Tag Archives: Historical Society of Kent County

Local Plumber Creates Awareness of NATIONAL TOILET REPAIR MONTH

truckLocal Plumber Creates Awareness of NATIONAL TOILET REPAIR MONTH

October is traditionally known for the first day of fall and Halloween, but a local plumber, Jason Palmer, is on a quest to create more awareness of one of the most often used and disregarded fixtures in the home, the toilet!

“Only when something goes wrong, does the toilet get the attention it deserves, but by then it’s for all the wrong reasons,” says Palmer, Master Plumber and Owner of Palmer’s Plumbing, LLC. “There are very few things that can ruin a family gathering or holiday celebration faster than a flooded bathroom or clogged toilet.”

In addition to minimizing potential emergencies, regular toilet maintenance can help conserve water and significantly reduce your water bill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of residential indoor water consumption. Toilets also happen to be a major source of wasted water due to leaks and/or inefficiency.

A leaking toilet can use up to 73,000 gallons of water a year or the equivalent of enough water to fill up two average-size backyard swimming pools says the Maryland Department of the Environment.

To help keep your toilet in pristine working condition, Palmer recommends the following:

  • Avoid drop-in-the-bowl cleaning tablets. They can clog the jets, corrode the metals and wear out the rubber gaskets more quickly.
  • Avoid using too many over-the-counter liquid drain clearing products. Most of the time these products don’t work and can even cause more trouble in the long run.
  • Check your toilet for silent leaks by placing a few drops of dark food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes. If the dye appears in the bowl, you may need to replace the flapper at the bottom of the tank. You can often prevent leaks by replacing the flapper and fill valves every few years.

To celebrate National Toilet Repair Month, Palmer’s Plumbing is offering $20 off all service and repair projects scheduled during the month of October. They can be reached at 410-827-4546 or online at www.palmersplumbing.com

Join the Historical Society of Kent County for History Happy Hour, 4PM Friday, September 5 at the Bordley History Center

1266Join the Historical Society of Kent County for History Happy Hour, 4PM Friday, September 5 at the Bordley History Center

The Charles Sumner GAR Post 25 here in Chestertown is a reminder of the many African-Americans from the Eastern Shore who fought in the Civil War.  Identified as USCT or United States Colored Troops, these men fought bravely in some of the most difficult battles of the war including the Battle of the Crater.  One of these soldiers, Obie Evans, escaped slavery, survived the Battle of the Crater and participated in Baltimore’s postwar street riots – only to be murdered by other war veterans near Smyrna 1866.  His story reveals the triumphs and tragedies of African-Americans in the Civil War.

Dr. Steve Newton has been a Professor of History and Political Science at Delaware State University since 1990.  Currently, he serves as acting Chairman of the History, Political Science, and Philosophy Department at the University.  Dr. Newton is the author of nine books and an Associate Editor of North & South magazine and is uniquely qualified to lead us to a better understanding of local Africans-Americans in the Civil War. Join us for History Happy Hour, 4PM Friday, September 5 at the Bordley History Center, 301 High Street in Chestertown and learn more about our early history.