DENVER, CO - There a few things more vexing in maintaining a home than a leaking or antiquated toilet, and in these summer months when water conservation is key a new toilet will not only drastically cut water use, but also guarantee there won’t be any lifestyle adjustments due to malfunctions in one of the most important rooms in the house, the bathroom.

The plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver point out that outdated toilets, particularly in older homes where the fixtures haven’t been updated in years, can consume up to 19 gallons of water per day per person in normal use, and if they are leaking or running they can waste as much as 200 gallons of water every day. A new high-efficiency toilet will stop the leaks and cut normal water usage by more than a third, to just 12 gallons of water each day per person.

Also, says Steve Jusseaume, owner and founder of the 32-year old Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, the new types of toilets on the market today are also more efficient in evacuating solid waste and are better for a home’s sewer system as well.

“Contrary to the common misconception that so-called low-flow toilets don’t flush as well as old-school toilets and require more flushing and a lifestyle change, the new high-efficiency toilets we install actually operate at higher pressures and greater efficiency,” adds Jusseaume. “If fact, our customers report that their new high-efficiency toilets are like what they are used to in their office buildings or other commercial settings. They love them.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, toilets are by far the main source of water usage in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average’s home’s daily indoor water consumption. The EPA estimates that if everyone in America switched to a WaterSense labeled toilet it would save nearly 2 billion gallons of water a day across the country.

Ben Franklin’s Jusseaume notes that the new toilets on the market are also quite stylish, and there’s a model to meet the demands of any décor, to replace an existing toilet or to be a beautiful complement to a fully remodeled bathroom.

“Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver just replaced our old toilet with a very beautiful model from a company called VitrA,” says a plumbing customer in Denver. “They were able to perfectly match the color of our existing sink and shower fixtures. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver carries, in stock, toilets and other bathroom fixtures from the top brands in the industry, including Toto, Kohler, American Standard, Crane, Elger, Briggs, and Vitra, and the firm will work with designers and suppliers to find any toilet that meets a customer’s need.

The VitrA brand is from a company headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey that was founded more than 70 years ago to create a wide variety earthenware products, from tea cups to electrical sockets. Today VitrA is an international brand inspired by the “sociable, luxurious Turkish Hamman culture,” says the VitrA website, and the company makes a wide array of plumbing fixtures, bathroom furniture, tiles and building chemicals. VitrA has won numerous design awards for its products, including garnering four prestigious design awards in 2006 alone:. The İstanbul Collection by Ross Lovegrove won the Wallpaper Design Award for Best Bathroom, a Good Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award; distinguished designer Defne Koz was also recognized with a Red Dot Design Award for her İznik Collection were also recognized with a Red Dot Design Award. For more information visit www.vitra-usa.com.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver was founded in 1978 as Deer Creek Plumbing and became a member of the Number 1 residential plumbing franchise in America, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, in 2005. Still family owned and operated, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver employs fully licensed plumbers and performs a full complement of plumbing services, from the repair and installation of boilers and water heaters, to repairing and replacing sewer lines, water mains and more. The firm also specializes in home remodeling projects for the kitchen, laundry room, basements and bathrooms.

For more information on new high-efficiency toilets and the full spectrum of home plumbing services available from Benjamin franklin Plumbing of Denver, call 1-866-PUNCTUAL or visit   http://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/.

DENVER, CO - Mortgage rates at the end of May have hit record-low territory and may go even lower this summer, and coupled with lower housing prices experts believe this may be the best time in years to buy a home.The plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver advise prospective homebuyers to have the selected property’s plumbing inspected, particularly on older homes, to ensure that there are no expensive potential problems lurking in the sewer system, sprinkler system, water mains, drains, fixtures and water-based appliances.”

Our licensed plumbers do full-house plumbing inspections before a purchase is made, and sometimes these inspections turn up issues that have very real material effects on the home buying decision,” says Steve Jusseaume, Founder and Owner of the 32-year-old family owned business.

