CCB’s New Buyer Beware Site

You can check out a single contractor using the CCB website to see if they have ever had a violation using their name or CCB number, but now the CCB has made it even easier.  They have added a Buyer Beware page to their website to list repeat offenders, scammers, and contractors that have not paid their debts to homeowners or fines to the State of Oregon.  None on the list have licenses in good standing.  The CCB continues to get reports these bad contractors are still offering their services to the public.  If you are a homeowner or a subcontractor that has been burned by a contractor, report them to the CCB.  If they receive more than five complaints in one year, they will have to get a larger bond which is difficult to obtain.  If they do not resolve their conflicts, they will be put on the list as a warning to others.

Winter’s Almost Over, but the Leaks Are Just Beginning!

Hose bibs, the faucets on the outside of your homes, are very handy. What people don’t know is that they can also cause a lot of damage if they freeze and break during the winter. When spring arrives and the pipe connected to the faucet thaws, it can leak and cause damage to the interior of your home. All hoses should be removed before winter, and drips should be repaired. If the hose bib was installed correctly, it should drain out leaving it dry throughout the winter and problem free come spring. Do a quick inspection inside your home after you turn on your hose bibs for the first time this spring, so you can catch any leaks before they cause major damage.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

Just because it is called a garbage disposal, doesn’t mean all garbage can be put into it safely.  With a few guidelines of what not to put into your disposal, you can prolong the life of not only your disposal but your plumbing system as well.  To begin with, make sure to only put food waste into your disposal.  Household waste such as paper and cigarette butts can wreak havoc.  Small bones are fine, but large bones can actually break your garbage disposal beyond repair.  Fat and grease will not only coat the blades, they can create a clog in the pipes as well.  Try to avoid fibrous foods such as celery or corn husks that can wrap around the blades and keep the disposal from operating.  Large amounts of pasta, rice, or absorbent foods can expand in your pipes and contribute to clogs.  Coffee grounds and egg shells are two items that may seem fine for your disposal, but can actually create a clog in the pipes below it.  Extend the quality and quantity of time your disposal works for you with a little thought about what you’re putting into it.