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Safely Thawing Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are in danger of bursting and causing a serious plumbing problem. Even if a frozen pipe is already damaged, you can save money and trouble by thawing it and turning off the water before we can get there to help you. Here are some tips for safely thawing frozen pipes. Safety is a major issue, as people trying to thaw pipes with the wrong equipment have started many home fires.
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Does Your Family Have a Fire Plan?
Your family needs to be prepared in case of a fire. Children expecially need to fully understand what to do and should practice these rules often. Otherwise, they will naturally run and hide from a fire instead of getting out of the house safely. Get a family fire-escape plan ready and have fire drills at least once a month. You can even print out the drill and tape it to the refrigerator so the whole family is reminded often of the plan.Top
Plumbing Emergencies!
In a plumbing emergency, you'll need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this, you and each member of your family needs to know the location of the shutoff valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff valve for the house, and how they operate.-If the emergency involves a specific fixture or appliance, first look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to shut off the water to that fixture or appliance only. -The valve is usually located underneath a fixture such as a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as a clothes washer, at the point where the water supply pipe (or pipes) connects to it. -If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance, or if there's no shutoff valve for the fixture or appliance, use the main shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to the entire house. -You'll find the main shutoff valve on the inside or outside of your house where the main water supply pipe enters. -In cold climates, look just inside the foundation wall in the basement or crawl space. -Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off. -If you need a wrench to turn the valve, keep one near the valve so it's handy. -If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and needs to be repaired, call your water company; they can send someone out with the special tool that's required to shut off the water at the street before it reaches the valve. -Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water damage. -Make temporary repairs to stop the leak. -The pipe will have to be replaced as soon as it's convenient to do so. -Shut off any faucet or appliance (such as dishwasher) that's draining into the sink. -Unclog the sink using a plunger or snake. -DON'T use a chemical drain cleaner if the blockage is total. -Immediately turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valve underneath the sink. -If there's no valve there, turn off the main shutoff valve. -Repair the faucet or, if necessary, replace it. -Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the overheated hot water heater. -Turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater. -Let the faucets run until cold water flows from them (this indicates the water in the heater is no longer overheated). -Close them. -Call in Emergency Response Plumbing Services to make any necessary repairs to the heater's thermostat and pressure relief valve. Top
Winter Tips for Houseplants
-Water houseplants less since they grow more slowly on short, dark days. Too much water will kill them.-Don't fertilize them unless they are growing under artificial lights. -Lining shelves or window sills with aluminum foil reflects light and provides extra light for houseplants. Be sure there are no leaks that allow water to collect under the foil and damage sills. -Open curtains, drapes or blinds to allow optimum light to enter the room. Make sure plants aren't in drafts. Top
Facts on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is carbon monoxide (CO) and why do I need to understand it? The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that approximately 200 people per year are killed by accidental CO poisoning, with an additional 5000 people injured - more accidental poisonings than any other chemical substance.During winter, when our houses are closed up to keep warm and appliances such as heaters and furnaces are operating, the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning increases dramatically. Known as the "Silent Killer", carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, colorless toxic gas that is a by-product of combustion and is virtually impossible to detect. Any fuel-burning appliance or device can produce dangerous levels of this gas and must be maintained properly to avoid the build-up of this poison in your home. -Fuel-fired furnaces (check for cracked furnace exchange) -Gas water heaters (check for corroded or disconnected water heater flue) -Fireplaces and wood stoves (check for dirty or clogged chimneys) -Gas stoves (check for proper installation) -Any gas or kerosene appliance such as blowers and other yard equipment -Automobile exhaust (especially dangerous in an attached garage) -Cigarette smoke -Anywhere combustion takes place Carbon monoxide, when inhaled, deprives your body of the oxygen it needs to survive. It does this by combining with the hemoglobin in your blood. Normally oxygen is transported by hemoglobin, but when carbon monoxide is present, it combines with the hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) instead of oxygen. This bond with carbon monoxide is 200 times stronger than the bond with oxygen, so it is difficult for your body to eliminate the CO buildup from your bloodstream. That is why carbon monoxide can cause poisoning slowly over a period of several hours, even in low concentrations. The symptoms of CO poisoning are commonly mistaken for other illnesses such as the flu or a cold. Concentration levels of CO in your bloodstream can cause: -10% concentration - no apparent symptoms (heavy smokers can have as much as 9% COHb) -15% concentration - mild headache -25% concentration - nausea, serious headache (quick recovery after treatment with oxygen or fresh air) -30% concentration - intensified headaches, nausea, dizziness, increased pulse and respiration (potential for long term effects, especially in infants, children, the elderly, victims of heart disease and pregnant woman) -45% concentration - unconsciousness, possible collapse, convulsions, coma and eventually death. -50%+ concentration - death CAUTION: carbon monoxide especially affects unborn babies, infants, people with anemia or a history of heart or respiratory disease and pregnant woman. Take these simple steps: -Make sure your fuel-burning appliances - oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves - are installed and working according to manufacturers instructions and local building codes. -Have all of your fuel-burning appliances inspected and cleaned by a professional at the beginning of every heating season. -Make certain that flues and chimneys are connected, unclogged and in good working condition. -Have only a qualified technician install or convert fuel-burning equipment from one type to another. -Never use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home. -Never use a charcoal grill inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle or camper - even in a fireplace. -Never leave your car idling or a mower or blower running in a closed garage. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home. -Make sure your furnace has an adequate intake of outside air. -Choose appliances that vent fumes to the outside whenever possible. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, follow the cautions that come with the device carefully. -Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open when using gas or kerosene space heaters. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper burning of fuel. Never sleep in an enclosed space with gas or kerosene space heaters. -Install carbon monoxide detectors with an audible alarm in your home and garage. DON'T IGNORE SYMTOMS, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. Play it safe. If you DO experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off fuel-burning appliances, and leave the house. Go to an emergency room and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. Top
A Holiday Treat -- Amaryllis and Narcissus Bulbs
Here are two ways to get beautiful color in your home for the holiday:Two of the simplest bulbs to grow are amaryllis and warmth-loving narcissus varieties such as paperwhites. Here's where you can add your special touch by choosing a glass dish, large sauce or pot to plant these types of bulbs. Just fill with soil; each bulb will come with planting instructions. Or just grow them in a shallow bowl and use pebbles to hold the bulbs in place. They'll usually bloom just four weeks after "planting." To help keep stems short and sturdy, provide indirect light and temperatures of about 50 degrees F for the first two weeks, and then warmer, brighter conditions after that. If you're growing your bulbs in water, it should cover no more than the bottom one-fourth to one third of the bowl. Amaryllis is available in many interesting colors and forms: There are bright reds, but you can also have white, lilac or peach, with single or double blossoms. Try the smashing new and striking amaryllis called Charisma. It took years for the Dutch Amaryllis breeders to produce this unique cariety that displays a sumptuous color combination of "raspberries and cream." For a long lasting flowering extravaganza of dazzling amaryllis blooms, try putting three amaryllis bulbs in one pot. This grand sight will stop any flower lovers in their tracks! Paperwhites offer beauty and a strong scent. Buy a couple dozen of these no-chill bulbs and store them in a cool, dry place. Start some every few weeks for blooms right through January. Top
EAT FREE ... with our ... Referral Reward Program
Get a gift certificate to any of the listed restaurants for each customer you send our way. The only stipulation is that the customer has to spend $100.00 or more.
Roy's - Bonefish - Carraba's - Outback Steakhouse - Firebirds
Feel free to call us and let us know who you have referred or just tell those you refer to mention your name when they call. It is so easy to get a free meal on us!
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