“Potential buyers have used our inspections to renegotiate the purchase  price of the home, to have the current owner fix the problems before buying, and in some cases simply to just walk away and find another home. When we don’t find any problems, then the buyers have the peace of mind that, from a plumbing perspective, they have made an excellent choice.”Jusseaume also recommends that home sellers have a full-house plumbing inspection before placing their home on the market.They can find problems early and take care of them or discover that the home’s plumbing is in tip-top shape - and present the inspection and any problems addressed as a major competitive selling point to buyers, he says.Home buying in Colorado and nationally set a brisk pace in March and April as buyers rushed to take advantage of up to $8,000 is federal tax credits being offered for purchase contracts consummated by April 30 with sales completed by June 30.However, many experts expect the housing market to continue its return to health over the next several months, spurred on by pent-up demand from slow sales during the recession and also by the lowest mortgage rates posted in decades.Freddie Mac, one of the chief quasi-governmental companies involved in the mortgage industry, quoted 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rates of 4.8% for the week of May 20 - the lowest rate for such debt instruments since 1972, the year Freddie Mac began to track rates on a daily basis. That year the average for a 30-year FRM was 8.04%, rising to 13.47% on average in 1980, 10.13% in 1990, and 8.05% in 2000. This past decade has shown a steady decline in rates, but the current 4.8% is the lowest on record and real estate observers believe it will drop even further over the summer.

“There probably hasn’t been a better time to buy or sell a house in my lifetime,” says Jusseaume, the veteran plumber.”But people have to make the right decision, and potential plumbing problems rank right up there with the most expensive repairs and upgrade a homeowner will face.”A Complete Home Plumbing Inspection from Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, performed by the company’s professional and fully licensed plumbers, ranges from checking out every system in the house for any obvious problems, to more detailed diagnostic services if a potential problem is identified. The costs vary, as detailed diagnostics run the gamut from simple to complex, but such an inspection will lead to years of worry-free home ownership.For complete details on Complete Home Plumbing Inspections for home buyers and sellers alike from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, call toll-free 866-PUNCTUAL, local at 303-340-3400 and visithttp://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/denver-plumbing-inspections.php.

DENVER, CO - With warmer weather coming, longer days, school ending, more outdoor activities, and even vacations on the horizon, summer is a popular season for home remodeling projects, and the plumbing pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver say that plumbing is often at the heart of the changes.”The most popular home remodeling projects involve new or upgraded bathrooms, and refreshed and expanded kitchens and,” says Steve Jusseaume, owner and founder of the 32-year-old family business. “The key to the work is plumbing. That’s why we have hooked up with contractors and have connections with fixture manufacturers so we can help customers through every phase of a remodel, from concept and design through construction.”Jusseaume, a master plumber who has vast experience in remodeling projects, adds that the most critical aspect of many remodeling projects is the need for plumbing upgrades to handle the demands of modern households.

Older homes in particular, he says, were not originally designed to handle the addition of extra bathrooms, the installation of a spa or hot tub, kitchens with extra faucets, dishwashers and large-capacity washing machines.”Often we have to make some basic plumbing changes to ensure every desired water need in the house is met,” says Jusseaume. “One of the biggest things that comes up is the need for greater hot water capacity and, of course, we are experts at home hot water heating solutions.”Home remodeling projects are often required to meet the needs of a growing family, and Jusseaume says that is manifest the majority of the time in a higher demand for hot water.  The solution gaining in popularity is tankless hot water heating systems that provide endless hot water for every need in the home, while at the same time being highly energy efficient compared with traditional tank hot water heaters.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, part of the top national residential plumbing contractor franchise in the country, has its own proprietary tankless hot water system solutions called GoHOT. Available in various sizes to handle the needs of any size home, natural gas-fueled GoHOT tankless water heating systems take up less space than traditional water heater tanks, as they are mounted flush to a wall, and since they only heat water when needed, tankless systems can save homeowners about half the cost on utilities now being charged for hot water.”Not only do you get endless hot water and energy savings, but through 2010 the federal government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit on the cost of a tankless hot water system and installation,” notes Jusseaume.Beyond hot water, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver customers are looking at new kitchens, new and upgraded bathrooms, second-floor laundry rooms, and finishing basements, including the addition of basement bathrooms and wetbars. The plumbing pros specialize in installing sinks, tubs and showers of all types and leading brand names.

