Meet Our Technicians

Written by Dean - February 21, 2012

In my last post, I mentioned that at Dean's, we pride ourselves on the little things. Here's another example: we know that in today's world, people can be a little skeptical about letting strangers into their homes, and that's why our website includes the picture and a brief bio of every one of our technicians.  When we pull up in front of your house, we want you to be completely confident that a reputable and recognizable person - who also happens to be an excellent plumber - is about to ring your doorbell.  

So whether it is one of our J's (Josh, Joe, John, John, or Justin), one of our ABC's (Artie, Ben, Ben, Calvin, or C[k]evin), one of our T's (Trenton or Trevor), one of our Y's (rYan, corY, andY, or tonY), or me (Dean), you are in wonderful hands.  

And if you'd like, you can even ask us about our hobbies - they are included in our bios!  

 

 

Online Scheduling

Written by Dean - February 14, 2012

At Dean's, we pride ourselves on the little things.  For example, when you call us, your call will ALWAYS be answered by a live person.  We insist on that because more often than not when someone picks up the phone to call a plumber, they are knee-deep in a plumbing or heating emergency.  And we know that voicemail in the middle of a crisis is simply not an option.  So we will ALWAYS answer your call.

But did you know that for non-emergencies, we offer online scheduling?  We find that more and more people are choosing to initiate a work order via our website.  It is a simple process and a great option for people who like to do everything online.

Whether it is an emergency or just routine maintenance, and whether you use the phone or the online scheduler, we are here for you.  So contact us! 

 

Flex Protection Plan

Written by Dean - February 9, 2012

Lately we’ve gotten several calls about our Flex Protection Plan, wondering if there are different types. There are actually 3 plans to choose from.  We offer a Plumbing Package, a Heating and Cooling Package and a Whole House Package. 

We designed 3 plans to fit everyone’s needs.  Each option is a cost-effective way to make sure that the majority of your repair bills will be covered, and a yearly tune up is included in the contract price.  Learn more on our Flex Protection Page.
 

 

Financing Options

Written by Dean - February 6, 2012

Minnesota is getting cold...again.  The last few times the temperature fell into single digits, the very next week was in the 40's.  While our fingers may be crossed for a continuation of that trend, the cold reality is that at some point, winter may just settle in and get comfortable.  And when that happens, you need your furnace!

We talk to clients every day who are terrified by the idea that their furnace could just stop working because "we just don't have the money right now to replace our furnace!"  We've always got good news for those folks - and we thought we'd share that good news with all of you...

Dean's offers financing.  Check out the Financing Options on our website for more details.  But rest assured - Dean's is going to work with you every step of the way.  Cold temperatures shouldn't intimidate anyone! 

 

Written by Dean February 1, 2012

After being asked this question twice in one day, we feel we should put it on our blog!
“What types of things do your technicians do in a furnace maintenance check?”
Here’s our answer:
Efficient furnace operation is a result of good regular furnace maintenance.  We make sure the furnace is operating at peak economic efficiency, which includes checking the furnace filters and vents.  These need to be kept clean to reduce dust, allergens and pollen.  A dirty furnace will waste fuel and lower efficiency.  We also check to make sure the thermostat is properly set and that the furnace is receiving adequate power.
Check out our other Heating Services FAQ’s!

 

 

Dean's Plumbing Can Help with Your Taxes!

Written by Dean on January 30, 2012

If you recently installed a new heating or air conditioning unit, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit.  If you plan to install a new furnace or A/C unit in the near future, Dean's can help you pick out an energy efficient model that meets the government’s tax credit requirements.  

We recommend you talk to your energy provider for tax credit and additional rebate information.  In the meantime, here are a few credits of which you may not be aware:

• Heat pump combined home heating and cooling system - 30% credit on the full cost of installed system

• Central air conditioning and ductless air system - 10% credit up to a maximum of $300

• Home heating system - 10% credit up to a maximum of $150

 

Please Note: The heat pump tax credit is limited only by the total amount of your installed system. Whatever the amount is, you'll earn a 30% credit. Also, for central air, ductless air, or home heating systems, the total combined credit you can earn is $500.

