Clayton Lee Plumbing

LOCATION:

321 N. Loop East
Houston, Texas 77022
713-864-1700 Phone
713-864-1744 Fax

OUR VALUES

National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Code of Ethics
	To consider our trade worthy as affording us distinct opportunities to serve society.
	To improve ourselves, increase our efficiency and enlarge our service. By so doing attest our faith in the fundamental principles of life, that we profit most who serve best.
	To realize that we are business men and ambitious to succeed; but that we are first ethical men, and wish no success that is not founded on the highest justice and morality.
	To make all bids fair to our customers and ourselves and include our overhead expense and a just profit in each instance.
	To use modern engineering methods and insist on high grade material and equipment, which are always better for our customer and the public.
	To enter enthusiastically into the association work - to give as well as take - and do our part in elevating the industry.
	To support all progressive moves that are being carried out along the lines of trade extension, standardization and sanitation.
	To conduct affairs that others in our business will find wise, profitable and conductive to happiness to emulate our example.
	To follow and execute our work in conformity with the laws of our city, state and of the United States of America.
	To refuse to be a party to any agreement or action that in any way violates the law of our land.

Know your potatoes!

Two farm wagons stood in a public market, both loaded with potatoes. A housewife stopped beside the first wagon and asked, "How much are your potatoes today?"
"Dollar and a quarter," replied the farmer.
"I only paid a dollar last time," the women protested.
"Taters have gone up," grinned the farmer and turned aside.
At the next wagon, the housewife asked the same question, but Ma McGuire knew her potatoes. "These are especially fine white potatoes," she said, "We raise only the kind with small eyes so there will be no waste in peeling. Then we sort them by sizes. In each bag for baking, the baking size cooks quickly and uniformly."
"These potatoes are clean, too" she continued. "You could put a bag of them in the parlor without leaving dirt. They are a good buy at $1.65. Shall I have them out in your car?"
The women who thought that the first farmer's potatoes were too high bought two bags of Ma McGuire's potatoes at a higher price.

All of which proves that it is much more important to establish the value than to quote a price.


One of our first shops on 20th street in the Heights. Back then we also sold and repaired appliances.	Clayton Lee and Plumber beside one of our first Plumbing Trucks in front of Hamilton Middle School in the Heights.

Clayton Lee Senior I sitting in another vehicle with his daughter.	Clayton Lee II standing inside the first shop of Clayton Lee Plumbling on 20th street.

Clayton Lee I on right	Residence Scene, Main Street, Houston, Texas.

First Plumbing Truck	First Plumbing Truck

CLAYTON LEE II President Associated Master Plumbers of Texas

Construction News Magazine's Interview with Jason Tuma, Owner of Clayton Lee Plumbing, Inc.

Jason Tuma has been in the industry since he was "knee high to a grasshopper." I started out in the plumbing industry at the age of 12, digging ditches and that type of thing. I have come through the ranks having been involved in every area of the industry. He says, "My dad, Bobby, is a plumber and he works here with me heading up the new commercial construction department, which I recently added."

Tuma bought the company from Clayton Lee Jr., whose grandfather, Clayton Lee, started the Houston-based business in 1911. Having been with for about 17 years, and serving as general manager for the last five years, Tuma finally took over the company in March of last year. "Clayton Lee Jr. wanted me to take over and keep the company name. I wouldn't do it any other way. I earned the trust of the family, and they know that I will maintain the integrity of the company."

Discussing trends, Tuma says, "On the residential side there is a lot of remodeling. People want old styles, so what was old is new again. For commercial work the project timeframe has been cut back. Clients want a quicker turn- around. This calls for scheduling a lot of overtime as well as all the trades working together. There needs to be coordination to get the job done in the time allotted."

He mentions another trend: "Tankless water heaters are "in" right now.
Compared to a regular 40-gallon tank that heats all the water to a certain temperature and maintains that temperature regardless if you are using it at the moment or not, the tankless water heater heats up only the water you need/use. It is a smart unit, running just enough gas through the water heater to heat the amount of water you need. It is rated as more energy-efficient."

Tuma says, "the top of the list of challenges is being able to man a job. I wonder if we are putting enough back into the industry where we are creating the craftsmen of tomorrow. I really hope we are doing our part so that we can find good, licensed plumbers 20 years from now."

He adds, "Another challenge, as a small company, is staying competitive with offering good benefits."

"The higher prices of gas and the rising costs of plastic and steel are all issues that directly impact our industry," says Tuma.

When asked if clients' expectations have changed over the years, he responds, "Yes, we live in a hustle-bustle world, everyone has schedules. Our projects vary from job to job with the new versus old construction. Some service calls can take 30 minutes and others can take hours." He feels that overall the outlook is good for the plumbing industry.

"I think that the state board of plumbing examiners has taken a great step with the way they screen plumbers." Tuma explains, "All plumbers have to have a high school diploma or equivalency test, as well as meet 8,000 hours of fieldwork prior to taking the test. You are getting a better quality of plumbers because of the state's requirements as far as getting the license is concerned. The board is expecting more from the individual than they used to."
On the rewards of rewards of working in the industry, Tuma says, "That is easy: knowing that you're doing a good, quality job while protecting the health of the nation." A poster with that slogan hangs on the wall in his office. "I live by those words"

He adds, "For example, where would we be without the modern P-trap, the simple gooseneck piping under every fixture. It was the greatest invention ever because it keeps the sewer gas from backing up into your home/ business.

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