Monday, September 13, 2010

Questions You Need to Ask Your Plumber



How to Make Sure You Are Hiring the Right Plumber for the Job!

Hiring a plumber can be an intimidating task. It’s hard to find a plumbing contractor you can trust, who will do quality work at a reasonable price. Narrowing down the list of plumbers in your local area is sure to take some time, but the following checklist will help you make that all-important final decision before you contract someone to work on your home’s plumbing.


Questions about the Plumber:
  1. How long have you been a plumber? While it’s nice to give “the new guy” a chance, your kitchen or bathroom may not be an appropriate place to do it. If experience is important to you, ask this question first. Be suspicious of anyone working alone who’s been doing plumbing work less than three years.

  2. How did you receive your professional plumbing training? Most plumbers learn their trade through formal schooling or through an apprenticeship with an established professional. They also receive on-going training to keep their plumbing skills sharp and learn new plumbing techniques and technologies. If you can find a plumber who is certified through a formal program such as NATE, even better.

  3. Do you belong to any professional organizations? There are several professional plumbing organizations and associations. A plumber who is a member in any of these is likely to be bound by a code of ethics that may help protect you in case something goes wrong with your project.

  4. Are you licensed and registered? This is another way to protect yourself from unscrupulous plumbing contractors. Never hire a plumber or any other home improvement professional that cannot produce a state license and certificate of registration.

  5. Are you insured? It is essential that any plumber you ask into your home to perform work carried adequate insurance. Hiring an uninsured plumber is like driving a car without automobile insurance.

  6. Can you give me a list of references? Good plumbers rely on past clients to spread the word about their business; bad plumbers consider references a major liability. Always ask for references and end the interview if the plumber can’t or won’t give you at least a few names and phone numbers. Make sure you follow up, too.



Questions About the Plumber’s Work:
  1. Will you give me a written warranty? Reliable plumbers should have no problem backing up their work with a warranty. And don’t take your plumber’s word—even if he seems like a great guy, get the guarantee in writing.

  2. Will you need a permit? Many bath and plumbing projects require local permits, which can be obtained from your county or municipal offices. Your plumber should be able to answer this question quickly or leave you with the impression that he knows how to go about obtaining the necessary permissions. If you get the sense that the plumber is very unsure or doesn’t understand what you’re asking, show him the door.

  3. How long will this project take? An experienced plumber has seen it all before and should be able to give you a reasonable estimate of how long it will take to complete your project. If he’s vague or tells you there’s no way to know how long the job will take, keep looking.



Related Plumbing Information from Horizon Services…

Homemade Pappardelle

I've been so slow for updating my blog recently and there is nothing else can help to cure my laziness. This pasta dish suppose to post on the last two weeks but I just couldn't help myself to move on uploading the pictures and click on the "new post". I still remember it's the time that Honey Bee Sweet also making homemade pasta and her spinach version is the real good one! My pasta machine had been on the sleep mode for about 3 years which I give the excuse of couldn't find any Tipo'00 flour in Singapore which I think is not true as I guess there must be somewhere selling it. It's just that I still haven't discover any places got this special flour for pasta. I insist to get this special flour otherwise I will not make it as I found it could produce a better texture. 






Last month, my friend bought me a pack of Tipo'00 flour from Europe and I really appreciate it and quickly took out my pasta machine to start on this Pappardelle. I've used to Jamie Oliver recipe so I try to recall to my previous attempt and hope it will success. The reason I choose to make Pappardelle because it's slightly expensive than normal dry pasta like angel hair, spaghetti, fettuccine. or linguine and the most important is, it's always my first choice in the pasta family just because I like the texture. But my pasta machine couldn't roll out to the width of Pappardelle. So what I can do is just fold it up and cut it with a knife. I'm quite happy with the result although it's slightly rustic but I really miss the real taste of fresh homemade pasta. 


I didn't make any fancy sauce to go with it but cook with the most simple and basic Italian cooking style like fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil right before serving. I like it very much and so much satisfaction on this fresh Pappardelle. It's real fun playing with the pasta machine again!


Sorry that I'm too lazy to post up the recipe but it can be easily get from Jamie Oliver's website as I followed exactly the same recipe of the fresh pasta and the classic tomato pasta. Cheers!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fish Curry Made Easy (SHOJ)

Today I didn’t want to cook, so asked Shoj to cook for me. He made this delicious fish curry with catfish fillets. Actually, he cooks fast and with less ingredients which makes me feel “was it so easy?”. I feel happy and proud when he says me to give his recipe a last final touch (either to taste or add something that might miss….), but he is perfect.

Ingredients:
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2 Catfish fillet, washed and cut into square pieces
1 medium sized Onion chopped
2 Tomatoes cut to cubes
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 sprig Curry leaves
3 Green chilies
½ Turmeric powder
1 tsp Chili powder
½ tsp Cumin powder
½ Coriander powder
¼ tsp Fenugreek powder
Salt to taste
3 Kokum (Kerala Puli)
¼ tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tbsp Oil

Method:
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1. Wash the Kokum and soak in water.
2. In a heavy bottom pan add oil, when the oil is hot add mustard seeds.
3. As the mustard seeds start to sputter add ginger-garlic paste fry it for a min.
4. Reduce the flame to low now add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder and cumin powder and salt and stir until the raw smell of the masala is gone.
5. Now add the onions and fry until golden brown.

6. Add the kokum and water, tomatoes, curry leaves, green chilies and fish and cook for about 20 mins or until the fish is cooked.
7. Serve it hot with steamed rice.
8. Enjoy this easy and delicious fish curry (Any husband/bachelor can make this ;-))