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It's that time of the year again. The smell of steak cooking over hot coals, the delayed pop of a firework echoing through the sky, and the majestic fizzy sight of day beers all herald the start of summer. It's time to dust off those fireworks you've been saving and get ready for the fourth of July! Uncle Bobby has disappeared from the family BBQ for the last half hour but everyone knows where he is. You remember what happened last year. This is where PumpProducts.com comes in. That new Zoeller WasteMate 260 series sewage pump sitting in your basement will ensure last year's horrors are not repeated. Or maybe you want to set up a slip and slide for the kids In that case Inspector Pumphead would recommend the Goulds GT10 irrigation pump. Pumps are almost as American as apple pie and are truly the gift that keeps on giving. PumpProducts.com not only sells the highest quality pumps made right here in the good ol’ US of A, but is also your one stop shop for all motors, repair parts, and accessories as well. Some weird July 4th facts to impress your family while Uncle Bobby is missing: • Americans eat 155 million hot dogs on July 4th. • Three presidents have died on July 4th (Jefferson, Adams, Monroe) while only one (Coolidge) can call the day his birthday. • John Hancock was the only individual to actually sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. • On the second Independence Day (1778) George Washington celebrated by doubling the rum rations to his soldiers. This is a tradition I like to carry on. • The printed version of the Declaration was called the Dunlap Broadside; 200 were made but only 27 are accounted for. Maybe Nicolas Cage has something to do with that... From all of us at PumpProducts.com, Happy Independence Day! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Sleeping in late on a Monday in May can only mean one thing: it’s Memorial Day. This means it’s time to spend an afternoon on the beach and get an awkward sunburn that you’re going to have a hard time explaining at work on Tuesday. Or if the beach isn’t your thing, maybe you’re inviting family you only see once a year (not always a bad thing) over for a BBQ. Observed on the last Monday of May, people most commonly associate Memorial Day Weekend with the unofficial start of summer and everything that goes with it. If you’re not chomping down on a funnel cake under the summer sun at the boardwalk, there’s a chance you’re at the local parade. Towns and cities across the country will have veterans and other civic groups march through the main streets. It’s a classic picture of Americana. However you celebrate, we should take time to remember the original purpose of Memorial Day, which is to memorialize and honor soldiers of the armed services who gave their lives for the United States. In that way, Memorial Day is a distinct and separate tradition from Veteran’s Day, which honors all who served. Above all else, Memorial Day is a day to be thankful. PumpProducts.com would like to salute all those who have served our country and preserved the freedom and liberty that we enjoy every day. Some quick Memorial Day history: Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day has been a tradition since near the end of the Civil War though didn’t achieve the status of federal holiday until 1971. The exact origins of the day and where it was first celebrated are unclear but Waterloo, New York was officially declared the birthplace of the day by Lyndon Johnson in 1966. It wasn’t until World War I that the holiday evolved into commemorating troops lost not only in the Civil War, but across all armed conflicts the United States has been a part of. Of course, the only thing more exciting than having a mini summer vacation is the prospect of getting a new pump! The summer is the perfect time to get your sprinklers up and running. Just so happens we have a the perfect sprinkler pumps! PumpProducts.com is your number one destination for pumps, parts, motors, accessories, and whatever else your application may require! Whether you need a wastewater pump, well pump, HVAC pump, or any other type, look no further than PumpProducts.com. Our application engineers are standing by to help you select the best pump for your application and answer any questions you might have! Visit our website at PumpProducts.com or call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today. Application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information.

