Water on my Mind - Ramona's Plumber's Blog

Do you believe in Plumbing?

2012-01-26T16:39:00.000-08:00

Bait n switch, that is my theme here, yep, the old Plumber trick. I am not going to tell you about Plumbing at all, I am going to tell you about Acupuncture. The only reason I can continue Plumbing is because of Acupuncture. I got a horrible diagnosis a couple yrs. ago, Rheumatoid Arthritis! so my wife, an MD said "you need a specialist" I am not going to treat you. so I wen to a specialist and took Indomethicine and that gave me painful side effects, so I took another pill for that...I got worse, so I got Methotrexate, now that gave me mouth sores galore and another pill to fix that. After two years, I was still in pain, allergic to ALL Pain pills, I needed help so I drank Whiskey! now that worked well, for a while, but my fatigue symptoms got very bad. So bad I could not function. my pain got worse, steroids made me sick, I hurt all over, I was in bed one morning and tried to get up and the pain was so bad, I thought this is it. I am done! My friend Sharon told me to see an Acupuncturist for the pain, I did not know anything about Acupuncture except you got poked with needles. I hate needles. I had no choice I was desperate, scared and needing relief. So I went! next morning my knee pain was gone, I stood with out pain. I thought this is something I need to get serious about, so I went again, and again. My pain was greatly lessoned and I cut my Methotrexate dose in half because I was on the Maximum dose and this stuff was going to kill my Liver. I started taking Herbs the Acupuncturist sold me and I was getting better and better. So I thought I can just go every two weeks instead of weekly. the second week I was back to pain and fatigue. When I got treatment I was better, so back to weekly. I missed a week treatment again, and same thing, pain and fatigue. Acupuncture was the only thing that could make me feel like I could work at all. After a while I stopped all medications (Pharmaceuticals), and I noticed I felt even better! so now, I am off the expensive pills and appointments with the specialist @$115. a visit on a monthly basis and not killing my Liver, and I am in very little pain. I found that the coffee I was using as a booster for my fatigue was causing pain in my joints. so I stopped that, my whisky drinking was robbing of my energy so I stopped that, now I have more energy, less pain, I am not on the road to being a drunk, and the absence of liver killing pills and whiskey I stand a chance of being a Plumber again!
The question is, do I believe in Plumbing? or Pills and whiskey?,
For what it's worth no matter what you believe in the Acupuncturist is Meggin Sullivan in Vista Ca. and I believe I owe my self weekly visits, at least till I can reduce them to monthly... as I do, I am able to continue my career as a Plumber making money doing that old "Bait n Switch" and living a relatively normal existance, and oh yea, getting out of bed every day. Thanks Dr. Sullivan OMD, and my loyal customers who let me serve them and put up with my passion for Water, Life and oh yea, they're money.

Internet access was voted more important than Plumbing

2012-01-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

This is why we are in a Housing crash. People vote for a President that will do what they think is right on Abortion issues and such, but day to day realities are ignored. Instant issues and knee jerk and scandals and he like are the issues at hand, no long term leadership or reality. People refuse to face hard facts and own up to responsibilities. Pushing off responsibilities to others is popular so we can blame the other part or person.
Water issues? yea the same goes there too.
Greg Chick

Comedy

2012-01-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

I wish a good comedian would address water issues. Actually, I wish I was a good Comedian. You know how when it's "In your Face" and true exaggerated maybe, maybe not, it is funny? About Stuff and Insanity Cycle are videos on YouTube that address Water and People. I want even more "In your Face" Water issues that are kinda like Seinfield or one of those angry, yelling, stand ups that spit vapor atomizes the air around them when they are excited.

When water is pricier this will be the case. Guests will come over and hosts will yell threw the bathroom door "Hey what you doing in there @#$%^&&ing off ?!" Or insist to a hot female guest the house policy is to shower together;
gay or straight, depending on the show. Or having camp chairs with plastic bags for #1 & #2, and having crazy things happen with the bags. Tooth Paste you have to swallow; creativity that is beyond my conception, I am not a comedy writer, but you get the drift. I am ready to see this, and we need to make fun of this issue to bring it to fruition.

Gallagher could really roast the "Water Nazis" Come on folks, I need some Comic Relief. Did you know a prohibition on bottled water was passed for Congressmen and Women? It saved over a million dollars expense!

