Changes around the office & Superbowl

Hello all!

We hope you're staying warm in the cold winter weather. Just bundle up and it'll all be over soon. And by soon, we mean May...

Last week, we said goodbye to our CSR Sarah, who started in September of 2010. Sarah left Flagstaff last Friday for her new adventures in Tucson! It makes us sad to know we won't be seeing her every day, but we're thrilled that she was able to help many of you with your plumbing problems. She's a bright little ray of sunshine, so she's fitting in just right in sunny Tucson.

Good luck to you Sarah in all your endeavors!

With Sarah's exit came the opportunity for another Flagstaff local to have the chance at being an expert CSR. Amber started last Wednesday and has spent the last week getting acclimated to her position (and doing great at it.) Should you call, don't forget to welcome Amber to our little Mortensen Custom Plumbing family!

Welcome, Amber!



One thing I know Marty and Clay are ready for is the Superbowl! Okay, I am too... in fact, I'm so excited I'll share a little recipe I came across and love to make for Superbowl parties! These aren't for the novice football watcher, since they're so tasty you'll eat them throughout the whole game. Enjoy and don't say I didn't warn you!

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (a.k.a. Crack Bread)

Printable recipe

Click here to find out where I found this wonder

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread

8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust.

2. Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts.

3. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread.

4. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap when done.

6. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

No Superbowl required, just a ton of people, or one big appetite.

Enough about food, that's making me hungry. Did you know that we have a Facebook now? Click here to get a super sweet deal. Don't forget to "like" us!

Hope everyone has a great week and we'll see you next Wednesday! Stay warm out there!

Prepare for cold weather now.

                 Frozen pipes last winter caused havoc in Flagstaff. Homes, business and schools that were not prepared for the cold snap were faced with an emergency situation.

                According to Insurance industry experts, the average homeowner insurance claim for water damage and freezing is nearly $6,000 (most are must higher, like the picture below), making frozen pipes one of the most costly problems facing homeowners every winter. Come wintertime, homeowners can take precautions to keep the pipes intact and avoid pouring thousands of dollars into home repairs.

               I'm not a Physicologist, but this is what I see from the outside looking into these situations. Homeowners will plan every detail of a holiday trip when they’re headed out of town, but they often don’t think to prepare to prevent their pipes from freezing. Even in the early fall, there are measures you should take to protect your home from water damage when a cold snap hits.

What Can Flagstaff Homeowners do to Protect Their Property?

· If you suspect problems this winter have a professional ensure your plumbing system is designed correctly now, before cold weather hits. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are extremely vulnerable to freezing.

· Have an easy turning main water disconnect valve inside your home. Know where it is and how to use it. Outdoor water valves are buried deep in the ground, required special tools to operate, can be difficult to turn and are often covered by thick snow and ice in an emergency.

· Keep bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors open during a cold spell to let warm air circulate around the pipes.

· Seal any leaks in your home, attic, basement or crawlspace that might allow cold air inside where pipes are located.

            If your home had has problems in past winters and only the minimal repairs were made you can expect it to happen again. (It's sad, but true.) It is similar to a doctor that only treats the symptom, but not the sickness. Use a plumber who can look at the larger picture. Permanent solutions solve the problem completely so it will never reoccur, even when colder weather is in the forecast.”

                    Mortensen Custom Plumbing helps their customers year-round to prevent frozen pipes during cold temperatures. Proactive homeowners can call Mortensen Custom Plumbing at 928-774-HELP(4357) to schedule an inspection of their plumbing system. Their expert technicians can find problems before they start and offer permanent solutions with warranties that extend for years, not just days. For more information visit www.MortensenCustomPlumbing.com

Want you never wanted to know about your septic system.

