Matt Erickson | C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. Blog

Checking In with the CJE Community Service Corps

Matt Erickson

Oct 19 |17:17

C.J. Erickson has long been dedicated to aiding and serving our communities. In fact, as of October 13, 2010, we have proudly logged a total of 344 volunteer hours helping some incredibly worthwhile causes.

In the 2nd half of the year, we have been concentrating our volunteer hours at specific organizations in Chicago and local suburbs. These organizations include the Ronald McDonald House, Together We Cope and Greater Chicago Food Depository. The variety of tasks we are involved in at each organization are both people and family focused to increase the quality of life for those in need during what is still considered to be a
difficult economic time.

The Ronald McDonald House provides families of hospitalized children with stable and consistent resources. When it comes to our involvement at
the Ronald McDonald House, we happily and
humbly do any and everything residents and staff need of us when we arrive. For instance, on August 30, 2010, CJE staff cooked and served dinner for approximately 35-40 people who are staying in the Ronald McDonald House at Hope Children’s Hospital at 4410 W. 93rd Street, Oak Lawn, IL. Tasks often include cleaning the basics like laundry rooms, refrigerators, scrubbing the laundry rooms and floors, sweeping leaves off of the roof and installing new toilet seats. Our goal is to make this particular branch of the Ronald McDonald House organization as comfortable for the families living in it as possible. If you would like to volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House nonprofit, click here.

Together We Cope assists families in temporary crisis from Bremen, Orland, Palos and Worth townships in Chicago’s southern suburbs. We help unload trucks that arrive with food; we also pack up groceries for the 55 families that come in for food daily, stock the shelves and clean the freezers. This is a great organization helping people in need. If you are interested in volunteering at Together We Cope, click here.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl., Chicago, IL, Chicago’s food bank, is a non-profit food distribution and training center providing food for the hungry while working to end hunger in their community. We help them re-pack food into smaller containers for distribution to people and organizations in need. The Greater Chicago Food Depository also donates food to Together We Cope. For more information on the Greater Chicago Food Depository, click here.

At C.J. Erickson, we are proud to have a socially conscious and generous staff willing to donate hours to serving the community and those in need. And the year’s not over! We are continuing our service to these important foundations. If you are interested in the work we do or would like to help out, you can call us at (708) 371-4900.

Water Hammer

Matt Erickson

Jul 13 |16:20

Have you ever experienced a loud hammering noise or pipe rattling in your walls or ceiling? The noise is not only a nuisance but can be quite alarming, especially if you are unsure about what it is. This fairly common sound is referred to as “Water Hammer,” and it occurs when you quickly close a faucet or valve.

Water Hammer, also called hydraulic shock, is “a sound of concussion of moving water against the sides of a containing pipe or vessel,” (State of Illinois Plumbing Code). Water Hammer is the result of a rapid deceleration of water flow in an enclosed space, like a pipe. There are a few ways to remedy this problem, requiring simple parts and know how. A water hammer arrestor, for instance, is a device utilized to absorb the pressure surge when water flow is suddenly stopped. A device called an air chamber may be required in lieu of a mechanical water hammer arrestor. An air chamber is an extension of the water supply pipe near the pipe fixture that provides the air cushion to absorb hydraulic shock. If you look at the picture below, the pink lines you see are the actual “air chambers” while the other lines are the hot and cold water supply, and the waste and vent pipes.

When filling a water supply system, any air in the system will be pushed to the air chambers. Over time, the air in the chambers dissipates and water hammer begins to occur.

How can I eliminate water hammer from happening in my home?

Most homes in the Chicagoland area utilize air chambers. Here is one way to potentially stop the “Water Hammer” noise:

Turn off the main water supply valve for your home. This should be located near the water meter or at the point your water supply pipe enters the home.
Open all faucets, tub and shower valves and let the water drain out of the system. Let as much water out of the system as possible by opening a faucet or valve located at the lowest point (probably a basement or hose-bibb if slab on grade) possible.
Once the system is drained, close all faucets and valves that were opened.
Slowly turn on the main water supply until the system is full.
SLOWLY open all faucets and valves again to allow the water to completely fill the system. Be careful when opening faucets and valves, a mixture of water and air will come out of the faucets and might make a mess of you or your bathroom. Open slowly until the air and water mixture is gone.

The water supply system air-chambers should now be recharged with air and help eliminate water hammer.

One of the drawbacks of this process, especially in older homes, is that the faucets might not flow properly because of debris in the aerators. If this occurs, simply unscrew the aerator, clean out the debris, and replace the aerator.

If you have questions about this process or would like a technician to help, please feel free to call (708) 371-4900 to set up an appointment or talk to one of our staff members.

C.J. Brings Facebook Fans the "Ugliest Toilet Contest"

Matt Erickson

Jun 11 |18:42

Over the past 104 years, we at C.J. Erickson Plumbing have seen it all. From detached sink consoles to gritty tiling, we know that no matter how long you scrub and no matter how many fancy new cleaners you pick up at the hardware store, some bathroom fixtures are simply beyond repair.

With summer in full swing, we want to find the ugliest of the ugly and then replace it! As part of C.J.’s first “Ugliest Toilet Contest” starting June 15, 2010, our Facebook Fans are invited to submit a photograph or 30-second video of the ugliest toilet in their home. Fans may submit photos and videos through June 30, 2010. The winner of C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest” will win a free Kohler water-efficient toilet (model and color to be selected by the winner once the challenge is completed).

