed at every gas appliance. If a leak occurs at a specific appliance, the valve will permit you to turn off the gas at the appliance rather than shutting off all gas service at the meter. Some valves require a wrench to turn them.

Check your water heater and furnace vents. If the venting system becomes separated during an earthquake, it could leak hazardous fumes to your home. Signs of an improperly vented appliance may include moisture on the inside of windows or an unusual odor when the appliance is in operation.

DO NOT use any electrical appliances until you’re sure there are no gas leaks.

If evacuation is necessary, prepare an evacuation kit, including personal hygiene items, change of clothes, bedding and medication, if possible. Food, shelter and first aid are available at shelters.

If it is safe to do so, check on your neighbors, especially elderly and disabled persons.

Use the telephone only for family emergency needs or to report unsafe or dangerous conditions.

Avoid unnecessary trips. If you must travel during an emergency, dress in warm, loose layers of clothing and sturdy shoes. Advise others of your destination.

Use flashlights — NOT lanterns, matches or candles — to examine buildings. Flammable gases may be inside.

Follow instructions of local authorities regarding the safety of drinking water. If in doubt, boil or purify water before drinking or call public health officials.

Avoid “sightseeing” in disaster areas. You may hamper rescue efforts or place yourself in danger.

Walk through your rooms and look for things that could fall when shaken. Identify good places to “duck ,cover and hold” (see below). Even though you may not be able to secure every item you believe could fall, at least you will have identified the safe and unsafe areas of your home. Their fresh eyes can often find things you miss.

Duck or drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold onto it. If you have children, teach them how to “duck, cover and hold”, and be sure to practice it with them often.

Duck or drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold onto it so that it doesn’t move away from you. Wait there until the shaking stops.

Kevin 4 300x199 The Secret To Earthquake Preparedness

Did You Know, That Only Rich People Can Afford Cheap Plumbing!

I Just got off the phone consulting with a lady who got some bad advice and made a $900.00 mistake.

Recently they bought a hot water system on price instead of what was best long term for their family.

Now 3 month later, they are having to say bye by to that hard earned money. Yes they are flushing $900 down the drain.

Please, please, please think twice, and buy the very best you can afford from a reputable company.

When To Do It Yourself — And When Not To

Gigantic home improvement centers and hardware stores have sprung up to service virtually every community in the country with a vast array of tools and building supplies available to every home owner. You can find literally hundreds of books and magazines dedicated to the subject of home improvement, many in the form of do-it-yourself (DIY) manuals. The craze has also been popularized by TV shows such as the long running PBS “This Old House” series and various clones.

Saving money is perhaps the main motivation behind most DIY projects. Coupled with that is the fact that some people simply enjoy working with their hands. They derive a sense of satisfaction out of building things and doing their own repairs. As professional trades people, we fully understand this feeling of pride at seeing the fruit of one’s own labor take shape. There is nothing more satisfying than completing a home improvement project successfully. We would be the last to discourage anyone from tackling a project.

However, as professional trades people, we also get to see the flip side of that coin on a regular basis. Hardly a week goes by when our company isn’t called to finish or repair a botched job by someone whose expertise didn’t quite match his or her ambition. Here is just a short list of the many unexpected things that tend to arise in home improvement jobs:

* Incomplete instructions. Mr. and Mrs. Home Owner buy one of those packaged products at the home center that comes with installation instructions. However, the instructions are not always written in clear language, or sometimes leave out critical steps. It’s like a cooking recipe that uses terms such as “dicing…simmering…basting.” People who know their way around a kitchen know what to do, but a beginning novice may not be familiar with common cooking terms. Same with do-it-yourself work.
* Coping with the unexpected. No matter how detailed the instructions, they cannot account for every possible situation that may arise with a home improvement project. The box containing the kitchen faucet you bought at the new home center may have instructions telling you how to remove the old one and put in the new, but what happens when you discover stripped threads and a rusted “frozen” nut that resists turning by even the strongest hands and pipe wrench?
* Harder and more time-consuming than expected. Most people tackle larger projects on weekends, and maybe for an hour or two at night after they arrive home from their regular jobs. The first few weeks of this is a labor of love. As time passes, though, the project takes up all of a person’s free time and becomes drudgery.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), many professional remodelers won’t even take on a DIY job gone bad. They find it too difficult to fix the problem and too many liabilities involved in taking on the work. Often the rescue job may end up costing more that a project started from scratch by a professional, because the professional may have to first “undo” much of the DIY work.

It’s also best to leave structural work to a professional. Not only could a mistake be dangerous, your home may not meet the local building code. This could make it impossible to sell without corrective measures.

In addition, EPA regulations forbid the venting of refrigerant gasses into the atmosphere. Keep this in mind when tinkering with an air conditioning unit or refrigeration project.

*How long can you afford to be without full use of your home?
Remodeling is messy work that often renders one or more rooms off limits. Or, you will be without a key piece of equipment, such as a furnace or water heater or toilet. Professionals can do the job a lot faster and minimize the time your home will be disrupted.

In the end, the decision boils down to common sense. If you enjoy DIY projects and are good at them, by all means save yourself some money. But don’t lose sight of the fact that saving a few dollars now often increases the cost of a project in the long run.

Plumbing Tips To Prepare For a San Gabriel Winter

Report Asserts Filtered Tap Better Than Bottled Water

The Secret To Earthquake Preparedness

Did You Know, That Only Rich People Can Afford Cheap Plumbing!

When To Do It Yourself — And When Not To

Keep in Touch

Plumbers and Plumbing Contractors in