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| Posted By: Sylvan Posted On: Jan 27, 2008 Views: 545 | International Plumbing Code A plumbing inspector was walking along the beach one day and he found an old & strange looking brass lamp. there was some marks on the side and he tried to clean the grime off by rubbing the lamp. Suddenly a cloud of smoke poured out of the lamp and a genie appeared. The genie said he had been in the lamp for 5,000 years and he would give the inspector one wish for releasing him. The inspector thought for a long time then said "I really like to go to Hawaii, but I hate to fly. I would like a bridge from Long Beach to Honolulu." The genie looked at him and said "Are you crazy? A bridge is too much, the footings & foundations would be impossible to do in the deep water, the Environmental Impact Statement would take forever. It's too far to drive in a day, there would have to be gas stations and motels. A bridge is too much, ask for something else." The inspector thought again and finally said, " Can you explain the International Plumbing Code to me?" The genie stood there for a while, then said," was that 2 or 4 lanes on the bridge?" |
| Posted By: Tieger plumbing Posted On: Mar 1, 2007 Views: 583 | Reality Check young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many >others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and >was very much in favor of the redistribution of wealth. > > She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a >feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had >participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that >her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he >thought should be his. > > One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes >on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The >self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be >the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how >she was doing in school. > > Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and >let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a >very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no >time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have >time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many >college friends because she spent all her time studying. > > Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing ?" > > > She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy >classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so >popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to >all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes >because she's too hung over." > >Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the >Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your >friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and >certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA." > > The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, >angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for >my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! >Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I >worked my tail off!" > > The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, " Welcome to > the Republican party > |
| Posted By: S. Tieger plumbing Posted On: Dec 1, 2006 Views: 628 | How to get qualified help Someone asked the following question Anyone every used Plumbing Agent for finding employees? Their ideas on recruitng seem right on so I'm thinking of joining and would like some input before going forward. Thanks in advance. My answer below Do like I did when I need great mechanics STEAL THEM. If during the slow time you see a plumber/HVAC contractors mechanic working then you know he/she has to be the cream of the crop as the stumblebums were already laid off during off peak periods. I was working for a GC and saw his top man doing carpentry and tile work and he helped me install some 8" cast iron. I was very impressed that when the job was completed I took the guy by offering him $10 per HR more then he was getting and that was 2 years ago. Rather then train someone who may end up leaving and taking your investment of time and aggravation by their failures its much easier to steal someone already properly trained. During the heating season I offered a guy $45 per HR to start and he stayed with me for 8 years until I decided I no longer wanted to do heating. Even paying him $65 per hr I was making $700 per day on just labor materials were gravey. T&M Rules It may sound like a lot of money but think of all the time you saved not training them or paying for their schooling. Head hunters steal top execs all the time, I just by passed the middle man and because I am factory direct I can offer more as there is no commissions or finders fee to pay. Why have 10 semi good mechanics, when you can have 4 great employees that can actually pay their own salary within two hours of working. Figure your paying $50 per HR and charging $175 and they work a 7 HR day... YOU do not need a pricing program to tell you your making money huh? Why have to pay kick backs to a franchise to be a so called team player when your making a decent living with your over head much lower If your paying any kind of benefits then of course the in the envelope dollar drops accordingly. I always try to make sure the gross salary of an employee is covered within two hours of work this rule of thumb has worked for me for over 20 years (the other 5 hrs cover my over head my salary and profit) By the way if you do find cheap help there is absolutely no reason to lower your prices it just means more profit for you. I had one part time guy all he did was sewer /drain cleaning and asked for $14.00 per hr he grossed 50 to 75 times his rate of pay a day. ($150 per call even if he did only one per hr for a 5 hr day) plenty of fudge factor room huh? That is another reason I bill the accounts so the employees do not get into my billing and think it is all profit. PM should stick with plumbing issues and not take on so many ads to push pricing systems. It is just common sense no magic system just charge right. IMHO |
