JTM Plumbing, based out of Gretna, remains open during the coronavirus pandemic.
The federal government has listed plumbers as essential and are fully operating on a 24/7 basis. The company can take care of any plumbing, drain cleaning and heating and air-conditioning issue for residential or commercial customers.
Due to COVID-19, they've had less work with commercial construction projects due to the limit of people. With more people at home, they're seeing an uptick in residential calls, especially with toilets.
"They're not made for constant use like with the schools, with the commercial flush systems there where they can handle a bunch of kids using them all day, all the time," said vice president Jon Miller. "Just our plumbing systems were meant for people to not be there for a good portion of the day, and not be putting things down there that aren't supposed to be down there."
Miller says the best thing is for people to only flush toilet paper.
"The biggest thing people need to do is not flush anything that does not need to be flushed," Miller said. "Flushable wipes, even though they say flushable, are not acceptable in our sewer system. And stay away from the napkins and paper towels getting flushed. It should just be toilet paper."
The company already practiced extensive sanitary procedures.
"Fortunately we were already kind of set up for this kind of thing; because of the nature of the business, we have a lot of bad stuff we can get into. Hepatitis runs rampant in the sewer system, so we're very careful about that sort of thing. But with the COVID-19, our service guys are taking their temperature before and after work just to monitor themselves so we're not putting anybody in a bad situation."
But now they've added a few steps to make an extra effort to keep employees and customers safe. The staff is wearing gloves and screening calls with customers to ask if there are any people who are high risk, showing symptoms or have any other special needs so both parties can feel comfortable.
And for those who may be facing financial challenges due to the pandemic, JTM Plumbing will work with you.
"If people are out of work having financial difficulties, that doesn't mean they don't have plumbing emergencies, so we're going to get the job done, and we will make other arrangements for when they are able to pay," Miller said. "We're doing that by a case-by-case basis so we can make sure that everyone can stay sanitary."
JTM Plumbing
LOCATION: 11075 S. 204th St. Suite 1, Gretna, NE 68028
HOURS: 24/7
CURRENT SERVICES: Residential & commercial: plumbing, drain-cleaning, and heating and air-conditioning
CONTACT: 402-203-6193
