Frozen Pipe Break

The weather changes quickly here and can drop below 32 real quick. Last weekend, the temperature dropped below 32 twice.

The biggest problem is hose bibs freezing and splitting. Fortunately, Ball Plumbing uses frost-free bibs. Frost-free does not mean you can abuse them--you still need to take the hose off each winter---but it does mean that if the bib does freeze break, it minimizes water damage.

This is a hose bib with a freeze break:

DIY Hotel in Sedro Woolley

This job was in a hotel in Sedro Woolley. A boiler that size could literally explode like a small bomb.

The handyman tried to fix the boiler's recirc piping with compression fittings and pvc fittings. While we were staring at it, the handle on his plastic ball valve melted and shot across the room. I was able to shut off the water, thankfully, and repair it in short order.

This picture is the broken valve.

I didn't take a picture of my repair, but it cost them under $200.00 including parts, labor and tax.

Plumbing Discounts

We're offering a 5% cash discount on all invoices (excluding the tax) through the end of the year.

Not to be combined with any other discounts, etc, etc.

Professionalism in Plumbing

I'm going to be defining Ball Plumbing Company's Code of Ethics in the coming months. The first is Professionalism.

From this day on, we swear to offer maximum Professional Conduct in all our affairs. Even me, I swear it. Really.

Imagine what maintaining a professional attitude is  like for a plumber who spends the time under houses, digging in the yard, or rescuing a cell phone from the carnivorousness toilet!

Coupled with the physical demands of plumbing, plumbers need to know the how and whys of making water, gas, propane, and air flow correctly. Acting professionally requires knowing the technical and we do. Usually.

Also, a huge part of professionalism in plumbing is honestly getting the homeowner to part with the hard earned cash. Our hourly rates and mark-ups are transparent and posted on the internet for all to see. The contract prices for most jobs are in the book and written in stone.

Customer service. Many people do customer service as part of their job. The plumber, electrician, car mechanic, doctors, lawyers....lots of careers require customer service skills. All of us will tell you it's the hardest part. No need for me to get into specifics, is there.

What's great plumbing customer service to one person is horrible to the next. Nothing much anyone can do about that except to keep the customer's needs in the forefront.

So, while acting in a professional manner is difficult even for the ultra-professional, we at Ball Plumbing promise to maintain it while covered in mud and freezing our butts off. Or wiping off the rescued cell phone..ewwwww! 

See? I'm not that big of a jerk. Usually.

P.O.M. (Plumbers On Motorcycles)

As reported by the Herald, the Bellingham  Harley Davidson dealership is closing the end of October for unclear reasons. That's too bad because a) hate to see any business close and b) every town needs a Harley dealership. Harley's an American original and as familiar as Sears.

Here's my Harley motorcycle:

Read more here: http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business/whatcom-county-business/mt-baker-harley-davidson-to-close-oct-31/#storylink=cpy

Got electric water heater?

This is in a commercial client's business in Burlington, WA. Note the 9 elements.

Sewer stoppage in Mt Vernon., Wa

Think you have a sewer problem? This customer has a 50 year old, 200' long sewer that travels 160' feet under a city sidewalk and a street to tie into the city's combination storm drain/sewer.

I had to use 1-1/2 reels of sewers cable to clear the stoppage.