| Posted By: S. Tieger plumbing Posted On: Jul 24, 2006 Views: 698 | Employee compensation Negative and positive re enforcement In 1987 ago I had over 18 employees (not including office staff) who I had working in the field doing plumbing and drain cleaning and heating. One Christmas I held a party in a restaurant where I gave out the Christmas bonus checks and had the family members of my employees attend As I started with one helper and said "Gary you come on every morning a half hour early and go home after the last mechanic has left and you kept my vans in great condition and kept inventory under control here is a check for $1,500 thank you" Dennis you had three call backs and took care of them and the accounts like your work and you missed only 4 days this year, here is $1,200 have a great holiday. Pat your my top mechanic going back to fix the other mechanics mistakes and willing to work on the week ends and holidays and even worked several 18 hr days when folks had no heat here is the keys for a new Ford LTD paid for by the company, merry Christmas and the car is in your name. I continued giving out checks ranging between $600 - $1,000 UNTIL I got to Victor I saved him for last I said loud and clear " Victor you came in 4 times late, had 7 calls backs missed 4 days of work without giving me the curtsey of even a phone call, you left early and even did side jobs for two of my accounts". So considering all the above I have a check for you in the amount of $1.00 enjoy your holiday. Needless to say a few of the mechanics busted out laughing Victor of course resigned with a few chosen words spoken and he even ripped up the check. After that episode my productivity increased that I was able to bill out 12 -14 hrs of work per man in an 8 hour day. Bonuses are a gift not an entitlement and can be very useful in keeping folks on the right track. Sylvan Tieger,LMP |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tieger Posted On: Jul 3, 2006 Views: 711 | What makes a real LMP Reading PM I noticed lots of "plastic" being pushed. I wish PM had a LMP who was not brain washed write articles about the virtues of not using plastic. Not all plumbers are created equal and some states allow anyone to buy a so called master plumbers license. For example to become a plumber in many areas there is no practical testing just a bare minimum stand knowledge of a Mickey mouse code (if any). Some of the better counties require the following 1- A five (5) year approved apprenticeship consisting of 10,000 hours of OJT and 744 hours of class room studies 2- Having proven that they have ten (10) years working in the field under the direct auspices of a LMP then they are eligible to take the 4 part plumbing exams (total testing time 16 hrs) 3- Require the LMP to take continuing CEU's and know why certain materials should not be used as cost is not the only factor that should dictate usage. To many localities cater to the mind set of the tract house builders who try to get in and get out as fast as possible using any materials that help get a speedy job accomplished and forget the environment and let the next generation worry about the toxicity that they installed. Much like the government knew in the late 1800's about the effects of black lung (coal dust) and asbestos (See the white lung association) they(government) looked the other way as life was cheap and the name of the game hooray for me and screw the next guy. PVC is very toxic make no mistake about it and many installers never take the proper precautions on the installations. Today with lawyers running the country and no one takes personal responsibility for their actions there is going to be a whole new generation of "victims" who came into contact with plastic poison and bacteria that was incubating in the water heaters as the temperature was turned down so low (125 deg F) that bacteria is no longer killed as it was when the temperature was above 140. Unfortunately many contractors fall into the get the job as cheap as possible mode and could careless about the quality of life issues and the future of the environment. With gas prices sky rocketing the price of plastic is not cheap any more and why would anyone settle for a second rate job if given the options and were told of the various materials available? One cannot rely on code officials to protect them as history has shown "codes" did call for asbestos for fire proofing even knowing the dangers involved. A real master plumber looks to protect the health of the nation not look for bottom of the line piping systems. This has nothing to do with profit it has to do with common decency. I think any so called plumber who would stoop so low to install an AAV should have their heads examined as why would anyone knowing the effects of "sewer gas" want to take a risk of exposing building inhabitants to all kinds of dreaded diseases? Have a great one Sylvan LMP http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/pvc/ |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tieger Posted On: Jul 2, 2006 Views: 708 | PM does NOT read back issues Anyone bother to read Carol Fey's article where she wrote about home centers selling plumbing/heating parts? in the June 2006 publication regarding home centers selling plumbing/heating parts? To bad the folks at PM do not have any original thoughts like naming a franchise after a dead man like Benedict Arnold or The Boston strangler plumbing and sewer services corp. Written in Oct 2002 SEE BELOW No Reason To Hide Frank Blau is concerned about home centers' supplying materials ("The Impact Of Material Sales," August 2002).Why? The reason I feel guys like Blau hate materials supplied by others is simple - there is no place to "hide" the hourly rate that we charge and thus this puts a damper on their selling pricing programs. As an independent person not pushing pricing programs, I can look at the great positive side of this. Here we have a great big box corporation willing to hold our stock pile and this way who ever works for the home centers can drive up like a gentleman to the job site with a fancy car and some hand tools. No more outlay of money for dead stock, our overhead drops like a lead balloon. No more big trucks to carry materials as the home center will drop all your parts as required. And if something is damaged, it's not my problem. I knew all along those flat rate books were trying to hide "hourly rates." Now as a professional contractor I do "contract work" and I do repair on T&M and my hourly rate on both is about the same. I could careless who supplies materials as I am not in the supply or hardware business. I make my money on my knowledge and skills. Sylvan Tieger S. Tieger Plumbing Co Inc. Bronx, N.Y. |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tiieger Posted On: Jun 26, 2006 Views: 714 | total disgrace It is disgrace that the UN is located in the land of the free if they can get away with this This is what keeps Americans free from dictatorship SEE the link below. http://www.stopungunban.org/ |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tieger Posted On: Jun 10, 2006 Views: 730 | I Totally AGREE I canot imagine how many more women would have their lives cut short if the other Kennedy's were not put down before they did more harm to the females of America. Imagine if a regular pilot crashed into the Atlantic I wonder if the USN would have spend the several million tax dollars to find the killer of two sisters and his wreckage. The politicians named Kennedy should never be allowed to get behind the wheel of anything gas operated it would appear. One can only hope Ted drive em one for the road Kennedy takes his family on a road trip. So far using golf clubs and cars and airplanes the Killer Kennedy clan took 4 lives that we know of and the Lord knows how many poor women were molested by these low lifes. Some legacy Joe Kennedy left. Ted had the gall to cross examine a candidate for supreme court after he left the scene of a murder and ask Ted about his cheating days in college. I guess plumbers cant protect the health of the nation as long as a Kennedy finds his way to a drink or drugs. GREAT post SGT |
| Posted By: Isaiah Posted On: Jun 8, 2006 Views: 715 | Killer Kennedy clan I wonder who keeps voting these drunks and drug addicts back into office? Takes a certain mentality to put the scum of the nation into public office I guess. Got to love the DemoCRAPS and their do as I say not as I do mentality. For the record TED KENNEDY killed more people behind the wheel of a car then I did with all my "assault " fire arms combined. I also never left a lady to drown which seems the Kennedy thing to do lately. Go to love American judges, the best money can buy it would appear |
| Posted By: Frank Posted On: Jun 5, 2006 Views: 706 | RE Killer Kennedy I think HELLery Clinton should have a law passed that any car manufacturer who sells any type of vehicle to a killer like Ted drive em one way one for the road Kennedy they are liable like the low life Kennedy wanted gun manufacturers held accountable. So far the Kennedy Klan killed more women then all my "assault" firearms combined. 4 women killed and the lord knows how many were attacked by these low lives One can only hope Lee Harvey has a child lurking around as I can not imagine how many women lives were saved with the death of a Kennedy. These folks even used a golf club when they could not find something that is gasoline operated. John managed to take two out at once and like his uncle used water to make sure the por women never had a chance. |
| Posted By: Steven Trent Posted On: Jun 3, 2006 Views: 696 | SGT Paul I could not agree with you more SGT. If plumbers are to protect the health of the nation I would like to see all senators and other politicians take random drug tests and be placed in a place where they cannot do the public any harm. So far just the Kennedy family took the lives of 4 women that we know of and countless allegations of rape. Many of the Kennedy clan are on Drugs like the senators son was caught buying drugs in NYC. Another case as do as I say not as I do. Some legacy Joe Kennedy left. FYI my "assault" firearms killed ZERO...The Kennedy family took 4 women out of the gene pool. |
| Posted By: SGT. Paul (police ret) Posted On: Jun 2, 2006 Views: 685 | Truest thing I ever read ID HUNT WITH DICK CHENEY BEFORE RIDING IN CAR WITH A KENNEDY, SAYS SAF FOUNDER May 9, 2006 - BELLEVUE, WA After admitting that he was under the influence of multiple drugs, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) once again has demonstrated that being in the same car with a politician named Kennedy is more risky than hunting with Vice President Dick Cheney, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) said today. Id rather go quail hunting with Dick Cheney than get in a car being driven by a Kennedy, said SAF founder Alan M. |
