Solar Panel Rip-Offs

Beware for solar companies that don’t have the experience or good work ethic needed for the installation. According to this report, this local couple had solar panels installed in hopes to receive a tax credit and lower bills but now can’t get the credits they thought they had coming because of a weak installation job. This couple has spent a lot of time and money trying to fix problems on their power solar unit in order to get what they paid for in the beginning - lower bills!

This spot talks about solar contractors and their work, the report advises consumers to do their homework and hire a reputable company.  We are running into problem frequently, people are not getting quality companies to do their installation the first time, and calling us to help. The outcome of not researching the contractor(s) ahead of time will cause a lot of homeowners stress and a number of repairs to fix the poor installations. Choose the right solar panel contractor for your installation the first time - do your homework!

As always, for all of your plumbing, and solar panel, needs call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (866)867-5309 or Contact Us Online!

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Water Heater Explosion by Mythbusters

If you read our recent blog about the "Water Heater Explosion in Springfield, MO", you hopefully understand how serious of a matter it is when it comes to water heater explosions and getting the right professional help when working with them. People have been seriously injured and homes have been destroyed. Understanding that, it makes you kind of intrigued to see what really happens when the water heater explodes. Since most of the time, homeowners aren't aware that it is about to happen, not many people have caught it on tape. Luckily, the Mythbusters tv show has provided the world wide web and their Discovery viewing audience with an experiment they tried. PLEASE, do not try this at home or anywhere. This is extremely dangerous, as you will see.



As always, for all of your plumbing, and water heater, needs call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (866)867-5309 or Contact Us Online!

Water Heater Explosion in Springfield, MO

On the news this morning, it was reported that a home in Springfield, MO was demolished because of a water heater explosion. The homeowner had replaced his own water heater without the help from professionals. He and his family then left the home and went out to dinner. While gone, his house was blown up and demolished, also damaging 8 other homes in the surrounding area. Luckily, no one was hurt, but a lot of damage was caused by this incident. Being a prior insurance agent, I hope this homeowner's insurance will cover this claim and that he has enough to cover all his neighbors' damages. What a risk they took on by replacing their own water heater.

We see a few things that make the news yearly on do-it-yourself water heater installers, showing: the garage door was blown off, the house was damaged, someone was hospitalized, etc. All caused by wrong installation both by homeowners, shady licensed plumbers or a homeowner trying to repair a water heater. These are only the ones that make the news, the majority are damages we don’t even hear about, but they happen ALL the time. I hear from many people, how the water heater caught on fire, burned someone, etc. A local story made the news last year ('08) when a homeowner worked on his own water heater, in Paradise Valley and it blew through his roof at night and landed over 150 yards away, rocking the house's foundation 4" and damaging many surrounding neighborhood homes.

Consumers NEED to be educated : Water heaters can be harmful when working on them, and understand the risk taken on when not using a licensed plumber and without current insurance to protect their neighbors, their own family.

Below is a clip by the news station in Springfield, MO reporting on the water heater disaster. For all of your plumbing, and water heater, needs call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (866) 867-5309 or Contact Us Online!

Sun City's 50th Golden Anniversary and Golf Scramble

Sun City is having their 50th Golden Anniversary and Golf Scramble. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is sponsoring a golf hole at the kick off event, Thursday, Dec. 10th. Come on by and say "Hi!". We are giving away FREE club memberships to all golf participants.

Event Details

• Sun City Country Club
• Start time 12:30
  
• $60/golfer OR $200/group of four
• www.suncity50thanniversary.org

For all of your plumbing needs call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (866) 867-5309 or Contact Us Online!

Home & Garden Expo - Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has an ongoing booth, #112, at the Peoria Home and Garden Expo Center that has a display featuring:

1. A Tankless Water Heater
2. An On-Demand Recirculating System for instant hot water
3. A Solar Water heater
4. Special Feature: Knowledgeable techs to answer any of your questions about plumbing, energy efficiency and incentives!

