Misconceptions About Garbage Disposals

We need to change the name of garbage disposals to something else, since a lot of people are confused by the meaning of it. There is a misconception that you could put whatever you'd like down the sink, and your garbage disposal will grind it and dispose of it. That is 100% False. Garbage disposals grind down food to tiny little pieces and dispose of it down the waste pipes. They are meant to make disposing of food easier. It doesn't mean that it could actually take everything you want to feed it.

The following items are NOT ALLOWED:

•  Bones

•  Anything String-like, such as corn, celery stalk, or the inside of a pumpkin.

•  Peels, such as onion peels, potatoes peels, or banana peels.

•  Starchy Foods- pasta or bread.

•  Oil or anything greasy

•  Metal

•  Paper

•  Glass

•  Aluminum Foil

•  Plastic

•  Cigarette Butt's

•  Nut Shells 

•  Wood

**Never put your hand or fingers down the disposal**

Garbage Disposal Maintenance

We understand since it's under your sink, you can't see it and might not feel like cleaning it. Guess what? You need too. If you don't, you're just growing nasty mold and bacteria inches away from where you put your plates and silverware. Let's not forget the smell. Yuck!

Once a month: take a 1/2 a cup of baking soda & 1/2 of vinegar. Pour it down the sink. Let it sit there for 15 minutes. It will start to bubble up. That means it's working.

Next, slice up a lemon, and a cup of ice. Put it down the garbage disposal. Turn on the garbage disposal and let it grind.

Finally, turn on the cold water for a few seconds to run everything down. It should smell great. Remember, if you maintain your garbage disposal it will last longer, avoid nasty smells and keep away mold.

If you use your garbage disposal frequently we suggest you put lemons and ice down the disposal weekly. 

Remember to always maintain 

Back To School Breakfast Ideas

Mornings trying to get kids out the door are hectic enough, especially the first few weeks back to school. Breakfast shouldn’t be hard; it should be simple.

Wake up, make coffee, drink coffee, ponder life questions, get dressed, think about the kids mess in the living room, wake up the family, make breakfast, gather the children’s clothes, put all their school stuff together, yell a few times, make sure everyone is dressed, eat breakfast, ask your husband for help with the kids, drink more coffee, brush teeth, feed the puppy, and gather all belonging and out the door before 8:10 AM to make it to school at 8:30 AM.

In all that chaos you are supposed to feed your family a nutritious well balanced breakfast. I’m a huge fan of wraps, everyone enjoys them, and it’s not so messy. To make breakfast easier here are a few ideas that I have put together.

Scrambled Eggs, Potatoes and Cheese in a wrap

Scramble eggs and potatoes, top with cheese, put it in a wrap. No mess, and it’s a hit.

Left Over Breakfast Wrap

If you have either beef, pork, or chicken and spring veggies from last night’s dinner: cut it up, or shred it and cook it in a skillet with eggs. Put it in a wrap. BAM, delicious gourmet breakfast.

Granola, Yogurt, and Fruit

Smash a Natural Valley Crunchy Granola bar, layered with vanilla yogurt, topped with berries & strawberries.

Eggs, Avocado, Hummus Wrap

Cook eggs to your liking. Slice up a few pieces of avocado. Put eggs and avocado in wrap with a spoon of hummus, roll it up and enjoy.

Bacon, Egg’s and Cheese Wrap

Cook Bacon. Scramble eggs, top with cheese. Spread a tiny bit of mayo on your wrap, add scrambled eggs and cheese, then top it with crispy bacon. Roll it up and enjoy.

Egg Whites, Tomatoes, Basil & Goat Cheese

Scrambled egg whites. Place in wrap, top with: Fresh tomatoes, Fresh Basil and goat cheese. Roll it up and enjoy. (If you have time, roast the tomatoes before placing them in wrap. It will give the wrap and extra kick)

Peanut Butter & Jelly, Fresh Fruit Wrap

Spread your favorite type of peanut butter and jelly over a whole wheat wrap. Top with Bananas and Strawberries. Roll it up and Enjoy.

-Everything is cooked in extra virgin olive oil, no butter, no vegetable oil.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You have to make it enjoyable for you and the kids. They have to go out there and conquer the world, make it a little easier by making them a breakfast they could enjoy before school.

Plumbing Fact: Over $100,000 were spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind.