In addition, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can upgrade laundry rooms, install dishwashers, install and repair ice makers and a whole host of modern conveniences, like water faucets next to cook-tops for the pasta chef in anyone.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver was Deer Creek Plumbing for 28 years before joining the national franchise organization Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in 2005. Family owned and operated, the company taps the national resources of the Number One residential plumbing franchise in the country, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver employs licensed plumbers and handles every home plumbing need, from small leaks and slow drains, to main sewer and water lines, sump pumps, water softeners, gas lines and more.To schedule a guaranteed appointment and for complete information on all of the remodeling and plumbing services from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver - The Punctual Plumber - call toll free 866-PUNCTUAL, local at 303-340-3400 and visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com.

Governor’s Energy Office “Recharge Colorado” energy rebate program is immediately oversubscribed on “tankless water heaters,” proving the popularity and efficiency of this endless supply of hot water, says Ben Franklin Plumbing of DenverDENVER, CO - Colorado consumers eager to cash in on energy-efficient rebates from the Governor’s Energy Office clogged phone lines and the internet on the program’s first day April 19, and those lucky enough to register locked up the entire rebate allocation for tankless hot water heaters in a matter of hours.The oversubscription on $300 tankless hot water heater rebates put the public spotlight on one of the most energy-efficient and energy-saving home appliances on the market, says Steve Jusseaume, owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, but he notes that significant incentives to upgrade to tankless technology are still in place.”The federal government is offering up to $1,500 in tax credits - credits, not deductions - for the purchase and installation of a tankless hot water heating system through the end of 2010, and most ultility companies have rebates too,” Jusseaume notes. “But the real advantage in tankless hot water heaters is endless hot water for every need in your home at a fraction of the energy cost of a traditional hot water heater.”Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, through its affiliation with the Number One plumbing residential franchise operation in America, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, is an exclusive distributor of GoHOT tankless hot water heaters.

Jusseaume explains that the GoHOT appliances heat water on demand, supplying an endless supply of fresh hot water to every appliance and fixture in the home even if they are all in operation at once.In addition to endless hot water, tankless hot water heating systems are compact in design and can be mounted to a wall inside or outside of the home. Also, GoHOT tankless hot water heaters are rated at an energy efficiency of 83% to over 90%, compared to just 60% from traditional tank hot water heaters, which adds up to significant savings on utility bills. Indeed, Xcel Energy, the main utility provider for the Denver Metro area, offers a $100 energy bill rebate to any Colorado customer installing a tankless hot water heater in recognition of its energy-saving attributes.”Certainly the tax credits and the energy-efficiency rebates have raised awareness for tankless hot water heaters, but to be honest we’re installing more and more of our GoHOT systems all the time because people truly want to greatly improve the delivery of hot water in their home and save energy,” says Ben Franklin’s Jusseaume.The Governor’s Energy Office Recharge Colorado program has $18 million available for consumer rebates on certain home appliances and home improvements, and there are funds allocated to different categories that will be distributed until the money is claimed. Under the program, for instance, the GEO set aside enough money for a $75 rebate on a qualifying clothes washer, with a limit of 4,000 units in that category, and up to $100 for a refrigerator, with 6,000 rebates allocated.

