Are you ready?

This winter has been fairly easy, but with over two more months of winter left, a few tips on winter emergency preparedness seemed to be in good order.

You can store these items in a special place- a box in the attic or basement, garage or shed. Just make sure everyone knows about them. It is a good idea to store these items in a waterproof bin, or at least in a waterproof area.

Outdoor

A snow shovel, a broom, a bucket and rock salt

These three items can help with most outdoor water, snow and ice concerns.

Groceries

Canned foods, water, can opener, paper goods such as paper towel, toilet paper, paper plates and plastic utensils

Keeping a supply of non-perishables and bottled water is always a good idea. Remember a manual can opener as well, though.

Emergency supplies

Matches, flashlights, batteries, lighters, first aid kit, garbage bags, scissors or knife, duct tape and blankets. A battery-powered radio and a lantern are both good ideas as well and can be found at outdoorsman stores.

Misc. Items

Pet supplies and medications, baby supplies. Important documents including identification.

Vehicle Kit

Jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle, flashlight with batteries, first aid kit, water, and protein bars and a stash of cash. For outside the car, cat litter for better tire traction, shovel, ice scraper, extra warm clothes and/or blankets are good items to keep around.

Travel

Here’s where the sewer service comes into play. When you leave to visit friends and family, you probably drop the thermostat in order to save energy. That’s a good idea, but remember that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so don’t let it get below that. This can be especially bad if you’re in need of sewer cleaning and there’s more water in the pipes than usual.

These items are all very easy to get a hold of and can make a HUGE difference in your level of comfort should an emergency arise where you don’t have water, heat or electricity. There are lots more ideas and tips for emergencies found here: http://www.ready.gov/kit

My dad fried a turkey once. Just once.

Mom was mad that we had a blackened turkey. Truth be told, once we peeled off the charred skin, the moist meat was absolutely fantastic.

The internet is full of recipes to try this Thanksgiving. And I’m sure that Pinterest and Instagram will have tons of pictures of both the failures and the success of what I call The Great American Fatness Day.

If you do choose to fry your dinner this year, please remember to recycle all that oil. It ABSOLUTELY doesn’t belong down the drain. (Here are two resources for this: Great West BioFuels and RecycOil). Make sure it goes in the trash, or a coffee can. In fact, many city recycling centers will take it and turn it into fuel for diesel engines. Pouring it down the drain could lead to costly sewer cleaning.

If you do have a problem, call Garvin’s Sewer Service, Inc. We’ll get your wastewater flowing in the right direction.

Hi Ladies!

I get a lot of questions and realized I could address some of them more publicly:

1. Is Drain-O/ Liquid Plumr really that bad?

In 75 years of business we have:

•      Gone out to clean a drain after one or similar products have failed to clear a clog (on more than one occasion)
•      Gone out to clean a drain after one or similar products have failed to clear a clog and the product splash-back caused skin burns that sent the technician to the hospital (on more than one occasion)
•      See the warning labels on these types of products and don’t understand why they are available to non-professionals for use
•      Found non-chemical products to be longer lasting, and safer for the environment and all lifeforms

In this product, the “grabbing tool” is more effective than the chemical product.

2. Does the type of toilet paper really matter?

In 75 years of business we have found:

Low flush toilets and toilets with low water pressure or small openings do have more issues with the type of paper

Thick papers such as those labeled Ultra Soft/ Ultra Plush/ Super Absorbent, do cause more issues than those that don’t. Use as little as possible in order to prevent the need for sewer cleaning

3. What is the BEST way to get rid of clogs?

In toilets: PLUNGER, AUGER, or Pulling the toilet (in the case of an object falling in and getting stuck)

In sinks and tubs: a grabbing tool such as shown below

In sewers, floor drains, kitchen sinks and laundry lines: Professional Drain cleaning equipment, run by a professional sewer cleaner

4. It says, “Flushable”, yet I still have problems.

Tampons and wipes are HUGE culprits in creating clogs. Wrap the cotton portion in the trash rather than flushing it and limit the use of wipes. This will save you money on sewer cleanings. They are designed to be strong and absorbent, not like toilet paper which is designed to disintegrate.

Do you have any other questions you’d like me to answer?

Follow me on Facebook and ask me there! Or go ahead and give Garvin’s Sewer Service a call today.

They say fact is stranger than fiction…

An older woman approaches me at a recent trade show and says, “How much do you guys charge for sewer replacement?”

“It depends on a bunch of things,” I reply. “Can you tell me a little about what’s going on?”

I always ask that question when people ask me things because a lot of times they have misinformation and have already made diagnosis about what’s happening based on that.

“Well, I live in a cul-de-sac with four houses and two of my neighbors have gotten sewer replacement. I figure it’s just a matter of time.”

I smile and ask, “How often are you having sewer backups?”

This is important because most the time, there are signs it is bad or going bad.

“Oh, never. We haven’t had them in the time me and my husband have been in the house,” she answered.

“Ok, and how long have you been in the house?”

“Twenty-two years,” she pauses and then adds, “I’m sure it is time to get it replaced.”

I looked at her with gentleness. “The sewer line isn’t an appliance — it isn’t just going to stop working. I have seen 100-year-old sewer lines that are in perfect condition.”

She looked at me a little surprised. I continued, “Let me ask you something, if your neighbor broke their arm, would YOU get a cast?”

She smiled at me, “Heavens no!”

“Ok, so, if you would like to have peace of mind, we can come clean the line and see if everything is ok. It sounds like it probably is. After that long maybe just a sewer cleaning is in order.”

“Thank you dear. I will take your card… and this piece of candy.”

You know what? She did give us a call. Hope you will too.