Lewis Maclean June 2019
JUNE 2019
A Restroom Reminder DON’T DESTROY YOUR HOME’S PLUMBING THIS SUMMER!
The toilet isn’t a topic many people like to talk about, especially in polite company. But no doubt, at times, the bathroom can be the most important room in the home. And when the plumbing becomes obstructed, you may find yourself counting down the seconds until it’s fixed. Plumbing emergencies can put your bathroom out of commission for a few hours, if not days, depending on the severity of the problem — and some of those problems aren’t cheap to fix. One of the biggest problems we continue to see are sewage backups caused by obstructions. While we see a variety of obstructions (see Page 3), the single most common obstruction is the wet wipe. We talked about wet wipes last year, but it bears repeating. Wet wipes are more popular than ever. They are convenient and useful for a variety of different applications, but the problem is many brands of wet wipes continue to be advertised as “flushable.” We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: There is no such thing as a flushable wet wipe. It doesn’t matter how small it is either. For instance, many wet wipes or moist towelettes unfold into a small square no larger than a toilet paper square. Because they seem so small, people think, “What’s the harm?” In this case, the problem isn’t size. A wet wipe is much thicker than a sheet of toilet paper. To make matters worse, they don’t break down like toilet paper, either. Wet wipes are highly fibrous because they’re designed to hold moisture.
Normal toilet paper begins to break down immediately when it comes in contact with moisture. It boils down to the fact that wet wipes simply aren’t designed for modern plumbing and sewage systems. When they do get flushed, they can bind up in the plumbing. Eventually, the plumbing can become completely blocked — and it’s not always near the point of entry. Many clogs happen further out, closer to where the home’s plumbing system links up with the municipal plumbing system. While a plumbing snake or auger can unblock some of these clogs, there are instances when homeowners had to have their yard dug up and the sewage line temporarily removed. It’s a costly headache for the homeowner. Homeowners with septic systems aren’t free and clear either. Some brands of wet wipes are advertised as antibacterial and contain small amounts of alcohol. These kinds of wipes can be detrimental to helpful bacteria living in septic systems to break down waste material. This doesn’t mean you have to stop using wet wipes. If you do use them, just be sure to dispose of them properly — in the trash. Unfortunately, wet wipes cannot be composted or recycled. They can only be thrown away. Wet wipes are made from synthetic fibres that don’t break down like organic fibres derived from wood. And there you have it, the straight truth about wet wipes! If you experience a clog or backup, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We don’t want you to wait to use the most important room in your home. We carry plumbing snakes in our trucks, so we’re always ready to tackle any clog that comes our way.
As always, we’re standing by the phone 24/7, ready to take your call for any plumbing, drainage, heating, or air conditioning needs!
–Tyler Dillon
1 604-532-9625 •
These days, energy efficiency is the name of the game. More people are installing energy-efficient appliances, from air conditioners to refrigerators. These appliances are better for the environment at large, and they can also lower your ongoing power bill. But what steps can you take right now to boost your home’s energy efficiency? While you can run out and buy brand-new, energy- efficient appliances, most people don’t have the budget for that. There are a few ways you can become more energy conscious without breaking the bank. One of the quickest ways to boost the efficiency of your home, particularly in regard to heating and cooling, is to install a smart thermostat . There are many options on the market, including those with smart monitoring and smart programming. Some units learn your cooling habits and can adjust themselves automatically. Other units can be controlled right from your phone, giving you complete control wherever you are. Plus, no more getting up to adjust the thermostat in the middle of the night! Another simple way to create a more energy-efficient home is to install new insulation — or install it for the first time. Insulation can degrade over time, so it’s important to check on it every once in a while. Some experts recommend having insulation inspections once every five years. Good insulation will keep you cool during the summer and warm during the winter. Water temperature is another thing to keep in mind when it comes to energy efficiency. For instance, washing your clothes in cold water and then line drying them can do wonders for your energy bill. If you are unable to line dry, drying them on a lower heat setting can also be beneficial. Does this mean you should disregard your clothing’s recommending wash settings? Sometimes, yes. Unless there is a situation when you really need hot water to get out a pesky stain, cold water is the way to go. 3 Steps to Better Home Energy Efficiency
Turn Family Game Night Into a Real Adventure Roll the Dice on Fun
Has Monopoly caused one too many fights? Are you tired of stockpiling resources in Settlers of Catan? Maybe it’s time to introduce your family to a new kind of game, one where you control the story and a single roll of the dice can change everything. This is the world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs),
where players embark on epic adventures under the
supervision of a central Game Master. There are a lot of RPGs out there to choose from; here are a few your whole family can get into.
Go On a Quest: Dungeons and Dragons The first. The biggest. The king of tabletop RPGs. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) has been around since 1974, though shows like “Community” and “Stranger Things” have only recently helped the fantasy game gain mainstream acclaim. There are a lot of rules involved in the gameplay, so D&D can seem overwhelming to new players. But once you become familiar with the game, there are limitless options for characters and quests. How will a human fighter, an elf wizard, and a dwarf cleric save the world? Roll the dice and find out. Become Super: Masks If your family has ever had a long conversation about who would win in a fight between the Hulk and Superman, then Masks is the RPG for you. Fly into Halcyon City where your family can take on the role of a team of young superheroes. Create your own hero and work together to make the world a better place. Fight supervillains, rescue citizens, and ultimately determine who has the best superpower. Solve a Mystery: Bubblegumshoe Did you grow up reading “Nancy Drew”? Are your kids all about BBC’s “Sherlock”? Then Bubblegumshoe is the game for you. This teen sleuth adventure is geared toward younger players, so it’s easier to start than other games on this list. Don’t worry if you’re not a mystery writer; the game comes with prewritten stories for your brilliant characters to solve. The villain might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for your meddling kids!