The state set a limit of 500, $300 rebates for tankless hot water heaters. For more information on the program, to claim a rebate or to be placed on a waiting list for oversubscribed categories with unfulfilled reservations, visit the Recharge Colorado website at http://rechargecolorado.com.For information on the federal government tax credits for energy-efficient appliances and home improvements visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for full details. For energy bill rebates offered by Xcel Energy in Colorado visit  http://www.xcelenergy.com/COLORADO/RESIDENTIAL/PROGRAMS_RESOURCES/HEATINGANDCOOLINGREBATES/Pages/WaterHeaterRebates.aspx.Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver personnel also have full details on all these tax credit and rebates and can assist customers in making claims and filing the necessary paperwork.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver has been family owned since its founding in the Denver Metro area in 1978, first as Deer Creek Plumbing and, since 2005, under the Ben Franklin banner. The firm offers complete residential plumbing services, including leak repairs, remodeling upgrades, home inspections, sewer service and many more core capabilities, with licensed plumbers. For more information and to schedule a guaranteed appointment call 1-866-PUNCTUAL (866-786-2882), 303-340-3400 or visit http://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/.

A program of the EPA’s WaterSense partnership, Fix a Leak Week is a great time to make sure a home’s plumbing system is operating properly, says owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing. Leaks account for an average of 10,000 gallons of water wasted per year in the home.

DENVER, Colo. - It’s national Fix a Leak Week March 15-21, 2010, and the master plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver advise that a few simple checks and fixes could save homeowners thousands of gallons of water each year, lower water bills and improve the operation of their home plumbing systems.

“Fix a Leak Week was establish by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its WaterSense partnership, and it’s a great awareness program for people to check around the house to see if their plumbing is operating properly,” says Steve Jusseaume, a master plumber and owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver. “An enormous amount of water is wasted through leaks in the home that people aren’t aware of, and we hope this program gets people to save water and money.”

According to the EPA’s WaterSense program:

• Leaks can account for, on average, 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.
• The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons of water every year. That’s equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami - combined.
• 10% of American homes have leaks in faucets, toilets, showerheads or sprinkler systems that waste over 90 gallons of water a day.
• Just one leaky faucet can waste more than 3,100 gallons of water every year.

Taking a cue from WaterSense, Jusseaume notes that checking for leaks around the home is easy. The first step is to listen, as many leaks are audible. Then inspect each and every faucet in the home and outside for signs of dripping - spots of water in the basin or on the splash outside. For toilets, Jusseaume says to put a little food coloring in the tank; if color seeps into the bowl, the toilet is leaking.

Many of these types of leaks can be fixed easily, most by replacing a washer or gasket in the fixture’s spout, says Jusseaume. A faucet leaking at one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year, he adds.

Toilets that run all the time could be wasting as much as 200 gallons of water a day, the Ben Franklin Plumber says. The most common problem is a broken or worn flapper in the tank, and it’s a quick job to replace it.

Of course, Jesseaume notes that sometimes leaks are undetectable by a non-professional. But a homeowner can narrow down a problem by following some simple steps from Denver Water.  The water agency says to first locate the water meter for the house, and then the water shut-off valve for your home; it can be inside or out and is commonly located where the main water line enters the foundation. Then turn off all faucets, outlets and water-using appliances in the home. Note the gallon calculating sweep hand on the meter (it looks very much like the second hand on a watch). Wait about 30 minutes, then check the meter again: if it has moved, you have a leak somewhere. Then, close the main shut-off valve; if the indicator on the meter stops, you have a leak inside the home. If the indicator is still moving, the leak is underground between the water meter and the shut-off valve.

“Many homeowners can handle simple leaks and repairs with a few dollars worth of washers and gaskets from the hardware store,” says Jusseaume. “But if the leak is underground or more severe, or if the toilet won’t stop running, it’s time to call in a professional plumber and get the problem solved. It’ll save the homeowner money in the long run, prevent any further water damage, and of course it will help conserve a precious resource, water.”

Jusseaume adds that if it’s time to replace fixtures like faucets and toilets, the WaterSense program and plumbers alike recommend fixtures carrying the WaterSense label as they are approved for today’s water-conscious requirements and will save homeowners money on water bills.

