Ball Plumbing's new helper

This young guy decided to show some initiative and jumped right in. He didn't work out, though, as I caught him sleeping on the job. The job was in Whatcom County near Bellingham, WA.'s city limits.

Bellingham Wa Plumbing Rooster

Warm water toilet

I found this mixing valve at a customer's new-to-her house in North Bellingham, WA. It mixes hot and cold water for the toilet. I've never seen this on a regular toilet and didn't find any reason for it.

It doesn't hurt the toilet, I guess, as bidets are built the same as a toilet? My customer elected to keep it for her own mysterious reasons. No, I didn't ask and don't want to know..lol.

Warm water toilet in N. Bellingham, WA

New license plate

Here's the truck's new plate. Now I need a new truck to match it.

plumbers plate bellingham wa

If you remember these toilet models and colors...

Replaced all the toilets in this Alabama Hill home. Guess it was about time, huh. The center Kohler toilet is as low as it looks. In 1980, the Kohler fill valve for it was $70.00.

plumbers bellingham wa

Facebook Updated

Actually, the FB page got hacked a while back (2 years) and nobody changed it back. Not the first time, either. I had the phone number and name hijacked at least four times that I know about.

My truck has full logos on all sides. If my truck isn't there, it ain't me.

I never connected FB with customers calling a plumber, anyway. When I need a tradesperson, Google is my first option.

Well, the Facebook page is updated: https://www.facebook.com/Ball-Plumbing-101442759938885/

My New R.O. System

I like to drink water. Lots of it, but not out of the tap. For decades, I've had water delivered by a national company in 5 gallon jugs, but I always wondered about the Reverse Osmosis systems a few of my customers own.

My objections were 1) remembering to change the filters, 2) the dripping of the waste water made from the process, 3) the bulky units themselves.

I pulled the tap on one that addresses all three of my biggest concerns: brondell's Circle H2O+ water filtration system (sic).

1) This system has four filters that is (somehow) monitored and has an indicator light on the handle. Blue led is good, red led is bad. The manual states to replace every six months, but usage should play a big factor on when they get replaced.

2) Reverse Osmosis removes some elements from the water and the waste goes down the sink drain using a supplied part. The ones I've seen drip almost constantly, while this brondell (sic) model flushes the waste only when used. brondell states the savings is considerable.

3) My last objection is the bulk of other units. brondell's unit looks like a mini p.c. case with the tubes all neatly ordered. See pictures below.


The spout itself is really nice. It's a 10" tall goose neck with a very smooth handle reminiscent of some expensive European faucet. I used the sink's dishwasher air gap hole that was unused anyway.


All the parts I needed were supplied in the box including a sturdy ball valve. It took me less than an hour to install, but that's me and doesn't include the pre-fill and flushing all systems require.

I've had it for a day and it's good, so far. The taste is adequate and far better than regular tap water. I like my water at room temperature: not too cold and not too hot. I guess I will fill a glass jug and store it in the fridge for picky drinkers.

never forget flight 93--the real heroes of 09/11/2001.

Ball Plumbing Change of address

I have a new office: 1155 N. State St. #423, Bellingham, WA 98225---the Herald Building!

P.O. Box 31665 Bellingham, WA. 98228 is still valid for the important mail.