Every March 17th since 1962, the Chicago River turns green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In other words, it gets to look like a Willy Wonka candy river that would get Augustus Gloop excited. Normally if your water is green it means you have a problem, but this day is an exception. On March 17th, even the river gets to be Irish for a day. But how does it happen you might ask The operation is carried out every year by Chicago’s plumber union. A crew of 6 pours dye into the river. The dye is a powder substance that is orange colored until it turns green when it touches the water. Although the exact recipe behind the dye is top-secret, the dye is (surprisingly) environmentally friendly and has been described as similar to food coloring. The crew works from 2 boats. One large boat holds 4 crew members while a smaller boat holds 2. The larger boat takes point and disperses the dye into the water while the other boat follows behind to spread the dye. The entire process takes 40 pounds of powder about 45 minutes to turn the water green. How long the color lasts can vary but the water can remain green up to a few days. If green rivers aren’t your thing and you wish to celebrate St Patty’s day in the motherland, visit the Irish village of Dripsey. The village holds the second shortest St. Patty’s Day parade in the world. The parade lasts for 100 yards, or the distance in between the village’s two pubs. You have to hand it to them, at least the Irish have their priorities straight. If you don’t like parades either, visit the Guinness brewery in Dublin. If you can’t make it this year, don’t worry. Ireland granted the brewery a lease of 9000 years (not a typo) for the land the brewery sits on. Once again, priorities all figured out. At PumpProducts.com, we usually celebrate with some Irish soda bread in the break room and greening up the office with some Myers and Zoeller pumps. Not only is St. Patrick’s Day a golden opportunity to justify listening to bagpipe music but it’s also the only socially acceptable day of the year to wear green pants and a hat with a buckle on it. From all of us here at PumpProducts.com, stay safe and have a great St. Patrick’s Day! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

All the falling confetti, party hats, and noise makers (why do people still use those, seriously) can only mean one thing: goodbye 2018. We laughed, we cried, but now 2019 is around the corner. To say the past year was exciting at PumpProducts.com would be an understatement. Our website got a facelift and we ramped up our motors section (or should I should revved up No Too corny). You know what they say, new year, new you. But some things never change. You can still come to expect the same reliable customer service in 2019 and the wide range of dependable products we offer. If you find yourself looking for a pump, part or accessory during this next year, look no further than PumpProducts.com for all your pump and motor needs. PumpProducts.com’s fearless leader, Inspector Pumphead, will be sipping on champagne and listening to the hit song “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins on New Year’s Eve. He will, of course, start the song at 11:56 so the drum break will play exactly as the clock strikes midnight (the Inspector prefers to start the New Year off right). Then it’s back to work on January 1st. There are pumps to inspect and orders to ship out. For some, the New Year brings a time of reflection and happiness. For others, it’s once again time to start working on that list of resolutions. You know, that list you’ve had for the last couple years and keep telling yourself this is the year I’m going to start that diet and get that six-pack. Not that I would know anything about that. Of course, our list of resolutions at PumpProducts.com includes assisting customers even further and increasing our knowledge on products so our application engineers can answer your questions, no matter what your inquiry may be! To close off 2018, here’s a quick list of facts about the big ball drop in Times Square that you can impress your friends with at your New Year’s Eve party: 11,875 pounds: What the current version of the ball weighs 50,000 watts: The amount of electricity it takes to light up and power the ball 1,000,000,000. The number of people around the world who watch the ball drop 141 feet: The distance the ball falls in 60 seconds 22%: The amount of Americans who are asleep before the ball drop 1907: The ball has dropped every year since All of us at PumpProducts.com hope you had a great 2018 and have an even better 2019! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.  

It can be fun to find new things, like finding a new place to eat or finding that model of Goulds Well Pump that's perfect for your application. The last time I got excited about finding something was when I found an old pair of socks under my bed that had been lost for weeks. I can’t imagine how Christopher Columbus must have felt when he finally spotted land after sailing across the vast Atlantic in 1492. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria in America all those years ago. Of course, Columbus originally thought he landed in Asia but after a quick check on Google Maps, discovered he was actually in the previously mostly unexplored by Europeans continent of America (we have to give some props to Leif Erikson). His voyages were sponsored by the Spanish crown and he originally made landfall in the Bahamas. Not much later he found Cuba and Hispaniola, which he thought to be China and Japan respectively. Columbus Day fun fact: it’s a common misconception that most people back in 1492 thought the earth was flat. In reality, most Europeans knew the world was round, they were just not aware of the existence of the Pacific Ocean. It was thought that the Atlantic Ocean stretched in between Europe and Asia. Columbus Day fun fact #2: it took Columbus three journeys back and forth until he realized he had “discovered” a new continent. Brief history of Columbus Day in America The first observance of Columbus Day occurred in 1792 as many cities across the nation celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. However Columbus Day did not become a federal holiday until 1937. Certainly not a day without it's controversies, many Americans now celebrate the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day. Although now a federal holiday, Columbus Day is still inconsistently celebrated across the United States. Some states observe the holiday and even give kids the day off of school while other states, such as Hawaii and South Dakota, just ignore the holiday all together. Regardless, Columbus Day or whatever it's referred to as, should be a day where ethnicity and cultures are honored and celebrated. This holiday is the perfect opportunity to come together and share what makes our cultures unique. Even though Columbus Day has certainly become one of the more peculiar dates on the calendar, many Americans, no matter where they or their ancestors were born or have emigrated from, typically celebrate Columbus Day with parades or street fairs. Columbus Day has also grown to be a day where Italian heritage in particular is celebrated since Columbus himself was Italian. This day is also the perfect opportunity to visit PumpProducts.com and take a look at our wide inventory of pumps, parts, and accessories. If Columbus had seen our pumps and prices, he may have tried to discover America a couple years earlier. Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.  