Greg Chick

Un willingness to be Proactive

2012-01-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

I am called on a daily basis to "rescue" the effects of poor judgment in property management. It is never a good time to have plumbing problems, so, "This is not a time for pro-active choices" is the response I get from the people that are being called upon by "Reality" to pay up for past corner cutting.... When will the cycle stop? I know, when everyone says to themselves "Wow, I'm feeling like I got some extra money that I am not going to spend on top-of-the-line SUV and instead, I want top-of-the-line/safe potable water to my faucets. So, the answer is plumbing is needed therefore not worthy of expense? A trip to France, now that is a dream to come true!. Have you ever dreamed of having a good Plumbing system? or a sexy water heater, or a drain pipe that was a real treat to look at? I mean, have you ever dreamed of a top-of-the-line Sewer Pipe? Better Water? Why, what do you mean "Better Water?" Isn't all Water the same? It's pure as the driven water district isn't it? "They" (the Government) wouldn't let them sell me bad Water!.... Now, if the water district had a French name or something I might pay a bit more if I could have the logo in my front yard.... Members-only water, now that is the water I want. I can see it now, Toilet de Corps, (French for Clean Body or something). Perrie is that the name of that first designer water that came out a few decades ago? Smart Water is on the shelves now, at a couple dollars a gallon! But, we wont pay more than .0007 cents a gallon for water delivered to our touch of a wrist! If "they" try to raise our water that high, we will scream. I think if everyone knew our water was "imported" from hundreds of miles away, they might be forced to think it is pumped and that costs money. Not only that, if everyone who had a "right," or a contract to the water actually demanded it, there would not be enough! Yes, we are over extended there too. Filing bankruptcy on water has brought civilizations to extinction in past.

I actually have dreamed of perfect plumbing, water, and a better world, just consider water the fluid that binds us all.
Greg Chick

Happy New year

2012-01-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

Just for fun lets re-think everyday assumptions. For example, what do you owe the world, today, right now? Yes, this is a ridiculous question, so go back to what you were doing and continue as if it owes you something. Why not, everyone else does. After all, you are a follower not a leader, why, to what end can you do or be anything anyway?
Just for fun, re-think such attitudes. Most people without realizing it have. Be someone who questions your own habits, question your own assumptions on a daily basis, just for a week, and see how selfish it is acceptable to be. I am cursed with the mirror in front of me reflecting my assumptions. Misery loves company, so give it a view and see if you really want to be who you are, or if you can be better by not assuming so much. More is assumed than I thought possible, I have found most of all we do is assumptive. This can be fun if you are into social behavior watching. I mean, if you forget about yourself and just impose this on everyone else....

What does this have to do with water? I assume we can let everyone else worry about that. Or can we? Social change is on the table, for if we don't reevaluate the norm we are going to continue in the direction we are going.
Get out of the box society has placed us and have fun, be responsible, and have a better year because you made it better, not a status quo bummer because they did it to us.....
Greg

I want an App

2011-12-30T18:10:00.000-08:00

If an app was made for "Water Realities" should it be called such? Are Apps the future in public involvement with information? I think Apps should be useable, fun and of real substance if claiming to be. Would a App for Water be one of how to buy? or how clean it is, or what? I want one that tells you what Ground Water at your GPS is like. Where does that Municipal Water System get it's Water and what are the Contamination issues there. Cost per Gallon and records of violations the Wtr. Dist. has had in past. This way one could figure what type of Water Treatment System to choose. No, one size does not fit all. There are areas in this Country that have such Water Issues that Pharmaceutical Companies advise not to use some Medicines based on region! Sound like a good App now? I was asked if I had even ever been to an area before! let alone currently lived there. Keep in mind this regional issue is a moving target as well! How about traveling, do you want to know what pollutants are in the Shower or Restaurant water you consume? The Skin absorbs as much or more of some Chemicals than the Stomach. Water is changing as is the mix of Chemicals and complex reactions to them. I am not going to list details of where to find out which ones are a problem because it is different for everyone. If you are often sick or get rashes, or have conditions that elude modern Medicine, take notice and learn more about Water, it is on my Mind daily.
Greg Chick

HE Washing Machines, Smelly? or used wrong?

2011-12-29T15:56:00.000-08:00

My good friend Jeff sent me a link @ Wall Street Journal "DC has ruined the Washing Machine" I read it, my response is I have an LG Tromm #2487. I have never had odor from my machine or clothes. I am a Plumber, I can get dirty, I get latex on my clothes, black carbon smudges from flappers, washers, and all kinds of schmutz on my clothes. I do not have soft water, I have extremely hard "City" Water. I read the instructions, before using and most often de-select the "warm" setting before starting cycle. I have twice washed a second time, a load of dirty truck rags that I use in my Van on a commercial level. I love my clean results, so does my very picky Japanese wife (Jane). We wash mats that the dogs lay on as well as 3 cats...this means Pet dander, hair etc. I consider my customer today who agreed with Jeff that HE machines stink to be telling me a true story. I think the model matters, brand is as much as model, and possibly miss use as per directions....I however must agree that a bad Machine even used correctly will still be a bad machine!, so, what am I saying? someone choose the wrong machine. I cant blame Washington DC. I will instead blame myself for demanding that DC make Standards and not insist products be tested beter first before going public. Just like the Piss Poor flushing Toilets of the 90"s and earlier this decade. We now have HE Toilets that work, as well as HE Washing Machines that work, it is time you go out and se for your self. Come back with some comments and model #'s....