Admission and parking are FREE! Lots of vendors for all of your home project needs. Ladies - The market place at the Home and Garden Expo is having a woman’s consignment dress sale, this weekend only! - 11/21-22

At the Peoria Home and Garden Expo Center location - in the west valley, off the loop 101 and Thunderbird Rd. - Visit www.homeandgardenexpocenter.com more details!

PEORIA!
8606 W Ludlow
(Just West of the 101 & Thunderbird Rd.-behind Dillion's Restaurant)
Peoria, AZ 85381
623-487-3343
Monday-Saturday 9 am to 6 pm
Sun 11 am to 5 pm

Exclusive Expo Offer : $50 off any disposer / $200 off of any Tankless, Solar, or Standard water heaters. Order must be placed by 12/19/09. Peoria Expo Center booth #112 - **Must bring this print out to receive offer.

For all of your plumbing needs call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (866) 867-5309 or Contact Us Online!

Turkey Day Plumbing Clogs

During this time of year with all the planning and having guests visit, it can be very stressful. The goal is for everyone to have the best holiday they can.

One way for this, is to be sure everyone has their disposals and toilets working properly before they have family and friends come visit. Both of these areas of the home can be abused and used a lot more than normal days. 

We are here to help people prepare for a stress free holiday with no turkey clogs in their garbage disposal. Guests will be embarrassed if they get stuck in a bathroom with a toilet clog. Be sure the toilet is flushing properly and is in very good condition BEFORE guests arrive, to better the chances of everyone having a happy day.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is located valley-wide, open 24/7, even during the holidays. Just in case anyone needs us to make their holiday go a little bit smoother. Everyone at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing wishes you and your family a happy holiday, ENJOY!

Helpful Thanksgiving / Holiday Tips

1. Don't put potato or carrot skins down the disposal, use the trash
   instead.
   
   
2. Don't put turkey bones or skin down the disposal, use the trash
   instead.
   
   
3. Don't put grease down any drains, instead collect it in a dish and dump it in the trash.
   
   
4. Run the disposal in between small amounts of food dumped down the drain to be sure it clears before more is collected. 
   
   
5. If the disposal turns off, it may be over heated. Let it rest and then press the button under the disposal to see if that will start it running again.
   
   
6. Be sure your disposal is in good working condition BEFORE the holiday. Especially if you plan to use it a lot.  (Pre-Thanksgiving Disposal/Toilet Service - Special Offer)
   
   
7. You can sharpen the blades of your disposal by putting a cup of ice in it and chop it up all at once, if your disposal is in good condition.
   
   
8. How to un-clog your sink - If the sink gets clogged, don't put more products down the drain, even drain cleaners, most of them, will not clear food clogs, but can make the clog harder to clear or burn someone. Instead, use a clean plunger and make a strong suction, fill the sink with warm water, pump the plunger with small pump's without breaking the seal at the disposal, then when the pressure has been built up in the drain, pull the plunger off the disposal seam, this should create a vacuum to push the clog through with the water in the sink.
   
   
9. Before the holidays and guests come to visit, be sure the toilet is flushing properly and in good, working condition.
   
   
10. In your heavy traffic guest bathroom(s) supply single ply toilet paper to reduce the chances of toilet clogs.
    
    
11. Be sure guests do not flush anything foreign down the toilet to avoid clogs.
    

Remember, if you have a plumbing emergency, you can call us anytime, 24/7, valley-wide, even on the holidays!  (866) 867-5309 or contact us online if it isn't an emergency!

Thanksgiving Toilet or Disposal Offer - $55 OFF

Turkey Day is coming up! Make sure your toilets and disposals work before your family arrives. It is always an awful feeling when a guest feels responsible for "breaking your toilet". Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of AZ is offering a special just for the holiday!

$55 OFF TOILET OR DISPOSAL SERVICE BEFORE THE 26TH TO PREVENT HOLIDAY CLOGS. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 11/25/09.

If you are expecting visitors for the holiday, give us a call (866) 867-5309 or Schedule an Appointment Online. If you are going to be a visitor, remind your family or friends and tell them about our coupon!

Watch our Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Arizona explain what Thanksgiving leftovers can do to your sink and plumbing.