Brent Foster works with Thurston Energy, a program of the Thurston County Economic Development Council (EDC) to help homeowners identify their home’s energy performance challenges. He diagnoses your home and then gives you a full report with images, summary of challenges and detailed suggestions on what you can do to make your home more comfortable.

Thurston Talk ran a good article about this. You can read it in full here.

The $200 rebate is through Thurston Energy. It’s part of its HomePLUS energy evaluation. The rebate is available until the funds run out. With outdoor temperatures going down quickly, now is a good time to work on improving your comfort in your home.

Contact me for an appointment or more information.

Spring is a great time to improve and clean up around and in your home. It is finally staying light out a while longer and warming up some. Many people finally feel they can get outside and start to do some of those projects that they just can’t bring themselves to do in the winter. So what is on your list this spring? Maybe a new outdoor light so you can entertain your friends in the back yard, maybe some new landscape lighting to brighten up the entry or the great yard you have done, maybe you just need to increase your safety and comfort.

Whatever the reason or need there are several things to consider. Are you qualified and comfortable making the installation yourself? Or should you hire a professional? What type of lighting will do the best job for you; low voltage (12v) or line (120v) voltage? Should the lights be automatic, on a switch, on a timer, or motion activated? Should you use LED, fluorescent, halogen, or incandescent?

There are many reasons to consult a professional to answer the questions properly. A good designer can help you make the right decision the first time, there is nothing more frustrating than installing a system or a fixture that just doesn’t do the job you expected or needed. The qualified person can be a residential designer, experienced electrical contractor, or landscaper (depending on the project). It is usually cheaper to do the job correctly the first time around, than to have to hire someone to re-do it.

Many electrical contractors have training and the experience to see the project from idea and concept to completion. Many times the price is more affordable that you expected when you consider that most electrical contractors don’t charge to design the job for you. Some will, but it is usually a modest fee that can be incorporated into the final installation. Consult an experienced company that has references doing they type project that you want to have done. Ask lots of questions.

If you decide to do it yourself be sure to do it to code and get the installation inspected to protect you and your loved ones from possible shock and other hazards that come from improper wiring. The law does say (in most cases) that you can make the installation on your own property, but you still must get a permit and an inspection. If the unexpected happens will your insurance cover the damage if you didn’t follow state law?

Properly installed and planned lighting can create a safe and warm environment for your friends, family, and neighborhood.

Jim P. Simmons, Master Electrician.

1) Poor drainage- solve this by aerating and installing drainage if needed.

2) Poor soil- not easily solved but you can top dress with a good soil or compost  over a period of time.

3) Lime- a rate of 50 lbs per 1000 sq. feet of lawn increases the sweetness of your soil

4) Improve sunlight- trim back or remove trees

5) Over seed with a shade tolerant type grass.

6) You may need to remove the grass and come up with a different plan for the area.

Spring is coming! I see the daffodils starting to poke through!

   

Jamie and George were starting their new life together. Jaime already owned a home as an investment property and with present market conditions, she did not yet want to sell the home she presently lived in. George had previously owned a small business that fell victim to a stagnating economy; as such, George knew that there might be some obstacles to overcome in obtaining new home purchase financing. On the other hand, George was also a US military veteran and thus was eligible for VA insured financing.

Both Jamie and George had been homeowners before and thus they knew that the home loan process can feel somewhat intrusive at times. Income and assets must be documented, and some items on a credit report may need to be explained.  Jamie knew Patrick Davidson at Guild Mortgage Company and knew that he and the loan processing and underwriting team would work overtime to make certain that all details were taken care of.

Jamie and George were pleased that the loan process was running quite smoothly when, as seems to happen with shocking frequency, a problem arose with the property that they were trying to purchase. The appraisal report had come back verifying that the purchase price that Jamie and George had agreed to was a fair one. However, the appraiser pointed out that this price was supportable only if the roof was replaced! The sellers had not counted on that expense and were not in a position to pay for a new roof. Fortunately, the real estate agent with whom Jamie and George worked was as diligent, creative and professional as Patrick Davidson and the team at Guild Mortgage Company.

At Guild Mortgage, we are able to help borrowers with credit scores that other lenders say are too low.  We are able to recognize potential problems and get to work resolving them.  We offer both conventional and government insured loan financing.  And, because Guild Mortgage is a direct lender for FannieMae, FreddieMac and GinnieMae, we can get loans done that other lenders cannot. 

For over 50 years, Guild Mortgage Company has been helping people realize their home-ownership dreams.  Guild Mortgage offers competitive interest rates and loan costs, superior customer service and committed, local underwriting.  Whether you’re trying to purchase your first home, downsizing into the last home you’ll ever have, or diversifying your investment portfolio, we provide the expertise and ability to help get you there.

Patrick Davidson has been matching Washington homebuyers and borrowers with the loan program that best meets their needs and circumstances for over 16 years.  You or someone you know could immediately benefit by working with Patrick and Guild Mortgage Company.  He can be reached at pdavidson@guildmortgage.net or directly at 561.0339. Give him a call to get started today!