As an extra incentive on new fixtures, Denver Water offers many rebates to residential customers who buy and install qualifying high-efficiency toilets, washing machines, rains sensors, water heaters and other water-efficient fixtures. In addition, some of these appliances may qualify for rebates through the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, and for federal tax credits through the U.S. government’s Energy Star program.

WaterSense, launched in 2006, is an EPA-sponsored partnership of local water utilities and governments, product manufacturers, retailers, consumers and other stakeholders dedicated to promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices.

Family owned and operated for over 30 years, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver provides the full array of plumbing services throughout the Metro Denver area. For more information or to schedule a guaranteed appointment, visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com  or call 303-340-3400.

Homeowners can enjoy up to a $1,500 tax credit on their 2010 federal taxes plus significant rebates from Xcel Energy and the State of Colorado by upgrading to a qualifying tankless water heater this year

DENVER, Colo. - Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber of Denver is a registered contractor for water heaters that not only cut heating bills, but for a limited time offer significant federal tax credits as well as energy-saving rebates from the State of Colorado and Xcel Energy.

The largest cost savings, tax credits and rebates are available through the installation of a tankless water heater, and Ben Franklin Plumbing owner Steve Jusseaume recommends those manufactured by Rinnai, which qualify for all savings programs and supply an endless source of hot water at a fraction of the cost of traditional tank water heaters.

The Rinnai tankless system is able to service three water outlets simultaneously while maintaining a constant hot water temperature.  Rinnai tankless water heaters supply hot water at the rate of up to 9.8 gallons per minute, while offering 30% more efficiency than a natural-gas fueled tank water heater and 50% more efficiency than an electric water heater. The units are compact and wall-mounted, with many models no bigger than 23 inches tall, no wider than 18.5 inches, and no deeper than 9.8 inches.

The United State federal government has established an energy efficiency program for homeowners which offers up to $1,500 in tax credit on the purchase and installation cost of qualifying water heaters, including the Rinnai models available at Ben Franklin Plumbing. This is a tax credit, not a deduction, which means it can reduce a tax bill up to the full $1,500. Homeowners must purchase and have installed the qualifying water heater by December 31, 2010 to claim the tax credit. Check http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for full details.

In addition, Xcel Energy, the largest public energy utility in the state, is offering a rebate of $100 on qualifying tankless water heaters, and from $40 to $80 on qualifying standard natural gas fueled water heaters, purchased and installed through the end of this year.

The State of Colorado, through the Governor’s Energy Office, is in the process of implementing a mail-in rebate program for residents who replace older, inefficient appliances, including water heaters, with ENERGY Star qualified appliances. No details have been announced, however officials said that the program is slated to begin in March 2010 with total funding of $4,739,000; once the money is gone, the program is over.

Each of these programs have their own set of rules and levels of energy efficiency that meet their criteria for tax credit or rebate. Ben Franklin Plumbing’s Jusseaume says his company is well versed in the qualifications and can provide homeowners with all of the necessary documents and forms for customers to claim their benefits.

“Between the tax credit and the rebates, not to mention just the cost savings from using newer, more energy efficient water heaters, homeowners can virtually recoup the entire cost of a new Rinnai tankless water heating system in a relatively short period of time,” says Jusseaume. “Plus, the level of comfort and convenience offered by these tankless water heater solutions add even more value to the decision to go tankless.”

Tankless water heaters installed by Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver save on precious fuel costs because they don’t continuously heat water all day long when it’s not being used, like traditional water heaters which heat the water in them while you’re at work and even while you’re sleeping. Using the Rinnai tankless water heater, you only pay to heat water when you need it, and for as long as you want it.

Another benefit of a Rinnai tankless water heater is that it shuts off automatically when the water supply is closed, and they have a life expectancy of 20 years versus the 10 years a traditional water heater is expected to perform.

Conserving energy and water are among the many services Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver performs in households in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield Castle Rock, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Commerce City, Denver, Englewood, Glendale, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Morrison, Northglenn, Parker, Sedalia, Thornton, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.

“Being informed is always optimum,” says Steve Jusseaume. “Being proactive is even better.”

Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber serves the Greater Denver area, providing every plumbing need, from the smallest leak and repair, to emergencies, remodels, upgrades and new plumbing solutions. Founded more than 30 years ago as Deer Creek Plumbing Inc., the family owned plumbing business in the 2005 joined the #1 residential plumbing service company in North America, becoming a Benjamin Franklin franchisee.

“What sets us apart from the competition is our ‘one of a kind’ warranties and guarantees,” says Jusseaume. “Like our Punctual Promise: ‘If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay,’ which means that if we are late for your appointment we pay you $5 per minute up to $300. Plus we have a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.”

For more information on tankless water heaters, as well as the federal tax credit and rebate programs, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver at 303-340-3400 or visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com.

Denver, Colo. - Too often the only time homeowners pay attention to their home water heater is during a pre-sale inspection or later when the hot water stops. But the good news is that you can triple the lifetime of your home water heater with regular maintenance by Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver.

Considering that most water heaters last an average of 7 to 12 years, the ability to extend that run to 35 years is a big money saver, says Steve Jusseaume, master plumber and owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver (www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com). Besides saving money on replacement, there’s also a savings in energy costs when a well-kept water heater is running efficiently.

Home water heaters fail for a number of reasons - the major one being age, says Keith Sears, master plumber with Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver. Draining and flushing out the water heater plus changing the anode rod should be done annually to keep a water heater running optimally. Only $229 to drain and flush the water heater is a small price to pay compared to the cost of installing a new water heater.

The anode rod is designed to protect against corrosion inside the water heater tank by attracting the corrosion to itself rather than allowing the corrosion to adhere to the glass-lined steel tank. It’s sometimes called a sacrificial anode, because it dissolves slowly, sacrificing itself to protect the metal tank. As the anode rod is depleted over time, the water heater starts to produce rust-color water - one symptom that your water heater is in trouble.

It’s time to call Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver, the On-Time plumber with the promise to show up at the scheduled appointment time or the plumber pays the customer for the delay.

Other symptoms that sediment is building up inside your water heater include:

• Heating element burns out
• Energy use can increase
• Unit overheats
• Aggravating noise begins
• Annoying vibration begins
• Bacteria begins to grow
• Unit emits an unpleasant odor.

All of these issues can be prevented with annual flushing and changing out the anode rod, extending the life of your water heater up to 35 remarkable years.

“It’s like a car. If you never change the brakes, sooner or later you’re changing the rotors,” says Sears. “And just like regular oil changes and scheduled tune-ups can keep your car running for years longer than average, annual maintenance of your home water heater will do the same.”

Visit Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver at www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com. Or call 303-340-3400 to schedule a guaranteed appointment throughout Metro Denver.

Reduced home values and the appeal of an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers are helping existing home sales to limp along mid-2009 4.885 million units short of original projections for the year. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released the telling numbers earlier this month (July).
That puts the pressure on sellers to ensure that their property listed for sale is priced right and shows right. Without question, a home has to pass the requisite inspection with flying colors, or a potential buyer will likely walk, using the issues as an “out clause.” If the inspection reveals issues that are anything but cosmetic, the lender is likely to decline financing, effectively making the buyers’ decision for them. Worse yet for the seller who may not have realized he/she had issues with their home, having received documentation of problem areas puts the owner on notice to declare them to potential buyers or fix them.
At the heart of inspection is the plumbing, says Steve Jusseaume, Master plumber and owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver. Jusseaume has held License #178235 since 1978.
In those 31 years, Jusseaume has fixed every kind of commercial and residential plumbing problem conceivable. That’s why he’s in demand for plumbing inspections these days, as buyers vet a good deal from bad.
Plumbing that drips, leaks and clogs are sometimes apparent in a casual walk-though. For the most part, complex plumbing issues can be difficult to detect. That’s where Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver comes in with its expertise. When Jusseaume inspects a home, he looks a lot deeper than surface plumbing issues including detailed inspection and diagnosis of:
• All types of water heaters, water softeners, boilers
• Kitchen and laundry fixtures and appliances
• Bathroom fixtures
• Drainage and sump pumps
• Sewer lines and wastewater lines plus water lines.