| Posted By: T. L. Posted On: Apr 16, 2006 Views: 696 | trying to get in touch with Shawn--Lyme Disease I read your comments on another website regarding Biaxin, and you mentioned the doctor thought your son could have Lyme Disease, but then the tests came back negative. Lyme Disease has a horrible false negative rate--it is mostly a clinical diagnosis, and given your son's repeated 'failures' with antibiotics, it sounds like he could indeed have the disease. It's very unfortunate (in this day and age), but many diseases (including HIV), the available tests have a fairly high false negative or false positive results. It's hard to find the data (for obvious reasons), but it's important that whenever a loved one falls very ill, to do research--it's amazing what you'll stumble upon. (for example, a severe TB infection has a false negative rate (with the skin test) of around 20%.) Medicine really has to begin (and end) clinically--if your son is responding to antibiotics, but keeps relapsing when they are stopped, it sounds like he needs to be on a longer course (and maybe a stronger course as well). I hope he's doing better now--I think your posting was distantly in the past, but I wanted to try and get word to you-- Tara |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tieger Posted On: Mar 4, 2006 Views: 748 | Compensation for stupidity Well here we go again, I just came back from a deposition regarding a 3 year old child being burned after her mother filled the tub with straight hot water to clean it. For some reason the mother was distracted and left the child unattended and did not bother to drain the tub or even close the bathroom door The child walked into the bathroom and went into the tub and received 3rd degree burns and needs skin grafts 40% of the body the skin peeled off. Now where do I come in? Seems this lady wants to be compensated for her child's pain and suffering. Amazing how the American judicial system works. In most civilized societies the neglectful parent would be in jail and the child placed in a safer environment BUT American lawyers hire experts like me to blame the water not the human factor. Like when Senator Ted Kennedy took a life and left the scene of a murder it was the booze fault not his after all he is still gainfully employed as a US Senator and asks questions about morality of would be judges. USA has become a society of "victims" and as long as the law allows expert witness to receive several thousands of dollars a day for testimony and never let the truth to get in the way of an "opinion" then the lawyers have the system made by creating more victims, every time a parent is neglectful they are to be compensated for their stupidity. I am sick of the system BUT as I watch my personal wealth grow I have to say American greed rules and let the games in court continue. Dont you just love it when Lawyers can create work for themselves? Next suits will be water to cold and thus bacteria is making children sick. WE NEED more layers in the Senate and congress. One thing I have learned from a law firm there is NO RIGHT or Wrong it is a question of win or lose and an expert should not allow facts to get in the way. Even letters to the NY Bar association don't mean a thing. Why would the NY Bar want to hold back from its members making out like bandits. In my humble opinion the above was written |
| Posted By: Sylvan Tieger Posted On: Feb 12, 2006 Views: 786 | Opinion I noticed due to the new water closets and other low flow fixtures required in New York there is an increase of mosquitoes in the storm and sewer piping. I would imagine that the less volume of water is not providing the proper scouring action that these pipes were designed to work with. I have also had to do more water jetting as the build up of grease deposits and soap scum has severely reduced piping diameter. I am wondering if any research has taken place since it was mandated arbitrary to just reduce the volume of each discharge without taking into consideration the ramifications of just lowering the GPM flow? Video inspections have proven that due to the lack of proper scouring action that there is an increase of bugs and other parasites thriving inside the piping. With West Niles and other diseases becoming more rampant possibly one should consider a more active role in preventative maintenance of municipal and private waste removal. For example the model codes do not want storm water to enter the sanitary systems thus what used to be cleaned periodically by heavy rain storms is just not happening. Granted the water treatment plants cannot handle the deluge of storm water entering the system but there has to be some medium to allow periodic scouring the sewer and waste lines. Rodding just is not going to clean these line and chemicals are being used to such an extent that many bacteria are now immune to chemical cleaning. The public should be made aware that the local government cannot and /or will not address these problems. The private sector should be more actively involved in teaching the populous on how to hire properly trained plumbing contractors as more now then ever it is the master plumbers who protect the health of the nations and prevention is much better then trying to find a cure. Respectfully, Sylvan Tieger,LMP |
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