Interesting post from facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jay.bortnik/posts/10152360062327836?comment_id=10152360078182836&offset=0&total_comments=1&notif_t=share_comment

Plumber VS. Plumbing Business

Are you "hiring" a plumber?

OR

Are you "engaging the services" of a plumbing business?

If you "hire" JUST a plumber, expect the following:

1.  A worker who expects "hourly pay" with no risk.
2.  A worker (apprentice, handyman, etc.) may not be qualified (always ask to see their Journeyman card)
3.  A worker who is NOT licensed, insured, bonded.
4.  A worker who does NOT stock basic plumbing parts to fix a sink drain (for example).
5.  A worker is probably only available after his normal employment hours (evenings, weekends)

If you "engage the services" of a plumbing service business (Journeyman Jay Plumbing),

(especially if the plumber providing the service is the owner of the plumbing business)

     Expect the following:

1.  An ARTISAN who provides the most accurate estimate of cost to the customer.

2.  A qualified, licensed, insured, and bonded CRAFTSMAN who adheres to plumbing code.

3.  An INVESTOR who invests in appropriate vehicles, equipment, tools, start-up costs, promotion, etc.

4.  An efficient and effective MANAGER of his resources (use of apprentice time, inventory of parts, etc.)

5.  A TAXPAYER who "pays" (and "collects") GST, income tax and licensing fees.

6.  A SCHEDULER of plumbing jobs (estimating lengths of time for plumbing jobs).

7.  An ENTREPRENEUR always looking for better ways to serve his customer.



Thank you for your time,

Jay Bortnik
Red Seal Journeyman Plumber
Partner
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939


P.S. -  Check us out on FACEBOOK for lots of "interesting" plumbing links.

If your house has leaks, you have health hazard

I have recently seen a lot of leaks in houses (some worse than others).
Please bear in mind that this is a health hazard, especially if a sanitary line (sewage pipe in your house) is leaking (like the one I saw just a few hours ago).

Something to think about:  Read about "water damage" on wikipedia.

If you have a leak in a water line or sanitary pipe, please call a plumber for your health and the health of your family.
 
Thank you,

Jay Bortnik
www.journeymanjay.com
https://www.facebook.com/JourneymanJayPlumbing
780-266-3939

Plan Your Plumbing Project

The plumbing in your house can make your quality of life extraordinary, but only if you have a plan.

I've spent the last number of years constructing (and, yes repairing) plumbing systems (water, drainage, and heating).

Over this time I have noticed the traits of a successful building project.

1) Enough money to do the job (because things do happen to increase costs along the way).

2) A set of drawings that have been agreed to, by all the different trades involved.

3)Competent trades people (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, lather interior systems
 mechanics,etc).  How do you know they are competent?  Start by asking for their Journeyman cards, then see what other work they have done.

4)Flexibility by all involved, to solve building challenges  (things that each trade does often affects  what other trades need to do -  example, a standard rough-in for a tub is usually 60 inches, but the carpenter should double check before building the walls where the tub goes).

5)General safety and Code compliance.  Believe it or not, even in this very safety enlightened time we live, there are still quite a few contractors that may talk the talk, but don't walk the safety walk.  As a home owner (building owner), you are ultimately responsible for what goes on in your building.  This is probably the one factor that you can use to screen through all the possible contractors that want to do work for you.  Contractors should be bonded (otherwise they can't get permits).  Trades people (especially plumbers, electricians, hvac) must be Journeymen.

 I am pretty sure books and articles have been written about this already, but it bears reminding.

Thank you,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
780-266-3939
 

The Right Plumbing Materials

In the last 24 hours, (among other things) I have replaced a leaking plastic sink drain tail piece and a new shower valve cartridge that was installed upside down - and leaked (and to add insult to injury, the cartridge is not sold separately (so the client was charged for the complete shower valve assembly to get a new cartridge).

Make sure you look at the materials for which you are paying.  A lot of times initial price seems to be the  only consideration.  However, as most accountants and plumbers know, low price does not mean low cost.

A part is a part is a part.  You say?

If that part does not do the same job as the slightly more expensive one, how much are you saving?
Nothing.  Because that job will have to be done again and that will now cost you more (probably double).

A first year plumbing apprentice spends the first 8 weeks of his schooling learning about the different types of copper tube to use (and many other materials and tools).  For example, commercial plumbing jobs usually use Type L copper because it is thicker than Type M.  The material may look the same, but there are differences.

Just something to ponder, next time you hire a "plumber".

Do I need a plumbing PERMIT?

Journeyman Jay Plumbing (Jay Bortnik) has recently become bonded.

This is a big deal.  So please continue reading.

To do more than repairing (or replacing) toilets, faucets, sinks, valves, leaks, etc., a plumber has to become "bonded" (see surety bond) to access ("pull") City of Edmonton Mechanical Permits (Plumbing, Gas).

Any "construction, reconstruction, replacement, alteration or extension of any plumbing system" requires a permit from the City of Edmonton.

As well, the City of Edmonton, could require you (the home owner) to get a development permit and/or a building permit.  I also found out that I cannot get my mechanical permit (for the job I would be working on) until a building permit has been entered (ie. new basement bathrooms).

Why do you need these permits?
http://www.chba.ca/renovating/before-begin/building-permits.aspx  (a more general discussion on permits)

The City of Edmonton even requires permits for bathrooms that are already half done (as a lot of new houses already have the pipes in the floor for "future" basement bathrooms.  A lot of people often assume that they don't need nor want permits for what they are doing (as evidenced by a few estimates we have done recently).

REMEMBER permits are for your protection.

If a plumber cannot "pull" their own mechanical (plumbing/gas) permit, he shouldn't be doing your job.  Also remember, not everyone calling themself a plumber is actually a plumber.  Ask for their Alberta Certified Journeyman CARDS (Plumbing and Gas) before engaging their services.  Only a Certified Journeyman can charge for their services.  And only a "bonded" Certified Journeyman can pull permits (for more than repair and fixture replacement) from the City of Edmonton.

Hopefully this helps you decide on the right plumber.

Journeyman Jay is on FACEBOOK

I post smaller nuggets of plumbing info, trivia, facts, etc on our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/JourneymanJayPlumbing

We still install cast Iron Pipes???

Yes.

I have roughed-in a number of apartment buildings (in Edmonton) that have cast iron drainage pipes (Even in the odd commercial building).

Recently, we received a phone call from a homeowner renovating his house.  He wanted to replace his stack that he had uncovered in a wall.  Figuring that it was old and plastic was better, he wanted an estimate.  I said that there is nothing wrong with cast iron stacks as long as they are not cracked or leaking.

IN FACT, they are quieter than plastic drainage pipe (especially when someone is flushing the toilet on a floor above you).

If you are thinking of buying a condo apartment (and you don't do well with noise), ask whether the building has plastic drainage pipe or cast iron.

READ this article at:  Why You Need to Specify Cast Iron Plumbing for Your Home

OH! and I almost forgot...

Remember, if you or anyone else (a certified journeyman plumber) "alter" any drainage pipe in your home you need a city permit.