On July 6, 2010, our contest committee here at C.J. Erickson will decide on the top three finalists. Fans of our company Facebook Page will then have the opportunity to vote for the ugliest toilet until 11:59 pm on July 9, 2010. On July 12, 2010, the C.J. Erickson committee will officially announce the winner, who will receive free installation of a brand new Kohler water-efficient toilet of their choice, and removal of the old “Ugliest Toilet”.

For more information on C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest” or C.J. Erickson Plumbing, visit www.facebook.com/CJEricksonPlumbing or www.cjerickson.com.

**Rules and Guidelines* for C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest”:**

Dates for entries are June 15, 2010 at 12:01 am through June 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm.

C.J. Erickson’s contest committee will choose the three (3) ugliest toilets. The three (3) ugliest toilets chosen by the committee will be posted to the Fan Page on July 6, 2010. Facebook Fans will then vote on the absolute ugliest toilet through July 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm. The final winner will be announced on the afternoon of July 12, 2010. The winner will be able to choose any Kohler brand high-efficiency toilet in their choice of color. Includes installation of the new toilet and removal of the old toilet voted upon in C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest”.

The winner must live in the Chicagoland area – within a 40 mile radius of Alsip, IL.
The toilet being replaced must be the same toilet shown in the photo submitted to C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest”.
The winner of C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest” must be a fan of C.J. Erickson’s Facebook Page.
Contest applicants cannot submit a photo on someone else’s behalf.
The photo or video must feature the toilet, but may also include the immediate area surrounding the toilet.
Applicants will be judged solely on the appearance of the toilet, regardless of what else is featured in the photo or video submitted.
In order to be considered, entrants must post photos and videos on either the Facebook Page Wall or C.J.’s “Ugliest Toilet Contest” Event Wall.

*By entering the contest, you agree to all terms and conditions above.

All Toilets Are Not Alike!

Matt Erickson

Jun 2 |16:42

Finding the right toilet for your home is not as easy as it seems. Many homeowners do not rank their household toilet very high on the list of priorities. However, the toilet is often the centerpiece of most bathrooms – it is a key fixture of a modern and well-functioning home. When building a home, or even remodeling your bathroom, it is important to find the right toilet, both functionally and aesthetically.

Remember, all toilets are not built alike! No matter what the style of your bathroom, you want to choose a toilet that compliments your overall design for the room.

There are two main choices when it comes to the shape of a toilet bowl: an elongated bowl or a round front bowl. A round front is shorter, so it works well for smaller spaces, while a larger elongated front can be more comfortable and sanitary.

In the U.S., it is the law that all toilets must have a 1.6 gallon tank to conserve water. These toilets are referred to as “low flow” because they use less water to achieve the same flushing performance as high water usage toilets, such as the 3.5 or 5 gallon flush toilets that used to be standard in most homes. There are many benefits of a “low flow” toilet such as reduction of your sewer and water bill and reduction in the amount of waste water being produced and treated.

However, with the water conserving toilets, you really do get what you pay for. Buying an unbranded “low flow” toilet can result in more time and money spent on having it fixed than you will ever save on it. DO NOT SKIMP on the cost of installing a high quality low flow toilet – you will regret it in the long run.

Many toilets have features that are designed to make them easier to maintain. For example, American Standard has an Easy-Clean design, while Kohler offers an insulated tank, which prevents moisture build up on the outside due to condensation.

Toilets can be one-piece or two-pieces designs. One-piece toilets are typically five or six parts that are connected into one piece. They are often more expensive and stylish, but they are also easier to clean and more ideal for small spaces. Two-piece toilets are more common and inexpensive. They have a separate tank and bowl connected when the toilet is installed.

Below are some checklist items to remember when buying your new toilet. Sticking to as many of these as your budget can afford will help you save on repair costs in the long run and help you find the right toilet for your home.

The toilet must conform to local standards.
Try and stick to a brand name toilet.
Decide in advance if you want a one-piece or two-piece toilet.
Determine whether a round or elongated toilet bowl is best for you.
Choose a toilet that fits your decorating style.
Take into account that most toilets should be mounted 12 to 14 inches from the wall.

We hope that you are now equipped with the right knowledge to make an informed decision. Remember, if you need help choosing the right toilet for your need, or with installation, you can always call the experts at C.J. Erickson Plumbing – we’re always here to help!

Check back with our blog soon… an exciting “toilet challenge” is coming next week!

A Strong FMIScore Can Help Establish Trust Among Contractors

Matt Erickson

Apr 22 |16:46

Recently, C.J. Erickson Plumbing was asked by Clune Construction Company to attain our FMIScore. Obtaining an FMIScore is a requirement to prequalify to work with their company.

We had no hesitations about fulfilling this request. Economic stability in business today is important and should be questioned and verified. Companies, particularly in the construction industry, cannot be too careful when it comes to deciding whom to trust. C.J. Erickson supports this kind of transparency in every aspect of our work. We felt that receiving audited information on our financial stability could give the contractor and customer as much faith as we ourselves have in our work.

FMIScores are calculated using documented and verified information from contractors including lines of credit, quarterly measures, works-in-progress, etc. Ranked on a scale from 0 to 2,000, (the latter being the highest, with scores over 1,000 being deemed “excellent”) score results are invaluable in discovering the financial well-being and quality of a company. C.J. Erickson is proud to say that not only did we receive a title of “excellent,” but we were rated at a near-perfect score of 1,984. We could not be more proud, especially at a time of such economic hardship.