Patrick Davidson is a senior mortgage loan originator in Washington for Guild Mortgage Company, Branch NMLS ID 247628, CL-247628. Patrick is Licensed by Washington, Department of Financial Institutions, WA-MLO-114110. All opinions discussed herein should not be deemed the opinion of Guild Mortgage Company, its parent company or affiliates. Content is based upon information considered reliable, but neither Guild Mortgage Company, its parent company, or affiliates warrant its completeness, accuracy or as a commitment of any kind. Interest rates are subject to change. Terms and conditions apply and all loans subject to underwriter approval. Guild Mortgage Company  is an Equal Housing Lender.

This past week we have had several calls from landlords and homeowners who tried to save money by purchasing inexpensive toilets from box stores. Now they are dealing with clogs which are not only an inconvenience but also cost money. By the time you pay to have a toilet line cleared you might as well have paid a little more upfront for a quality toilet. But don't worry we are here to help you avoid this dilemma!

#1 -- One of the biggest things box store toilets skimp on is the quality of the trap. (Essentially the built-in drain in the toilet where waste flows.) Make sure the toilet has a FULLY glazed trap. Glazing is the glass-like coating on the ceramic material inside of the toilet. Unglazed traps will create friction and increase the likelihood of those pesky clogs.

#2 -- The diameter of the trap is also very important. You should look for the widest trap you can find--we recommend at least 2" but the bigger the better!

One you have purchased a new toilet give Springer Plumbing a call and we can get it professionally installed for you. The removal and recycling of your old toilet is included. We have been supplying, repairing, and installing toilets since '89.

Even landscaping can't escape this craze! Some interesting tidbits on the gardens of everyone's favorite Sunday evening show.

Enjoy with your favorite tea!

http://www.gardendesign.com/ideas/the-gardens-of-downton-abbey

The problem I have with this method is that what you will get is a code number and a description of the code.  For us technicians, the code leads us to further testing where we prove what is really wrong so that we can guarantee our repair and know that the check engine light will not come back on.  The parts store might sell you the part that is mentioned in the description text, with the warning that it may or may not fix the problem.  (I have to give them credit, it’s a great way to increase sales!)
For example, I once had a customer go to a parts shop and pull a code that read “EGR system low flow”.  They suggested a likely cause was a defective EGR solenoid, and that they had one the shelf that cost about $350.  My customer declined buying the part and instead came to me to have it diagnosed.  The reality was that the EGR solenoid was a possible cause.  What we found was that the EGR hose had come off the valve and this was the cause of low flow.  In this case the cost of diagnosis and repair was less than the cost of the recommended part. 

Another example is code P0174 – oxygen sensor stuck lean bank 2.  The oxygen sensor could be defective, but it could also simply be responding to something as simple as a leaking vacuum hose and be stuck lean for that reason.  Replacing the oxygen sensor in this case will result in the light coming on again with the same code.

Don’t misunderstand me, I think its fine to work on your own car.  In fact it’s how I got started in this business as a young person. You must simply accept the fact that there is a learning curve and you may replace perfectly good parts accidentally.  The key is that to learn how to fix a system, you must first learn how the system works.  We do not yet live in a world where an inexpensive code reader will tell you what part to replace with any degree of certainty. 

Brons Automotive has been repairing the true cause of why check engine lights come on for years in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County and backs their work with a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty.   

As water freezes it expands, much like when you put a can of soda in the freezer and it explodes. If water is allowed to remain still in a pipe exposed to the cold air, the water may freeze solid and the pipe may burst. If the water continues to flow, even in a trickle, it won't have the opportunity to freeze and the pipes should survive until the air temperature warms above freezing. So open up a faucet or two when you know it is going to be a cold night. If your pipes froze over completely, we recommend doing the same thing to allow a place for the extra pressure to release. The faucet does not need to be turned on full bore; just enough to allow a trickle to come out once the pipes start to defrost.

If you do experience frozen pipes, make sure you know the location of your main water shut-off valve. In the unfortunate event that a pipe does burst it is crucial to be able to shut your water supply off as quickly as possible to prevent water damage.

Typically, here in the Northwest, we do not see homeowners have much trouble with frozen pipes until temperatures hit about 20ºF or less. Keep in mind that pipes exposed to colder air (especially flowing air, as on a windy day) because of cracks in an outside wall or lack of insulation are vulnerable to freezing at temperatures above that threshold.

Stay warm out there!

One great way to tackle improving the health of your plumbing system this year is to check in to joining a preventative maintenance program.  If you have never had a plumbing technician check out your pipes, water heater, and other fixtures before, you are definitely overdue. Even if you perceive nothing is wrong, it's a good idea to have somebody come in once year to check out everything. The cost of the program is a tremendous value and includes a water heater flush which is important to have done annually to preserve the life of your water heater. 