As expected, older homes can have problems with plumbing that have either gone undetected or unrepaired for years.

When my parents finally acquiesced, agreeing to sell the residence they’d called “home” for nearly 40 years, plumbing repairs became a priority. They’d built this home, or rather, hired a contractor to build it for them, at a time they had more potential than cash. That’s not to say it wasn’t a swell house. Any six-bedroom, two-story home with St. Charles kitchen cabinetry inside and a 40-ft. swimming pool outside was, er is, substantial by most forms of accounting. In the early years, they were bent on improving the place they raised their four daughters. But particularly in the later years some of the repairs they once would have prioritized as necessary had fallen by the wayside.

The dishwasher was a perfect example.
In the decades in between high school graduation and the eve of my parents putting their home on the market, I had filled and started the dishwasher dozens of times after family holiday dinners. It was kind of expected that us girls, grown with our own families, would help tidy up the kitchen after mom and dad too pulled out all the stops making a holiday dinner. As much as she’d fuss, “You don’t have to do that,” we’d rally to the cleanup. The last button we’d push would be the “On” button for the dishwasher and then my sisters who’d flown in for the holiday would retire upstairs for the night and I’d drive back to my home nearby.
In the weeks before mom and dad listed the house, mom went appliance shopping. She identified the new dishwasher, stovetop, double ovens and refrigerator she suddenly “needed.” When I asked her what the heck she was doing committing to $10,000 in stainless steel appliances, for a kitchen that worked perfectly well, she told me that she had to leave the dishwasher door open during the dry cycle or steam would build up and warp the wood facing on the countertop.
“How long has that been going on?” I asked.
“Nine years.” She responded as if it was recently discovered…and maybe it was given the way time accelerates as age advances.
Wise sellers address these issues is before they list their home. That’s where Jusseaume and Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver help sellers keep their edge in a competitive market. Interested buyers will run the tap or flush the loo when first touring a home. Serious buyers will test the sprinkler system. But it’s the inspector for the buyer who will actually put all appliances and systems through their paces, identifying cracks, missing bolts, switching problems, seal issues, etc.
Sometimes a home will pass an inspection with flying colors. It’s pretty obvious in that case that the owner took pride in his/her home and truly cared for it. Buyers appreciate getting into a home that’s been pre-loved, not just pre-owned. But even owners who have a deep affection for their home may overlook issues or put off repairs.
Realtors across the board will tell you that homes that are newly listed and are also priced right and in good showing condition sell faster than homes that are priced too high or need repairs. If you want to shorten the days your property is listed on the market, now is a good time to schedule an inspection and repairs.
If you’re making an offer on a property, call Ben Franklin Plumbing in Denver and schedule your whole house plumbing inspection. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing we pride ourselves on our simple and straightforward pricing met by our 24-7 availability and sealed with our punctuality guarantee, “if there’s any delay, it’s you we pay.” We are always true to our word and our work including a 2-year guarantee on all services.
Visit us at www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com. Or call Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver at 303-340-3400.

