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The St. Charles Home & Garden Show is just around the corner. With that being said, we know our busy season is set to kick in. Take advantage of other current specials along with this coupon. Who doesn't need a little extra sometimes?

Plumbing being major issue on TRIUMPH

 

"Pipes are busting, I know the sewer is backing up, and water is in the cabins, and it's just a nightmare," passenger Jamie Baker told NBC's TODAY show, in a phone interview from the ship. Mirroring other reports from the ship, Baker said that while food has been available, there have been long lines. She also reported that people have used trash cans as toilets.
"Like Katrina in the Dome, except it's afloat," Baker tells TODAY




        Adequate plumbing is the most under appreciated modern convenience.  No one thinks of how much we are dependent  on the fresh supply of safe drinking water and quick disposal of waste.  Of all the issues on board the recent cruise ship Triumph, which was disabled by an on board fire. The Triumph's passengers had adapted to the lack of power and air conditioning that had left interior cabins dark, stuffy and hot. But the lack of available water and toilets left the decks blanketed with horrible odors and an overwhelming feeling of stench an filth.  If the vessel's plumbing is not working properly, there is an increased chance that passengers might get sick from the lack of adequate and proper sanitary conditions, including Norovirus, a gastrointestinal disease infamous for its recurrence on board vessels. So, as it is very unpleasant on board, it could also be unsafe.

     "The conditions on board are pretty nice. I mean, we're still on a nice cruise ship. We have some power, some lights on board, especially in the common areas. They've been able to get some entertainment up for us, some musicians as well as comedians... It's been pretty pleasant, considering the situation. However, the real tough part is just having to be on the boat this whole time, and just keep waiting."
"The other hard part has been the toilet situation, which is probably the most uncomfortable. They've been able to get some toilets working, and some of them go out and then stop working. And different parts of the ship have been working at certain times. So, it's kind of difficult to find a working bathroom... that's kind of been the hardest situation on board," says Ben Vogelzang, a passenger on the ship. He spoke with NPR's Newscast


"Those poor people haven't showered in five days," Maura Garino, vice president of the Holiday Inn Downtown, tells The Houston Chronicle

Although a majority of people across the world use toilets on a daily basis, few are willing to discuss such private matters and how waste resources play a role in terms of global sanitation. However, according to a recent article from The New York Daily News, an exhibition created by The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) strives to shine a light on efforts “to help fight diseases causing diarrhea, which kill more children than malaria, HIV/AIDS and measles combined.” 

When looking at disease prevention and control, washing one’s hands is the first step. As a plumbing company, Performance Plumbing Inc. strives to make sure that our customers have adequate fixtures, functional water heaters, working toilets and properly maintained sewer lines. All these plumbing elements play a major role in the overall sanitation of the world and should be respected by communities across the world. Talking about these subjects only helps people have a greater understand of the importance of proper plumbing and sanitation.

Plumbers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to resolve plumbing emergencies that may include septic tank, toilet and sewer line issues—all factors that play into the greater practice of proper hygiene and public sanitation. And only when we are faced with such events, like the one on Triumph, do we stop to consider the importance and necessity of  professional plumbers.

Albert Einstein Says He'd Be A Plumber

"If I had my life to live over again, Id be a plumber."

                                                                                                  - Albert Einstein (1879-1955), Physicist.



Albert Einstein has been widely considered as the most brilliant man to have walked on this planet in the last 100 years. His intention to change professions may have been said in a humorous vein, but theres no denying the importance of the plumber in everyday life , an importance as much as Einsteins is to physics. And since the ability of a plumber can make or break the integrity of a home and the happiness of the homeowner, its important to consider several points when choosing the man for the job .
When you are faced with an emergency, its useful to have options. Hiring a plumbing company instead of an independent plumber gives you those options, especially if the latter is tied up elsewhere and unable to respond immediately . Now that you have decided on hiring a company instead of an individual, there are certain things to be considered before you open your wallet . The first thing to check would be business permits and insurance policies in accordance with state and local regulations. Ideally , there should be a general liability insurance policy, bond insurance and compensation policy for the plumbers.
The next thing you should check is reputation. There are quite a few ways to do this. You can call an acquaintance who has dealt with plumbing companies and ask for recommendations. Another source of information is the local contractor. Contractors deal with plumbers frequently and usually have informed opinions of quality of work and competitiveness of pricing. If you have recently purchased your home , you can call the real estate salesperson you dealt with. They often recommend plumbers and other subcontractors to their clients and would be happy to do the same for you.
After you are satisfied on the permits, insurance and reputation fronts, its time to pay attention to the pricing. Traditionally, plumbers have sold the toilets, sinks, faucets etc. that they install. Typically they get the items at discounted prices while selling them at full prices to clients. However , with a lot of home center stores opening up in the recent past, you may get to buy plumbing fixtures at rates that are even lower than the contractor prices that plumbers pay their suppliers. This is a good way to save on plumbing costs. Also, remember to ask for a price before work begins. Most reputable plumbing companies will give you a bid, or at least an estimate with a ceiling price. If they are unable to come up with an accurate assessment, ask for a "worst-case scenario" price .
As the popular saying goes, the best time to prepare for an emergency is before it happens. Consequently, ensure that you are well-prepared by hiring a plumbing company as soon as possible and not when you are faced with a leaky toilet or leaking ceiling. The above tips will help you make the right choice.

