Carter's My Plumber Donates Comfort Height Toilet to Cancer Patient

Carter's My Plumber offers Solutions for Assisted Devices for the Bathroom by  Licensed Plumbers and a Registered Nurse.

Some things in life can be taken for granted until a disabling condition like a fracture, stroke, arthritis or cancer occurs. When independence in the bathroom is lost, embarrassment and depression can often occur.  There are numerous toilet assistive devices and special design toilets to help get off the toilet. These devices help individuals maintain their independence and dignity in the bathroom.  

We recently installed a new comfort height toilet for a cancer patient. We were able to identify the need and we installed the device “on –the-house” in order to accommodate the need and assist with the burden of expense.  The toilet has maintained her dignity, and ability to support her independence in the bathroom.

What is the difference of a “Comfort Height" toilet?

The difference between a Comfort Height toilet (which can be referred to as a handicapped toilet) and a regular toilet is a “Comfort Height” toilet has a higher vertical posture. A regular toilet has a posture which is fifteen inches from the floor. Toilets designed for someone who needs more assistance in the bathroom has a posture height of 17 inches from the floor to the top of the seat.

2 inches may not seem like a big difference, but in fact, an extra two inches in height makes it easier for the person who needs assistance or extremely tall people to get up and down from the toilet. The vertical posture of 2 inches places less pressure on the knee, which is a hinge joint to bend and mobilize.  While the main application for these type of toilets may seem like they are for hospitals or businesses with public bathrooms, they actually have a very widespread benefit for homeowners.

·         If you need assistance and want to live independently, a bathroom that is set up to accommodate your needs can make a huge difference in your quality of life. This is because a toilet that is seventeen inches in height can also be coupled with an assistance railing. When an assistance railing is attached to the adjacent wall, it helps make unassisted living more possible.  It allows people who are physically weak be able to use devices to support themselves and maintain their dignity.

·         Comfort Height Toilets assist flushing by making it easier to push down on the handle being at a higher vertical level. This kind of assistance makes it easier for the person who needs assistance, or may not have full use of their hands to flush the toilet. There are many different options available, and it’s important to have them properly installed by a licensed plumber. To get a proper solution for a bathroom for someone who needs assistance, give us a call for the most up-to-date information. We not only have licensed plumbers on staff, but we have a registered nurse who is also a cancer coach. 

Lisa Carter is a Registered Nurse in the state of Indiana, and a Certified Cancer Coach. www.cancercoachrn.com

Jamie Carter is a Licensed Plumber Contractor in the state of Indiana CO88900054.

 

FIX FOR THAT LEAKING HOSE BIBB

Have you planted the garden yet?  How about the spring flowers??  Have you fired up that outside hose bibb of yours?  I've planted three rows of the garden so far this season, and I've used the outside spigot at least 4 or 5 times!  That's usually when it happens... the hose starts spraying like a fizz all over the wall and you!  You may have also noticed your water bill is higher than last month.  One place to check for a leak is your hose bibb.  That's right, they call it a hose bibb - why, I don't know.  I guess the hose needs a bibb if it's leaking!

I have been doing plumbing since I was 16, so that's over 35 years!  I have fixed a few "hose bibbs" so far in my lifetime and generally the problem can be fixed relatively easy.  Here are some things for you to try yourself,  before you call your plumber!

First you must determine where the leak  is coming from and the leak that most often gets you wet is the easiest to fix.  There are generally one of two problems:  #1 The hose connection is not secured tight enough or #2 the hose doesn't have a hose washer, or the old one is defective.  The fix is to first turn the faucet off and try to tighten the connection with your hand and remember "righty-tighty, left-loosey.  Don't try to muscle-it because if the pipes are old you will break the pipe that feeds the hose bibb.

Now look at the end of the hose connection to make sure the washer is secure and without defect.  You can easily change the washer and replace the hose to the spigot by screwing it back onto the hose bibb and giving it  "quarter-turn" with pliers to ensure a snug fit.  There are a few other things that can be causing your hose bibb to leak:

1.  Leaking Packing Nut:  The packing nut is a hexagon nut that is located directly behind the handle of the hose bibb.  It sometimes drips after have finished using your hose.  These drips add up and can be costly to your water bill.  One drip per second for a whole month adds up to be a ton of water and money!  If grass is growing underneath the hose bibb better than anywhere else that is a clue your hose bibb is leaking.