Back To School

The kids hate hearing it's back to school time. Parents are kinda relieved their children are on their way back, they'll finally start learning again. While the kids where home, you were too busy to maintain your household. You worked all day, cleaned up their messes, cooked non stop, and entertained them, everything else wasn't important. 

Your home was neglected. Let's go through a check list to make sure everything is running smoothly. 

1. Check your water heater. Make sure there isn't water or dust around it. Always keep the area clean. 

2. Sump Pump. Check the sump pump for malfunction. It rained a lot this Summer, make sure it's plugged in and still working properly. 

3. Central A/C and Furnace. Please change the filter. You need to change it EVERY month. 

4. Outdoor Spigots. Check them out, make sure they aren't leaking. After using them all Summer, there might be some wear and tear. 

5. Dryer Vent. Get your dryer vents cleaned. 

6. Fridge. Clean out your fridge. If you have kids, your fridge wasn't probably maintained. 

It's ok, don't feel guilty. Your family enjoyed the Summer, that's all that matters. When the kids are back to school, it's time to get back to reality.

Don’t Make The Toilet The Star Of The Show!

You woke up this morning and decided to remodel your bathroom. I would love to tell you that it's that easy. It usually takes time, money and lot's of planning.  

When remodeling a bathroom, you're able to start fresh.  When entering a bathroom, you want your eyes to focus on the tub/shower/vanity/chandelier, not your toilet. Unless, you really are trying to make your toilet the main focus, because you're purchasing: a custom, historic, or extremely futuristic piece.

The bathroom is the number one used room in the house, they are a necessity, you should put effort in the design. If you're remodeling your bathroom, are you remodeling the bathroom: to increase value to your home? To add space? Improve layout? To update it? Because you have to sell the house? Add technology? Or, because you're bored?  

Which bathroom in the house are you remodeling? Each bathroom is different.  

This is where you should focus in the bathroom..... 

Hall Bathroom- Wall Design, Lighting, Chandelier 

Master Bathroom- Tub 

Kid's Bathroom- Wall Decor 

Bachelor/Bachelorette Bathroom- Tile Design or Wall Paper.... Flap Screen/Touch Screen Computer....  LED lights  

Guest Bathroom- Vanity & Mirror 

As a plumbing contractor, I'm able to move your plumbing (of course you have to be reasonable on where you want it moved). If you have the time, we are able to start from scratch. We could redesign your bathroom not just remodel the bathroom.  

Here are some very unique toilets for your enjoyment.  

86 Ways To Enjoy The Summer With Your Kids

SUMMER FUN

1.       Play in the pool outside.

2.       Visit your local community pool.

3.       Go running around your neighborhood.

4.       Camp out in your backyard.

5.       Have a BBQ

6.       Have a Hot Dog party.

7.       Learn new recipes.

8.       Visit your local Farmer’s Market.

9.       Enjoy Tinley Park’s Cruise Nights every Tuesday night on Oak Park Ave.

10.   Play Pokemon Go, go around town catching them all.

11.   Visit your local Library.

12.   Go hiking.

13.   Free Family Night at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier (Thursday Evenings and First Sundays)

14.   Visit Maggie Daley Park

15.   Splash around at Millennium Park Crown Fountain.

16.   Tinley Park’s Music in the Plaza, every other Saturday night (Zabrocki Plaza).

17.   Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory.

18.   Visit Lincoln Park Zoo.

19.   Visit Brookfield Zoo.

20.   Buckingham Fountain.

21.   Go swimming at Montrose Beach.

22.   Family Kite Festival in Elmhurst 8/6/2016.

23.   Chicago Air & Water Show 8/20 & 8/21.

24.   Robotics Day Camp in Tinley Park.

25.   Watch a kid’s movie at Marcus Cinema in Orland Park.

26.   Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park.