Springer Plumbing offers a yearly plumbing maintenance plan that is simple and effective, we will remind you when it is time for your yearly check-up and come out whenever it is convenient for you. This way we can catch problems before they arise & we also offer a "value rate," or discounted rate, to customers that are on our maintenance program. This can provide homeowners with savings and peace of mind.

We hope you have a happy and healthy 2013!

 

 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Buds & Blades

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/17241

Springer Plumbing, LLC Earns Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

 

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service 

Springer Plumbing, LLC has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Springer Plumbing, LLC earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.
 

Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 550 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. More than 1.5 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain unlimited access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine, and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.
 

99% of the time it appears that the water is escaping your toilet from the base although that might not be the case. Water follows the path of gravity and pools around the base of the toilet even if it is coming from a faulty supply line, leaking shut-off valve, cracked tank, or sweaty bowl. One way to test where the leak is originating from is to add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet bowl, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then flush the toilet. If the toilet leaks at the base the colored water will find its way onto the floor.

Occasionally this water can be stopped by tightening the flange bolts at the base of the toilet. This isn’t all that common, but it is something you can certainly give a shot simply by removing the plastic caps that cover the bolts at the bottom of the toilet and tightening them with a wrench. Take care not to twist on the bolts too much because that can damage the wax seal under the toilet or crack the lavatory.

A sweating toilet can also trick homeowners into thinking they have a toilet leaking at the base. Toilet bowls and tanks become damp when the air around the toilet is considerably warmer than the temperature of the toilet water. This creates condensation and causes the toilet to sweat. A fix for this is to have an anti-sweat valve, or mixing valve, installed in the water line that feeds your toilet. This valve mixes a small amount of hot water in with the cold water that supplies your toilet which in turn raises the temperature of the water inside the tank.

 

Although you can narrow down where the leak may be coming from in your toilet, we recommend hiring an experienced plumber to diagnose and resolve the problem. If the wax ring, or seal, does need to be replaced the toilet will need to be removed in order to replace it. If the toilet is not set correctly after the new wax ring is installed it can wobble, still leak, or even leak sewer gases into your home if it is not sealed appropriately. Hiring a plumber to do this provides peace of mind and a 1 year warranty on the installation.

Now if the best time to upgrade to a new high-efficiency toilet. If you live in the City of Olympia, Lacey or Tumwater and have a toilet in your home that was installed prior to 1994 or uses more than 3 gallons per flush you can get a new free high-efficiency toilet through the City of Olympia LOTT program. These toilets are being offered free of charge because the installation reduces wastewater flow to the cities treatment facility, and can help delay the need to build new treatment capacity. All that you need to pay for is the professional installation of your new toilet, which we would love to help you with.        

 This program is being offered until December 31, 2012 & you can find the application & more details at http://olympiawa.gov/city-utilities/drinking-water/conservation/conservation-indoor/high-efficiency-toilets.

This is a picture of a Cadet heater (wall type fan forced electric) that is not operating properly and is overheating (see the orange element at the top of the picture with the cover removed). These can be very dangerous and have started fires.

 

Proper pruning is critical to maintain the health and strength of the plant during times of real stress- like a severe storm.

You can remember the scences from last winter- fallen power lines and trees, broken branches and debris everywhere.  My yard was no exception- except for the trees and shrubs that we regularly maintained- not so much as a broken twig. It was amazing! But the large tree in front, that we were only able to do minimal pruning too- we lost the top, and had to remove it.

Lesson learned, no matter what the size of the plant- good, regular pruning is beneficial for the look and shape of the plant, the health of the plant, and in some cases, it might just save the plant.

"I needed a water valve removed and replaced to install a toilet. Since this involved shutting off the water to the building and the need for special tools, I could not do this myself. Ron Springer, who did the work, was outstanding. I appreciate and try to support family run businesses. I was told he would be there at 1:00pm and he arrived on time, no waiting around for me. I had received estimates of $220-$270 and approximately 1-2 hours of work. Ron quoted me $140, including parts. He said it should take about 20 minutes and it only took him 15. I will use Springer again and highly recommend.

 

 

 

At Alternative Marketing Connections, we strongly believe that the social media should be treated as just that: online networking.  Social media are not traditional push advertising.  They are about inbound marketing, connecting with customers and prospects and creating top of mind awareness.  Your small business social media strategy should also be integrated with your website presence, driving traffic from the social media to your website, where you can continue to interact with your audience through blogs with commenting features, feedback forms, and more.

If you need help setting up and managing your social media presence, give us a call (or tweet or facebook IM!).

 

1. Navigate to your friend's wall.
    
2. Click the Message button.
   
3. Click the Paperclip (Add Files) icon.
   
   
    
4. Select the file from ensuing dialog.
    
5. Press Send.
   
   

Yes, this is very similar to how you would attach a file to an email.  Since 1 out of 6 people on the PLANET now have a Facebook account, it's a great alternative to email.

Keep in mind, however, that this may not be acceptable for corporate use.  Check with your IT manager for acceptable use and security policies.