 

See our Plumbing, Heating, Air, Drain tax credit page for more information or Call Dean's plumbing at 1-800-583-3812 for details!

 

 

Informational Videos Available on Our Website

 Heatin' Up Winter Promotion Includes a Free Furnace

 

The Art of Knowing When to Call the Professionals

Guest Blogger:  David Ian Young

January 12, 2012

If you’re anything like me, you prefer to tackle most of your home maintenance projects by yourself.  I look at it like this: I’m a fairly smart and relatively handy guy, and the trades - like plumbing, electrical, and gas – are not rocket science.  So why should I pay $50 or $100 or $150 per hour to have a tradesman come into my house and do what I am perfectly capable of doing myself?

Well, I’ll tell you why…

I recently remodeled my bathroom.  Over the course of the project, I learned three important lessons that I’d like to share with you: 

1. My time has value!

2. Understanding how something is made isn’t the same as being able to make it that way.

3. If you take away one of two toilets in a house in which 4 people live, the other three people will find it unacceptable to wait 6 months for a new one. 

Let’s tackle these in order…

1.  Time = Money
Say I have a decent fulltime job which pays me $40,000 per year.  Some simple math says I make about $20/hour.  If that’s what I earn at work, aren’t I worth that much at home?  For example, if I spend in excess of 200 hours sitting on the subfloor of my bathroom trying to figure out how to deal with the latest unexpected complication (e.g., “My toilet flange isn’t standard?  WHAT???”), more simple math reveals that I spent $4,000 worth of my own time (which means time away from family, friends, and fun).  Based on my salary, I just spent more than a month of fulltime work producing blood, sweat, and tears (and precious little else) on my bathroom floor. 

You may wonder why it took me 200 hours (so far).  Well…

2.   Understanding is not the same as executing
Plumbing can really fool you.  I look at all the plastic and copper pipes and think, “Hey, that’s pretty straightforward.  I can do that.”  And you know what?  I can!  But it takes me 17 hours to accomplish what Dean’s tackles in less than an hour. 

For example, did you know that when you solder copper pipes, it will never, ever, in a million years work if there’s even a drop of water on the inside of the pipe you’re soldering?  I didn’t.  I once missed an entire Vikings playoff game to lie on floor joists holding a can of propane and relentlessly applying fire to copper.  In the end, I had charred joists and studs and exactly ZERO soldered connections to show for it!  I finally realized I might be in over my head. 

See, staring at pipes in the ceilings and walls does not translate to having soldering skills on par with the effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism of, say, Dean’s. And for the record, it took Dean’s literally 45 minutes for that part of the project.

3.  Some people get really mad when you take away their showers and toilets
Am I the only person for whom a dripping faucet quickly becomes a full scale remodeling project?  I mean, does any of this sound familiar…

The faucet drips, and since we hate that faucet anyway, we decide to replace it.  We remove the old one to reveal a crack in the countertop, so we decide to tackle that, too.  Then we figure that as long as all the drain pipes will be removed, we should just get a new vanity.  But oh boy, now that we’ve got the vanity out of here, look at the mold on the wall behind it, and look at that floor!  Let’s get this sucker down to the studs and floor joists and just start over.  Of course, if we are going that far, we might as well replace the tub and toilet. 

And what started on Saturday morning as a 1-hour faucet project has by Sunday night turned us into a 1-bathroom (all the way upstairs!) home.  Oh, and because I’m doing all the work myself (see #1 and #2 above), we’ll be without a normal shower for 3 months, without a sink for 5 months, and down to just one toilet for 6 months. 

Now I’m divorced and alone, enjoying my beautiful new bathroom all by myself.  But hey, it was worth it because of all the money I sav… oh, that’s right, I didn’t save any money at all. 

