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Building Skills for Life: Kokesh Plumbing Hosts Plumbing Clinic for Scouting America

Sep 29, 2025

Back in April, Kokesh Plumbing had the privilege of hosting a Plumbing Clinic for the Scouting America at our Ballwin, MO headquarters. It was an inspiring day filled with curiosity, learning, and hands-on practice as Scouts explored the world of plumbing.

Teaching Plumbing Basics

During the clinic, our experienced plumbers introduced the Scouts to the fundamentals of plumbing: from identifying common tools and pipe materials to understanding how water moves through a home. The Scouts had the chance to get hands-on experience, practicing basic skills like tightening fittings, learning about water conservation, and seeing how plumbing systems impact everyday life.

Skills That Last a Lifetime

Beyond the pipes and fittings, this clinic was about more than plumbing. It was about teaching practical skills that Scouts can carry with them throughout their lives. Understanding how to address small plumbing issues, prevent water waste, and value craftsmanship instills confidence and responsibility that will serve them well into adulthood.

Investing in the Next Generation

We believe in giving back to the community and sharing our passion for the trade with the next generation. Hosting this clinic allowed Kokesh Plumbing to showcase the importance of skilled trades, while encouraging young people to see plumbing as both a practical life skill and a potential career path.

We’re proud of the Scouts who participated and grateful to have been part of their journey. At Kokesh Plumbing, we look forward to hosting more educational opportunities that connect our expertise with the community.

Pilot Light Out? How to Safely Relight Your Water Heater and When to Call a Plumber

Sep 22, 2025

Have you ever suddenly noticed that you don’t have cold water throughout your home, only to find that your water heater pilot light has gone out? Kokesh Plumbing understands how that feels and would like to offer some steps that you can take to see if you can get your pilot light back up and running.

If your gas pilot light goes out, here’s what to do, starting with making sure that you put safety first:

1. Detect Gas Leaks:

  • Smell for gas: Natural gas has a distinct “rotten egg” odor. If you smell gas, do not attempt to relight the pilot light.
    • Turn off the gas supply to the appliance.
    • Leave the house immediately.
    • Do not turn on or off any electrical switches, lights, or appliances, as this could create a spark.
    • Once you are in a safe place, call Spire to get them out to check the gas out in your home.
  • No gas smell: If you don’t smell gas, you can proceed to try and relight it.

2. Wait 5-10 Minutes:

Even if you don’t smell gas, it’s a good practice to turn the gas control valve to the “OFF” position (if applicable) and wait at least 5 to 10 minutes for any residual gas to dissipate.

3. Locate the Pilot Light and Instructions:

  • Consult your appliance’s manual: This is the best source for specific instructions on how to relight your particular water heater, or other gas appliance. The instructions are often also affixed to the inside of the burner compartment door.
  • Find the pilot light: It’s usually a small tube or opening near the main burner.

4. Relighting the Pilot Light (General Steps):

  • Turn the gas control knob to “PILOT”: This allows a small amount of gas to flow to the pilot light.
  • Press and hold the reset button (if present): This manually opens the gas valve to the pilot.
  • Ignite the pilot light: While holding the reset button, use a long lighter or a long match to ignite the pilot. Hold the flame to the pilot opening until you see a steady blue flame.
  • Continue holding the reset button: Once the pilot is lit, continue to hold the reset button down for 20-60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple (a safety device that senses the pilot flame) to heat up and generate enough electrical current to keep the gas valve open.
  • Release the reset button: Slowly release the reset button. The pilot light should remain lit. If it goes out, repeat the process.
  • Turn the gas control knob to “ON”: Once the pilot light is burning steadily, turn the gas control knob to the “ON” position. Your appliance should now be ready to operate normally.
  • Replace access panels: Secure any panels you removed.

