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.

Tankless water heaters are all about efficiencies and can save you plenty in energy costs.”I refer to the tankless water heater as the Champagne and Bubble Bath Night,” says Keith Sears, master plumber for Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver. “The hot water is endless using a tankless water heater.”Plus, through the end of 2010 tankless water heaters purchased from and installed by Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver qualify for up to a $1,500 federal tax credit, as much as $100 in rebates from Xcel Energy and also an as-yet defined rebate from the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office. Ben Franklin Plumbing has all the details and can provide customers with all the necessary paperwork to apply for these benefits.

Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver recommends the Rinnai tankless system for these reasons:

• It’s able to service three water outlets simultaneously while maintaining a constant hot water temperature
• It supplies hot water at the rate of up to 9.8 gallons PER MINUTE.
• It’s 30% more efficient than a natural-gas fueled water heater
• It’s 50% more efficient than an electric water heater
• The life expectancy of the Rinnai is 40 years.

The units are compact and wall-mounted. The many models are no bigger than 23 inches tall, no wider than 18.5 inches, and no deeper than 9.8 inches.

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.

Ever think about what the inside of your water heater looks like inside?

• Depleted anode rod
• Internal rusting & dird
• Sediment build-up, gunk and muck
• External leakage
• Mineral deposits

 

As sediment build-up increases over time, the following problems begin:

• 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

 

If you take care of your water heater with annual maintenance by Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver, you can get 30 - 35 years out of it. A Drain and Flush service call is only $229, far less expensive than replacing the water heater. And it can save on energy costs too.

 

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

Happy Holidays! Just a friendly holiday hello- to let you know that the Jusseaume Family and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be sure to read through our Winter 2009/2010 Newsletter to find out how we’re lending a Helping Hand for Christmas for TWO lucky winners. In light of the economic times, we are trying to cut our costs by reaching out to all of you via email. We hope that you’ll understand and believe us when we say that our intentions with your email address are for nothing more than a quarterly Newsletter, specials and coupons we’re offering, or a friendly reminder about your Ben Franklin Society Membership and all the benefits included (like your complimentary whole house plumbing inspection, discounted rates, and priority status). We don’t want to bother you or end up in your spam folder, so we would appreciate it if you would fill out the brief survey below. We appreciate your business and look forward to hearing from you!	Quick Links Request An Estimate » Our Service Area » Email Us » Our Team » Our Honor Pledge » Download our E-newsletter
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DENVER – Cold weather is nothing new for the Denver area, of course, but the plumbing pros at Denver’s Benjamin Franklin – The Punctual Plumber know all too well that each time the mercury plunges many homeowners face a new, and potentially devastating problem: frozen pipes.

And the real surprise is that while severely low temperatures often cause water pipes to freeze, the troubles begin when the thaw comes: those frozen pipes begin to burst when temperatures rise.

Temperatures in the Denver Metro area began to hit the single digits on Wednesday night, Dec. 2, then the official low overnight into Thursday hit 1 degree, and plunged to 2 degrees in the wee hours of Friday. But the forecast calls for a warming trend on Friday – a high of 33 degrees is predicted by the U.S. Weather Service – and continuing into Saturday, which means the problems should show up over the next 24 hours.

And watch out – temperatures should plunge again beginning Sunday, reaching a low of 7 degrees early Tuesday, with another warming trend beginning next Wednesday and into the weekend of the 11th-13th. That could spell Round Two in the burst pipes saga.

While severely low temperatures at any time bring a rash of burst pipes, Ben Franklin plumbers point out that the most problems are usually found in the first few cold snaps of the season. Many people, they say, put off winterizing chores until after the first really cold weather moves through the area, so even pipes that were fine a year ago might be subjected to different conditions. A basement window may have been left open or was broken during the summer months, which changed the environment around critical pipes. Or, the experts warn, a heat duct might be closed off or clogged.

Also, don’t be complacent: pipes that weather a temperature dip to 0 degrees this time might well be subjected to disaster if another cold snap sends the mercury plunging just a few degrees more. Keep in mind that the record low temperature in Denver in the month of December is -25 degrees – and that happened on the 22nd of December in 1990. The record low for January is -29 degrees, and -25 degrees for February.

Of course, if pipes freeze and burst, the best thing to do is to call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver before the water damage gets too severe. As experts in all aspects of plumbing, and especially frozen pipes, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has plumbers on the ready who understand that a punctual response in such an emergency is key to limiting damage.

