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Company Is Coming. How’s Your Plumbing?

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Can Your Plumbing Handle A Holiday?

You probably don’t give your plumbing much thought when you’re getting ready to host an event. You may clean and organize your house top to bottom, but I bet you just assume your plumbing is going to come through for you when you need it.

Except when it doesn’t. Unfortunately, sometimes your plumbing breaks down at the worst possible times. For example, when twenty people are coming over to your house for Thanksgiving. Here are the most likely plumbing problems that could ruin your holiday, and what you can do to prevent disaster.

Your garbage disposal

Your garbage disposal will go on strike if you do any of the following:

  • Throw too much food into it at once. This can back up your disposal and potentially damage the blades.
  • Pour grease or fat into the disposal. Grease and fat can also clog your drain once it’s cooled and hardened. This makes it more difficult for your disposal to work effectively. So, what can you do with the grease? Check out these ideas. 
  • Put bones in the disposal. This will definitely cause it to jam. Even little tiny ones.
  • Other foods to avoid putting down your disposal: fruit pits, seeds, celery, egg shells, coffee grounds, and pasta. 

 Before you begin your major food preparation:

  • Sharpen up your blades by dropping ice down your disposal.
  • If you suspect you have sludgy backup in your drain, try combining the ice with rock salt. Let cold water run over the ice/rock salt combination for five to ten seconds, and then run the disposal. If you don’t have rock salt on hand, household vinegar should do the trick. 
  • To deodorize the disposal, we recommend tossing a few orange and lemon peels to help cut any lingering odors.
  • If you find yourself stuck, check out our tips on how to unjam your disposal here: How To Unjam Your Garbage Disposal.

 

Your toilet

No one likes to talk about this one because, well, it’s your toilet. However, the last thing you want is your toilet backed up or worse – overflowing – when you have guests. Too much toilet paper, and too many “flushable wipes” can really mess with your toilet’s ability to stay unclogged. 

Prepare your toilet for an increase in use:

  • Clean it thoroughly. Make certain that the jets under the bowl are clean and cleared of any buildup. If the jets are clogged, the toilet can’t flush at full power, which keeps you from clearing out the clog. If it’s been awhile since you’ve checked all the way under the lid, you may need to don some gloves and a small scrub brush to get in there and unplug those jets.
  • Remind the children coming to your house what an appropriate amount of toilet paper looks like for the job. (You may need to remind a few adults, too!)
  • Flushable wipes. Rethink these. As handy and convenient as they may be, they are also a big culprit in toilet backups. They simply don’t break down like they claim. If you have them, we encourage you to throw them in the garbage instead. Your toilet, not to mention your neighborhood sewer system, will thank you.
  • Have your plunger, towels, and a bucket within close proximity in case disaster strikes. 
  • Familiarize yourself with your toilet. Read up on it here: A Tour Of Your Toilet.

 

Your hot water heater

If your guests are spending the night, chances are they will be taking a shower or bath at some time. Make sure your hot water heater can take the heat!

Get Your Water Heater Ready:

  • Set the temperature to a reasonable and energy efficient 120 degrees. If you have smaller children staying with you, a higher water heater temperature can result in scalding and burns. Keep them safe!
  • A few days before your guests arrive, take a little time to inspect and flush your water heater if you haven’t done that recently. We explain how here: How To Inspect Your Water Heater and here: How To Drain Your Water Heater.
  • Make sure your guests can get the hot water they want quickly. Something as simple as pipe wrap can help get the hot water where you need it faster. Give us a call and we can guide you if that’s an option you would like look into.

 

Don’t forget: if disaster strikes, we are available 24/7 to take your calls. 503-620-9111

Be ready for company and focus on the important things: family, friends, food, and fun!

The post Company Is Coming. How’s Your Plumbing? appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.


Plumbing Myths. We’re Here To Bust ‘Em

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Some popular plumbing myths just simply won’t go away. The direction the water swirls in your toilet, Thomas Crapper, bricks in your toilet tank…read on for a proper myth debunking.

Plumbing Myths. We’re here to bust ’em.

1. The Coriolis Effect and Your Toilet. The direction your water swirls in the toilet has nothing to do with which hemisphere you happen to be standing in. The direction the water takes depends on the direction that the bowl’s rim jets are pointed. The water can be made to flush in either direction in either hemisphere.

2. Lemons + Your Disposal = a service call. Think you’re freshening up your disposal by putting lemons in it? Wrong. The lemon peel can damage your disposal blades, and possibly clog your sink. A little household vinegar will freshen it up and clean it, and won’t cause your drain pain.

3. John Crapper Did NOT Actually Invent The First Toilet. Yes, it’s humorous, but the first toilets were credited to the Minoans of Crete, and the first patent for a toilet was granted to Alexander Cummings in 1775. Mr. Crapper did contribute to the popularization of toilets by inventing some parts that improved upon Alexander Cummings original design.

4. Door Number One. Wondering which stall to use in a public bathroom? Choose number one. It’s the least used and the cleanest. And please, wash your hands. Pretty please?

5. Your Dishwasher Is Your Friend. Doing your dishes by hand actually wastes water and energy. You aren’t helping the environment when you wash by hand. With an energy efficient dishwasher, you save water AND energy. So, use your dishwasher in good health and don’t feel guilty. You’re welcome.