Why Pilot Lights Go Out (and When to Call a Kokesh Plumbing):

If your pilot light keeps going out, or you’re unable to relight it, there’s likely an underlying issue that requires professional attention. Common reasons include:

  • Faulty or dirty thermocouple: This is the most common culprit. A dirty or malfunctioning thermocouple won’t sense the flame, causing the gas valve to close as a safety measure. Kokesh Plumbing can clean or replace it.
  • Clogged pilot gas tube/orifice: Dirt or debris can restrict the gas flow to the pilot, causing a weak flame that easily extinguishes.
  • Drafts: Strong air currents or drafts around the appliance can blow out the pilot light. Check for open windows, doors, or issues with your venting.
  • Faulty gas valve/pilot control: The valve that controls gas flow to the pilot can malfunction.
  • Gas supply issues: There might be an issue with the gas pressure to your home or appliance. If multiple gas appliances are affected, call Spire.
  • Condensation: In some cases, water dripping from condensation can extinguish the pilot light.
  • Air in the gas line: This is less common but can prevent the pilot from staying lit.

When to Call a Kokesh Plumbing:

  • You smell gas. (Always the top priority!)
  • The pilot light won’t relight after several attempts.
  • The pilot light lights but keeps going out.
  • The flame is weak, flickering, or yellow/orange (a healthy pilot flame should be blue). This can indicate incomplete combustion and potentially carbon monoxide.
  • You’re unsure or uncomfortable with any step of the relighting process.
  • Your appliance is old and you suspect a faulty component.

Always prioritize your safety when dealing with gas appliances. If you have any doubts, please give us a call at 636-391-1233, so that one of our licensed plumbers can come out and help you with any gas or pilot issues you may be having!

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Why You Should Hire a Licensed Union Plumber Instead of a Handyman

Aug 18, 2025

When you have a plumbing problem, it’s important to decide whether to hire a handyman or a licensed union plumber. While handymen may be less expensive, they may not have the necessary skills and experience to handle complex plumbing problems. Licensed union plumbers, on the other hand, are highly trained and experienced, and they are committed to providing their customers with the highest quality service.

What is a Union plumber?

Union plumbers are licensed plumbers who belong to a union. Unions provide their members with a number of benefits, including:

  • Training: Union plumbers are required to complete a comprehensive apprenticeship program. This ensures that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job right.
  • Experience: Union plumbers typically have more experience than handymen. This is because they are required to work through the Union’s apprentice program, which the Union and plumbing shops work together for 5 years to give the apprentices a chance to learn and grow both hands on and in the classroom.
  • Benefits: Union plumbers typically receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off. This allows them to focus on their work without having to worry about financial matters.

Here are some of the benefits of hiring a licensed union plumber:

  • Expertise: Licensed union plumbers have the training and experience to handle all types of plumbing problems, from simple repairs to complex installations.
  • Safety: Licensed union plumbers are committed to safety, and they follow all applicable safety codes and regulations.
  • Reliability: Licensed union plumbers are reliable and accountable. They will show up on time and complete your job on schedule.
  • Guarantee: Licensed union plumbers typically offer a guarantee on their work, so you can be confident that your repairs or installation will be done to your satisfaction.

While handymen may seem to cost less on the front end, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for. Hiring a handyman to fix a plumbing problem may save you money upfront, but it could cost you more in the long run if the problem is not fixed properly.

Here are some specific examples of plumbing problems that should only be handled by a licensed union plumber:

  • Gas leaks: Gas leaks can be very dangerous, and they should only be repaired by a qualified plumber.
  • Water leaks: Water leaks can damage your home and lead to mold and mildew growth. A licensed plumber can quickly and efficiently identify and repair water leaks.
  • Sewer line problems: Sewer line problems can be messy and expensive to repair. A licensed plumber has the experience and equipment to repair sewer line problems quickly and efficiently.
  • Water heater installation: Water heater installation can be complex and dangerous. A licensed plumber can safely and correctly install your new water heater.
  • Repiping: Repiping is a major plumbing project that should only be handled by a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber can ensure that your repiping project is done to code and that it will last for many years to come.

When deciding whether to hire a handyman or a licensed plumber, it is important to consider the factors listed above. If you have any doubts, it is always best to err on the side of caution and hire a licensed plumber.

Kokesh Plumbing is a proud union plumbing company. We employ licensed union plumbers who are highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of plumbing repair and installation. If you have a plumbing problem, please contact Kokesh Plumbing today. We will be happy to help you get your plumbing system back in working order.

