Click on the link above to view our latest newsletter- the Summer 2010 Edition.  Check out a fun summer recipe to help make your barbeques a hit, and don’t forget to look for us on Facebook and Twitter!

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The plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver point out that outdated toilets, particularly in older homes where the fixtures haven’t been updated in years, can consume up to 19 gallons of water per day per person in normal use,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/.

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.

Keith then realized that there might be a carbon monoxide leak in the house.  After getting test equipment from his truck, Keith found toxic levels of carbon monoxide.  This example occurs far too often in our community.

As professionals we are responsible to bring this message to our community.  Every winter we hear about fatalities.  But low to moderate levels of carbon monoxide occur EVERY DAY!  In the warm weather your attic fan can cause carbon monoxide to be drawn throughout  the house. Combustion air vents must be in place and not blocked off.

If you think there is a possibility that this is happening in your home please call a professional.

To read more about carbon monoxide poisoning, please visit http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/article1-co-levels.html

From all of us at Ben Franklin Plumbing, we wish you a safe 2010!

When my daughter emailed me to say she needed a plumber at the home she and her fiancé bought in February, I didn’t hesitate: Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver. I replied, gave her the website and telephone number and told her that Ben Franklin would be who I would call. I heard from her in a couple of days and the leak they had been experiencing was all taken care of. She was pleased.

About a week later I opened my mail to find a thank you note from Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver’s Megan Jusseaume. It was a very nice, handwritten noted thanking me for the referral and it included a certificate for a free pizza. I knew Ben Franklin was a good plumber, but this is just a great, and unexpected, example of the best customer service I can think of.

I’m sold. Plus I liked the pizza. Thanks Megan. When I need a plumber, I’ll call Ben Franklin.

Thanks,

Jeff-Denver, CO

In March 2006, I had a sewer backup because the drainpipe in the basement had collapsed. I called Ben Franklin and the two plumbers Jose and Dave spent three days tearing up the concrete basement floor to replace the pipe. After the pipe was replaced I felt that everything was ok. This is a rental house so I did not know that there was a problem until my tenant told me last month (March 2010) that there was water backing up through the basement drain. She said that the problem had been there since the pipe was replaced but did not mention the problem since is only happened when she ran the washing machine. I called Ben Franklin and explained the problem; Jake came to the house and used a video camera to inspect the sewer lines. I was pleasantly surprised when Jake told me that they would snake the pipe and there would not be any charge. Also Jake was not happy with the installation of the basement drain and that a smaller drain should have been installed. Jake said they would also replace the basement drain at no charge. In today’s world it is often hard to find a plumber that stands behind their work. Since the repairs were made four years ago I expected that Ben Franklin would deny that it was their problem. This was not the case; Jake looked at the problem and stood behind the commitment Ben Franklin makes for customer satisfaction. If you want a plumber that will do a good job, stand behind their work and correct any problems without a hassle then call Ben Franklin Plumbers.

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/.