What are you waiting for? Grab some dice and get the party started!
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The Toilet Isn’t a Magic Portal
THINGS PEOPLE FLUSH — AND SHOULDN’T
Remember those old Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons when Wile E. Coyote would be so starving for food that he’d look at a cactus and see a steaming turkey? We can only surmise that when people look at their toilets, they see something we don’t. Perhaps they see a giant trash can begging to be fed. How else can we explain the things people flush, straining their plumbing system to the point where it clogs big time? Here’s what people have flushed and the expensive resulting plumbing repairs: FOOD FATS Most people know not to pour grease down the kitchen drain — but what about the toilet? You’re going to run into the exact same problem or maybe worse! When the grease is poured down the drain, it congeals, which causes major blockages. TOYS We know you, as adults, are not flushing toys, but it would be helpful to remind your little ones to be more careful with their dinosaurs. You wouldn’t believe how many of these we pull out of toilets!
PAPER There’s only one type of paper you should be flushing. All the rest, including paper towels, female sanitary products, and tissues should be disposed of elsewhere. Even if the product advertises that it’s “flushable,” don’t trust it. CIGARETTE BUTTS These are full of chemicals that break down quickly and collect on the edges of pipes. Worse, these toxic chemicals can find their way into the surrounding environment and back into the water supply. COFFEE GROUNDS They are biodegradable, but they break down slowly and can cause plumbing problems. Save coffee grounds for the garden. PETS No, people don’t (usually) try to flush deceased dogs or cats, but people continue to flush fish and other small animals, including gerbils and hamsters. We’ve seen it happen, and animals are not good for your plumbing system. FALSE TEETH After all these years, we still can’t figure out how these get into toilets, but they do. If you figure it out, send us an email and enlighten us!
ZUCCHINI SALAD WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS
June Word Search
N J
S B R R B T Z B H A T T V
H O R I
E J
R V M U E Q I
O Z
W I I M R V E F D Y W A Q H J G T M T R L A P N H M Z C N J A U H B A P K Z P U T A N H E S P R X S C X B J V S U M E D G O D K J V A U Y A L P S X I O V J B Y L N V T T N T M A S P O D B Q E E O H R U P H O T N M N N Z H H S D M F T O E U F L C U Y C B N E D V Q Q P O F K T D B W S J G V M N C A E B S M W A Y L G G G C B V X Y C D U D G U X F D X K D H Y A I Q G M I A G T R A V E L E H
With raw zucchini, toasted hazelnuts, and a robust Parmigiano-Reggiano, this early summer salad is a delight of different textures and flavours that will make a great side at your next cookout.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 small zucchini (3/4 lb.) • 1/2 tsp lemon zest, grated • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped • Mint leaves, for garnish • Parmesan cheese, preferably
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice zucchini lengthwise into extremely thin, wide ribbons. 2. Arrange zucchini ribbons on a plate, sprinkle with lemon zest, and drizzle with juice.
3. Drizzle oil over zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and toss. 4. Scatter hazelnuts over the top, garnish with mint and cheese, and serve. Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
BEACH
BREAK
FUN
HOT PLAY
JUNE
OUTSIDE
BEACH HOT PLAY TAN
BREAK JUNE SUMMER TRAVEL
FUN OUTSIDE SUN VACATION
SUMMER TRAVEL
SUN
TAN
VACATION
3 604-532-9625 •
23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com
8087380
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THIS ISSUE
Putting the Wrong Things Down the Drain Can Destroy Your Plumbing Wizards, Superheroes, and Detectives Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency You Can’t Flush Away Your Problems Zucchini Salad With Toasted Hazelnuts 3 Perfect Summer Getaways
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Canadian Beauty
3 DESTINATIONS THAT CAPTURE THE MAJESTY OF THE LANDSCAPE
Canmore, Alberta Canmore is a relatively small resort town tucked away in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Canadian Rockies, right on the Bow River. It sits between Mount Rundle and Mount Townsend and is due south from Lake Minnewanka — it’s also not far from Banff. Canmore has just about every summertime alpine activity you can think of: camping, fishing, rafting, canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, boating, golfing. You can always just sit by the river, taking in the natural scenery from the Bow River Campground. There’s even a nearby cave system to explore — see CanmoreCaveTours.com for more info. When you want to recharge or just get away from it all, Canmore is a destination to add to your summer travel list. Drumheller, Alberta Another great destination in Alberta, Drumheller is much farther east in the Great Plains, though the area isn’t as flat as much of the Plains. Drumheller sits on the Red Deer River, which has carved out the landscape with canyons and gullies. While there is excellent hiking around Drumheller, the real attraction is the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is one of the best palaeontological museums in North America — with the single, largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world. Spend a day exploring ancient history and learning
all about dinosaurs. The museum hosts impressive specimens of Tyrannosaurus rex, Albertosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops, just to name a few. Kelowna, BC Much closer to home, Kelowna makes a great day trip or weekend getaway. These days, Kelowna has become a destination for wine lovers. The hills surrounding Kelowna are home to a number of vineyards and wineries, and it’s established itself as the heart of Canadian wine country. Of course, there’s much more to do in Kelowna than sip wine. The boating on Okanagan Lake is phenomenal. With well over 100 kilometres to explore, it’s easy to spend an entire day on the lake fishing or just kicking back and enjoying the weather.
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