6. The Brick Trick – The idea is, if you put a brick in your toilet tank, you will save water with every flush because the water is displaced. The trouble with the brick trick? Over time, the porous brick can deteriorate, destroying your flapper, and causing you trouble and money. So, Brick + Toilet Tank + Time = service call. Check out this really cool alternative: Drop-a-Brick.

7. Flushable Wipes Are Not Your Toilet’s Friend. Flushable, sure, but so is your iPhone when you think about it. You can flush them, but that doesn’t mean they break up and make it all the way to the sewer. The wipes don’t biodegrade like traditional toilet paper does, and the wipes clog up lines. Flushable wipes + your toilet = service call. 

We hope drop-kicking a few plumbing myths to the curb helps you make the most of your plumbing and your money.

We’re your Portland, Oregon Plumbers and Plumbing Myth Busters. Call us 24/7 – we’re here to help.

503-620-9111

 

The post Plumbing Myths. We’re Here To Bust ‘Em appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

Is your bathroom ready for company?

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When you have more than one bathroom, and one is usually occupied by the children or teens, you have some special prep for guests. Great opportunity to put them in charge of cleaning out their own YUCK in there.

With visitors, make it easy for them to solve a problem that may occur. Extra toiletpaper under the sink or within reach while sitting on the porcelain throne, candles or air freshener. Do you have an exhaust fan? If not, there’s still time to call our other company, Metro’s Best Electric to get one installed quickly! The extra white noise is very nice for guests who don’t want to be heard.

Also, nice soaps that aren’t too fragrant or are unscented, Band-Aids in an obvious place for minor mishaps and feminine hygiene products in an obvious, tucked away place. Probably wouldn’t hurt to have a plunger handy, too.

What about twinkle lights, holiday hand towels and a small bowl of mulling spices to keep it fresh in there? So many inexpensive ideas to gift your restroom or powder room a lift for the holidays.

 

(photo: http://gotmyreservations.com/tag/decorating-bathroom-for-christmas/ – Mary Oliver )

The post Is your bathroom ready for company? appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

Fantasy Fudge and Variations

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This is a favorite recipe because it has so many variations I’ve created over the years, as well as it leaves them wanting more! This fudge freezes well, too.

Fantasy Fudge and Variations

Serves 30
Great for gifts, thank yous, boo-boo days and to bring to events as your unforgettable contribution.


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Print
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
236 calories
29 g
14 g
14 g
1 g
9 g
50 g
12 g
26 g
0 g
4 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
50g
Servings
30
Amount Per Serving
Calories 236
Calories from Fat 119
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g
21%
Saturated Fat 9g
44%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 14mg
5%
Sodium 12mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 29g
10%
Dietary Fiber 0g
2%
Sugars 26g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A
3%
Vitamin C
0%
Calcium
2%
Iron
2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups sugar – organic raw sugar
  2. 3/4 cup butter, margarine COCONUT oil
  3. 1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.) Can use goat milk variation for those lactose intolerant
  4. 3 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped or dark chocolate.
  5. 1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme
  6. 1 cup chopped walnuts, or toasted almond,s or pecans
  7. 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
  1. LINE 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  2. ADD chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.
  3. POUR into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
  1. Peppermint variation
  2. substitute 1 tsp peppermint extract for vanilla
  3. crush 1 cup peppermint candies to stir in at end, save some for top to garnish.
  4. Consider white chocolate chips instead.
  5. Spice it up!
  6. add 1 tsp cayenne pepper for a spicy version with pecans instead of walnuts
  7. Dark chocolate with this.
Nut version
  1. toast all nuts for 3 minutes and make mixed nut version.
Almond Joy version
  1. toast unsweetened coconut 2 minutes at 350 – 1 c with 1 cup toasted raw almonds, omit vanilla, add almond extract instead, use coconut oil instead of butter.
Adapted from Kraft
beta
calories
236
fat
14g
protein
1g
carbs
29g
more
Adapted from Kraft
Portland Oregon Plumber http://caseysplumbing.com/

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Clean Water Charities: Give The Gift Of Water

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Try something different this year when you give. Give the gift of water. 

Water Around The World: A Crisis

Flipping on the faucet whenever we feel like it is something we generally take for granted. Yet for so many others around the world, clean water is a luxury. Some facts about water around the world:

  • 783 million people do not have access to clean, safe water. Of those, 37% are people living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • 443 million school days are lost each year to water-related diseases.
  • In developing countries, as much as 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.
  • Every 20 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease.
  • The average container for water collection in Africa, the jerry can, weighs over 40 pounds when full
  • 64% of households rely on women and girls to get the family’s water when there is not water source in the home.
  • According to the World Health Organization, for every $1.00 invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between $3.00 and $34.00! (source: The Water Project)

Clean Water Charities: How And Who

Here are several water-related charities doing the work of bringing clean water to thirsty communities throughout the world. We’ve checked these out and found them to be top-notch as far as financial transparency and positive impact.

