A little thanks goes a long way

This http://rocnow.com/article/essays/20107310310 post on an American blog ‘struck a chord’.

The author, who works as a swimming pool maintenance and repair man for US domestic customers, offers words of advice to customers about how to treat workers visiting your home. It is the sort of advice that seems so obvious that it does not need writing down.

But maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps it is time that someone pointed out to householders that a cup of tea and a word of thanks can make all the difference to a working day.

We have a code of conduct for how Drain Doctor plumbers should behave in people’s homes. Mostly is just courtesy and common sense.

It is time we had a code of conduct for householders? What do you think?

How are you treated by customers? Let us know your worst experiences – and your best.

Outdoor showers

I confess I know little about the climate in Novia Scotia – but as it is in Canada I cannot imagine it has mild winters.

It apparently has hot summers, though – and one local newspaper columnist is recommending (http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1193588.html) installing an outdoor shower.

I can see a number of possible problems with this in the garden of the average British semi but the recent hot weather does make the idea seem attractive.

If you decide to install one, though, do get some professional plumbing advice – and ensure the system is properly protected against freezing or you may find you have an unexpected downpour one winter morning.

Drain Doctor – an essential element of our national security?

An American plumber has unexpectedly hit the headlines (see http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012416666_pascoe22m.html)after a national newspaper named him as part of the USA’s network of national intelligence and defence contractors. His company was listed by the Washington Post in its investigative series on the growth of Top Secret America.
Unfortunately it seems to have been an error. The plumber says he is not a spy.
But then, if he was a spy, that is what he would say anyway.
Still, it does make you think. Are there any Drain Doctors out there living double lives? Are we secretly hosting 007 in our midst?

Spend a penny? No, make a penny!

A student has come up with an ingenious idea (see http://www.dailytech.com/Student+Invention+Uses+Plumbing+to+Generate+Electricity/article19142.htm) to generate electricity using the power of the water that is going down your drains.

I’m not sure if the idea will ever catch on – but if it does, I bet Drain Doctor will be on hand to fix it when it breaks!

Get the FOG out of our drains

According to Anglian Water around 10 per cent of its sewer network is clogged with waste fats oils and grease (FOG) at any one time. Clearing blockages in sewers and drains across the UK costs over £15 million a year.   Reducing these costs helps keep bills low for householders.

A new report has found that there are approximately 200,000 blockages throughout the UK every year, of which up to 75 per cent are caused by fats oils and grease. The production of oils and fats for cooking has trebled since the 1960s. Hundreds of thousands of litres of FOG are used every week and much of it ends up in the sewer instead of being disposed of correctly or collected and recycled in free, regulated and regular schemes.

The findings were revealed at a conference organised by Cranfield University and sponsored byAnglian Water to educate wastewater, catering, public health and environmental professionals on the effective management and removal of FOGs  in drainage systems.

Steve Kaye, Manager of Innovations, Anglian Water, said: “FOG should be considered a valuable resource. If it can be prevented from entering sewers, it can be used to make biofuel or digested to generate electricity.”

At Drain Doctor we have always advised householders and businesses not to throw oils and cooking fats down the sink or drain. Collect it in a container and dispose of it carefully. You could also install a a grease trap and a strainer in plug holes to catch hair and other objects that could block drains.

Drain Doctor Portugal at maximum speed for success.

Drain Doctor in Portugal has completed contract work at the recently completed Portimao Race Circuit, which plays host to world class events such as Superbike Championships and F1 testing. Drain Doctor worked at three major events; SBK 2010, 2010 WTCC and the Le Mans Series 2010.

Plumbers save the world

I feel a theme developing here. After recent posts about plumbers rescuing animals and saving residents from fires, here http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/other-things-besides-the-gulf-of-mexico-saved-by-plumbers/19558075 is a story about other notable deeds by (American) plumbers.

Surely us Brits have equally inspiring tales of plumbing initiative and derring-do? Come on, don’t be shy. Let us know.

Plumbers to the rescue

Having just written about plumbers in the USA rescuing animals (see the earlier post on this blog) I hear that two plumbers from Drain Doctor’s USA counterpart (called Mr Rooter) have been commended for rescuing a resident from a house fire.

The story is on the Mrs Rooter blog at http://mrsrooter.com/?p=1609.

So, “well done” to the two Mr Rooter staff.

Of course, we are not without our blaze ‘heroes’ over here. A few year ago, I remember, a Drain Doctor franchisee used a jetter to douse a fire.

So what have you all been doing this week? Rescuing animals, saving lives and putting out fires? Or just clearing drains and fixing leaks? Use the blog to let us know!

It’s a dog’s life as a plumber

Plumbers sometimes get involved in some unusual jobs.

Rescuing animals is not all that unusual, however. The story here http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100714/ARTICLES/7141020/1051 is from the USA, where plumbers have been rescuing dogs from a drain.

In the UK Drain Doctor has rescued a bird and a lamb that I know of. Do you know of any other animals that plumbers have saved from a watery fate?

Drain Doctor wins global award

Pictured at the reunion are left to right David Bethea, Rainbow International President; Vicky, Jan and Freddie Mitman, Mike Bidwell, Dwyer Group president and Dina Dwyer-Owens, chair of The Dwyer Group.

Drain Doctor Plumbing  has scooped a top award from US-based master franchisor The Dwyer Group.

Freddie and Jan Mitman, who launched the UK firm in 1993, were presented with the Global Builder Award at The Dwyer Group’s annual reunion held in San Antonio, Texas. 

Mike Bidwell, president of The Dwyer Group, said: “The Global Builder Award is the highest honour for a master licensee in our system. It is presented to the master licensee who has consistently grown through proper training and managing of their organisation; has had a consistently high level of sales through quality, professional service; and is an ambassador of The Dwyer Group to mentor other master licensees. 

“We are proud to have Freddie and Jan Mitman representing us with Drain Doctor in the UK. We look forward to more growth, brand awareness, and continued professional service to consumers in the United Kingdom.” 

A  delighted Freddie Mitman added: “These awards recognise the hard work of our entire network of franchisees and their employees. They all support the Drain Doctor Plumbing business philosophy, which is radically different from the generally accepted customer service ethos in the UK.”