Granite or Quartz

Many remodeling magazines are reporting granite may be on the way out with quartz products taking the number one position as material of choice.

We can tell you we have seen a significant increase in the number of requests to quote quartz tops, when only a few months ago nobody was even interested.

Why the move?  We think there is a combination of factors.  First, quartz manufacturers have done a very fine job of imitating nature. Second, the cost on most quartz has come down and offers the consumer another option.  Third, there is still the lingering issue with sealing.  Even though we have seen great improvements in sealer technology, there is still that issue.  Fourth, safety....even with the new sealers, many of the natural products still present a certain hazard when it comes to allowing bacteria finding places to hide.  And, lastly there is the staining issue.  With granite there is always a potential issue, while with quartz staining is really nonexistent.

We still encourage our customers to at least look.  Even though the quartz products are doing a much better job imitating nature, there is still nothing like the real thing.

So when it comes time to make your decision; take into account all the potential issues, get advice from a number of sources and then choose the surface that will best serve you and your family.

You will probably only do this once; you want to make the most informed decision as possible.

Garbage Disposers

It's the Holidays again, that time of year for friends and loved ones.  It's also that time of the year for stopped up drains!!!!

Every year we discuss how to properly use a garbage disposer with our clients who have had one installed for the first time.  And, every year there are at least a couple of angry or panicked messages on our voice mail.

Please folks.....SAVE YOURSELVES A MAJOR HEADACHE!  Garbage disposers and your plumbing system were never designed to take heavy amounts of ground waist.  Many of us have learned the hard way; lucky ones have listened to the nightmare situations of those who've experienced the stopped up drain and avoided the problem.

NEVER peel your potatoes or carrots into the disposer....these will simply slide down the sides and stop up your drain.

ALWAYS, scrape your plates and servers into the trash.  You can then rinse off the remainder into the disposer.

If you do get a clog, don't panic....it's an easy fix.  Put a pan under the "P" trap, loosen the compression fittings, remove the trap and pull the peelings out.  Re-attach in reverse order, tighten down and flush with a full sink of water.  Don't try to use liquid drain cleaners, you'll only make the mess worse.

Hopefully one of these Holidays we won't get the call....probably not.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE FROM ALL OF US AT DALCO!!!!