  • Charity: Water – Charity Water focuses it’s resources on time-proven ways to improve people’s access and cleanliness to water in developing nations all over the world. From rainwater catchments and biosand filters, to building latrines and digging traditional wells, Charity Water is a boots-on-the-ground organization providing solutions that best fit the community they are working in.
  • Wello – This charity, operating primarily in India presently, has designed a Water Wheel. This provides two fantastic opportunities for women and girls. One, because they are the most likely the family members in charge of fetching water, the Water Wheel allows them to get the water containers off of their backs and shoulders. The Water Wheel is fully contained and rolls on the ground, allowing the water bearer to reduce injury and possible water loss from carrying heavy open containers on their shoulders. This innovative product also creates a micro-industry for women, allowing them to start a water delivery service to their village neighbors. Fresh water AND economic empowerment for women? Excellent.
  • The Water Project – Help build wells in villages across Africa. When you help fund a water project, this group invests in proven partners who are drilling fresh water wells providing sanitation and hygiene training, and constructing other sustainable water projects. The super cool thing about The Water Project is that when you choose to help fund a water project, donors get to see the specific impact of their gift through photos, short stories, and map coordinates. They also follow up on completed projects to ensure the work done has had a long-term impact.
  • Water.org – If you have a particular country you would like to provide assistance on water projects for, check out Water.org. Their website lists their projects by country. The WaterCredit Initiative by Water.org. Fund a small, or microloan, to an individual and empower them to address their own water needs. As the loan is repaid, the funds can then be granted to another individual in need of safe water. 

 
In the Western World, we live with an abundance of resources. Whenever I have received a gift in the form of a donation in my name, it has been my favorite gift of all. Consider making this Christmas less thirsty for our neighbors around the world. 

 

The post Clean Water Charities: Give The Gift Of Water appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

New Year, New Water Heater Standards For 2015

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Efficiency times, they are a changin.’ What do you need to know about the coming April 2015 water heater standards? We’ll break it down for you:

New Water Heater Standards: The Good

The new standards will definitely put some money back in your pocket. Water heaters are the second largest consumer of energy in your home, so kicking up the efficiency will certainly save you money over the life of the water heater. That’s good. We like that. 

The new standards call for higher Energy Factor ratings. What’s an Energy Factor? Energy Factor is the ratio of useful energy output from the total amount of energy used to operate the water heater. This measurement is used to compare the energy conversion efficiency of different home appliances. If you like math, you can learn more how the metric is tested and applied  at the Bradford-White website. This explanation is excellent and very clear.

Beginning April 16th, the standard water heater Energy Factor will vary based on the type of water heater you own, but all types will see the changes. Again, the Bradford White website has a really handy chart that you can take a look at to get an idea of the new standards. 

New Water Heater Standards: The Not As Good

The newer models will be bigger and bulkier because of the new water heater standards. This is tough news if your water heater is currently housed in a tight space such as a closet or attic space. The size increase for 50-gallon water heaters is estimated to be two inches taller and two inches larger in diameter. Modular homes are especially tricky because they can only fit a 19-inch diameter water heater. This leaves the homeowner with an unpleasant choice: go down in capacity or remodel to make it fit. 

There are different guidelines for different sized heater systems, but large-capacity homeowners will see the biggest changes. 65-gallon and 80-gallon water heater units will fade away and will be replaced by heat pump water heaters. That’s an increase in up-front costs as well. 

Now is the time to do a little research on what you currently have, the space you have to house your water heater, and how you see your long-term needs shaping up.

Is your water heater more than 10 years old? 

If it is, you may want to consider replacing it before the new changes take effect. You will still have an energy-efficient unit, but without the up-front costs of the newer units. Here’s a quick rundown on how to tell how old your water heater may be. How Old Is It, Anyway?

If you think your heater is still going strong, the best thing you can do is take good care of it and to understand your needs. Here are some links to help you do just that: 

Water Heater Sizing Explained 

Water Heater Safety

Common Problems With Gas Water Heaters

How To Inspect Your Water Heater 

How To Drain Your Water Heater

Casey’s Has The Answers You Need

You can call us anytime and talk to us about any questions you may have about these new water heater standards. They can be a little confusing, but we are here to help you 24/7. We’re your Portland, Oregon Plumber.

503-620-9111

 

The post New Year, New Water Heater Standards For 2015 appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

What Is Fracking? What Does It Have To Do With My Water?

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Fracking is a term we’ve been hearing about in the news lately. Some cities and states are beginning to ban the practice. What is fracking, and why should you know about it?

What Is Fracking?

Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling under several layers of geological structures, fracturing the rock formations, and injecting a combination of chemicals, sand, and water at very high pressure to create a reaction within the rock to release it’s natural gas. The type of rock with gas and oil underneath is called shale. 

what is fracking

The basics of fracking.

 

What Does It Have To Do With My Water?

The practice of fracking requires the drilling company to drill past the water tables to reach the underlying oil and gas. The risk of chemical exposure to the water is high. Done correctly, the fracking process simply by-passes the water. However, this is the central debate around the practice of fracking; is the groundwater being contaminated? If so, with what?

Another issue with fracking is the practice uses massive amounts of fresh water, and once the water is chemically treated, the practice leaves behind a toxic liquid waste.

Why Is It A Big Deal?

