Keith Miller, Medina plumber: Five Questions

Q: With the winter we've had so far, what free advice can you give to folks about how to prevent their pipes from freezing or bursting?

A: There are several steps that one can take. The first and most important step in this prevention is to make sure your home or property has adequate heat. If temperatures drop to freezing levels, plug in spot heaters where it is the coldest on the property. For example, many burst waterlines are generally located on the outside walls running from the basement, garage and up through the multiple floors of a home. The second step is to isolate any waterlines that are not used, such as hose bibs (outside faucets) and ensure they are turned off and drained. Thirdly, if your home is prone to frozen water lines, our family business, Plumbing 911 is able to install special pipe insulation and heat tape to help aid in this prevention. Finally, if your lines do freeze, it is important to contact us as soon as possible in order that we can professionally thaw the lines, before they burst and create a flood situation resulting in costly pipe repairs.

Q: Can you describe a time when you were faced with a situation that tested your skills?

A: Yes. Plumbing is a big part of everyone's lives, and we often forget how these modern advances simplify and enhance our everyday living. As a master licensed plumber with the state of Ohio, I receive special training each year to update my skills on code changes within the state. Licensed plumbers often find themselves updating incorrect plumbing and even fixing "do it yourself" plumbing to the correct regulated approved codes. Our job, like many other professions, is not always as easy at it seems.

Q: Many plumbers are on call nights and weekends. What do you do to balance work and personal life?

A: Plumbing 911 is a family owned and operated business, which enables us to surround our customers with quality people and employees in order for us to balance the workload equally and to help each other, just like a family. It is important to always remember what things are the most important in life and to keep those things the first priority. My family does this by making Sunday a day of rest, so we can reset ourselves, physically and spiritually, while keeping meaningful connections with the relationships in our life.

Q: How have changes in technology affected your job?

A: The first gift of technology to the plumbing world is the video camera for sewer systems. This camera enables us the ability to inspect the main sewer line for any major issues that the customer needs to be made aware of and then to set up options on how to best approach those sewer issues. Sewers that are not properly maintained or that are older, may cause clogs and backups. The second gift of technology to the plumbing world is electronic line location. This enables us to directly pinpoint where a sewer line has broken underground. It also tells us how deep the line is buried. We do not have to dig up your entire property, but are able to perform spot sewer line repairs -- saving you costs and yard repairs. Thirdly, [gone] are the days of sewer cables, snakes or roto-rooter machines. We now have machines known as hydro-jetters or hydro-flushers that enable us to not only clear the blockage but to clean the entire diameter of the drain. It uses high-pressure water and special cutters. This machine gives the ability to cut through any clog, grease, or roots.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about your profession?

A: What people don't know is that most in our profession love being a plumber and working with their hands. Secondly, there has been negativity around our trade for plumbers not arriving when they said they would; however, our company is turning that around and we are happy to service you. Whenever you need us -- we'll be there.

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Keith Miller, Medina plumber: Five Questions