Whole House Water Filters Are Smart, Economical Choice

 

The Smart, Economical Way To Enjoy The Best Water Possible.

 

 

The ProSeries Whole House Filters use Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) to effectively filter impurities from your water. It's programmable computer controlled valve allows your service provider to program the backflush cycle for maximum efficiency based on your water usage. The computer in the head stores data that can be monitored to determine if the cycle should be altered or if the carbon needs to be replaced.

 

Benefits

•  Effective, Efficient and Eco-Friendly
• Cleaner, better tasting water from every tap, faucet and shower
• More cost-effective and convenient than bottled water
• Increases the life of your plumbing, fixtures, and water using appliances
• Reducing the chlorine or chloramines and disinfectant by-products, reduce chlorine smell
• When the water tastes great, you'll drink more water and that's good for your health

 

Eco-Friendly Factors

 

• No more bottled water waste
• Uses 1/10 the energy required for a water cooler
• Carbon has been found to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Kitchen Remodel or Bathroom Renovation Yield Best ROI

Kitchens and Baths Top The List For Renovations That Yield Best Return On Investment

According to USNews.com

Kitchens. Although a kitchen remodel returns only 66 percent, on average, Chris Dossman, a real estate agent with Century 21 Scheetz in Indianapolis, says kitchens are one of the first things homebuyers look at. "If you have a house that doesn't have an updated kitchen but you have a remodeled attic, that's not what people are looking for," she says.
A major kitchen redesign may not be a good decision if the space only requires a facelift. "You don't have to completely gut your kitchen if it's in good working shape," says Adam Taffel, a real estate broker with Centre Realty Group in Newton, Mass. In many cases, less-drastic updates like refinishing surfaces, upgrading appliances, and installing new light fixtures will cut it.
But making the mistake of opting for a facelift when the space does, in fact, need a full-scale remodel will cost you. "You need to ask yourself questions like, 'Are the cabinets structurally sound enough that if I spend a significant amount of money refacing them, are they going to just fall apart anyway?'" says Darius Baker, a contractor with D&J Kitchen & Baths, Inc. in Sacramento, Calif.

Baths. Investing in a bathroom remodel yields a 62 percent return, on average, but you've got to do it right. Many homebuyers are looking for a master bathroom with two sinks, custom showers, and great lighting. You'll turn off buyers if you only put in the minimal amount of work. "A lot of folks, when they buy a home, don't want to have put a lot of work into it," says agent Wyman. "An outdated bathroom requires a lot of work." Since bathrooms are especially prone to looking dated, pick neutral colors and finishings.
Also consider bumping out the size of a bathroom. Many buyers looking for a three-bedroom home want two full baths rather than one full and one half bath, says bath contractor Baker.

And sometimes less is more. "Giving it new paint, a new toilet, a new shower faucet, and a new [shower]head is probably the best bang for your buck. But that's assuming the flooring is nice and the walls around the tub and shower are in good standing condition," says contractor Dennis Gehman of Gehman Design Remodeling in Harleysville, Penn.



Any Day is a good day schedule your free kitchen/bath consultation with Performance Plumbing!

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Cold Weather Plumbing Problems - No More Frozen Pipes!

Homeowners should be aware of troubles that come with frigid temperatures, especially when it comes to pipes. Disconnect outside water hoses. Water left in the hoses can freeze and expand, causing faucets and connecting pipes inside your home to freeze and break.

• Make sure outside faucets aren't dripping or leaking.
• When pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing cracks - no matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash more than 250 gallons of water in a single day.
• If your home has interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from lines.
• Cover outside faucets using a faucet insulation kit available at home centers.
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as garages or crawl spaces, with heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables.
• Seal door and window leaks to reduce cold air drafts.
• Your water heater works harder during cold weather. Flush it out and remove sediment buildup, which causes corrosion, shortens its life span and reduces heating efficiency. Drain several gallons from the faucet near the bottom of the tank through a hose directed into a nearby drain.
• Carefully test the water heater's pressure relief valve (water is very hot) by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of hot water into the drainpipe. If not, call a professional to have a new valve installed.
• Set the water heater's thermostat at 120°F for optimum performance.
• Clear leaves and debris from downspouts to ensure easy drainage when water freezes and thaws.
• Inspect and clean sump pump and pit. Pumps exposed to extreme cold can freeze, preventing the pump from operating.
• When leaving home for extended periods, shut off the main water valve and drain the system by opening faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Keep the heat on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

Follow these tips if you stay in the home during the colder months. Many additional steps should be taken for vacation properties that will be abandoned or left unattended for weeks or months at a time. Seek professional help for such properties. performanceplumbinginc.com

2012 BBB Torch Award Recipient

Performance Plumbing Inc. won the 2012 BBB Torch Award for its exceptional service! It is very difficult for a service company to even be nominated for such an award with the multitudes of customers being serviced daily, and we are proud to have won.



The BBB staff put together a video profile of Performance Plumbing and we wanted to share it with you. click here----VIDEO