Fracking forces apart the shale rocks to tap into the source of oil and gas, but it can cause damage to non-oil bearing rocks as well, resulting in methane forcing it’s way upward to the surface, contaminating the water you drink. You may have seen a video on news stories of someone lighting their kitchen faucet water on fire. That is a perfect example of fracking contamination. 

Fracking is allowed in many parts of the country, and the central debate around fracking is that no one knows what chemicals are being used to create the flow of natural gas to the surface. The companies argue that disclosing this information puts their business model at risk, and the government doesn’t require them to disclose what their secret chemical recipe is. 

Alternatives

Knowing the potential environmental cost to traditional fracking, companies are innovating to make the practice more environmentally friendly. For example, a company called GasFrac has created a system that uses a gel fluid containing propane. This eliminates the need for water, and the gel holds the sand better, improving on the current practice. Other companies are working to plug methane leaks, recycle the water used for fracking, and switching the equipment used from diesel to gas to help reduce the practice’s carbon emissions.

Is Oregon Fracking?

Currently, there are no fracking sites in Oregon. The Coos Bay basin in Southern Oregon was the site of nine fracked wells, but they are not active right now. A U.S. based company has taken interest in using geothermal energy extraction techniques to harness the power of some of Central Oregon’s dormant volcanoes, and is currently working through the early stages of the project.

This kind of stuff is pretty thick and chewy to get through and understand. However, here at Casey’s we value saving water and keeping it clean. We want our customers to be informed about what is happening around them, and provide them the tools and information they need to make decisions about their water use. Here are some of our favorite water conservation tips:

We’re here to help! Call us anytime, 24/7, 503-620-9111

Casey's Plumbing Portland Oregon

The post What Is Fracking? What Does It Have To Do With My Water? appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

Plumbing Tips for Valentine’s Day

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With Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, now is the perfect time to show your plumbing system some love. Here are a few maintenance tips from BlueFrog to help keep your plumbing system in good shape.

Home Plumbing Tips:

  • Locate Your Water Shut Off Valve – Knowing where your main water shut off valve is located will help prevent water damage in an emergency. If you ever experience a plumbing leak, you will be able to quickly turn off the water to your home to prevent flooding and damage until our plumbing technicians arrive.
  • Insulate Plumbing Pipes – Adding pipe insulation can help you prevent frozen pipes, especially in cold parts of your house like the garage, basement and crawl space.
  • Correct Small Leaks – If you notice a leak, don’t let it go uncorrected. Even a small leak can make pipes corrode more quickly. This can lead to water damage and mold.

If you experience any plumbing problems this weekend, give us a call. Our professional plumbing technicians can help you get your bathroom back up and running. Call us today!

 

To read the original article or find more like it click HERE

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How To Protect Your Drains During The Easter Holiday

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Because Easter is yet another holiday that focuses on eating and visiting friends and family, there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of a clogged drain adding an additional problem and the need to call a plumber.. to an already busy day.

Some steps you should perform before guests arrive and the holiday commences, while other actions must be performed with vigilance while the celebration is taking place.

Preparing your drains for Easter

Bathroom drains

Drain strainers

You should check the wire mesh strainers in your drain cups for buildup that may slow your drains. Bathroom strainers may have hair, toothpaste, and soap embedded in the mesh, lowering their effectiveness to a point that the sinks or tubs may drain slowly.

This may cause additional buildup to form, and may cause guests to pull out the strainers, which merely sit atop the drain cup. This will allow every sort of debris to enter your sink or tub drain, and result in a drain clog at a more inaccessible point in your drains.

To clean your strainers, you should twist a wadded paper towel or cloth around inside the strainer, then dump any loosened material into the trash. Don’t simply turn the strainer upside down and run water forcefully to clean the strainer, or the dislodged material will go into your drain.

Your toilet

You can help to prevent your toilet drains from becoming clogged by preparing your bathroom before guests arrive. Don’t leave any paper towels in the bathroom to prevent them from being flushed down the toilet by uninformed guests. Keep an adequate supply of cloth hand towels instead.

Guests with babies may also throw “flushable” diapers and baby wipes into your toilet. You can avoid this potential toilet overflow issue by placing a small hamper in the bathroom, and requesting that diapers and wipes be placed in the hamper.

Kitchen drains

Kitchen strainers may have food debris that lowers the drain speed. You should dump any debris into the trash rather than down the sink, which would nullify the purpose of using a strainer.

Protecting your kitchen sink drain will require vigilance, as food is prepared and scraps discarded by family members and guests alike. There are specific items that you should keep from being placed in your sink drain or disposal, which include:

Used cooking oil or grease

Dumping cooking oil or grease into your kitchen drain will cause it to congeal (thicken) inside the drain. Pouring hot water into the drain after dumping oil will only allow it to travel farther into the drain line before congealing, making a potential drain clog even more difficult to remedy.

Easter egg shells

Even if the shells are decimated by a garbage disposal, the membrane inside the shells can shred and form a web that captures additional material inside your drain pipe and creates a drain clog.

Bones

Bones that are tossed into a disposal will splinter and lodge themselves inside your drain pipe, collecting debris as it passes.