2.  Hose Bibb Washer/Cup:  If your hose bibb keeps leaking and water is just dripping or running out of the faucet, the Bonnet nut needs to be removed and the stem, a metal "cup" contains a washer that will need to be replaced.

3.  Hosebibb is split:  A hose bibb can freeze during the winter if the hose is left on, which causes the supply line and/or the silcock to split.  This line will need to be replaced, and if the hose bibb has frozen it will need replaced as well.

If you are unsure about what to do, please call us and we'll send one of our plumbers out.  Call us at 317-859-9999 or tweet me @proplumberjc and I'll answer your question.

Jamie Carter
Licensed Plumbing Contractor 
CO88900054

What are the Health Effects of Drinking Soft Water?

How Softened Water Impacts Health.  

by Lisa Carter, RN, BSN, Cancer Coach - owner Carter's My Plumber

Water softeners remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water supply to your home by a local utility or from a well. The two major components of most water softeners are: a filtration unit that contains charcoal, resin beads and sand to remove contaminants, and a saltwater tank used to flush out the filtration unit and recharge it. There are pluses and minuses about a water softener and your health.

Improves Skin and Hair Condition

Hard water can make detergents less effective and thus, utilization is higher. The minerals present in hard water combine with soap, forming a residue known as soap curd or soap scum. This sticky substance can remain on the skin after a bath or shower. As a result, it may be harder to remove dirt and bacteria. The soap curd may prevent skin from returning to its usual slightly acidic pH level, causing irritation. Residual soap and minerals in the hair can also accumulate and affect its health, rendering it dull and harder to groom.

Is it Safe to Ingest Softened Water?

Regular tap water contains very little sodium. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the "hardness" of the water. Hard water contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium and most water-softening systems replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Even so, the added sodium doesn't add up to much.

An 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water generally contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is well within the Food and Drug Administration's definition of "very low sodium." Thus, it's unlikely that sodium in softened water would pose a risk for most healthy people.

However, if an individual is on a very low-sodium diet and concerned about the amount of sodium in softened water, they may want to consider a water-purification system that uses potassium chloride instead. Another option is to soften only the hot water and use unsoften cold water for drinking and cooking.

In any case, it's important to keep in mind that the majority of sodium in an average person's diet comes from table salt and processed foods.

 

Jamie Carter, of Carter's MY Plumber, Offers Plumbing Tips to Homeowners about Spring Home Maintenance

Jamie Carter is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor offering basic maintenance tips for every Homeowner. Keeping a home's plumbing worry-free is an important preventive measure for every Homeowner.

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned, 3rd generation plumbing business located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas. Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system. With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need. Carter’s recently received this Angie’s List review: http://bit.ly/156QNeK

About Jamie Carter, Plumbing Pro:
Jamie Carter is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor in the state of Indiana. He has been doing plumbing and construction for over 30 years. He is a Certified Plumbing Engineer through ASPE. He is a board member for PHCC, a local Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors association. He is a member of Service Round Table. Jamie graduated from Mechanical Skills Plumbing Trade School and became a licensed Master Plumber and Contractor after high school. He owns and operates Carter’s My Plumber in Greenwood, Indiana and provides residential service to the Indianapolis market.

Spring Cleaning for a Homeowner includes basic maintenance:
As Spring fast approaches, a homeowner knows what that means for their home: it’s time for spring cleaning! A Homeowner should think about basic maintenance for the plumbing, appliances, and drains in their home. Some basic inspections and little tasks here and there will ensure a homeowner their home’s plumbing runs trouble-free year round. Carter’s My Plumber offers a full plumbing inspection for a homeowner at a special price of $39.

Here are a few items a Homeowner can look for on their own:

• Does the toilet flush first time, and does it stop flushing soon after it’s been flushed? If not, some of the pieces in the tank are worn or broken. It may necessitate a toilet rebuild, saving both water and aggravation!
• Check the water heater. The average age of a water heater is 7-10 years old. If a home is older, it is at risk of a failure (and accompanying flood). If the water heater’s not old, but is failing to keep up with a home’s hot water usage, sediment has likely built up in the tank and maintenance is in order.
• Check pipes for leaks. It’s important to check the ones under a kitchen sink, or any pipes seen in a bathroom. If a homeowner can’t see any obvious leaks while running the water, turn it off and see if the water meter keeps running.
• Check appliance hoses for signs of wear and tear. A lot of the time, the first thing people know about their appliance hoses being old and worn is when they split and flood the utility room! A homeowner should consider calling a plumber to install some new stainless steel hoses, with an auto shutoff feature for safety measures.
• Clean the showerhead and faucet aerators. A homeowner can detach the shower head or aerators and disguard any sediment build up. Plus, use a cleaner to dissolve any corrosion. The best cleaner is a natural one using baking soda and vinegar to avoid harsh chemicals.
• Check your Sump Pump. Sump Pump floats can become lodged, or the pump mechanics can fail. It’s important to inspect the device to ensure it is operating smoothly especially with Spring Rain Showers fast approaching.