Greg Chick

Blogma

2011-12-19T20:51:00.000-08:00

Blogma is real esoteric philostrabation that is true because it is found online, and it confirms your beliefs or, it infuriates you and you respond accordingly. Once you respond, it is too late, the Blogma is born.....all you can do is support your position with a decided level of civil or un civil banter. Now what the hey does this have to do with Water? Too many ways to list, so you tell me your take on Water, should it be a Human Right, as Air? or if someone suffocates someone, (no Air), that is Murder, but is depriving them of Water is just as bad? Seriously this happening in other countries, by American Corporations by building Dams and since down stream is left dry, it is OK because the Corp. bought the land to build the Dam!

I will try to Blog daily!

2011-12-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

I taught a class at San Diego Urban Corps. this week, wow, what a great program and facility. Seems to me what I taught was that Water is more important than they realized. They are ordinary people, they had no idea that so much waste was happening. I surveyed every student and that was the most often statement. I did not just fill them with my opinions, I used "just the facts Mame"

My other thought of the day, is that YOU need to tell me what you want to know about Water? like why is it so expensive, or why is it so cheap? so dirty, why does anyone think it is unsafe to drink? Why does NY have the best Water? why is the most expensive Water in the country where it rains weekly? and the cheapest Water where rain is rare, and no Ocean or Lake is near by??? Go figure.

Does the Sewer Treatment Plant remove the Hormones in my Medication? from my Waste? Where does all the hundreds of tons of endocrine disrupters go when shipped out of the Drug Factories and Pharmacies ? Does my body keep all of it or pass most of it in tact into a Toilet? Why are Reptiles as confused about gender issues as People are.
Is there real Labs finding mixed gender in all walks of life? (swim, fly, crawl included). Has every Civilization in the past that has fallen had severe Water issues? How many facts are known about Water that are being ignored? Wouldnt you think that "The People responsible will tell us if we need to know" RU Listening?

Yes, Water is still on my Mind, as always, Greg

Can you tell me what I “believe in”?

2011-09-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

I will ask you, what you think I believe in, after I first tell you what I am thinking about. Water issues of course, but please take me seriously, in spite of my rhetoric, humor and sarcasm. First let me list some phrases and assumptions. This is a test, so answer these true or false. Once you do, I will ask you “What do I believe in?”

We have had socialized Water for around a 100 yrs.
Everyone is entitled to clean Air and Water as a basic Human Right.
“Whisky is for drinking, Water is for fighting over” (Mark Twain).
“You know the value of Water when the Well runs dry” (unknown).
“If their was/is Water on Mars, there could be life”
The Earth is 75% covered with Water.
Wars have ben fought for thousands of years over Water Rights.
Banks will not loan on land that is without Water.
If Water comes out of a deep well it is clean and “Pure”
Rain Water is clean and pure.
Nature cleans Water or purifies it naturally in the ground.
Seattle Washington and Portland Oregon rain so much Water is not an issue.
The WHO estimates 2.2 million deaths /yr. are attributable to waterborne Pathogens.
Estimated 19.5 million illnesses/yr. in the US alone from waterborne Pathogens.
Pharmaceutical & Personal care Products (PPCP) found Nation wide in most all water sources measured in PPB (Parts /Billion) are not relevant to Health issues, if they were the Gov. would not allow it. Common sense tells you that One drop in the size of 26 Olympic sized Swimming Pools (PPT) is meaningless.
One part per billion of a substance is meaning less as well.
The science of what level of poison is safe, in my judgment, is limited to my education, therefore, my commonsense is the standard by which all shall live.
I weigh 1.4 million grains and I am normal/healthy.
You will intake one hundredth of a grain of Arsenic daily for 5 yrs. At my common sense discretion. You are ok with that, because you are not a paranoid fanatic.
Everyone has the same tolerance for all water pathogens and pollutants infant to elderly. I am done wasting my time with this issue, I need to do more pressing things like watch the News that will tell me the facts if they come up.
Mulholland Rd. is a long winding partially dirt road in LA where Rockford’s Car Tires screech as he slides around corners. OR Mulholland Rd. is named after a major figure in Hollywood because Hollywood exists because of him.

Finished with my rhetoric, what do you think?

My other Blog

2011-04-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

I can just smile when I meet someone who is not fighting Green issues for "Media reasons", I mean to say too many people have a polarized disposition about "Green". I wish everyone would just embrace life and respect the thought of respect being applied something they are not accustomed to respecting. Are some peoples respect only a selective disposition for that which they have learned respect for? and the essence of respect passed them by? Does it always require past tense tragedy to bring people to their knees "off of their high horse"? I just relax and smile when I am around people of respect, that are educated, mature, etc. Sometimes I am pleasantly jolted into joy by someone who just so clearly simply at peace!
I have an idea, how about "Emerging Attitudes" be a class people could take instead of Emerging Technologies. I seem to blur my issues as an Idealist, I want respect to be a Human condition, not an EPA Mandated minimum requirement that that requires an administrative body to enforce. Cap n Trade, is such a structure. Human condition is our problem not energy, water power or anything else. To quote the song by Police "One World is Enough-For all of us" .