You may also prepare your drains before guests arrive by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar into each drain. The mixture will foam and eat away any slight buildup inside your drains, while leaving a fresh clean scent in your home.

 

Looking for more posts like this? Check out 

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Spring Plumbing Tips: 15 Simple Plumbing Tips to Help You Save Money

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Spring Plumbing Tips

We found this awesome article on JustCallHeritage.Com..

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to do some “Spring Cleaning” for your home’s pipe and drainage systems. Here are 15 quick and simple Spring Plumbing Tips to protect your home against plumbing problems:

  1. Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  2. Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes
  3. Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
  4. Inspect toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  5. Exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
  6. Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They’re inexpensive and you’ll notice a lower water bill.
  7. Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
  8. Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. A great Spring Plumbing Tip.
  9. Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient
  10. Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  11. Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
  12. If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off without any problems.
  13. Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live in an area where sewers sometimes back up into homes. This device will prevent future backups
  14. Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
  15. Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

This list of Spring Pluming Tips is just a handful of the useful services and solutions that Heritage can provide your home this spring. If you are interested in the full run down of our plumbing service you can check them out here or you can schedule a service maintenance of your plumbing and drain systems by calling us!

 

Check out more articles just like this – http://justcallheritage.com/plumbing/15-simple-spring-plumbing-tips-save-money 

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6 Summer Plumbing Tips

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Summer is coming! Is your plumbing ready?

Here are 6 tips for keeping your plumbing in tip top shape this summer:

  • Playing outside means more dirt, and more dirty clothes.
    • Make sure you check your washing machine hoses for bulges, leaks, and cracks.
    • Also be sure to clean out your dryer lint regularly.
    • Finally keep in mind that your machine hoses should be replaced about every 3 years!
  • Move your washing machine
    • Move it about 4 inches from the wall to prevent hose kinking and damage, and don’t leave your home when your machine is running.
  • Make sure to check your ductwork for condensation. This can cause a backup if the drains are not clear. Leaks in seams can also cause condensation. If you notice problems call us today!
  • Summer bbqs can mean lots of food that could end up in your disposal
    • So be careful what you put down your kitchen disposal after your cookout. Most are not equipped to handle cornhusks, celery, banana peels and other fibrous or “stringy” foods. Some other items to stay away from are fats or cooking oils because they form clogs in the pipes.
    • Make sure you Run cold water at full pressure for 15 seconds before and after you put anything down the disposal to flush it through.
    • And NEVER put instant stuffing, potato mixes or similar “just-add-water” foods down the drain—they’ll create an instant clog when you add water. Pasta, rice and eggshells should also be avoided.
  • Summer also means TRAVEL!
    • A great way to save money and energy while on your vacation is to turn down the temperature of your water heater and turn up the temperature of your refrigerator.
      • But if you do turn down your fridge make sure you remove highly perishable foods, like dairy, produce and meat first.
  • As it goes every season the best defense to ensuring your plumbing systems are running properly is to schedule annual maintenance inspections, and keep on top of your systems before it’s too late, or when you need them most.

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Summertime Plumbing Tips to Help You Beat the Heat

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It is HOT outside! You know what that means.. it’s summertime!

Since it’s so hot people everywhere are using more water than they usually do the rest of the year, particularly in swimming pools, watering lawns, and staying hydrated. In fact, water usage in the summer can go up two to four times during the summer months.

Now, with all of the extra strain on our plumbing systems, it’s no surprise that we encounter all types of summer plumbing issues between the ultra-hot months of June through August. Most of these problems can be prevented with proper effort and maintenance. Accordingly, we have compiled some of our best tips below, making sure that  the plumbing in your home will be working properly throughout the summer season.

Are you going away on vacation? Save money by turning your water heater temperature down. If you’re not there to use it, a few degrees difference won’t matter and can save you a substantial amount of money, particularly if you travel frequently. You can also save money by turning the temperature of your refrigerator higher.

Take care of your sprinklers. Often, sprinkler systems get damaged due to carelessness when mowing the lawn or from children playing in the yard. Be sure your sprinklers are working properly to avoid flooding, and if damage does occur, make any necessary repairs immediately.

Fix broken toilets. You know that toilet that makes a funny sound after you flush? Or, perhaps it requires an extra jiggle of handle in order to get an effective flush? That toilet could be wasting gallons of water each day, costing you to flush money down the tube every time you touch the handle. In the summer, toilets in homes with children are on double duty as kids are home from school during the day, so making sure your toilets are working properly is an important aspect of summer plumbing.

Don’t overuse your garbage disposal. In the summertime, sheer convenience can cause us to throw things down the garbage disposal that we wouldn’t normally discard that way. If you’re planning a big summer barbeque, remember that items such as cornhusks and watermelon rinds are better for the trash or compost pile. Also, never pour grease down the drain, as it hardens and can cause major clogs over time.

One of the best ways to make sure your plumbing is ready for the summer is to schedule time for an annual inspection. Casey’s Plumbing is your expert plumbing team is trained to identify problem areas and stop issues before they start. 

The post Summertime Plumbing Tips to Help You Beat the Heat appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

Is your bathroom ready for company?

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When you have more than one bathroom, and one is usually occupied by the children or teens, you have some special prep for guests. Great opportunity to put them in charge of cleaning out their own YUCK in there.

