Dennis Schlekie, Broadview Heights plumber: Five Questions

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

A: Raise your house temp a few degrees to compensate for the outside sub-zero weather. Open all room doors, cabinet doors etc., to circulate warm air to areas in your home that are more prone to colder temps and that contain water piping. Seal and or insulate against ALL cold air drafts but do it correctly as to not insulate against the warm air. Simply using pipe insulation is not the answer. Check and run your faucets periodically and never leave a home with frozen pipes unattended. Pipes that are prone to freezing should be wrapped with an electrical heat tape with a thermostat and covered with fiberglass pipe insulation. Be proactive and not reactive.

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

A: Sure. A medical facility had a frozen underground service line and no water to the entire complex. The Cleveland Water Department could not establish flow. We showed up with our many pipe-thawing machines -- basically a transformer that produces low voltage but high current and thaws a frozen pipe in minutes. The only obstacle was a 12-foot block wall. I suggested using a hammer drill to drill a one-and-a-half-inch hole so as to get access to both sides of the pipe. Minimal damage, and water was restored within minutes.

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

A: At Approved Plumbing (owned by Schlekie), we accept no calls after 9 p.m., but start early in the morning. We rotate shifts, try to always keep a positive attitude and just love life. [Being] a good plumber is a career and you better have a passion for it. In our industry we have a saying, Dont let someone's emergency become your emergency. We do try and be very proactive and thorough with our customers with whole-house inspections so as to never allow them to get into that emergency situation.

Q: How have changes in technology affected your job?

A: Plastic pipe vs. metal pipe vs. flex pipe have all made the job easier. Tools such as pressing tools to join pipes have all decreased the amount of labor involved to do a job. Unfortunately material cost and tool costs have skyrocketed. People want it now, and tomorrow is too late. Constant change in pumps and burners etc., means constant continuing education and training. A very stressful job, but at the same time a very rewarding job.

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

A: Absolutely without question it is What a plumber actually does. Most think we only unclog toilets and install water heaters. They dont realize we size water piping, drain waste and vent piping, gas piping, protect the public from back flow and cross contamination, protect against Legionnaire's disease, protect against explosions, install most all plumbing systems in a safe and sanitary way. Every day is a different day. And the responsibility is enormous. In our industry there is zero tolerance for error.

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Dennis Schlekie, Broadview Heights plumber: Five Questions