A chrome Grill in the rear view Mirror, A Media with an agenda, a faucet that will only sell because of it's price, claim, name, promise,motif,image, anything except its ability to flow water for 50 yrs. Has reality left the Building?
I could plumb a house to work well for 50 years! but the consumer would have to give up something they don't need to pay the extra cost. I might ad that clean safe water and sanitation in reality is more important than most everything else the country consumes it's self with....at an exceedingly more expensive price tag than I seek to supply them with something more important....But why should they pay for something they are entitled to just because other luxuries are more appealing...

Frozen Wave

2011-03-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

I go to as many Water/Conservation/Green/sustainable/Plumbing meetings and classes as I can. Weekly I cavort with the who's who of the above issues, both regionally and internationally, Acronyms and names of these orgs. can be found on my "about me" page. Recently added are the regional Education and Vocational Education associations, so many I wont list. Everyone is in amazement of how much need for renewable and Sustainable resources exists. Equally amazing is the options that exist, clean respectable and safe ones too. Schools are perched, Manufacturers are ready, inventions, innovations, Workforces, Products, answers, Technologies, everyone is on the edge of their chairs, Solutions out number the problems.... The huge Wave is Frozen.
"I am in Transition" says 1/3 of the room during introductions, a bright beautiful Afro American Woman says, "I'm just broke and unemployed" everyone laughs in a release of tension. We all exchange our overqualified passion and skills only to find empathy, inspiration, and once again realize we are Entrepreneurs in a Frozen Wave. This Wave is embraced by the Feds, the State, everyone, but it just wont crest and fall to a flowing surf ride of Commerce.....
Why not? money is just paper, notes are the same, it is all just a souped up fantasy of world proportion. Confidence is an issue as is surety an issue, this is a Play on a stage where the Director is not getting any applause...Audience is tense, I'm afraid someone is going to yell "Fire!" but in reality the room is full of Firemen! so what is the issue? are we out of Water?

Useless Opinions, "Compared to what".

2011-02-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

First question I have about "Useless Opinions" is, is this one? I often hear someone say " oh I don't believe, this or that" and I think to my self, OK, freedom allows that. However, logic in it's self, is impeccable, most of the time, (by definition). People have logically confirmed the issue and that's it, "a belief". My point here, is BASED ON WHAT? The great Ray Charles (Brother Ray), wrote a song called "Compared too what?"
Water can be "Smart", as can a product in a store, (or at least the sign says so) "logic" either used on products or with with people, you still have the , Compared too what? issue. I think "Smart" & "Green" is like people, "compared to what?" So, is "Green", "smart"?, some don't believe so, as they say, "all this Green BS is just the last ditch attempt to take away our rights by those socialists". With certain "information" that seems logical. Other logic and information could say otherwise. What info., is the "WHAT" in "compared too what" song. Boy oh boy, I sure am getting cryptic here. But, I say, compared too what?

I would like to get a bit less cryptic now. Green Plumbing is smart, and conservation is smart too. all that is needed is the matrix of cost/volume/weight/BTU's/ KWH's/ supply/ demand/laws & codes/ existence & Location of products/ health safety/ and so on.... With out knowledge of this info. one can not make a judgment on what is "smart". Behavior is a big factor in energy/water use or waste. and behavior is based on BELIEFS ! Votes are based on beliefs too. Laws are based on votes. I want to take this opportunity to point out that the word beLIEfs has the word LIE in it. and that is my point, beliefs are too often "useless opinions", that we live by. Freedom, is great, dangerous too, for it is my opinion that Responsibility comes before Freedom. (the responsibility to get the facts, not political beliefs to base our own beliefs on).

Wow I just realized Plumbing is confusing to most.

2010-12-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

What do you mean, "that needs an adapter" it is 1/2" and I am connecting to 1/2"? I am amazed when I looked at how many different threads and pipe types there are, I grew up knowing/learning this stuff. Plumbing is more confusing than Funeral , Wedding, Graduation and other ceremonial things, (all of which confuse me). First let me defend my vocation, many excuses exist for this confusing esoteric stuff.
I will begin by saying things develop, names need to as a result, then ways are needed to prevent some pipes from getting connected to other pipes. Let me jump to the point, Threaded pipe is screwed together and uses a tapered thread to cause a tight seal. Thermal Plastic pipe such as PVC,ABS,CPVC are all joined using a solvent that heats the pipe as it cures. PVC Glue is a misnomer. I am working on a video that will expose all this esoteric nomenclature including all these weird threads and 5/16 and 7/8 threads as well as CTS, IPS, NPT, Tube VS Pipe, hose VS tube, pressure VS non pressure, metallic VS nonmetallic, Gas VS Water, waste VS Potable, Exterior VS interior only, old VS new, good VS bad, So stay tuned for the rest of the story
Greg

