WINTER 2014
When Should You Call the Plumber? …page 2
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My Word by <<Name>> Hello Friends, It’s great to greet you again. Even when the weather is looking bleak, there’s always an upside to cozy days spent indoors. After all, who doesn’t enjoy “coming in from the cold” and sharing good times with family and friends? Naturally, this season has its challenges – and quite a few of those challenges will be directed right to your plumbing system. Have you wondered how well it will hold up under the heavier duty? This is, after all, the season that brings risks of frozen pipes. Call us if you would like to schedule
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Hudson, Ink Corp ©2014
4 New Uses for Holiday Lights …page 2
Prepaid Debit Card vs. Checking Account …page 3
<<Company>>’s
Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.
— It’s About Time! — Keeping the Winter Wonderland in Hand
The nice thing about being safe
and snug indoors in wintertime is that you leave all those problems with the cold outdoors where they belong. Or do you? The truth is, even if you have the freeze protection on the inside all buttoned-up, there may be a few outdoor issues that have the potential to cause some indoor damage. To prevent a frozen fiasco, tidy up the following things before the freezing temperatures arrive: Garden Hoses – There isn’t much call for watering your perennials when the ground is frozen. Remove the nozzle from your garden hose, unscrew the hose from the faucet and properly insulate the faucet. Allow all the water to flow out of the hose until it is completely
drained, then pack up the hose and any accessories and store them until spring. Fountains – Frozen fountains do make beautiful photographs, but they can be dangerous to your indoor plumbing. Turn off the water flow to the fountain and drain all remaining water from the lines. With a little winterization, you’ll be able to enjoy your fountain again when the weather turns warm. Sprinkler System – If you want green grass in wintertime, we recommend AstroTurf. If you want to protect your sprinkler system till spring, we recommend winterization to prevent damage. Follow manufacturer directions on how to prepare your sprinkler system for winter. If freezing temps give you plumbing problems despite your best preparations, please give us a call. We’re here to help.
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— STYLE POINTS —
— DOLL AR S MAKE SENSE —
When Should You Call the Plumber? Some people really enjoy tackling
minor plumbing projects here and there. That’s great when you’ve got the confidence, the skills and the desire. But when should you draw the line and call in a professional plumber? It’s a serious question with serious consequences – and here are a few good examples of jobs best left to the professional plumber. Main Pain – If your main line is clogged and causing sewage to back up into your tub, call us immediately. We have specialized tools and equipment, along with the “know-how” to get your main line back in working order. This isn’t a clog you can fix with a plunger. Permits – Sometimes rearranging the pipes in your home or tackling a kitchen or bathroom remodel requires special permits. Plumbing professionals know which projects require a permit, how to obtain them and how to finish the job to code specification.
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Replacements – When fixtures become old, inefficient and outdated, they need upgrading. You may be able to do simple replacements yourself, but call us for the big ones. For example: water heaters, tubs and shower valves should be replaced by a
professional to avoid damage to surrounding surfaces and to ensure proper hook-up. Hiring a professional plumber can save you the cost of purchasing specialized tools to do small jobs. It can also save you loads of time when trained professionals step in and get the job done quickly and correctly. That means less on your “honey-do” list, a happy spouse, and greater home value and comfort – everyone wins.
4 New Uses for Holiday Lights Holiday lights are not
always the “painless beauty” that you hoped they’d be. You use them on the tree for one festive season a year… then spend your January trying to locate, store or detangle them.
Hot Water Heater, Hot Water Service Ahhh… the agony of the freezing cold shower early in the morning. Don’t be tortured! How would you like water that’s hot instantly? It’s time to come in out of the cold; the agony’s just not worth it. Call <<Company>> at <<Phone>> and ask us about the Tankless Water Heater.
What if, instead of digging through endless totes or searching through storage
— TAKE T HAT! (AND T HIS TOO.) —
You don’t have to spend a
• New drapes are an excellent way to easily freshen up your space. Even repainted curtain rods can give your room a pleasant face-lift.
• For deals on furniture, scope out unexpected sources, like a hotel closing, estate sale, or even an auction or flea market.