27.   Go Bowling.

28.   Biking in Forest Preserve

29.   Play softball with your neighbors.

30.   Eat ice cream at your local ice cream shop.

31.   Listen to music.

32.   Dance around to music.

33.   Have a water balloon fight.

34.   Watch a fireworks show.

35.   Have a block party.

36.   Plant flowers.

37.   Play Laser Tag.

38.   Take a bubble bath outside.

39.   Go bird watching.

40.   Stage a play.

41.   Build a fort.

42.   Invent something with old parts in the garage.

43.   Collect lightning bugs.

44.   Go on a picnic.

45.   Bake cookies.

46.   Visit your local Firehouse for a tour.

47.   Play board games.

48.   Make instruments out of junk around the house.

49.   Lay out and look at the stars.

50.   Visit an animal shelter.

51.   Play Hide & Seek.

52.   Make funny skits.

53.   Make a movie with your friends.

54.   Ask your neighbors if they need their pets walked.

55.   Visit your local park.

56.   Play card games.

57.   Cook a meal with your kids.

58.   Make a fun homemade pizza.

59.   Have a movie night at home.

60.   Make a painting.

61.   Visit grandma & grandpa.

62.   Learn magic tricks.

63.   Make s’mores.

64.   Eat popsicles.

65.   Blow bubbles.

66.   Build paper air planes.

67.   Tell stories with a flashlight.

68.   Visit a lake.

69.   Make tacos.

70.   Eat frozen yogurt.

71.   Build sandcastles.

72.   Have a video game party.

73.   Open a lemonade stand.

74.   Have a talent show with your friends.

75.   Run through sprinklers.

76.   Go to a carnival.

77.   Draw with sidewalk chalk.

78.   Wash the car.

79.   Build a Lego tower.

80.   Play I spy.

81.   Learn a new language.

82.   Volunteer.

83.   Read a book.

84.   Build a campfire.

85.   Create a scrapbook.

86.   Take a nap.

Does Anybody NOT Take Their Phone with Them to the Bathroom?

It is 2016, we have the world at our finger tips. They have an App for anything you could imagine, and not to mention most people are wrapped up in Social Media. What did people do in the bathroom before there were mobile phones? In our household we actually have books all around the house, including the bathroom. Our bathroom has a great selection of interesting books. Nothing to complex, mostly facts about History, how to guides, and of course Uncle John’s Fully Loaded Bathroom Reader. There was a study that was done several years ago about how much time was spent sitting in the bathroom. It was said, we spend 3 years of our lives sitting in the bathroom. That was before the smart phone came out. I could tell you that everyone spends way more time on their phone in the bathroom now. Parents, have always ran away to the bathroom from their kids when they were just too much to handle. Now, parents more often than not, pretend that they need to go to the bathroom just so they could go on Social Media. I’m not judging anybody; I’m actually writing this post from my bathroom. Bathrooms have become our new offices. Back in the day, a lot of people wanted an “office” in their house. Now, all you need is a bathroom and your smart phone.

I remember when I first became a plumber, my customers use to have newspapers, magazines, and books, in their bathrooms. I can honestly say, I rarely see that now a day. We need to bring back reading in our bathrooms, or keep the phone usage in the bathroom in moderation. 

Here is an example of phone usage I found on Instagram. 

Memorial Day 2016

On this day we honor the fallen heroes who gave us the freedom that we have. The men and women who gave their lives and left behind a family, so we could be with ours. We don’t say it enough; Thank You. Thank you for letting my family and I enjoy our days without worries, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me put my son to sleep every night, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me wake up every morning at home, while you are away from yours. You are MY HERO. Don’t worry, I will raise my son to know who the real heroes are.

You, sir and ma’am, are the reason this country is free. God Bless you and may you come home safe to your family, so we could shake your hand and thank you in person. 

11 Surprising Ways To Getting A Good Night's Sleep

The Importance of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

If I don’t get a good night’s sleep tonight, I’ll get a good night’s sleep tomorrow! Have you ever said that?

Work projects are due, children need to be driven to practice, work errands need to be ran, dinner needs to get made, school projects need to be done, laundry needs to be washed, and the list goes on and on. Those are the things that go through the average person’s head. Stressing out about your day's To Do List is not going to get anything done quicker, or on time. The way you get everything done in a timely manner is by getting a Good Night’s Sleep. When we sleep enough hours in a night, our bodies are rested. When we are well rested, we perform better. The important question is; how do we get a good night’s sleep?

1.      Avoid caffeine late in the day.

2.      Don’t eat late at night.

3.      Don’t have stressful conversations late at night.

4.      Keep electronics/gadgets out of the bedroom.

5.      Read before bed.

6.      Have a Zen like environment in the bedroom.

7.      Don’t eat in bed.

8.      Eat healthier- avoid Carbs, sugars, heavy drinking. Eat vegetables, fruit, and protein. If you are not a big fan of fruits & veggies, try having a smoothie(they are delicious).