There was a conversation going on the other day about all of the $1 million-+ houses all over Denver that are sitting idle and not selling. A mortgage closer chimed in that the there are many people buying new homes in the Denver area, and refinancing existing homes, both through mortgage instruments, of course, but that it seemed like what was selling was $750,000 and down. “We’re not seeing much activity in the million-plus stuff, the closer said.The reason, many speculate, is not that people who could afford the more expensive homes aren’t buying; rather that people are showing a decided preference for smaller homes - a movement that has sprung up just in the last year and half or so. And it’s not a go-cheap movement; these buyers, it is said, are going for smaller, more energy efficient and more comfortable homes  “We’re moving from a ‘quantity of life’ to a “quality of life” point of view,” noted one observer.A major part of this movement, according to many observers, is a nearly universal desire to lower one’s carbon footprint. Use less energy, use less water, recycle more; be a part of a “new energy” awareness - while at the same time enjoying a high quality of life.The plumbers at Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver have many services, of course, that fit into this movement nicely, including new, more energy efficient plumbing fixtures, inspections of sprinkler systems to insure optimum efficiency, checks on toilets and all fixtures to make sure there are no leaks or wastes - even minor leaks in a toilet, for instance, can waste thousands of gallons of water and cost a homeowner as much as double on a water bill.But the single best thing a home owner can do right away to lower their carbon footprint, save water, save money, and improve their quality of life is to install a tankless water heater.Ben Franklin recommends the GoHot brand of tankless water heaters, and the pros at Ben Franklin are experts in the installation and use of these modern energy saving devices.There are many advantages to going tankless, not the least of which is that a tankless system just takes up less space - the unites are just 23 inches tall, a mere 9.8 inches deep, and up to 18.5 inches wide. So first, you can get that large, round water heater tank off the basement floor and have extra room.But , of course, what you want to save is energy - a Rinnai tankless water heating system is 30% more efficient than a standard natural gas water heater, and a whopping 50% more efficient than a traditional tank run on electricity. And not only that, a tankless system heats water as it is needed, so it only uses energy when called for, plus it provides an endless supply of hot water. The “tank” never empties.Oh, yes, and one more thing: the typical hot water tank system normally comes with a 10 to 12 year life expectancy, but the GoHot Tankless Water Heater system carries a 20-year life expectancy, offering years and years of trouble-free operation.When you look to lower you carbon footprint and yet do it in a way that increases your quality of life, look no further than a GoHot Tankless Water Heater system from Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver. More hot water. Less space. Much more energy efficiency. You’ll be telling your old hot water heater: “Tanks for the memories.”

DENVER, CO-Joe the Plumber may have taken center stage in the national political debates between Barack Obama and John McCain for the last two weeks, but he has nothing on Steve Jusseaume (www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com).

Owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing in South Denver, Steve Jusseaume isn’t taking up bandwidth complaining that he can’t afford to be in business. Neither is he without a license, as investigative journalists uncovered is the case with Joe. Jusseaume has held License #178235 for 30 years, since he first started business in Colorado in 1978.
Joe the Plumber, whose real name is Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, achieved new heights of notoriety when his name was mentioned in the third presidential debate of the 2008 U.S. presidential election. GOP candidate John McCain cited Joe as being representative of the kind of American who would be hurt by the tax plans Democratic candidate Barack Obama espouses in his platform.

In the days following the third and final presidential debate held Oct. 15, 2008, U.S. News reported that Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, the referenced plumber who resides in Holland, Ohio, stated that he doesn’t have a license and doesn’t need one. Joe went on to say that because he works for someone else, he doesn’t need a license.

Turns out he does.

Lucas County, Ohio, outside of Toledo, requires plumbers to have licenses. But neither Joe nor his employer Al Newell, owner of Newell Plumbing and Heating, has a license, according to the Lucas County Building Regulations Department.

Joe the Plumber went viral-his situation popularized enough to make him an entry in Wikipedia. Joe went public too in an interview with U.S. News with the confession that he doesn’t have a good plan together to purchase the plumbing business from his employer anyway. Even though he and Newell have talked it over, Joe admitted he has “a lot to learn.”

Maybe about licensing?

Fully trained and licensed, Steve Jusseaume takes pride in delivering the answers and repairs to any kind of issue imaginable.  From main line breaks and backed up sewer lines, to water heater replacements or tankless water heater installations, he’s fixed every kind of trouble, hundreds of times over in his career.
Because he’s licensed, Master Plumber Jusseaume is legally authorized to work in the City and County of Denver, which has the same requirements of Lucas County, Ohio and then some.

Contact Steve Jusseaume, Colorado’s plumber, at 303-340-3400 or email him through the website at www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com.