Survival and water

2010-10-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

Pop Culture is not about survival, it is of excess luxury. Politics are not about survival, instead about what we want to hear (excluding responsibilities). Loans were about an alleged value, not about survival, the money was about image, excess and luxury. Still we are in very abundant wealth in spite of the "Bad economy" One might ask "How do you know ? " I say this because I see people buying worthless food at the store, I pods, flat screens, beer, coke (both kinds), auto chrome, DVD's daily even if only a buck to rent. NO ONE is in need of water. One might say, no one should be, right? Right! but Billions are, and 10,000 people a day are dying because. So, Survival in based on clean water and sanitation, yet we still fail to see the value of water, ( I am saying we take it for granted). Do not think that it is our god/government given right to have enough water to waste and disrespect? Ever heard the saying "you don't miss your water till the well runs dry"? do you think that saying just came from a constant stream of flowing hot and cold water? What the hell am I saying here? you can turn on the faucet and water comes out.... no problem, right? I think if everyone knew the available information about water (as much as they know about sports teams or sitcoms) they would be writing as I am, or at the least, using water differently. Too bad the Bible doesn't say it is a sin to abuse water as it does sex. If it did, people would be voting differently. I say this because I think water and sex are equal in importance to life's existence. Disrespect for either is trouble.
Did you know that pharmaceuticals are in all our tap water? 400 points of sewage disposal are dumped into the Colorado River before California drinks it? Zebra Mussels (shell fish) are lining walls of water mains? Regional Government bodies use general tax funds to fund water systems to allow growth, but water sustainability has fallen behind growth? and the ability of the utility to clean it or Nature to clean it has reached/passed the safe point?
In a word, CONSERVATION is what I am writing about, thank you.
Greg has Water on his mind.

Plumbing VS Entertainment

2010-07-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

I can save most homeowners or Building owners many times more than they spend on a ball game or monthly cable bill in a few min. of their time with good advice or a minimal service call . They would also gain the knowledge too keep to use over and over if the need arose. The reason I can't do this in practice, is because Plumbing is a "God given right" and people feel entitled to working, hot n cold water to use/waste, and all the other water/Plumbing services that go, or should I say come with being an American. "Why all of a sudden should I need to replace my water heater, it's been working fine for 9 years". Someone once said to me "doesn't the city have to fix that" when I told them the water main to their house was broken and I wanted $400. to fix it. I look in his garage and I see a new car, new Harley, Jet Skies, Bicycles ($1000.00 ones) Big screen TV in the living room , he is leaving on vacation to Europe tomorrow and he can't afford an over priced plumber bill. What I am saying is people put money into things that are fun and make them look good like hair doos and chrome rims on the truck, but feel it is an necessary thing to maintain the plumbing! The very thing that separates us form "Emerging countries" where thousands of people die every day due to poor sanitation and no plumbing. I am suggesting that it is not People Magazine (Brad & Jen) that separate us from sickness and death from fecal matter, it is the safe and clean working plumbing system and the Toilet Bowl. Not the fantasy's of glamor and the Supper Bowl.
America's water distribution and sewage collection systems are also in poor shape. Estimates are in the tens of Billions of dollars to fix our very old pipes/systems. I know some people keep the cable service and let the plumbing go un maintained as well as cities build Stadiums and let the raw sewage flood the streets and water ways into the ocean. Just Google the water contamination from sewage spills, the American Water Works has a lot on the issue.   But that is someone Else's concern not yours, right.
    I am sorry if I have bothered you with the facts, I feel better now, I am going to click publish and feel even better.
   Greg

What do you want,efficiency,or low cost,,or Green?

2010-06-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Energy factors are one thing, initial cost is yet another, and long term savings are often too deferred. Now "Green," there is a buzz word! I will set you straight on the uncertain choice of which is best. For today, I'll limit this to the subject of HOT WATER.

First, I'll identify some products as potentially green, providing installation is done right and application is correct.

I will start with my favorite: solar hot water. Many types of systems exist. If you live in a sunny region, then it is a no brainier look into Solar. Solar fraction is the nut to crack! (how much of your total need is provided by the sun) Electric back up is often a good choice (electricity is generally more efficient than gas, but it costs more!).

If you have a new construction project your choices are different than retrofitting an existing building. Two water heaters for a large spread out house will be better than one ( no circulation pump needed for instant hot water at distant fixture). If the heat is solar (free) then heat loss is not an issue, but otherwise heat loss is an issue, and circulation pumps increase heat loss. One form of Heat loss is from the surface area of tank-type water heaters, that is the advantage tankless systems have over them. Behavior is an issue in green success. For example, tankless systems can be green, but may end up using more gas to heat the endless showers that the users take - because they can! Tankless units cost more to install and require flushing maintenance prolonging the pay back period. Sometimes, the long term savings (pay back) is longer than the salesman says. This goes for solar or anything else. Regular tank type water heating either gas or electric is usually the cheapest, fastest deal, with no pay back. Although installed correctly, they can be "green" (the product itself isn't everything).

Heat pump water heating in some applications is the absolute best. Water heaters each have an efficiency rating. The higher the number the bette.r GE makes a unit having an efficiency rating of 2.35! Tankless water heaters are about .85 (less than half the efficiency).