If a homeowner needs further advice or has a question they can contact Jamie direct by sending a tweet to @proplumberjc, or call Carter’s My Plumber to schedule a Spring Maintenance for $39.00.

Jamie Carter, Licensed Plumbing Contractor     @proplumberjc

Plumbing Pro, Jamie Carter, Gives Advice about Sump Pumps for Local Homeowners

Jamie Carter is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor and Offers Free Advice for Preventing A Flooded Basement. Carter’s My Plumber is Owned by Jamie Carter and Provides Professional Plumbing Service.

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned, 3rd generation plumbing business located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas. Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system. With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need. Carter’s recently received this Angie’s List review: http://bit.ly/156QNeK

About Jamie Carter, Plumbing Pro:

Jamie Carter is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor in the state of Indiana. He has been doing plumbing and construction for over 30 years. He is a Certified Plumbing Engineer through ASPE. He is a board member for PHCC, a local Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors association. He is a member of Service Round Table. . Jamie graduated from Mechanical Skills Plumbing Trade School and became a licensed Master Plumber and Contractor after high school. He owns and operates Carter’s My Plumber in Greenwood, Indiana and provides residential service to the Indianapolis market.

How water Floods a Basement or Crawl Space:

There are many ways for water to enter your basement or crawl space, and flooding is most often caused by water build up in the soil that makes its way inside. There are many ways to prevent water entering and a sump pump is a last defense against flooding. Sump pumps pump water out from the lowest section of the basement before the water level reaches the basement floor level. As groundwater level rises it is diverted into the sump hole. When the water reaches what is called ‘the critical level’, the sump pump begins to pump it out through a pipe that leads outside and away from your foundation.

The Importance of a Sump Pump:

The sump pump has recently become more important especially in newer homes since the Federal Clean Water Act which doesn’t allow builders in many municipalities to drain rainwater collected by gutters into sewerage systems. Water collected on the roof of your home and drained by your gutters can cause flooding if it is not carried far enough away from your home’s foundation.
Checking your sump pump:
It is important to check your sump pump regularly to make sure that it is working properly.

• Remove the cover and slowly pour water into the sump tank.
• Watch for the "float" to rise and trigger the pump.
• Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump.

This is what is called "a normal sump cycle."

Most sump pump problems are float related. If the pump does not start, the float may be hanging on something in the tank. A simple repositioning of the pump should solve the problem.

• If this fails, the float may need replacement.
• If the pump fails to shut off when the water level drops to the bottom of the sump tank, this indicates a new float is needed.
• Float switch - The float switch is the part of the sump pump that activates the pump when water reaches a certain threshold.

If a homeowner needs further advice they can contact Jamie direct by sending a tweet to @proplumberjc.

Are You Pouring Money Down the Drain???

We love this infographic which illustrates how common households waste GALLONS of water in the bathroom.  Learn some easy water saving tips here:

World Plumbing Day is March 11th - Hug your Plumber!

World Plumbing Day is March 11th!

Congress honors those who keep our water clean with World Plumbing Day.     Here’s something to get flushed with excitement about: The Senate has designated March 11 as World Plumbing Day.

Even though the Senate is pretty clogged up with other important business, members took the time this week to honor the sanitation systems and the workers that we too often take for granted. 
Potty puns aside, World Plumbing Day is actually a serious occasion: The measure designating it, sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennett, notes that “884,000,000 people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water” and that unclean water results in thousands of deaths of children under the age of 5 every day. It also sounds like the event is meant to be a Hug-Your-Plumber Day: The resolution states that “the people of the United States rely on plumbing professionals to maintain, repair, and rebuild the aging water infrastructure.”
The Senate clearly thinks that clean water for all is no pipe dream!