Heating Help

sudoku puzzles

@ May 7, 2007 4:04 PM in Why can't they make an erasure that works !!!

Real men do them in ink. That way, when you screw up you just throw it away. Tech Solution: Make several copies of puzzle and keep trying until you get one correct. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

I'm in

@ May 2, 2007 4:09 PM in I hope y'all don't mind (WALLIE RALLY! - D.H.)

Glad to help Pat (Alaska Time) Clark Bell Plumbing & Heating

Unfortunately

@ March 27, 2007 6:52 PM in Pop quiz

This could go either way. I have had to teach a lot of techs how to solder, some of them just never get it. I have seen a lot worse from both homeowners and "techs" Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

wanna borrow my shovel

@ February 14, 2007 10:07 PM in Twice down the driveway

Hey Mark, Not snowing here, so you can borrow it for a couple of days. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

your loss

@ February 14, 2007 7:51 PM in Condolences to John Barba

Sorry to here of your loss John. We will be keeping you in our thoughts. Pat Clark Anchorage Alaska

By the way

@ January 9, 2007 1:54 AM in John Barba ROCKS!

John Barba does Rock, I forgot to mention that in the previous post. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

Oh god

@ January 9, 2007 1:38 AM in John Barba ROCKS!

Mark, Please tell me you are not going to do Karioke. Did I spell that correctly? As one who has slept with you (don't even go there guys) and have experienced level 5 snoring, and bought you a sh****** of drinks and seen how you play poker. This is not a profession you should be leaning towards. Murph, help me here. Ken (retired) jump in and support me. If you still think you can do this, hum Inagodadavida the long version on this site first before you leap into the fray and embarass yourself. Snowbound and drunk, your Alaskan friend. . . . . Pat (Alaska Time)Clark ps: how many musk ox could a musk ox ox if a musk ox couldnt ox ox?

gas smell

@ January 8, 2007 9:41 PM in Gas odor in NY

Ahhhhh! That was a good one. multiply times 2 million people. temporary shut down of Manhattan. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

in my basement

@ January 4, 2007 6:59 PM in What's in your basement?

Bought old 50's era house in 1989, immediately ripped out the electric baseboard and installed a 90% Trane Furnace with Honeywell EAC. Pulled that furnace in 92 or 93 and replaced with 90% Trane Variable Speed furnace, added humidifier and UV light (used to get sinus infections 1 to 2 times every year, can't remember when my last one was, but it was about that same time that I installed the UV light) Need to add garage and small addition someday, will be putting in a mod/con boiler with radiant in addition, garage and retro existing den downstairs. Will also incorporate snow melt in driveway and walkway, and hot tub heating for new hot tub on new deck at that time. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

not the Stones

@ December 29, 2006 10:59 AM in TV trivia (not heat related)

It was that other huge group Scott. The Partridge Family. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

Cloudy here in Anchorage

@ December 14, 2006 9:21 PM in Stop what you're doin and go outside (SE)

But maybe it will clear up. Nothing like some nice ripply Northern Lights to make you want to just stop and stare at the sky. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

If it gets too cold

@ December 7, 2006 7:27 PM in Polar Express

for you guys, come on up here to Anchorage. 30 degrees and trying to rain now. Sposed to stay warm for a couple of more days. Need more 15 below. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

I remember

@ December 5, 2006 6:51 PM in The Ultimate Urinal...

living in Germany from 62 to 65, and mostly through Europe, the men would just pee on the side of a building and I assume rain would wash it down. This looks to me to be a takeoff on that practice. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

for the Plumber At Heart

@ December 3, 2006 1:43 AM in Dave's not here, man........

Miss you Dave. Lifes too short to abandon those little things that touch us every day. Take your time, we will be here when you get back. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

4 here

@ December 3, 2006 1:34 AM in For granddads only

I am Grandpa Snow, (yeah, cause I live in Alaska) 4 Grandkids, ages 12, 8, 7, 3. They are so fun. We only get to visit a couple of times a year, but its great. I was fortunate enough to be present for my second granddaughters birth, that was so neat. Hug your kids, kiss your grandkids, ah hell kiss and hug em all. Don't forget your parents too. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark PS it was my mom's 83rd birthday today. Dad was 85 last Sunday. They are so young, at heart and spirit.

#'s

@ November 30, 2006 4:39 PM in Call Backs

Didn't mean to come off that the numbers determine everything. Just that these are definite trends that need to be looked at. Do I flush a guy that hits 5%? No, we sit down and talk about what he may be doing wrong. A lot of times it is procedural and just needs more training in certain areas. Most techs respond positively, because they don't want customers upset with them on callbacks. I am talking about 5% being unacceptable when the tech just refuses to change the way he works to fix the problem, or just cannot technically get to the point he needs to be to do the job. Believe me, I have worked through many techs over the years and given them every chance and an enourmous amount of help so that it works for everyone, the customer, the tech and the bottom line. Pat

Call Back %

@ November 30, 2006 2:25 PM in Call Backs

We invoice out our callbacks at full rates and a good tech should stay below 3%. 3 - 5% is normal for a tech still learning and over 5% is unacceptable. Pat And yes, 0 would be great, but unrealistic

Common problem

@ November 27, 2006 2:23 PM in Boiler sound like a percalator

Usually caused by mineral build up in bottom of cast iron sections. We use Silver King #5 cleaner to dissolve the buildup and also prevents future build up if you add 1 qt every time the system is drained for repairs. Also contains a lubricant for the pump. If your system is real bad, use 2 to 3 qts. If this doesn't take care of the problem you can check your local area to see if anyone does chemical cleaning of the boiler (these chemicals are not available to the public). Last resort is to replace boiler. This is a normal process that occurs when the boiler fires (think boiling water in a pan until dry on the stove, the residue left is the same minerals that will build up in the boiler) How fast it builds up depends on the quality of your water. I have seen boilers with substantial build up within a couple of years, well water with lots of crud in it. Hope this helps. The Silver King #5 is the only over the counter chemical that we have found that will actually clean out a buildup. Pat Bell Plumbing & Heating

I agree

@ November 14, 2006 2:12 AM in Name the company?

with you Mark. We have sold Burnhams for 15 years now. A great company that stands behind their contractors and supports the trade. One of the reasons we switched to Burnham was their brochures were targeted to the homeowner so that they understood what the product would provide in benefits to THEM. We get a lot of calls to purchase Burnham Boilers from us, but if we aren't installing it, we don't sell it. The Web Site is Consumer Friendly and that is as it should be. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark Got 4 Burnhams to put in the next 3 weeks, gettin chilly here.

Good Job

@ November 14, 2006 2:02 AM in Three cheers for Professor Silberstein

Eugene, your the greatest. Pat (Alaska Time) Clark

Great Article

@ November 13, 2006 6:45 PM in A tribute to Jerry

Thanks John. As always, you've stated the obvious. Pat

Thanks

@ November 11, 2006 3:26 PM in Veteran's day

To all those currently serving our great country, and all those veterans from before. A special thanks to my Dad, who flew B-29's in the South Pacific. Pat Clark