This GE unit costs about as much as a tankless unit, uses electricity as a back up power, and requires a warm location to pull its heat from. In return for taking the heat, it gives cold air as a by-product (free AC)! It dehumidifies as well. If no sun and no gas are present this is a very good option.

Green is not just a buzz word, it is a means to a return on investment (ROI), usually taking longer than the cheapest quickest fix, but not always. The heat pump I installed at Ramona Laund yer Mutt (a place people go to wash their dog) was cheaper than solar or to install gas pipe to a gas water heater. "Green as hell" I say, and cheap too. I expect a ROI in just two years. Just plain smart, (green). I have to say it again 2.35 energy factor! And, most likely it will last 25 years, leaving 20 plus years of free water heating.

Most importantly, a licensed Green Plumber USA installed this after evaluating options from an educated perspective. Heat requirements (load), budget, green product rebate, fuel available, and customers wishes were all in the choice.

So what do you want? Efficiency, low cost, or green?

Water on your Bill.

2010-06-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

We get a bill, we pay it. If we know enough about it , we can call and object/correct an overcharge. We can see the charges on a credit card statement and admit to having bought the items, or see an error. We can't if we don't understand the statement. We can't budget or manage a statement that we don't understand. Do you understand your water bill ? I mean the specific charges, not just the over due amount! What if the price for gas at the filling station was as confusing as a water/sewer bill? Thinking you could get a better price up the street, you would learn the lingo and start shopping. Your water bill is "negotiable" did you know that? Yeah, you negotiate your behavior and fixtures and your bill reduces! It is all about YOU!

Your responsibility is to first understand the pie chart, so to speak, of the bill.

First is the "CCF" you might have, AKA one hundred cubic feet of water. Also 748 Gallons.
The sewer fees may be per volume of water used, or a flat fee, or you may not have a sewer fee. (Approx. 21% of the USA uses a "Private Sewage Disposal System") AKA a septic system.
Water use can be listed as "Gallons Per Day" or GPD. Often compared to "same time last month" or "last year at same time."

Seasonal use is relevant. For example: outdoor water use can be 1/2 of the water bill, and "household" use be only 1/2 of the entire bill. This is a "seasonal use." Why waste money on a water bill that is "over charging" you! Get with the budget and start learning, because water bills are going UP.

Your water utility has a Conservation Department or person that will help you for free. That phone call is the first step in correcting your "over charges." Don't be a sucker (of water); be a responsible consumer and save the wasted money, so you can send me a tip in my Tip Jar at my Website.

Thank you for your concern about our water and your money.

Greg ,
A Licensed Green Plumber USA

The largest water waste is ignored!

2010-04-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

Do you know the difference between "Household water use" and "Residential water use?" Figures vary regionally, however nationally are averaged by the American Water Works Assoc. (AWWA) and the EPA, among others. Residential water use is water that has been measured to supply residences.

Household water use is the sum total of water use fixtures WITHIN the house. The Residential figure includes outdoor water use and household water use combined (about 50/50) .

AWWA states that approx. 50% Residential water use is "Outdoor water use" AWWA and EPA along with Irrigation Assoc. of America figure approx. 30 % of spray irrigation water is lost to wind and misting!. Most irrigation systems when audited fall below 50% uniform distribution efficiency and that means 50% wasted!
Let me "recap" that for you. 50% is outdoor and 50% of that is lost to mist and other losses. If 50% of 50% is outdoor loss, then 25% of Residential use is wasted outdoors. This is what I call an "Elephant " in the landscape. Plumbing manufacturers use household figures to "weight " the fixture savings they have designed! Pie charts become "statistical monkeys" for social political and commercial gain. A figure of 27% toilet use with a 20% savings due to the manufacturer's design sounds more important than 20% of the actual 13% of "Residential" water use. Same goes for all household water use fixtures! Meanwhile, the Elephant is dancing in the yard without an audience!

One of the reasons for the excessive amount of misting in irrigation systems is that the systems are often exposed to the full street water main pressure of 120 psi or more, while they should only be getting 80 psi or less.

I have proposed a plumbing code change that would change the location of any required pressure regulator from at-the-building (which, obviously, only protects the building), to at-the-meter, which will provide the proper regulated pressure to the building and the outdoor systems. This will also reduce the stress and "hammer" effects on the water main from the meter to the house and irrigation valves. Keeping that line pressure at 80 psi or less reduces the possibility of damage and leaks - which get really annoying and expensive when it's located under your driveway, sidewalk, or favorite planter area.

What is "Green" who is "Green" Oh give me a break

2010-03-09T20:44:00.000-08:00

Prejudging or grouping "green things" together in oneness is Just that! Does someone who wants to save a buck on electric bills think a republican vice pres. is responsible for dead fish in Sacramento Ca.? (Smelt) ? Is Al Gore a man of conviction or a demigod socialist? Will we all burn up in hell ? The media will sell/tell you anything...