With visitors, make it easy for them to solve a problem that may occur. Extra toiletpaper under the sink or within reach while sitting on the porcelain throne, candles or air freshener. Do you have an exhaust fan? If not, there’s still time to call our other company, Metro’s Best Electric to get one installed quickly! The extra white noise is very nice for guests who don’t want to be heard.

Also, nice soaps that aren’t too fragrant or are unscented, Band-Aids in an obvious place for minor mishaps and feminine hygiene products in an obvious, tucked away place. Probably wouldn’t hurt to have a plunger handy, too.

What about twinkle lights, holiday hand towels and a small bowl of mulling spices to keep it fresh in there? So many inexpensive ideas to gift your restroom or powder room a lift for the holidays.

 

(photo: http://gotmyreservations.com/tag/decorating-bathroom-for-christmas/ – Mary Oliver )

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Fantasy Fudge and Variations

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This is a favorite recipe because it has so many variations I’ve created over the years, as well as it leaves them wanting more! This fudge freezes well, too.

Fantasy Fudge and Variations

Serves 30
Great for gifts, thank yous, boo-boo days and to bring to events as your unforgettable contribution.


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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
236 calories
29 g
14 g
14 g
1 g
9 g
50 g
12 g
26 g
0 g
4 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
50g
Servings
30
Amount Per Serving
Calories 236
Calories from Fat 119
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g
21%
Saturated Fat 9g
44%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 14mg
5%
Sodium 12mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 29g
10%
Dietary Fiber 0g
2%
Sugars 26g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A
3%
Vitamin C
0%
Calcium
2%
Iron
2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups sugar – organic raw sugar
  2. 3/4 cup butter, margarine COCONUT oil
  3. 1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.) Can use goat milk variation for those lactose intolerant
  4. 3 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped or dark chocolate.
  5. 1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme
  6. 1 cup chopped walnuts, or toasted almond,s or pecans
  7. 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
  1. LINE 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  2. ADD chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.
  3. POUR into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
  1. Peppermint variation
  2. substitute 1 tsp peppermint extract for vanilla
  3. crush 1 cup peppermint candies to stir in at end, save some for top to garnish.
  4. Consider white chocolate chips instead.
  5. Spice it up!
  6. add 1 tsp cayenne pepper for a spicy version with pecans instead of walnuts
  7. Dark chocolate with this.
Nut version
  1. toast all nuts for 3 minutes and make mixed nut version.
Almond Joy version
  1. toast unsweetened coconut 2 minutes at 350 – 1 c with 1 cup toasted raw almonds, omit vanilla, add almond extract instead, use coconut oil instead of butter.
Adapted from Kraft
beta
calories
236
fat
14g
protein
1g
carbs
29g
more
Adapted from Kraft
Portland Oregon Plumber http://www.caseysplumbing.com/

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Clean Water Charities: Give The Gift Of Water

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Try something different this year when you give. Give the gift of water. 

Water Around The World: A Crisis

Flipping on the faucet whenever we feel like it is something we generally take for granted. Yet for so many others around the world, clean water is a luxury. Some facts about water around the world:

  • 783 million people do not have access to clean, safe water. Of those, 37% are people living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • 443 million school days are lost each year to water-related diseases.
  • In developing countries, as much as 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.
  • Every 20 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease.
  • The average container for water collection in Africa, the jerry can, weighs over 40 pounds when full
  • 64% of households rely on women and girls to get the family’s water when there is not water source in the home.
  • According to the World Health Organization, for every $1.00 invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between $3.00 and $34.00! (source: The Water Project)

Clean Water Charities: How And Who

Here are several water-related charities doing the work of bringing clean water to thirsty communities throughout the world. We’ve checked these out and found them to be top-notch as far as financial transparency and positive impact.

  • Charity: Water – Charity Water focuses it’s resources on time-proven ways to improve people’s access and cleanliness to water in developing nations all over the world. From rainwater catchments and biosand filters, to building latrines and digging traditional wells, Charity Water is a boots-on-the-ground organization providing solutions that best fit the community they are working in.
  • Wello – This charity, operating primarily in India presently, has designed a Water Wheel. This provides two fantastic opportunities for women and girls. One, because they are the most likely the family members in charge of fetching water, the Water Wheel allows them to get the water containers off of their backs and shoulders. The Water Wheel is fully contained and rolls on the ground, allowing the water bearer to reduce injury and possible water loss from carrying heavy open containers on their shoulders. This innovative product also creates a micro-industry for women, allowing them to start a water delivery service to their village neighbors. Fresh water AND economic empowerment for women? Excellent.
  • The Water Project – Help build wells in villages across Africa. When you help fund a water project, this group invests in proven partners who are drilling fresh water wells providing sanitation and hygiene training, and constructing other sustainable water projects. The super cool thing about The Water Project is that when you choose to help fund a water project, donors get to see the specific impact of their gift through photos, short stories, and map coordinates. They also follow up on completed projects to ensure the work done has had a long-term impact.
  • Water.org – If you have a particular country you would like to provide assistance on water projects for, check out Water.org. Their website lists their projects by country. The WaterCredit Initiative by Water.org. Fund a small, or microloan, to an individual and empower them to address their own water needs. As the loan is repaid, the funds can then be granted to another individual in need of safe water. 