• You can create unique wall art by filling inexpensive frames with leftover fabric, or wallpaper. For a rustic touch, use old window frames as picture frames.
Design on a Dime million bucks to make your home look like a million bucks.
for the right box, you used them year-round? Night Light – To add magic to a walkway or nightstand, fill a large Mason jar or glass vase with a strand or two of batterypowered lights. Party Flair – Wrap a string of lights around the legs of your outdoor table for a summer gathering, and use a white cloth to cover the table. Your table will emit a soft glow once night falls – and guests won’t be left in the dark! Space Illuminator – Banish the spookiness of visits to the dark basement; use duct tape to attach lights along the edge of the stairs. Track Lighting – Attach adhesive light clips (available at most hardware stores) to the bottom of your kitchen cabinets, then thread the string of lights through for cheap and cheerful track lighting. With these simple ideas, you not only take the frustration out of holiday light storage, you get a boost of holiday spirit virtually every day!
Settling for Poor Performance? Even a small blockage can cause a big problem in your sewer lines, leading to hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in expensive and preventable repairs. Don’t settle for anything less than clean performance. Call <<Company>> at <<Phone>> for an inspection and service of your plumbing system, and we’ll be sure your lines are 100% clean.
— SECRETS —
Prepaid Debit Card vs. Checking Account
Free checking accounts were
once one of the best deals around. Now nearly two-thirds of them carry an average monthly fee of $12. And some are looking to prepaid debit cards as cheaper alternatives. The appeal’s understandable. With prepaid debit cards, your funds are already loaded on the card. You use the card as you would a debit or a credit card to make purchases. You spend only what you have available.
The downside: some prepaid cards charge $10/month, and charge an additional fee each time you load money onto the card or use an ATM – be aware or beware. Prepaid cards also tend to offer fewer consumer protections. Funds loaded onto a card may not be insured by the FDIC, unlike money in the bank, and if you lose your card, you may lose your money. That can make the checking account fee seem like a better deal after all.
— BUCKLE DOWN — for at least 30 minutes each day can help to strengthen your heart.
4 Heart-Healthy Tips
Heart health is no laughing
matter. According to a study by Bayer Aspirin, cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths in the U.S. than cancer, diabetes or accidents. What can you do to stay healthy? Start by taking these 4 activities to heart and live, love and laugh longer! 1. Exercise – Any physical activity, such as walking your dog,
2. Reduce Stress – Avoid stressful situations by finding a balance in your home/work lifestyle. Meditation and laughter also help to reduce tension. 3. Reduce Alcohol Intake – Most females should limit themselves to one drink per day. More than two drinks can be harmful. 4. Keep Aspirin on Hand – In the event of a heart attack, call 911, then take one regular-strength aspirin to decrease the damaging effects and reduce the risk of death.
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My Word a winterization of your plumbing system. In fact, if you run into any plumbing trouble at all, give us a call. We’ll be here when you need us – it’s our pleasure. In the meantime, stay warm and stay safe. Bundle up, hug your kids and enjoy!
! e M n a c S
…continued from page 1 Sincerely,
<<Name>> P.S. After you’ve read your newsletter, please feel free to pass it along to family and friends. And don’t forget to check out the coupons on this page.
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Wanted: Gift Experts You may be a gift expert, but sometimes, I just don’t know what to give. And as your plumbers, a toilet is not exactly a great stocking stuffer. But hey, we CAN give you a gift certificate. That’s something you can really use. (Plus it was a heck of a lot easier to mail!) So, where’s the certificate? You’re holding it. Actually, it serves 3 purposes… First to say “Thank you” for being a great customer. Second, to wish you a joyous Holiday. And lastly, please accept this card as a gift certificate for $20 off your next service. If you can’t use it, just share it with a friend. Maybe sharing is the best Holiday present of all. We look forward to serving you and your home again soon.
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M O R E S AV I N G S A N D G R E AT N E W S
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You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest topics in home, health and savings news. You may even find a recipe or two! So visit <<Portal>>.