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Toto Washlet

Apr 19, 2023

The Toto Washlet is Toto’s premier bidet toilet seat, often touted as being one of the best bidets worldwide. The Toto Washlet was first introduced in 1980, as the world’s first luxury toilet seat with electronic functionality, and has 12 different styles to suit just about everyone’s needs. The Toto Washlets are designed to fit on most standard North American toilets.

One of the many benefits of a Toto Washlet is that it is very useful for the elderly, people with medical conditions, and people with disabilities.

• Toto Washlets have a drying feature that helps people with limited mobility and muscle weakness clean themselves in a way that can be difficult to do with just toilet paper. It helps minimize the use of your wrist to get at the difficult spots, which is particularly helpful for people with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis and morbid obesity.

• Similarly, people with gastrointestinal tract issues such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can find some relief by using a Toto Washlet, which helps eliminate the use of chafing toilet paper and also the cooling jet of water can help elevate the pain and burning of more frequent and painful bowel movements.

• Toto Washlets are much gentler on the skin as compared to toilet paper. Toilet paper can very rough on the skin, irritating the skin and can even cause tiny cuts or bleeding. Toto Washlets provide a soothing stream of water to our most sensitive areas, which especially is helpful for people with hemorrhoids and anal fissures and it helps reduce pressure in that area.

• It is also very helpful for seniors with poor hand-eye coordination, who are unable to trim their nails well, it stops them from cutting themselves while trying to clean themselves, which can lead to pain and infections.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW THE TOTO WASHLET WORKS

Toto Washlets are much better for the environment than the traditional products for the bathroom.

• Toilet paper and flushable wipes are harsh on the environment, making toilet paper is a very labor-intensive process that involves pulping millions of trees and billions of gallons of water and flushable wipes are not biodegradable, and clump together to clog sewer systems.

• Toto Washlets are great for preventing clogs in your home and in the sewer systems. Toilet paper and flushable wipes can clog pipes, Toto Washlets only use a bit more water per flush than the usually flush and even have air dryers that climate the need to use toilet paper to dry off. In fact, more than 660 million gallons of water is needed every year to make toilet paper for just American adults alone, and the average American household of 4 uses 360 rolls of toilet paper a year, and the average American uses 90 rolls of toilet paper a year.

• Toto Washlets use way less water, no trees, and does not contribute the plastic that flushable wipes negatively effect the environment. Toto Washlets also perform a pre-mist of the toilet bowl before each use to prevent waste from adhering, which means the toilets need less cleaning, helping to keep harsh chemicals out of the ecosystem.

JJ Kokesh & Son is the only TOTO Factory Authorized Services for the Greater Saint Louis area. We have TOTO trained plumbers who can install and do repairs both in and out of warranty. Let us help you find, install and maintain your new TOTO Washlet or TOTO Neorest, helping you get the most out of your investment!

Contact Us To Learn More and Schedule Your Install

We are super excited to be part of TOTO’s history and these millions of installations!

Read more about the History of the Washlet.

New Apprentice – John

Mar 28, 2023

JJ Kokesh and Son is pleased to announce that we have hired a new apprentice! John Buckley is the newest member of our Kokesh Plumbing team and we are so excited to have him on our roster. Please join us in welcoming him as he takes his first steps in to the exciting world of plumbing. Below is an interview that we did with John to learn more about him, his experiences and what he sees for his future.

Q&A with John

Why did you want to become a plumber?
– My family is in the industry

What is your favorite color?
– Cobalt Blue

Where did you go to high school?
– Pattonville Senior High School in Maryland Heights, MO

What is your favorite plumbing job?
– Bathroom renovations

Why do you love being an apprentice?
– Learning about different plumbing jobs and being helpful to the plumbers

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
– Cookies and Cream

What is your favorite vacation spot?
– Pensacola, Florida

Where do you see yourself in the future?
– Being a Journeyman plumber at Kokesh Plumbing

He is very excited for his journey ahead and we are thrilled that John has become a member of our team. When you see him out with our plumbers please welcome and congratulate him! Don’t forget for any plumbing issues that you may have, please give us a call at 636-391-1233.