The United States should consider itself lucky. Last year for my birthday I got a pair of socks. Every year America gets fireworks, parades, and a hot dog eating contest. Ok, well maybe I could do without the hot dog eating contest. Every July 4th we traditionally celebrate this great nation we live in with picnics, parades, and barbeques. July marks the very beginnings of summer and that means steaks sizzling on the grill and the smell of chlorine from a pool permeating through the air. It’s a time for awkward family reunions and late night colorful explosions in the sky. July 4th is also a popular time to take a trip or curl your toes into the sand and watch the waves wash up on the beach. No matter what, Independence Day is a day to enjoy and perhaps most of all, a welcome day off from work (don’t tell my boss I said that). What kind of Independence Day blog would this be without a quick history lesson Though the voting for independence actually took place on July 2nd, Independence Day specifically refers to the date in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was signed in Philadelphia by 56 delegates though the first, and perhaps most recognizable signature was John Hancock. It’s common knowledge of course, that the original 13 colonies seceded from Britain because of their terrible fish and chips. Or maybe it was, as the saying goes, taxation without representation. Either could be true.        But of course, everyone knows the best way to get pumped up for Independence Day and be patriotic is to buy a red, white, or blue pump. Pumps are almost as American as apple pie and are truly the gift that keeps on giving. PumpProducts.com sells the highest quality pumps made right here in the good ol’ US of A.  So browse our website while munching on your hotdog and waiting for the sky show to begin. Fun Facts: Calvin Coolidge was the only president born on the 4th of July About 150 million hot dogs are consumed during the 4th of July weekend $675,000,000 is expected to be spent on fireworks this year (New York City has the biggest fireworks display in the country) Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays, Christmas being one of them. The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785. Happy 243rd Birthday America from all of us at Pump Products! Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

The third Sunday in June is Father’s Day, or as it’s referred to in my household, leave-dad-alone day. Is  there a better way to celebrate fathers everywhere than by sharing a small collection of my favorite dad jokes Probably, but here are a couple jokes anyway that you’ll probably hate yourself for laughing at: -I have a fear of elevators, but I've started taking steps to avoid it. -I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down. -Reversing the car really takes me back. -Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon Great food, no atmosphere. -Want to hear a joke about construction I'm still working on it. -When does a joke become a dad joke When the punch line becomes apparent. -How long does it take to make butter An echurnity! -What do you call someone who dresses up like a noodle An impasta! Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, let’s talk about some awesome manly-alpha-male gifts you can get for your dad for Father's Day. You could always go with something traditional and boring like a fishing pole or an autographed baseball. Or maybe (I'm just throwing this out there) you could get him a shiny new pump! PumpProducts.com carries the best pumps in the industry from the most trusted names like Goulds and Liberty. You’re dad will be so excited, trust me. Pumps truly are the gifts that keep on giving! There was one more joke I wanted to tell about a piece of paper but I probably shouldn't....it's tearable. Oh and Happy Father's Day!! PumpProducts.com sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump or part, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.  

