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Author Archive for David Daniels

Rain, Rain and more Rain

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Last night and today we have be deluged with Rain with more to come later on. I have received a large number of calls with questions regarding the function of systems and sump pumps. One thing we always try to mention is if you have ever thought of getting a battery backup sump pump system that the time to have one installed is before we seal the sump pit. It only takes 1/4 of inch of water to ruin everything in the basement, so a backup system is cheap insurance.

PHC Pro Series 2400 Battery Backup Sump Pump System.A backup system can run when power goes out, when your main pump fails, or when your main pump can’t keep up it will add pumping volume capacity and hopefully avoid any water issues in the basement. We sell Pro Series pumps and backup systems. They are the best quality in my opinion and have the best pumping volume capacity. Don’t wait for an emergency to get a backup system. Plan ahead, it’s peace of mind.

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Categories : Backup Sump Pumps

Can’t do it

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

We try to look at every home when possible to give customers an idea of what will be involved with their system. But, because we do so many systems sometimes we end up just going to a home and installing the system, especially on Real Estate deals. The agents that use/recommend us know we will do a good job and be honest about what we did. Yesterday we arrived at a home to put a system in that we did not yet see.  I ask as many questions as possible to determine what we are getting into, especially if its a fast sale and closing. This particular home had many open holes with exposed earth, and exposed drains. I had to tell the seller and his agent that a system could not be installed because of the condition of the slab. I explained that some other work would need to be completed before we could install a system. We can use foam here and there, but this home needed some major concrete work and a plumber. A system installed at this home could create a dangerous environment for the new owner. You don’t want to pull air from under the slab and in turn open holes through the slab and open drains. Carbon Monoxide can kill someone if you pull enough air from a home and back draft combustible appliances, such as a water heater. Plus the amount of conditioned air that would be lost would be tremendous in turn raising the cost of heating/cooling the home. I was told they would find another company that was willing to put in a system. Any comments?

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Categories : Safety Issues

Don’t build over your sump pit

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Because of the type of work we do, we run into things that we know can come back to haunt you as a home owner. If you are considering finishing off the basement, which is great because of the extra space you will have, there will be one thing that you will not want to do. Please, do not build something above your sump pit. If you do you will lose access to it. If the pump needs to be replaced it will make it very difficult to get to. I always recommend to build a closet around it. That way you will have access to the pit, pump and piping should anything need to be worked on. If you do build a cabinet around it make the lid low enough so you can work on the pit while you are on your knees.  We have been to plenty of houses where the customer ended up tearing the cabinet apart to change out a pump during a storm because the were not able to work in the space they had created.

Crunch Time

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Categories : Saving Money

I can get someone Cheaper to do the same job

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Today I received a call from an Realty agent. He said the buyers had requested our company by name. I said, “great, that’s what keeps us in business.” He then said if it were up to him he would have someone else do it because he knows he could have it done cheaper. I agreed with him, you could have it done cheaper, as a matter of fact I could do it cheaper, but I won’t. I am reminded of a man who came into a tire store I was managing years ago. He was in the market to buy a set of tires for his daughters car, so he just needed the cheap ones. I responded with, I will sell you what you want, but do you really want the cheapest tires on your daughters car? Tires are extremely important when it comes to braking, handling, driving in the rain/snow. They are where the car meets the road. I told him that Michelin’s are the best, and also the most expensive. I then showed him a few sets that were less, but still good quality. I explained why the Michelin’s were more expensive and why I have them on all my vehicles. I even walked him outside to prove to him I had them on my car. Well, he changed his mind and bought the Michelin’s. When it comes to Radon we might be the most expensive  company. But why is that? I could lower my price by not putting fire collars on the pipe in the garage, there’s $50 savings. I could use a cheap, flimsy lid to seal sump pits, another $25 savings. I could not have proper insurance on my company, installers and vehicles, more savings. I could not have my Radon monitors  calibrated on a regular basis, more savings. I could use a cheaper pipe, instead of schedule 40 PVC. I could skip the clamps and J-hooks to support the pipe like we have been seeing on systems. I could do the electrical wrong and save some money. A big savings would be to buy the plastic sump pumps when they are on sale, a savings of at least $75. But would it be right? No. When we seal a sump pit, we install a high quality sump pump with an alarm system. My cost is $150, and that’s what I charge for them. Retail would be $225 with the controller we install. Do you want the cheapest sump pump or a high quality one when the pit is sealed? Fire collars are code, not installing them is wrong. Bottom line is when it comes to your families safety and health, do you want the cheapest system or the best one that will last forever? If your buying a home, don’t settle for what the seller is willing to pay for or with a system from a company that was willing to do it wrong. Demand the best for your family.

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Categories : Saving Money

Attention Home Buyers

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

This blog is directed to home buyers. I would like to comment on what is going on in the real world. We go to sellers homes every day for estimates on Radon systems. We get calls from sellers every day about Radon systems. The first statement is we tested high for Radon, now we have to put in a system, (they are not happy).  Do you want to know what the first question is? It is, “what is your least expensive system, or how cheap can you put a system in”? Of course we go through how our reputation is that we do it right, and stand behind our work, and that the buyers will be happy with our system. More times than I care to say the response is, “I don’t care about quality, how it looks, or where it is as long as we get one passing test”.  I understand that the economy is still down, and that many sellers are losing money when they sell their home. Now they are stuck with putting in a Radon system. They will get no benefit out of it, they are moving out. (to bad they were not informed about Radon when they purchased) As nice as we can we go over the quality issue and explain that if it were them buying the home they would want the best system possible to protect their family. Many times we lose the sale on price. Sometimes it’s a $100 difference or $25 or $50.  My competitors prices bounce all over the place, where as ours are posted on our web site. If you are a buyer, and you want the best system for your family, you can request that we install your system. You may have to pay the difference in price. You should have a say in who installs your system, you are the one buying the home. Don’t get stuck with what the seller was willing to pay for, and with a Radon company who is willing to do it wrong to get the job.

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Categories : Home Buyers