May 2009

Heffner and Associates, LLC

A Plumbing Service Company

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Greater Indianapolis PHCC

Indiana PHCC

Does Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy Have Coverage For Sump Pump Failure?

I was called out last month to an Indianapolis home where the basement had flooded. As it turned out, the homeowner's insurance policy did not cover water damage that resulted from sump pump failure. The end result was that this couple had to pay not only for the plumbing repairs to the sump pump system, but for all of the resulting damage to their finished basement to include the drying out of carpeting, drywall and furniture that had gotten wet when the basement flooded.

Lesson learned: Check with your insurance agent to find out if your policy covers water damage from sump pump failure. If not, find out what a rider for sump pump failure would cost and consider adding this to your policy.

First off, let me take this opportunity to welcome all of the new recipients for this newsletter. Katie Young (my new Administrative Assistant) has been hard at work contacting all of my customers as part of a new customer retention program that I have rolled out this year.

As for May's newsletter, there just aren't many facets of our lives where being proative isn't beneficial. Like it or not, this applies to plumbing and home maintenance as well. Please e-mail me if you can argue otherwise.

Spring Check-up For Your Plumbing System

1. Hose bibbs- If the hose was left on with the sub-zero temperatures that we had back in January, then there is a good chance that your hose bibb has been freeze damaged. A quick way to check is to have someone inside of the house listen for rushing water when the hose bibb is turned on. If water can be heard running inside of the wall or seen running on the brick/siding outside, turn the hose bibb off immediately and call to schedule a time for a replacement.

2. Water heaters- The colder water temperatures in the winter make water heaters run longer to get hot water. Do a quick inspection with a flashlight to check for any small leaks at the top and bottom of the water heater. If your water heater is not in a drain pan, consider installing some type of water sensor such as the WaterCop to detect a water leak or having a corral installed that will channel water to a sump pit or floor drain.

3. Sump pumps and back-up systems- I had another flooded basement this past week where the primary sump pump failed and the battery back-up (a cheap and old system) didn't work. For those that have back-up systems, now is the time to check the fluid level in your batteries to make sure that all of the battery cells are topped off and ready to be put to work. Also check your terminal connections for any corrosion that can effect the performance of your back-up system.

If you don't have an active sump where the pump is coming on at regular intervals throughout the day then run a garden hose to the sump pit. Run water and let the sump pump cycle several times to make sure that everything is working the way that it should. Also check the discharge line for the sump pump to make sure that there are no leaks at any of the fitting joints.

A Pledge To Help Others In 2009

This month's person/business is Katie Young and the name of her company is The Organized Assistant, LLC. Katie has been helping me with various projects in the office in an attempt to streamline my administrative operations. It's been like a breath of fresh air having Katie helping out, but she is not a Heffner employee. She is available for hire for other companies and is eager to sign on more clients with different administrative needs/projects.

For more information about Katie and her company, please go to her web site at The Organized Assistant, LLC or you may contact her at the following:

(317) 674-8921

Katie@TheOrganizedAssistant.org

	Memorial Day Weekend
Please take a moment to thank and/or honor those that have served in the military over the coming Memorial Day weekend. Our World War II vets are dying at a rate of about 1000 men and women each day across the country. The "Great Generation" and those that have followed have given us a country with its freedoms that make the United States the nation that it is. 2009 Memorial Day Weekend Events

	Past Newsletters
With Katie's help, all of my newsletters going back to 2005 are now posted on my web site. I've done this more for search engine optimization, but they are also there for those that are so inclined. The link below will also be posted in the top left hand corner with each newsletter. Past Newsletters

Sincerely,

David Heffner
Heffner and Associates, LLC