 
In the Western World, we live with an abundance of resources. Whenever I have received a gift in the form of a donation in my name, it has been my favorite gift of all. Consider making this Christmas less thirsty for our neighbors around the world. 

 

The post Clean Water Charities: Give The Gift Of Water appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.


New Year, New Water Heater Standards For 2015

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Efficiency times, they are a changin.’ What do you need to know about the coming April 2015 water heater standards? We’ll break it down for you:

New Water Heater Standards: The Good

The new standards will definitely put some money back in your pocket. Water heaters are the second largest consumer of energy in your home, so kicking up the efficiency will certainly save you money over the life of the water heater. That’s good. We like that. 

The new standards call for higher Energy Factor ratings. What’s an Energy Factor? Energy Factor is the ratio of useful energy output from the total amount of energy used to operate the water heater. This measurement is used to compare the energy conversion efficiency of different home appliances. If you like math, you can learn more how the metric is tested and applied  at the Bradford-White website. This explanation is excellent and very clear.

Beginning April 16th, the standard water heater Energy Factor will vary based on the type of water heater you own, but all types will see the changes. Again, the Bradford White website has a really handy chart that you can take a look at to get an idea of the new standards. 

New Water Heater Standards: The Not As Good

The newer models will be bigger and bulkier because of the new water heater standards. This is tough news if your water heater is currently housed in a tight space such as a closet or attic space. The size increase for 50-gallon water heaters is estimated to be two inches taller and two inches larger in diameter. Modular homes are especially tricky because they can only fit a 19-inch diameter water heater. This leaves the homeowner with an unpleasant choice: go down in capacity or remodel to make it fit. 

There are different guidelines for different sized heater systems, but large-capacity homeowners will see the biggest changes. 65-gallon and 80-gallon water heater units will fade away and will be replaced by heat pump water heaters. That’s an increase in up-front costs as well. 

Now is the time to do a little research on what you currently have, the space you have to house your water heater, and how you see your long-term needs shaping up.

Is your water heater more than 10 years old? 

If it is, you may want to consider replacing it before the new changes take effect. You will still have an energy-efficient unit, but without the up-front costs of the newer units. Here’s a quick rundown on how to tell how old your water heater may be. How Old Is It, Anyway?

If you think your heater is still going strong, the best thing you can do is take good care of it and to understand your needs. Here are some links to help you do just that: 

Water Heater Sizing Explained 

Water Heater Safety

Common Problems With Gas Water Heaters

How To Inspect Your Water Heater 

How To Drain Your Water Heater

Casey’s Has The Answers You Need

You can call us anytime and talk to us about any questions you may have about these new water heater standards. They can be a little confusing, but we are here to help you 24/7. We’re your Portland, Oregon Plumber.

503-620-9111

 

The post New Year, New Water Heater Standards For 2015 appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

What Is Fracking? What Does It Have To Do With My Water?

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Fracking is a term we’ve been hearing about in the news lately. Some cities and states are beginning to ban the practice. What is fracking, and why should you know about it?

What Is Fracking?

Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling under several layers of geological structures, fracturing the rock formations, and injecting a combination of chemicals, sand, and water at very high pressure to create a reaction within the rock to release it’s natural gas. The type of rock with gas and oil underneath is called shale. 

what is fracking

The basics of fracking.

 

What Does It Have To Do With My Water?

The practice of fracking requires the drilling company to drill past the water tables to reach the underlying oil and gas. The risk of chemical exposure to the water is high. Done correctly, the fracking process simply by-passes the water. However, this is the central debate around the practice of fracking; is the groundwater being contaminated? If so, with what?

Another issue with fracking is the practice uses massive amounts of fresh water, and once the water is chemically treated, the practice leaves behind a toxic liquid waste.

Why Is It A Big Deal?

Fracking forces apart the shale rocks to tap into the source of oil and gas, but it can cause damage to non-oil bearing rocks as well, resulting in methane forcing it’s way upward to the surface, contaminating the water you drink. You may have seen a video on news stories of someone lighting their kitchen faucet water on fire. That is a perfect example of fracking contamination. 

Fracking is allowed in many parts of the country, and the central debate around fracking is that no one knows what chemicals are being used to create the flow of natural gas to the surface. The companies argue that disclosing this information puts their business model at risk, and the government doesn’t require them to disclose what their secret chemical recipe is. 

Alternatives

Knowing the potential environmental cost to traditional fracking, companies are innovating to make the practice more environmentally friendly. For example, a company called GasFrac has created a system that uses a gel fluid containing propane. This eliminates the need for water, and the gel holds the sand better, improving on the current practice. Other companies are working to plug methane leaks, recycle the water used for fracking, and switching the equipment used from diesel to gas to help reduce the practice’s carbon emissions.

Is Oregon Fracking?

Currently, there are no fracking sites in Oregon. The Coos Bay basin in Southern Oregon was the site of nine fracked wells, but they are not active right now. A U.S. based company has taken interest in using geothermal energy extraction techniques to harness the power of some of Central Oregon’s dormant volcanoes, and is currently working through the early stages of the project.