Please, learn from me.  Call Dean’s! 

 

Sign up to Receive Our Monthly Newsletter

Written by Dean on January 4, 2012

Dean is committed to 100% customer satisfaction. One way we demonstrate that commitment is with our monthly customer e-newsletter. Each month, our subscribers receive an email with a one-page, easy-to-read Dean Cares! newsletter that offers tips and specials.

Tips: We understand there are some plumbing, heating, and air conditioning projects you like to do yourself. With that in mind, our monthly newsletter includes DIY tips, troubleshooting help, and product recommendations.

Services: We also know there are certain projects best suited for professional servicing. With that in mind, we offer newsletter-only specials every single month. Whether it’s furnace cleaning in the winter, air conditioning tune-ups in the summer, or anything in between, the Dean Cares! newsletter always offers pricing and servicing specials.

So what are you waiting for?  Register for our Dean Cares! monthly newsletter. 

 

Dean's Heatin' Up Winter Promotion Includes Furnace Giveaway

The Importance of a Winter Furnace Tune-up

Written by Dean on December 15, 2011

A furnace is one of those necessities that most of us don't want to think about - we just expect that for about six months out of every year, it will function properly. But "proper functioning" doesn't happen by accident.

Do you get your car's oil changed regularly? Most people do, and here's why: we will ALWAYS prefer routine preventative car maintenance to unexpected emergency car repairs. Hey, we'd rather pay $30 four times a year than $300 when we least expect it.

Your home's furnace is not unlike your car - a little routine maintenance can save you lots of time and plenty of money in the long run. Consider these advantages to an annual furnace tune-up:

• Cost-savings: Regular furnace tune-ups increase the efficiency and longevity of your home's heating system. Minor potential problems are discovered early - when repair costs are still manageable, before they blossom into full-blown furnace failure - when costs skyrocket!

• Convenience: While you can schedule a tune-up for the day and time that works best for you, you will never have any say about the timing of furnace failure. Regular check-ups prevent unexpected failure.

• Safety: Your furnace sits idle for six months of the year, and then almost overnight it needs to function at full capacity. This pattern of use is hard on any machine - including your furnace. But with regular maintenance, you can catch carbon monoxide leaks and other hazardous problems before they become emergencies.

• Comfort: There's no reason you shouldn't be comfortable in your own home, yet many homeowners forget the small stuff: humidifier adjustments, filter replacements, etc. They forget these things because they don't think about furnaces all day, every day like we do at Dean's. An annual tune-up means you don't have to sweat the small stuff - that's OUR job.

Visit our website now to schedule an appointment. Remember: routine furnace maintenance increases its efficiency and longevity.

How to Clean and Check your Furnace Written by Amanda on August 18, 2011 Changing your furnace filter and cleaning your furnace is the best way to ensure your investment is running at its peak. We have just released a video walking you thru how to clean your furnace to optimize its performance this year and in the years to come. If you have any questions or notice anything that is concerning, please call us to schedule a service call.
Preparing your Air Conditioning unit for the Summer Months Written by Heather on April 5, 2011 What sits outside all winter and summer; then is expected to never make a noise? Your Air Conditioning unit!!! Before those impending hot summer days and nights are here make sure your Air Conditioning unit is clean and ready to work its tail off. By watching our video and cleaning your Air Conditioning unit you can help prevent undue strain on your a/c unit. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, or your unit is already making a noise, please call us to schedule a service call.
Drain Cleaning: How Dean's Works Written by Heather on March 22, 2011 Here at Deans we realize how important it is to protect your investment, we make every effort to leave your home as clean as we found it, please take the time to view our video showing you how we can effectively clear a main line without damaging your investment.

 

© 2011 Dean's Plumbing Inc.   |   5392 Quam Avenue NE, St. Michael, MN 55376   |   1 (800) 583-3812   |   info@deansplumbing.com

Site Map   |   Privacy Policy   |   Minneapolis Website Design: Cazarin Interactive