Lewis Maclean's online newsletter for June 2018
JUNE 2018
The Truth About Wet Wipes ARE YOU DESTROYING YOUR HOME’S PLUMBING?
Though we’ve been talking about air conditioning for the last few months — and it is getting warm out there — this month, I wanted to turn to another important topic. It’s a topic not often brought up: sewage. Over the past several weeks, we’ve been called out to a rash of sewage backups. In nearly every case, we’ve had to break out the drain snake to clear an obstruction. The culprit? Wet wipes. Wet wipes are advertised as a major convenience. When you need to clean up, they’re great and can come to the rescue in many different situations. The problem is, they are not meant to be flushed. A lot of wet wipes, moist towelettes, and baby wipes say they can be flushed — it’s right on the label. This is not true. There is no such thing as a “flushable” wet wipe. Since they came into popularity in the 2000s, these wipes have been causing a lot of problems in plumbing systems, septic systems, and public sewers. They’re a headache for sewage and water treatment facilities. The problem has gotten so bad that cities in the United States have sued wet wipe manufacturers for labeling their products as “flushable.” These products do not break down like toilet paper. Because they are designed to retain moisture, their structure is highly fibrous. If you tear a wet wipe in two, you can see just how fibrous it is. Even the thinnest wipes won’t break down like toilet paper. As a result, they will block
drains and cause backups — and sometimes these backups get so bad they require extensive work.
Some wet wipes are marketed as antibacterial or antimicrobial and contain alcohol. These can be problematic for
septic systems that rely on certain kinds of bacteria and enzymes to properly function. The alcohol kills the bacteria and when the bacteria in these systems are disrupted, it can mean that these systems need to be emptied more frequently.
Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down when it’s flushed. When it hits the water, it starts to fall apart. Other products, such as Kleenex, makeup towelettes, dental floss, paper towels, cotton swabs, and other similar “soft” items also don’t break down. If it’s not toilet paper, your best bet is to not flush it.
“A lot of wet wipes, moist towelettes, and baby wipes say they can be flushed — it’s right on the label. This is not true. There is no such thing as a ‘flushable’ wet wipe.”
When it comes to your home’s plumbing, a small issue can quickly escalate into a big problem if it’s left to sit. If you’re experiencing a backup, don’t hesitate to call. We have drain snakes in all of our trucks, and we’re always ready to wrangle the toughest clogs. We’ll get out to you before it becomes a serious problem that requires a lot of cleanup. As always, we’re standing by the phone, ready to take your call — and ready to handle all of your plumbing, drainage, heating, and air conditioning needs! We hope you’re having a great summer and that you’re staying cool out there!
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Lay Some Shade on Me
Tips to Improve Air Quality in Your Home
THE BEST VEGETABLES TO PLANT IN SHADY SPOTS
One of the biggest players in the health of your home is something you rarely see. Hidden in your HVAC system is your air filter, a simple device that helps remove unsavory pollutants from the air your family breathes. Your air filter is working 24 hours a day, and there are some things you can do to help the efficiency of your air filter and keep breathing easy at home. Practice Proper Ventilation Properly ventilating your home can reduce moisture levels and decrease the chances of mold growth. But we don’t suggest just opening your windows and letting outdoor pollutants into your home. Turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom after showering to get rid of the steam, make sure your kitchen is correctly ventilated so you don’t experience a buildup of air pollutants while cooking, and consider installing trickle vents. Go High-Tech In addition to your air filter and HVAC system, there are devices that can help improve the quality of your air. Air purifiers can do wonders to clean the air inside your home, but you should make sure they are good quality and use a HEPA filter. Vacuuming carpets and mattresses regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can also help improve air quality. Bring in Some Houseplants Plants are natural air filters. A single tree is able to absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, while simultaneously producing nearly 260 pounds of oxygen. In 1989, NASA conducted the Clean Air Study and released a list of indoor plants they found were able to “play a major role in removal of organic chemicals from indoor air.” NASA identified around 20 plants that were most effective for air filtering, including English ivy, peace lily, and Boston fern. If you suffer from dry eyes, coughing, or bad allergies while at home, your air filter or HVAC system may be to blame. Give your air filter experts a call at 604-532-9625 and find out what you need to do to enjoy a breath of fresh air when you walk in the door.
There’s nothing quite like growing your own vegetables, but if your home doesn’t get the best sunlight, what can you do? It’s a problem many gardeners face. Even if you live in a sunny area, you may have a shady corner of the garden or side of the house going to waste. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that do well in partial and full shade. As a general rule, leafy greens do better in shade and milder temperatures than other vegetables. Flowering plants and vines, such as cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes, need more hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive — about six hours or more.
Herbs. While many herbs, such as basil, are better suited for sunnier conditions, there are a few that will do great in shade. These
include chives, cilantro, golden marjoram, mint, oregano, and parsley. (Hours of sun per day: 3)
Kale. Typically, kale does well in partial shade. When kale is grown in full shade, the leaves tend to be slightly smaller, but this can be offset by growing additional plants.
