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April 2, 2008

Plastic Oddities is pleased to announce the addition of Coleman-Russell & Associates as our newest manufacturer representatives. 

Coleman-Russell & Associates, Inc. is a manufacturers’ representative firm covering Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle.

The company has been in operation since 1976, and offers all types of marketing services for its manufacturers and customers.

The company employs a total of twenty four people. Among the employees, there are seven Territory Managers, six Customer Service Representatives, four persons in general office/accounting and four warehouse personnel. There is also a full time Corporate Trainer who provides product training to Wholesale Distributors and Contractors.

The principals of the company are John Coleman, President and Dennis Reynolds, Executive Vice President. The officers have together over fifty years of experience in the industry. This broad experience and age spread assure our manufacturers of continued operation of the company at a high degree of competency at all times.

To contact Coleman-Russell call 1-800-777-0270 and ask for your sales representative listed below:

North Alabama
Morris Kay

South Alabama & Florida Panhandle
Paul Williams

East Tennessee
Brett Merrick

West Tennessee
Jeff Rogers

Louisiana
Ryan Torres

Mississippi
Tony Akers

Arkansas
Gary Washman

 

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Jan. 8th 2008

Frozen Pipes

It happens every winter. You don't leave the heat on when you leave or the temperature drops so low you don't even think about the water freezing in the pipes. As much as we know about what to do to protect our homes and apartments, sometimes we just forget.
The problem is, if you forget to leave the faucet running or leave the heat on, your home will most likely flood during the coldest time of the year. This is a nasty predicament to be in, not to mention clean up and pay for.

Preventing Freezing Pipes
The reason you are supposed to leave a faucet dripping or just barely running, is because moving water freezes at a lower temperature than still water. This is why lakes are frozen while rivers still run. By keeping the faucet on, you keep the water moving, if only very slightly, and keep it from freezing.
Another reason for bursting pipes is because people commonly turn the heat off when they are going to be away from the house for a few days, instead of just turning it down. Even the most insulated home will drop down to freezing levels if the heat is turned off. Make sure that everyone in the home knows the heat stays on during the winter. Even if it's positioned at 50 degrees, that will be enough to protect what needs protecting, and it won't cost that much to heat an empty home to minimal temperatures.
The best answer for pipes is to insulate them. If they are below the home and vulnerable to winds and outdoor temperatures, they definitely need a layer of insulation to keep them protected. This is a really simple solution to a potential problem that could cost thousands.
A great way to insure that your home will not be flooded when you return, is to turn the water off to the house. This idea can eliminate one fear of leaving your home, and is a particularly savvy move during the winter.

Leaking Pipes
Pipes usually leak before they burst, so if you are able to spot a leaking pipe you might just be able to catch the problem before it gets really bad. Turn the water off to the house, then call a plumber.
If a pipe is leaking slowly, during any time of the year, buy some disposable diapers and wrap one around the leak. This will last until it fills up, maybe an hour on a slow leak, but it will protect your floor somewhat from water damage. This is a fast and easy patch on the problem, but not a solution. Call someone immediately to look at it.

Bursting Pipes and Freezing Pipes
If you are at this point, about all you can do it turn the water off and call a plumber. In the mean time, keep everyone away from the water. It will be very cold and can dole out hypothermia if you and your pets are not careful. With boots or rain gear on, try to remove any items that will be in the way of the water, so that the damage is minimal. This will also be a big help to your plumber if he has to wade through not only the water in your basement but also floating debris.

After the Damage
As soon as the water has been removed, call a foundation specialist to see what damage was done to the basement walls and foundation. If your basement and foundation have not been sealed, this is a good time to have it done. Just remember to have someone out to make sure everything is on the up and up. A service call or checkup is far less expensive than fixing structural damage.

Matt Myers is a freelance writer for the home maintenance and remodeling industry. Formerly a contractor specializing in deck building and casework, Matt has written over 500 articles for both homeowners and contractors.