Let me start off by saying I have a photovoltaic solar system at my house that makes my electric meter go backwards, (sometimes), as a result my electric bill is lowered. My system will pay for its self in another 6 yrs. at the current price of electricity. (7 yrs. total) the remainder of the systems life I will get "free" electricity. This is Green, pun intended. I also have a solar thermal system at my house, making such hot water, that I need to cover one of the two panels from April to Oct. so the system doesent over heat. this system will be paid for in heating savings in about the same amount of time as the PV system. This is also green. The remaining 20 yrs. of the 90% hot water I get from the sun will be "free"/ "green" The HE "green" washer and dryer I got uses less water and power than a "regular" set and I save money there too! I drive a very high MPG van for my job, it gets 20+ mpg unlike my old gas guzzler 5 mpg! DUH! I am schooled and trained to engineer plumbing systems that are green, by GreenplumbersUSA. Waste heat recovery is green sometimes, tankless waterheaters can save energy.

Greenwashing is wrong; I am trained not to do that, I am Green. Not all things smart, are green, and not all things green are smart. Have you seen "Smart Water" I will match wits with a bottle of water any day, and win, for bottled water is neither green, nor smart. 3.5% of the Greenhouse gasses are man made, the rest are made by our green planet, including cow intestinal gases!

On that note, I leave you to your thoughts on what/who is green.
Greg Chick a licesned GreenPlumberUSA.

I am going to be a "Father"

2010-02-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

Let me start by defining "father". The International Assoc. of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is the code body world wide. This code body is accepting my code proposal for upcoming publication. I have been thinking about this plumbing issue since I was a Teenager! and a newly licensed contractor! I am now 54 yrs. old and I am getting my "Baby". I am assured my child will do well and save millions! probably save a human life. Thousands of contractors will know my child, but more importantly I am assured good will come. I am planning another child as well. Next one will live directly next to the first for life and they will have replacements to follow their footsteps. A third is planned as well, I am not really a family man or anything, but I am ambitious.
Keep watching for the names of my "children" and the deeds they will achieve .

World Plumbing day

2010-02-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

The world Plumbing Council has declared March 11 2010 the first annual WPD. This is the same month with World Water Day (22nd.). One might ask why, just Google liveearth.org , 8 to 10,000 people die daily from dirty water. No they aren't Americans, mostly not white, so "what the hell", "I got my plate full" The world is shrinking, boarders are not what they were fences aren't either. more than 1/2 the world is in dire need of water daily. Sanitation waste removal is equally needed (when water is used it comes out dirty) The AWWA stated in a report that 40% of Americas water dist. systems had a cross connection with sewer/E Coli. Na sayers can factually say "we Americans use less water to day than in 1973!" True to a point, that means "Per capita" Population has grown to a point that we use 30% more. Rain is not increasing, lakes not growing. only 2% of the fresh drinkable water on earth is available (not frozen in glacier) AWWA report also stated 30% of water we have harvested and intended for use is unaccounted for! lost is transport to your town. Some alarmists and some nay sayers debate "Climate Change" The facts about water are not debateable, facts as they are, ignorance is the only buffer we have. Walk for water is a new social awareness program, check it out. Oh and respect for all is the theme of my message, not dooms day or anything else.
Thank you for allowing me to share my convictions, now read up and get your own.
Greg.

Do it yourself ( DIY ) Gas

2009-12-29T21:00:00.000-08:00

I got a call today from a man who wanted to know some code issues on gas piping. He was one of many who have become victim to folklore . He didn't think galvanized pipe was OK to use to pipe gas. I assured him it was required when exposed to exterior and above ground.

He then wanted me to sell him "that flex yellow pipe", I replied "what do you mean, CSST or MDPE?" After clearing up what "that flexy pipe" meant, I said that it requires special training and that installers have a card with their name on it by the manufacturer. He understood, but is still piping his gas system himself.

I ask you , if you want to live next door to a Propane gas pipe system installed by an unlicensed, untrained person. I was told that my freedom to swing my fists ended at my neighbors nose. Should there then be a required distance between his house and the public and neighbors? Should gas pipe be sold to non licensed people? Have you ever seen propane explode? Just some thoughts today from the people who call me and my responsible replies. DIY is a great thing, I assist anyone to a fault, but gas pipe is for skilled people who have liability insurance.
Greg Chick, Green Plumber USA licensed, and, yes I have Insurance.

Not your Grandaddy's Spigot

2009-11-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

This was your granddaddy's spigot.
It was tough, It had weight. It had enough lead in the brass to kill a rat.
You could replace the washer, ream out the brass and be good for another decade. It has been in service for 60 years.

This is a modern spigot.
It's lightweight. The lead content in the brass is virtually non-existent - and so is its ability to last very long. After 10 years, it's a tired pup.
Stay tuned technology is at work! First generation low/no lead brass is here now, tomorrow is a new day!

Potmetal parts in less expensive " Brand Name Faucets"

2009-11-15T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the underside of a sink faucet made from cheap pot-metal components. The homeowners took reasonably good care of it, yet it rotted out from underneath anyway. This faucet was in use about 2 yrs.