9.      Work out- go to the gym, go for a walk around your neighborhood, invest in a bicycle, go hiking at the Forest Preserve.

10.  Avoid taking a pill for everything. If certain medication is not REALLY necessary, don’t take it. Studies have shown that taking too many pills can cause insomnia.

11.  Drink WATER.

Sleep is important. Good sleep is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

As a plumber and business owner, I need my sleep. Could you imagine me being at a customer’s house: at an emergency call, or a commercial job, on NO SLEEP?? No, I won’t perform up to par.

Sleepless nights will make you depressed, forgetful, ages you, will make you gain weight, and will impair your judgement. If that’s not enough of a crappy list to try to help you improve your sleep, I don’t know what will.

Put a little effort into getting a good night’s sleep.

Tonight try this:

1. Eat dinner early.

2. Put your kids to bed at a decent time.

3. Turn that TV off.

4. Put your phone away, in a different room.

5. Read a book and go to bed early.

Tomorrow: Go conquer the world!!! 

Best Restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs for Mother's Day 2016

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day only comes once a year. We should show them we love them and appreciate them every day, but on this day we should do a little more. In last week’s blog post about Mother’s Day we told you that the gift of doing things around the house should be the number one gift idea. For those of you who have kids, and work all the time, it’s hard to manage our time. If you only have a few hours to give to your Mother, take her somewhere for brunch and make sure you have absolutely gorgeous fresh flowers ready to hand to her. Below is a list of restaurants that make our Best of List.

Best Restaurants for Mother’s Day in the Chicago South Suburbs 2016

Dancing Marlin 20590 S. La Grange Rd Frankfort, IL for Reservations call 815-464-6646

Osteria Ottimo 16111 S. La Grange Rd Orland Park, IL 60467 for Reservations call 708-403-3366

Rocco’s Little Italy 7907 W. 159th St. Tinley Park, IL 60477 for Reservations call 708-444-8259

Francesca’s Vicinato 12952 S. La Grange Rd Palos Park, IL 60464 for Reservations call 708-671-1600

Q Restaurant 11379 W. 159th St. Orland Park, IL 60467 for Reservations call 708-966-2179

The Cottage On Dixie 18849 Dixie Hwy Homewood, IL 60430 for Reservations call 708-798-8263

Isabella Café 17211 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477 for Reservations call 708-444-8555

Fat Rosie’s 28 Kansas Street Frankfort, IL 60423 for Reservations call 815-534-1640

Café Gaston 14438 John Humphry Dr Orland Park, IL 60462 for Reservations call 708-403-3663

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery 1035 Sterling Ave Flossmoor, IL 60422 for Reservations call 708-957-2739

Le Crepe Bistro 13957 S. Bell Rd Homer Glen, IL 60491 for Reservations call 708-966-4866

If you need help making Reservations, visit OpenTable.com

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Mother's Day Pear Mimosa

Mother’s Day Pear Mimosa Recipe

·       ¾ c. pear nectar

·       1 bottle of champagne

·       Pear slices, for garnish

I hope all your Mother's Day plans turn out great. To all the Mothers: Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing wishes you a very Happy Mother's Day. 

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Red Pepper and Baked Egg Galettes

If you are unable to go out for brunch, here is a delicious recipe that will be a hit with Mom.

Red Pepper and Baked Egg Galettes

Yield: serves 4

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

·       2 large or 4 small red bell peppers, cut into 1/2 inch strips

·       2 small onions, (red or white) halved and cut into 1/2 inch wedges

·       fresh sprigs of thyme, leaves removed

·       1 tsp cumin

·       1 tsp coriander

·       6 Tbsp olive oil

·       handful fresh parsley, chopped

·       handful cilantro, chopped

·       1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

·       1 egg, beaten, for brushing the pastry

·       12 tsp sour cream

·       4 large fresh eggs

·       salt and fresh cracked pepper

 Follow the Link for INSTRUCTIONS

Source: http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/red-pepper-and-baked-egg-galettes-from-jerusalem-the-book/

Happy New Year

The Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing family wants to thank you for the amazing year we had. We truly love all our customers. Happy New Year, please ring in the new year safely and responsibly.