Ben Franklin Denver Plumbing has always had the advantage of having a Master Plumber at the helm with owner Steve Jusseaume being licensed and certified as a Master Plumber. “Our master plumbers are highly trained and proficient as well as being expert in customer service,” says Jusseaume of his crew.Jusseaume has always insisted that the plumbers he hires are masters at their craft, even though the State of Colorado didn’t confirm to the International Plumbing Code until just four years ago. “It’s always made a difference in the service and solutions we provide,” says Jusseaume.

The fact that Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver has master plumbers on the team is also underscored by the warranties extended by manufacturers of plumbing equipment like water heaters and furnaces. If such equipment isn’t installed by an expert, it can invalidate the warranty should something go wrong.

For example, if a non-licensed handyman or homeowner-anyone BUT a licensed contractor or plumbing contractor-were to install a tankless water heater and it failed soon afterwards, the warranty can be voided as some warrantees require that the installation be performed by a licensed plumber or contractor.

Whether the failure was due to not installing the recommended carbon filter or because it was attached wrong to the potable water system, or used the wrong voltage or the gas or water lines weren’t the right size or configuration, the warranty is compromised. If plumbing work is done by a non certified, non licensed plumber or contractor and it results in a $30,000 flood, chances are that the insurance claim can be denied too.

“It’s important to read and understand the installation instructions and requirements as much as it is to know and understand your insurance coverages or your HOA declarations,” cautions Jusseaume. “Err on the safe side and always engage a licensed, professional, certified master plumber for your plumbing needs. That way you don’t risk a financial loss.”

Call Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver today at 303-340-3400.

The first home ever inhabited, even the first adobe hut, most certainly featured a fireplace was the central fixture. Used for heating and cooking, the fireplace was a necessity. As civilization has evolved, fireplaces remain the centerpiece of the home—more for esthetic reasons vs. heating demands.  Modern fireplaces, however, are more likely to be gas than wood burning. And in some locales, codes ban construction of wood-burning stoves altogether.

In Denver, Colorado, homeowners turn to Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver to install the gas line to service the gas fireplace—whether it’s new construction or a home remodel.

Fireplaces aren’t just for Tudor houses and mountain cottages anymore. Many homes built today feature a fireplace as a room divider, as a focal point of the master bathroom suite, or as the centerpiece to an outdoor patio conversation area.

Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver, owned by Steve Jusseaume, owner and master plumber, has installed gas fireplace lines on every level of home from the basement to the top story in single family homes or multi-unit buildings. His expert installation—he’s licensed, bonded and insured—is especially important as the fireplaces being installed today are nothing like your grandmother’s gas fireplace.

The linear fireplace:
This is as mod as it gets. It is a skinny, straight-line fireplace. Luxe magazine featured a pared-down open linear fireplace that was so fabulously understated, it almost looked like a row of candlelight. This is a chic way to offer a dramatic ambiance in a subtle way.  These can be wall-mounted or retrofitted into an existing space for a wood-burning fireplace. It must be well ventilated, but it does not require a chimney and can be vented directly through a wall or roof, which is more heat efficient than many other styles.

The fire pit:
Fire pits are cropping up faster than Starbucks stores in 2006. This fireplace is still gas, but it takes us back to the time when we huddled ‘round the fire to keep warm. It is a particularly homey feel. The flame is free standing and really creates a center for family and guests to gather. Fire pits can convey many different styles, integrating elements from lava rocks to ceramic logs.  They are also a great addition to patios and backyards.

One thing fireplaces have in common is the need to be connected to your home’s natural gas lines. Gas fireplaces are perfectly safe as long as they are installed correctly and monitored. An installation of this caliber requires a certified professional like Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver. Call today for an estimate and be ready to enjoy the cold months ahead.

Laundry/Utility Room

Washing Machine-Inspect washing machine hoses regularly for wetness around hose ends and signs of bulging, cracking or fraying.  Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program.

Water Heater-Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem.  Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home and always located next to a floor drain.  If installed above or adjacent to finished spaces, the water heater should be placed in a drain pan with the drain pan piped to the floor drain.

Tips in the Bathroom

Update your toilet-Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models.  Hire a licensed plumber to install fixtures.

Showers, Tubs, and Toilets-Discoloration of soft areas around floors and walls nearby may be your first indication there is a leak somewhere, check caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub, looking for cracks or mold.  If either is found, clean and remove loose material and apply new sealant.

Sinks-Check under the sink for signs of leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes.