What does the Baker’s Dozen mean? Well, in baking terms it means you get more than you asked. You some extra delicious treat. Instead of 12 you get 13 or 14 of the item you’ve purchased.
Baker Crew
At Baker Plumbing Inc we take that exact same philosophy and apply to our trade. Not only do you get experience, reliable service and years of knowledge and training when you call Baker. You also get dedication, a smile and an attitude towards you project even your Dad would be proud of.
At Baker Plumbing we strive every day to provide our clients with the best products, the best service and of course the best attitude.
We use nothing but the best tools and equipment to get the job done quickly. We take the best training from industry experts that make and distribute the best products.
Come follow us on our daily journey of Plumbing excellence and a little more spice to your day by following us on IG.
Renovations begin with demolition!! Demolition is actually the fun of the renovations if you don’t know that then you’ve never done it. Few things more invigorating that smashing, ripping and tossing out the new in preparation of the new.
As always follow the links for more information on Baker Plumbing and the services we can provide for you and/or your company. Baker Plumbing Home Page
Before any renovations can begin the Demolition, is the first on the list of to do’s. Its known as the science and engineering in safely and efficiently tearing down of buildings and other artificial structures. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for reuse purposes.
For small buildings, such as houses, that are only two or three stories high, demolition is a rather simple process. The building is pulled down either manually or mechanically using large hydraulic equipment: elevated work platforms, cranes, excavators or bulldozers. Larger buildings may require the use of a wrecking ball, a heavy weight on a cable that is swung by a crane into the side of the buildings. Wrecking balls are especially effective against masonry, but are less easily controlled and often less efficient than other methods. Newer methods may use rotational hydraulic shears and silenced rock-breakers attached to excavators to cut or break through wood, steel, and concrete. The use of shears is especially common when flame cutting would be dangerous.
Before any demolition activities can take place, there are many steps that must be carried out beforehand, including performing asbestos abatement, removing hazardous or regulated materials, obtaining necessary permits, submitting necessary notifications, disconnecting utilities, rodent baiting and the development of site-specific safety and work plans.
The typical razing of a building is accomplished as follows:
Hydraulic excavators may be used to topple one- or two-story buildings by an undermining process. The strategy is to undermine the building while controlling the manner and direction in which it falls.
The demolition project manager/supervisor will determine where undermining is necessary so that a building is pulled in the desired manner and direction.
The walls are typically undermined at a building’s base, but this is not always the case if the building design dictates otherwise. Safety and cleanup considerations are also taken into account in determining how the building is undermined and ultimately demolished.
In some cases a crane with a wrecking ball is used to demolish the structure down to a certain manageable height. At that point undermining takes place as described above. However crane mounted demolition balls are rarely used within demolition due to the uncontrollable nature of the swinging ball and the safety implications associated.
High reach demolition excavators are more often used for tall buildings where explosive demolition is not appropriate or possible. Excavators with shear attachments are typically used to dismantle steel structural elements. Hydraulic hammers are often used for concrete structures and concrete processing attachments are used to crush concrete to a manageable size, and to remove reinforcing steel. For tall concrete buildings, where neither explosive nor high reach demolition with an excavator is safe or practical, the “inside-out” method is used, whereby remotely operated mini-excavators demolish the building from the inside, whilst maintaining the outer walls of the building as a scaffolding, as each floor is demolished.
To control dust, fire hoses are used to maintain a wet demolition. Hoses may be held by workers, secured in fixed location, or attached to lifts to gain elevation.
Loaders or bulldozers may also be used to demolish a building. They are typically equipped with “rakes” (thick pieces of steel that could be an I-beam or tube) that are used to ram building walls. Skid loaders and loaders will also be used to take materials out and sort steel.
The technique of Vérinage is used in France to weaken and buckle the supports of central floors promoting the collapse of the top part of a building onto the bottom resulting in a rapid, symmetrical, collapse.[2]
The Japanese company Kajima Construction has developed a new method of demolishing buildings which involves using computer-controlled hydraulic jacks to support the bottom floor as the supporting columns are removed. The floor is lowered and this process is repeated for each floor. This technique is safer and more environmentally friendly, and is useful in areas of high population density.[3]
Fred Dibnah used a manual method of demolition to remove industrial chimneys in Great Britain. He cut an ingress at the base of the chimney—supporting the brickwork with wooden props—and then burning away the props so that the chimney fell, using no explosives and usually hand-operated power tools.[4]
It comes as no surprise to anyone, plumbing is considered almost as the premiere career of dirty deeds. From septic fields, blocked sewage lines, grease traps, and plugged toilets. All would be considered the dirtiest of deeds. Tasks most people would rather run from, let alone actually talk about.
As shown by the video embedded anyone can see that we are prepared and ready to tackle the dirtiest of deeds that may arise in your life both planned or unplanned.
A thousand years ago our ancestors travelled over the island of Scotland and Ireland. They believed as we do today that Fortune Favors the Brave. Need a brave/bold plumber to discreetly handle your nastiest of plumbing problems then Baker Plumbing is the drain contractor, plumber and/or service team you need to get your through. Whether it’s a commercial or residential plumbing contractor then call us today. We’ll deal with all those dirty deeds, happily.
If you’re havin’ trouble with the high school head
He’s givin’ you the blues
You want to graduate but not in ‘is bed
Here’s what you gotta do
Pick up the phone
I’m always home
Call me any time
Just ring
36 24 36 hey
I lead a life of crime
You got problems in your life of love
You got a broken heart
He’s double dealin’ with your best friend
That’s when the teardrops start, fella
Pick up the phone
I’m here alone
Or make a social call
Come right in
Forget about him
We’ll have ourselves a ball
The plumbing world just like everywhere else is moving at a record pace. New technologies emerge almost on a daily basis, at the forefront of these technologies are 2 companies leading the way in form and function.
RIDGID and VIEGA are those companies improving the plumbing, heating and gasfitting trade worldwide and right here in Calgary!!
Viega press fitting system solutions are designed to integrate and our preferred press tool for installing Viega systems is designed the same way. One press tool can make connections on Viega ProPress, Viega MegaPress and Viega PureFlow PEX systems, simply by changing jaw sets.
Viega has partnered with RIDGID since 1999 to offer system-matched tools for each of our engineered press fitting systems. With jaws, rings and actuators in sizes ranging from ½” to 4″, these tools can accommodate nearly every type of plumbing, heating or pipe joining project.
Installers no longer need heavy welding tanks or cumbersome threading machines to make a secure pipe connection. With Viega as the single source for the entire installation, you can trust that all components will work together as a unified whole.
No Sparks, No Mess
Flameless press technology eliminates sweating, brazing and grooving. No need for burn permits or fire watches.
Leaves no joining material buildup, exposed threads or tarnish, creating a clean, professional appearance.
Fast and Reliable
Makes secure wet or dry press connections in less than seven seconds on existing or brand new systems.
Installers no longer need heavy welding tanks or cumbersome threading machines to make a secure pipe connection.
Trust every connection you make knowing we spend thousands of hours every year testing our tools in real-world situations; the result is total compatibility on every job in nearly every condition and application.
Time saving
Push fit technology has been designed to optimise time efficiency and to help ensure installers are able to work across jobs more effectively.
No tools needed for installation
Unlike press fit methods, push fit fittings require no additional tools for installation. Once cutting, measuring and deburring of the pipes has been undertaken, the actual jointing takes just seconds to complete.
Easily de-mountable
Another key benefit is that the fitting can be easily de-mounted if there has been an error in installation or removal is required. This is not as simple with press fittings, or where traditional methods are concerned.
Importantly, if removal is required, there is only minimal need for additional materials or new pipework; the installer need only remove the existing fitting with the appropriate release tool and replace with a new one providing the pipe is not damaged.
SHARKBITE USED IMPROPERLY
Its vital to the success of your job and the trade to be blunt that you understand the difference and proper applications of press, push, soldered and mechanically jointed systems. If in doubt hire a professional in the Calgary area like Baker Plumbing Inc.
Have you ever had problems with a handyman you hired? I got a call from a lady the other day who had problems with a handyman she had hired. She needed me to finish a job that someone else had started and she had fired because he did not know how to do the job and he had made a mess.
There are many good people in the Handyman business today but anyone with a truck and a hammer can call himself a handyman. So, what can a homeowner do to reduce the risk when hiring someone? It’s not easy, but there are several obvious steps that can be taken.
1. Ask prospective handyman if they are licensed and carry liability insurance. If they have employees or do rental properties they need to have (workers comp) coverage. Don’t take their word for it, ask to see proof. Any legit handyman will be happy to show you this documentation. Any handyman that offer excuses why it can’t be produced walk away from.
2. You can ask for a list of references but how can you check them out? They could be giving you a list of their friends. Some online rating sites are unreliable as a reference due to the ability to post bogus reviews therefore you need to check reviews from more than one source. Just because someone has a bad review does not mean they are not good. There are always two sides to a story. How they respond to a negative negative reviews speaks volumes.
3. Do a search on the internet of their name and their company. Check their social media, what kind of person is he? Does he look like someone you can trust? How many places does his business show up on the internet? Has he invested the time and money to create a web page? Is there pictures of his work?
4. Be wary of requests for a large up-front deposit. If a job requires the purchase of custom materials and a large deposit it is probably a sign that the handyman is taking on a job that is bigger than he is capable of handling or you are trying to save money by hiring a handyman rather than a general contractor. Large jobs with longer durations will have payment milestones (including the deposit) clearly outlined in the contract. Small jobs that handymen do don’t require deposits because most handymen work on an hourly basis and charge you for the time it takes.
5. Be suspicious of really low pricing. We all love a deal and for some people price is the only criteria that matters. However, low-ball pricing is a classic scam that is irresistible to many of us. It is also a sure sign something may not be right. Choosing a handyman to do a full bathroom renovation asking for trouble. A handyman can not do any electrical work or any new plumbing and he can not hire an electrician and a plumber since he is not a general contractor.
Large renovation projects require a contract with milestones and payment schedules. If everything is not spelled out in the contract the homeowner can expect to be hit with numerous “extra” material and labour costs. If your handyman does by some miracle manage to complete the work, odds are substandard materials and workmanship are what kept the cost down.
6. Do not ask for cash only deals, that is asking for problems with a handyman. Cash only with no paper trail equals no recourse for you in the event a problem arises. You want to hire a honest handyman to work in your home. If he will work for cash and be dishonest with the government what makes you think he will be honest in his dealings with you?
7. Think it over. Take the time you need to make an informed decision and you won’t have problems with a handyman you hire. If you have to sign a contract you probably should be hiring a general contractor.
IF ONLY THEY HAD LISTENED!!
At Baker, we encounter the issues created by unqualified and uninsured work almost weekly. This past week’s experience was one for the books and hence the post. This do-gooder obviously had watched dozens of YouTube videos trying to understand the complicated design he was undertaking. Unfortunately, it appears he combined several different techniques and came up with a huge pile of crap that:
When you hire a handyman near you to help you with various tasks around the house and yard — such as outdoor cleaning, light or fixture installation, or constructing a shed — you might think of asking them to take care of your kitchen and bathroom plumbing problems as well. However, consider the following crucial factors before you go ahead.
Beware of Amateur Plumbing Work
Handymen in some states are prohibited by law from performing plumbing tasks — other than minor jobs such as installing a new faucet fixture. The main reason for this prohibition is that an amateur, incorrect, or shoddy plumbing job by someone who is not a professional plumber can be disastrous for your home. A handyman, no matter how competent he or she may be at performing other chores, probably does not have the necessary training in dealing with plumbing blockages and other problems.
This could set you up for further damage to drains, appliances, flooring, and other things in your home that need proper plumbing in order to function correctly. And to make matters worse, your insurance might not cover the damage, since it was caused by an unlicensed worker. For major jobs, such as a bathroom remodel, a good handyman should either subcontract the plumbing work to a licensed master plumber, or leave it to you to find a plumbing professional who will pull permits, successfully install the necessary components in compliance with code, and make sure that everything works.
Plumber Licensing Requirements
Licensing is another very important difference between a handyman and a plumber. Plumbers must be licensed in 46 out of the 50 states (the exceptions are Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming). Requirements for working as a handyman tend to be less rigorous, although a few states, such as California, do require that self-employed handymen obtain a contractor’s license.
If you want to find out more about your area’s licensing policies for handymen, enter the name of your state and an appropriate term, such as “handyman license requirements,” into an internet search engine. Doing so should bring up the website of your state government’s licensing board (the site address will end in .gov).
Training and Apprenticeship
Handymen and “real” plumbers also tend to differ a great deal in their level of professional training and education. Master plumbers must pass a rigorous examination, after completing two years of vocational school training and/or a lengthy apprenticeship, which usually lasts at least four years. Since their licensing requirements change very often, many professional plumbers also attend continuing professional education as part of their career.
While some homeowners will want to save a bit of cash by having a handyman install or fix plumbing, the plumbing job may well end up costing you more money if you need to pay a professional plumber to fix shoddy work. In most cases, it is worth investing the extra money in the first place, to hire a reliable licensed plumber for plumbing installations and repair of significant plumbing problems. This helps to ensure that you will not end up going over your budget for a costly mistake.
Here at Baker plumbing we want to provide the best tech while using the best tech!
The choice of who works on your furnace, the heart of your HVAC system and the very appliance keeping Old Man Winter at bay, should be made carefully. There is alot of smoke and mirrors out there and you can trust Baker to clear the air!
Types of Furnaces
While worldwide there are many different types of furnaces, in Alberta there are generally only 2 based on fuel source.
Natural gas
Propane
Once past the fuel the field becomes much more cluttered with such verbiage as first and second stages, PSC or ECM motors, exchanger metal types and on and on.
The government legislation mandating the efficiency ratings, the minimum allowable is 92% has left manufacturers and sellers to add new components at a furious rate to gain a percent here and one there!
Baker recommendations
While new technology is impressive and even amazing, our belief is still to keep things as simple as possible. We recommend the following
the basic 92% efficiency model
single stage gas valve
PSC motor
stainless steel exchanger
Those components will give you the 92% efficiency rating, low operating costs and the least potential for an expense repair bill in the future.
Still confused or have questions?
At Baker we can answer and solve any of your questions or problems.
Gas is a very big deal and not something that should be addressed by the untrained. When you had a spark or flame to the mix things can becoem a disaster quickly. Here one of our competitors was called in and serviced this large boiler system. Please watch the video link and see for yourself that these bozos had no idea what they were doing and do mostly residential work. A quick glance proves to anyone that instead of making the boiler operations safer, they have in fact put everyone in the building at the risk of dying!! YES DYING!!! Message, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL!!