The thin tubular brass spout also didn't last long. In this case the water ate right through the side of it. When I arrived on the scene they had tape wrapped around it in an attempt to stop the leak.

What a fixture is made from, really does matter!

Prevent waste and damage to your plumbing with this device!

2009-11-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

The most critical single item to preventing waste and damage to your entire plumbing system may be your system's pressure regulator.

Water districts often supply water in their main lines at pressures far above the pressures that home water systems are designed to handle. There are legitimate reasons for doing this in order to ensure an adequate supply of water throughout the service area; however, a pressure regulator should be installed to reduce the pressure to normal household levels. For example, here in Ramona, CA the water district supplies water to my neighborhood at well over 100 psi, yet the proper pressure for a home system is required to be under 80 psi.

High water pressure causes leaks, damage to irrigation valves, misting of spray heads, water hammer, repeated repairs, and undue water loss.

My observation, over the past 30+ yeas as a contractor, is that when pressure regulators are needed, they are usually located at the building, where the water supply enters the house. This leaves the supply line between the water meter and the pressure regulator subject to the excessive pressure produced by the water district.

This situation occurs in two common scenarios:

The supply line from the meter to the house along an easement:
For example, six or eight houses may share a road and water supply easement with the water meters at the water district’s connection point (i.e. the end of the easement) . This is very common. Residents see a water leak or a green spot, but no one fixes it because it’s hard to find and all the supply lines are run grouped together (and not marked as to which meter or home it is connected to). I have seen the green spots so old the weeds are the size of trees!
The supply line from the meter where the irrigation system draws its water from.
This leaves the irrigation system subject to full water district pressure. Up to 50% of residential water is used on yard irrigation. This half of the water use is currently unregulated in code (design) and pressure. Yet high pressure in this area makes the system wasteful and prone to damage . Sprayers that are delivered water at too high a pressure produce more mist, get less water on the plants, and therefore are less efficient and wasteful. In addition, leaks on slopes and in unevenly compacted soils are hard to find. So, not only are these supply pipes more subject to damage, they are harder to service. The leaks are also too often ignored, until it results in a $1000 water bill!

A non-metallic pipe should have a tracer wire to follow pipe location for expediting repair. However, most water service lines are PVC with no tracer wires. The lack of a tracer wire, coupled with long and often grouped lines of up to 1000 ft (or more) has often created situations of extensive water loss.

The best place for a pressure regulator is at the water meter. This ensures that the entire homeowner’s water system is protected from damage caused by excess pressure, as well as allowing all the components attached to the system to operate at the pressure range for which they were designed.

Pressure regulators don’t last forever either. They work hard every day, and eventually wear out.
Symptoms of a poorly located or worn out pressure regulator include:

Repeated leaks or pipe breaks
Misting irrigation systems
Toilets running by themselves
Noisy pipes - especially 'banging' - (water hammer)
High water bill
High water pressure (get a gauge and measure it)

If you are experiencing these symptoms, or already know your pressure regulator is installed in a poor location (or not at all), call a plumber to have your pressure regulator installation and operation checked out. This ounce of prevention could really save a lot of expensive water and future repair bills.

Retail Myths, and Fashion Statements with a Faucet.

2009-11-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Why do people think that just because the home center will sell the plumbing stuff, that it is easy to put in CORRECTLY; or just because it's a Moen or Kohler or whatever, that it is repairable or even a good product to begin with? Most all big name company's have made some good /excellent product, but, please lets not be blinded by advertising claims, name recognition and the like. I have heard people who cant pronounce Moen, yet insist it's good because it is. (Moan).

Lifetime warranty ? Get real, we have the technology to make plumbing products last a lifetime, but not enough people will pay $1000 for a faucet installed, or if they are willing to pay that (and they were a few years ago), it had to look like a sculpture or a fashion statement. Fashion statements in plumbing take a toll on a functional product. I have seen many display faucets that get broken on display in store, too high of reach for kids too!

Welcome

2009-10-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog,
I want to get some feed back from "the online world" on what is wanted from an experienced plumber. I want you to ask "what is Green plumbing" Also I want to Myth Bust some peoples misunderstandings with facts, not opinion. I do however have opinions, as does everyone, (except Mr. Spock). I challenge you to ask me a question that I can't answer, with reference, mind you. I will surly learn a few things here as will everyone. Information exchange is what blogs offer, not a bashing party for wanna-be know it alls, including myself. I look forward to being corrected, with reference mind you.
Would you like to ask a plumbing question? Make a statement to be discussed ? share experiences?

Subjects of water are many, from toilet to tap (a phrase I hate), to water filtering, wasting, saving, pumping, collecting,. bottling, heating, etc. Trivia is fascinating too, for example only 1% of the FRESH water on earth is acessable to humans to drink. Pure water would not be good to drink! and water is more important than food or medicine. When a dissasterous Hurricane floods a city, water is in very short supply Ask me for my references!

Welcome aboard!