You can not beat the rural lifestyle.
The howling coyotes, the bugling elk and the "black and white cats" . Another commonality that homes outside of the city limits have is a septic system.
We would rather not think about it. So most of us do not, until you come home from a 3 week vacation and find that washing a batch of clothes forces few a decades worth of filth to make comeback though your drains onto your floor. It's not a pretty picture.
No problem. We help people with their septic systems everyday. We can even stop by and monitor your system twice a year so you never have to relive the another septic system nightmare.
Even if your drains are working good today and you just want to confess that taking care of your septic system has slipped your mind for the past 13 and half years, that okay too. We can still help. Just give us a call at 928-774-4357 (HELP) or visit us on the web at www.mortensencustomplumbing.com.

Fall is not far.

Hello Friends,

It’s great to be back in touch after a busy few weeks. For a lot of families, Fall will usher in a new “learning season.” As kids head off to new classrooms, sometimes you can’t help remembering your own school days. During my time in school, I learned a lot – and forgot a lot – but I’m in good company. As Albert Einstein said, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”

I don’t always remember the history dates, mathematical calculations or scientific theories that showed up in textbooks, but somewhere along the way, I learned some basics that have stuck with me year after year. For example, there will always be someone who knows more than I do. And there will always be someone I can help.

Those two facts are a big part of running this business. Our team around here is committed to learning more ways that we can make your home more and more comfortable. And we’re committed to sharing our knowledge with you and helping you in whatever way we can.

If you have any trouble with your plumbing, just give us a call and we’ll get there as quickly as we can. Or if you want peace of mind about your plumbing’s inner workings, call and schedule a plumbing inspection. We’ll identify any areas under strain.

Hope to see you soon!

Marty Mortensen

Rare pictures of baby Bald Eagles.

Our plumbing customer Teryl G. Grubb Scientist and Wildlife Researcher gave us these pictures to share with others in Flagstaff who follow this blog. Teryl has spent his entire career studying Bald Eagles. I would assume that these pictures require a great deal of work to collect and are a rare sight for most of us to see. Thanks for sharing with us Teryl. Very appropriate for the 4th of July.

Bring on the rain!

We got a little taste of the rainy season. Did anyone else forget how good it smells during a rain storm? Did you ever stop to think why? One reason is because rain water is better.
White spots, dry skin and scratchy clothes are the results of our "hard" mountain water. You can even call the Flagstaff Water Department 928-779-7637, Doney Park Water 928-526-1080 or Kachina Utilities 928-525-1775 to find out what the level of your water "harness" is.

Treated Water = 0

Slightly hard = 1-2 grains per gallon

Medium Hard = 3-7 grains per gallon

Hard = 7-10.5 grains per gallon

Extremely Hard Water = 10.5+ grains per gallon

No need to worry if your water is not as good as pure rain water. We have some great ways to solve the problem. A good system can cut the amount of soap your use in half, soften your skin and never level a hard water again. Just give us a call 928-774-4357 (HELP).  Or visit www.mortensencustomplumbing.com

Stay Safe Around Water.

It’s only 75 outside. But it’s still H-O-T.

Five minutes in the sun with a hat, sunglasses and water bottle is still hotter than a “snakes butt in a wagon rut”.  

Here in Flagstaff we might not have swimming pools with self closing gates to worry about but our Water Heaters can become a concern. Each hot water system is required to have a safety system that acts as a line of defense to keep a malfunctioning system from becoming a “hot water hand grenade”. We often see when these systems are not maintained they become stuck in a dangerously closed position. A use and care guide for a commonly used system states the following.

 “Manually operate this safety system at least once a year to make sure it is working properly. Standing clear of the outlet (discharge water may be hot), slowly lift the release lever handle to allow the valve to operate freely and return it to its close position. If the valve fails to completely reset and continues to release water, immediately shut off the manual gas control valve and the cold water inlet valve and call a qualified technician.”

Summer time is busy for all of us. But let’s not forget to stay safe this year.

And if you are not able find time to fix a plumbing project yourself just let us know. We are always here to help 24/7. Just call us at 928-774-4357 (HELP) or visit us at www.mortensencustomplumbing.com

-Marty Mortensen