June 14th is the day we celebrate Old Glory. While not a federal holiday, Flag Day marks the anniversary of that day in 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the stars and stripes through the First Flag Act. Though the flag’s design has officially changed 27 times over the course of its history, the stars and stripes have come to symbolize the liberty and freedom that form the foundation of American ideals. The current iteration of the flag has been in service since 1960, which is the longest duration of any design. It’s common knowledge that there’s one star for every state and one stripe for each original colony but many people aren’t as familiar with what the colors symbolize. Red represents hardiness and valor; white represents purity and blue symbolizes vigilance and justice. Started by a Wisconsin school teacher in 1885, Flag Day is usually celebrated with parades and people proudly displaying red, white, and blue above their homes. Looking at all the different versions of the flag that have existed, is like taking a trip down memory lane for America. The various designs detail the history of the country and what had to be achieved in order for the United States to become what it is today. There’s a saying about parades and how everyone enjoys them. Flag Day acts as a sort of precursor to July 4th. Sights and smells of barbecues and pool parties start to become more common, reminding us that summer is in full swing. June 14th also coincidentally marks the birthday of the United States Military as well. If you’d like to be patriotic on Flag Day and celebrate, there are a few rules of etiquette to follow when displaying your flag: -Flags are traditionally only supposed to be displayed in public from sunrise to sunset. -After sunset, it can stay up but needs to be illuminated. -Flags cannot be displayed during rain, snow, or wind storms, unless it is an all-weather flag. -The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously. PumpProducts.com sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump or part, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Memorial Day weekend is a special time for all Americans. It’s represents a time to look ahead, into the coming summer, but also a time to reflect on the past. Perhaps more than anything, it’s a time to be thankful. Every last Monday in May we remember and celebrate the lives of servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day has been a tradition since near the end of the Civil War though the day didn’t achieve the status of federal holiday until 1971. The exact origins of the day and where it was first celebrated are unclear but Waterloo, New York was officially declared the birthplace of the day by Lyndon Johnson in 1966. It wasn’t until World War I that the holiday evolved into commemorating troops lost not only in the Civil War, but across all armed conflicts the United States has been a part of. A popular symbol of Memorial Day, the red poppy, was inspired by a poem entitled “We Shall Keep the Faith” by Moina Michael: Oh! You who sleep in Flanders fields, Sleep sweet – to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders field And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead Fear not that ye have died for naught; We’ll teach the lesson that you wrought Moina Michael was the first to wear the red poppy. One thing led to another and soon enough they were mass produced and became a universal symbol of remembering fallen soldiers. Memorial Day weekend also signals the official start of summer vacation. Summer brings images of waves rolling over sizzling sand, ice cream dripping timidly down the side of a cone onto the sidewalk, and smoke rising from charcoal that’s busy cooking food for the family barbeque. Memorial Day is a time to enjoy what our freedom affords us. So go to the beach, spend time with family and enjoy yourself. Most of all enjoy the sweet gift of having Monday off work. Pump Products would like to salute all those who have served our country and preserved the freedom and liberty that we enjoy every day. PumpProducts.com sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump or part, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Every second Sunday in May marks the day when we celebrate that special lady in our lives. Or if you’re like me, it’s a day of panic and guilt when you realize you haven’t gotten her a gift yet. Thank God for one day shipping! Unlike people, pumps aren’t just dropped off by storks. Pumps have gone through various evolutions and designs throughout the course of human history. In the spirit of being topical, PumpProducts.com is celebrating this year’s Mother’s Day by talking about the mother of all pumps! I give you... the shadoof.  What is a shadoof you ask  It is the earliest known ancestor of the pump. The shadoof was used by ancient Egyptians as early as 2000 BC. If the Archimedean screw pump is the aunty of modern pumps then I guess the shadoof is more like the grandma. It’s basically a long pole with a bucket hanging from a rope at the end of it. The bucket’s main purpose was to move water from bodies of water onto land for irrigation. Water could also be transferred between different bodies of H2O. In some cases waterproof animal skins were mustered since ancient people didn’t have access to advanced bucket technology. A counterweight, made of such substances as clay or stone, was attached to the shorter end of the stick, giving it a sort of see-saw like resemblance. A shadoof is simple enough to use. A person just pulled on the rope, lowering the bucket into water and allowing the counterweight to raise the bucket. Shadoofs are even still in use in some countries today! Are pump’s responsible for civilization I’ll let you be the judge…but yes they totally are! The ability to move water made irrigation and farming more achievable which supported greater populations in the ancient world. To get back to my main point though, which is you should probably get your mom something nice this year. Of course, nothing let’s your mother know you love her more than a brand spanking new pump or shadoof.  Actually you probably shouldn’t get her a shadoof. It’s probably more fun to say than to use. Plus you can find a good Goulds pump with a better GPM at PumpProducts.com. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there from everyone at PumpProducts.com!