But there are some precautions homeowners can take:

• Know where you main water shut-off valve is in case of emergency.
• Check around your pipes, especially those in the basement, basement crawl space, and any that may be in outside walls (like behind a washing machine) to make sure there is an adequate heat source or insulation to withstand bitter cold.
• Make sure windows, especially basement windows, are not broken or inadequate for freezing temperatures.  Insulate if necessary.
• Keep the cabinet and vanity doors open that lead to under the kitchen sink and bathroom sink, so the warmth of the room will keep the pipes from freezing.
• On really cold nights, let the water run at a trickle in suspect fixtures; running water takes a lot longer to freeze.

One of the other key problems in frozen water pipes is something you might not notice before the Spring: frozen sprinkler system pipes. Many people delay blowing out their sprinkler systems and during a severe cold spell they are particularly susceptible to freeze/thaw damage. And don’t forget the other outside faucets; leaving hoses connected can cause freezing, damage and could result in bursting pipes.

A good way to avoid all of these potential plumbing ills is to have the expert plumbers at Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver perform a Complete Plumbing Inspection of your entire plumbing system, including the sprinkler system and outdoor faucets. In addition to making sure all of the fixtures, plumbing-based appliances, drains, sewer connections, water pipes and mains are up to serving the needs of your household, they can also spot and easily correct potential problem areas that could arise from severe cold.

If you have a severe-weather emergency, call right away: 303-532-1352. For all other services call today for a Plumbing Inspection or an estimate on desired plumbing changes or upgrades.

When it’s cold outside, knowing your plumbing is safe let’s you keep warm and toasty.

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.

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.

The most intimate room in your home and the place where you can enjoy your amenities in peace is the bathroom. As schedules get busier, people want to luxuriate in privacy the few moments per day they are home. To that end, they are investing into remodeling for ultimate comfort. According to Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver (www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com), the top 5 trends in lavatory luxuries are:1. Vessel sinks are ultra-modern and come in varieties of stone, copper, glass porcelain and wood to match the feel of your bathroom. They can be set on the counter or recessed into the counter and cabinet below-depending on the desired look. The toughest part of switching to a vessel sink from a traditional recessed sink is changing the hardware from a standard-hardware setup. Traditional, recessed sinks generally consist of two handles. Vessel sinks usually have a single faucet complimenting the minimalist look. To add another dimension to your bathroom, you can tailor the height of the sink to your needs. If children will be washing hands, you may want to go with a recessed sink at a shorter height. If installing his-and-hers sinks, consider raising his sink to accommodate for a tidier shaving experience. Lower hers to cater to makeup application needs.

2. Jet shower panels provide the ultimate shower experience. You can customize jet panels to have varied water pressure and spray settings you may also choose to have and shower extensions built in. Most common jet panels have three to six spouts. Add rain-simulating showerheads to the ceiling for a new take on the old shower that will give you something to sing about.

3. Electronic faucets are a comfort item that should not be restricted to hotel and movie theater bathrooms. Bring the ease of automatic water into your home. Automatic faucets conserve water and you don’t so much as have to bother to turn off the sink while you brush your teeth. The standard is models operated by a long-lasting lithium or alkaline battery, an alternative is to hardwire the faucet. Sensor-activated toilet flushers are also available for the home.

4. Though it is also trendy to install a retro cast iron or acrylic claw foot bathtub, evolved bathtubs are rapidly gaining popularity because they are designed for maximum comfort. Walk-in tubs reduce the slip-and-fall factor for mobility-compromised seniors. Stepping over a tub edge can cause discomfort or loss of balance. Women appreciate a shower seat for shaving. Men and women enjoy relaxing in a steam shower while sitting, not standing.

5. Everyone has to have a toilet, but why settle for just any toilet? You might as well make it the best seat in the house. Options run the gamut of amenities you didn’t know you wanted. There is the heated toilet seat, the bidet and the toilet/bidet hybrid. It’s not only the temperature on the seat that you can control, but also the temperature of the water. If you want to go all out, add the blow dryer, the hydraulic slow-close lid and seat, self cleaning nozzles, memory settings so you do not have to reset the temperature with each use and even a remote control. The water needs to be heated through an internal tank and it also connects to electricity, in other words, seek a professional to install.

Now that you’ve put in the time to carefully select your jet panels with just the right hammered copper controls and everything you need to perfect your wash room, you need an experience plumber to install these improvements properly. Otherwise, the investment into these upgrades can backfire.

Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver has the training and experience to install the most complex plumbing configurations for all types of fixtures.

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.”