This kind of stuff is pretty thick and chewy to get through and understand. However, here at Casey’s we value saving water and keeping it clean. We want our customers to be informed about what is happening around them, and provide them the tools and information they need to make decisions about their water use. Here are some of our favorite water conservation tips:

We’re here to help! Call us anytime, 24/7, 503-620-9111

Casey's Plumbing Portland Oregon

The post What Is Fracking? What Does It Have To Do With My Water? appeared first on Portland Oregon Plumber.

Plumbing Tips for Valentine’s Day

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With Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, now is the perfect time to show your plumbing system some love. Here are a few maintenance tips from BlueFrog to help keep your plumbing system in good shape.

Home Plumbing Tips:

  • Locate Your Water Shut Off Valve – Knowing where your main water shut off valve is located will help prevent water damage in an emergency. If you ever experience a plumbing leak, you will be able to quickly turn off the water to your home to prevent flooding and damage until our plumbing technicians arrive.
  • Insulate Plumbing Pipes – Adding pipe insulation can help you prevent frozen pipes, especially in cold parts of your house like the garage, basement and crawl space.
  • Correct Small Leaks – If you notice a leak, don’t let it go uncorrected. Even a small leak can make pipes corrode more quickly. This can lead to water damage and mold.

If you experience any plumbing problems this weekend, give us a call. Our professional plumbing technicians can help you get your bathroom back up and running. Call us today!

 

To read the original article or find more like it click HERE

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How To Protect Your Drains During The Easter Holiday

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Because Easter is yet another holiday that focuses on eating and visiting friends and family, there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of a clogged drain adding an additional problem and the need to call a plumber.. to an already busy day.

Some steps you should perform before guests arrive and the holiday commences, while other actions must be performed with vigilance while the celebration is taking place.

Preparing your drains for Easter

Bathroom drains

Drain strainers

You should check the wire mesh strainers in your drain cups for buildup that may slow your drains. Bathroom strainers may have hair, toothpaste, and soap embedded in the mesh, lowering their effectiveness to a point that the sinks or tubs may drain slowly.

This may cause additional buildup to form, and may cause guests to pull out the strainers, which merely sit atop the drain cup. This will allow every sort of debris to enter your sink or tub drain, and result in a drain clog at a more inaccessible point in your drains.

To clean your strainers, you should twist a wadded paper towel or cloth around inside the strainer, then dump any loosened material into the trash. Don’t simply turn the strainer upside down and run water forcefully to clean the strainer, or the dislodged material will go into your drain.

Your toilet

You can help to prevent your toilet drains from becoming clogged by preparing your bathroom before guests arrive. Don’t leave any paper towels in the bathroom to prevent them from being flushed down the toilet by uninformed guests. Keep an adequate supply of cloth hand towels instead.

Guests with babies may also throw “flushable” diapers and baby wipes into your toilet. You can avoid this potential toilet overflow issue by placing a small hamper in the bathroom, and requesting that diapers and wipes be placed in the hamper.

Kitchen drains

Kitchen strainers may have food debris that lowers the drain speed. You should dump any debris into the trash rather than down the sink, which would nullify the purpose of using a strainer.

Protecting your kitchen sink drain will require vigilance, as food is prepared and scraps discarded by family members and guests alike. There are specific items that you should keep from being placed in your sink drain or disposal, which include:

Used cooking oil or grease

Dumping cooking oil or grease into your kitchen drain will cause it to congeal (thicken) inside the drain. Pouring hot water into the drain after dumping oil will only allow it to travel farther into the drain line before congealing, making a potential drain clog even more difficult to remedy.

Easter egg shells

Even if the shells are decimated by a garbage disposal, the membrane inside the shells can shred and form a web that captures additional material inside your drain pipe and creates a drain clog.

Bones

Bones that are tossed into a disposal will splinter and lodge themselves inside your drain pipe, collecting debris as it passes.

You may also prepare your drains before guests arrive by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar into each drain. The mixture will foam and eat away any slight buildup inside your drains, while leaving a fresh clean scent in your home.

 

Looking for more posts like this? Check out 

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Spring Plumbing Tips: 15 Simple Plumbing Tips to Help You Save Money

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Spring Plumbing Tips

We found this awesome article on JustCallHeritage.Com..

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to do some “Spring Cleaning” for your home’s pipe and drainage systems. Here are 15 quick and simple Spring Plumbing Tips to protect your home against plumbing problems:

  1. Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  2. Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes
  3. Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
  4. Inspect toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  5. Exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
  6. Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They’re inexpensive and you’ll notice a lower water bill.
  7. Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
  8. Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. A great Spring Plumbing Tip.
  9. Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient
  10. Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  11. Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
  12. If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off without any problems.
  13. Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live in an area where sewers sometimes back up into homes. This device will prevent future backups
  14. Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
  15. Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

This list of Spring Pluming Tips is just a handful of the useful services and solutions that Heritage can provide your home this spring. If you are interested in the full run down of our plumbing service you can check them out here or you can schedule a service maintenance of your plumbing and drain systems by calling us!

 

Check out more articles just like this – http://justcallheritage.com/plumbing/15-simple-spring-plumbing-tips-save-money 

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