World Water Day Today is World Water Day, one of the most important days on the calendar for the water, wastewater, plumbing and pumping system communities. This commemorative day was established relatively recently – the 2018 celebration marks the 25th anniversary – but it is no less important because of its youth. It is a day that all of us at PumpProducts.com and in the wider water community are proud to promote. What Is World Water Day World Water Day is a day that calls attention to the need for universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, particularly in developing countries. Easy and constant access to clean water is something that many of us in the U.S. or other rich nations may sometimes take for granted. Unfortunately, that access is something many populations across the globe cannot imagine. In many locations, people trek for miles to access clean water and carry heavy containers of this water back to their families or their villages.  Many times violence even breaks out over the lack of water supplies and the need for the clean water.  Others try to make do subsisting off of the contaminated water and often times end up sick due to bacteria and disease that is lingering in the unclean water.  You don’t need to be a scientist to understand how important clean water is for healthy lives, fair economic development and social stability. A wide variety of events are staged across the globe in the effort to raise awareness. You can see a full list of the events at worldwaterday.org. Some of the highlights include: Many communities around the world don’t have access to clean water -Slovakia holding a “Water Olympics” -A tree planting drive in the Philippines -Global water dances in Ghana -A walk for water in Hong Kong -Various panels, workshops, lecture series and documentary screenings on the importance of clean water in a number of countries These events and activities are coordinated by UN-Water under the umbrella of a theme. Past themes include “Women and Water,” “Groundwater: The Invisible Resource,” “Water and Disasters,” Water and Sustainable Energy” and many more themes that draws attention to the way water impacts our world. 2018 World Water Day Theme: Nature and Water This year’s theme is “Nature and Water” and the focus is on how the natural world could potentially provide some answers for the many water problems facing the world today. Some of the proposed nature-based solutions to water issues include protecting and restoring wetlands, reforestation, improved irrigation and a general focus on green energy-efficient infrastructure. While the WWD concerns mostly about water problems in developing countries, the decline of wetlands is an issue that affects many developed countries such as the U.S. as well. It was widely asserted that the development boom that eliminated much of the natural wetlands in Houston, TX, may have exacerbated the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Whether that theory is true in the specific case of Harvey is up for debate, but there is a broad scientific consensus that wetlands in general are important resources for absorbing storm water. The overall decline of wetlands is something that should concern all Americans.     Water Organizations World Water Day is about raising awareness.  Awareness is certainly a powerful first step in enacting true change. If you want to make a direct impact, consider donating directly to an organization that works to address the problems many communities face in obtaining and keeping access to clean water. PumpProducts.com is encouraging our employees and customers to find a water organization to support. Here are some suggestions: –charity:water: A non-profit dedicated to improving access to clean water by developing community projects in locations of need. This organization is noted for accountability and transparency. Privately funded, charity:water claims that 100% of donated money directly funds water projects. –Water.org: This organization is focused on empowering communities to get access to clean water through “sustainable financial solutions” such as affordable loans and credit. Water.org boasts a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and emphasizes the need for a long term solution to the clean water problem. –Xylem Watermark: Watermark is the charity and volunteer division of Xylem, which manufactures our Goulds Water Technology pumps. Xylem Watermark boasts high marks for employee engagement and works on school/community projects, clean water education and emergency response projects. PumpProducts.com is proud to be a distributor for a fine company like Xylem.                                                                                                                 Clean water for all is a noble goal Those are just some of our suggestions. A wide variety of organizations dedicated to solving this problem exist. You also might get more satisfaction from getting involved with local water efforts. Either way, we hope you look into World Water Day and continue to support the cause to ensure clean water for all. Pump Products sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

Monday, February 19 is that most patriotic of days (after July 4 and Memorial Day): Presidents' Day! That's right, it's the day where we lump George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and I think some other president together in order to have a convenient Monday holiday. For those of you who have the a paid day off, congratulations. The rest of us are jealous, but even if you have to work, I have the next best thing: pump sales! That's right, we're giving you a discount on all online orders. Specifically, a 5% discount off of any order of $100 or more. Been waiting to buy that new sump pump How about some repair parts or accessories Well Monday is the time to get them. Just use the coupon code presidentsday at checkout to apply the discount. This is a one-day sale, so be prepared once Monday comes. As Abraham Lincoln once said "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." What I think that means is that preparation and awareness of your situation is of the utmost importance; even if you don't need a backup pump or repair kit right this second, you still want to be prepared for when that day comes. Get those products now, because these President's Day savings only come once a year. (The quote also means that no one messed with Abe back in the day, because it sounds like he was often carrying around and sharpening a big axe). Terms and conditions apply: One day sale (2/19/18), one coupon use per customer, one use per coupon. So save some money and enjoy your Presidents' Day. Pump Products sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump or part, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.