(Hours of sun per day: 3–4)
Peas. Like kale, when grown in shade, peas and beans won’t grow quite as full, and plants may take longer to mature, but with proper planning, you’ll still reap a plentiful harvest. Bush and dwarf varieties are recommended over their pole counterparts. (Hours of sun per day: 4–5) Potatoes. Root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and beets, will grow in partial shade, but they may take a few more weeks to mature, and they may produce fewer vegetables. However, as most gardeners agree, the results are still worth the effort. (Hours of sun per day: 4–5)
Spinach. Like most leafy greens, spinach does very well in shade, particularly baby spinach. The plant will continue to produce leaves for an extended period of time if you regularly harvest the outer leaves. (Hours of sun per day: 3–4)
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Canoeing Pack a picnic lunch and head out to a nearby lake or pond. If you don’t have a canoe — not many of us do — there are many outdoor stores throughout the Lower Mainland that rent them out to customers (you might have to check around). Then, take the family TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE Fun Summer Activities
or more of exercise, everyone also gets a healthy and nutritious reward at the end of it all (and during, too — who can resist the urge to munch on freshly picked fruit?). Geocaching Who doesn’t love going on a treasure hunt? With geocaching, you never know what you’re going to find. It might be a little souvenir or a simple log book dedicated to all the triumphant explorers who came before. All you need is a smartphone (which comes equipped with GPS tracking) or a dedicated GPS device, and you’re set.
and hit the water. Let the kids take control of the paddles to encourage exploration and exercise. Alternatively, if a canoe is a little too big for your tastes, you can’t go wrong with a kayak! Fruit Picking During the summer, many orchards, as well as melon and berry patches, open their gates to the public. Grab the family and stroll through the orchards or berry patches while picking amazingly fresh fruit. Not only is fruit picking a great way to get in an hour
Check out geocaching.com for more info or search the web for other geocachers near you! Ice Cream Making At the end of a hot day, nothing beats a few scoops of freshly made ice cream. But if you want to really earn your next scoop, skip the electric ice cream maker. Instead, find a good old-fashioned hand-cranked mixer. Not only are these generally more affordable than electric mixers, they offer a decent work out, which is perfect when you’re about to chow down on some ice cream!
Vegan Spaghetti ONE-POT
[Inspired by veganheaven.org]
This vegan pasta recipe is quick, delicious, and super healthy — a perfect weeknight dinner.
INGREDIENTS
• •
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth 9 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti 1 small zucchini, cut into semicircles 1 red onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved • 1/2 cup broccoli florets • 1 handful kale, roughly chopped •
•
• •
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs Salt and pepper, to taste
•
CAMPING FLIPFLOPS HAMBURGER JUNE
LEMONADE PICNIC POOL SMORES
SUNSCREEN SUNSHINE SWIMMING VACATION
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring broth to a boil in a
2. Add broccoli and kale, and simmer 3 more minutes. Remove from heat when pasta is al dente. 3. Transfer to a bowl and serve.
large pot. Add all ingredients except the broccoli and kale, and simmer for 9 minutes.
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23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com
8087380
Inside 1
THIS ISSUE
Are Wet Wipes Setting You up for a Plumbing Disaster?
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Too Much Shade? Plant These Vegetables!
3 Ways You Can Help Your Air Filter
3
Get Out of the House With These Great Family Activities
One-Pot Vegan Spaghetti
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Cut Down on Flight Costs With This Simple Rule
The Best Time to Book a Flight SAVE BIG ON AIRFARE WITH THIS SIMPLE RULE
In case you haven’t noticed, traveling is expensive . It can feel like you’re signing away your soul when you sit down to plan a vacation. But when it comes to flights, there’s good news: They’re getting cheaper! According to a 2017 report published by online travel company ODIGEO, long-distance trips across Europe fell 7 percent last year. Luckily, the same trend is reflected in North American airlines as they engage in a price war to woo a growing base of ultrafrugal travelers. Still, a $600 summer flight to Honolulu isn’t exactly pocket change. What’s worse, flight prices are slippery; CheapAir.com’s 2017 Annual Airfare Study determined that the fares for any
airfares, the best time to book is 21–105 days in advance of
your flight, on average. If you want to get even more specific, try to book 55–75 days out, and book on a Sunday. Many travelers swear by Tuesday and Wednesday
bookings, but as Condé Nast Traveler reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on data from billions of flights. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to actually fly, though. The CheapAir.com study also pinpoints the absolute best windows for specific seasons: 54 days for winter trips, 75 days for spring, 76 days for summer, and 45 days for fall. Of course, these are averages, but if you stick to these rules and check fares regularly on sites like Kayak.com, SkyScanner.com, Momondo.com, and on the handy app Hopper, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting close to the best price possible.
given trip go up or down an average of 71 times, about $33 each shift. When you purchase your flight is nearly as important as where you’re going. But how do you choose a booking window that will maximize your savings?
According to the CheapAir.com study, in which they evaluated 921 million
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