Plumbing Manufacturers International’s “Plumbing Manufacturing Industry Economic Impact Study” reveals the combined, total economic impact of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers to be more than $442 billion annually, with almost 1.8 million jobs, and over $142 billion in wages.
On this episode of And So It Flows, Plumbing & Mechanical Associate Editor Kristen Bayles is joined by Mike Rizzuto, National Technical Sales West for Infinity Drain, to discuss how changing consumer expectations are reshaping shower and drain design.
From common misconceptions to evolving technology, this episode explores what contractors need to know about backflow prevention, including inspections, repairs, replacements, codes, and selecting the right solutions.
ADP Research reports that workers hired within the previous three months represented 3.6% of construction employment on average between 2019 and 2025. In 2026, that share has climbed to 4.6%, suggesting that hiring activity is accelerating. Even so, bringing new people through the door is only part of the workforce challenge. As competition for experienced talent intensifies, contractors must focus not only on attracting workers but also on creating reasons for them to stay.
Many air-to-water heat pumps now include hydronic-side components and system-level controls, but installers still need a backup plan when those controls go down.
Many air-to-water heat pumps are combined with boilers. In retrofit projects, it’s likely an existing boiler; in new projects, it’s likely a mod/con boiler. The boiler can provide supplemental heat during very cold weather. It can also serve as a backup heat source should the heat pump become inoperable.
As utilities prepare for large-scale retirements, Nyad is building an AI tool to preserve operator knowledge and deliver guidance when newer workers need it most.
For Nyad, success is not measured by removing operators from the process. It is measured by giving more operators access to the kind of guidance that has traditionally depended on who happened to be on shift.
Georgia’s new contractor licensing provision aims to curb misleading advertising by unlicensed businesses while strengthening consumer protections and supporting contractors who meet state licensing requirements.
Backflow can compromise potable water systems and pose serious public health risks. Learn how the 2024 International Plumbing Code, proper backflow prevention, routine testing, and cross-connection control strategies work together to help protect drinking water.
While this month's announcements were more limited, price adjustments still affected valves, hydronic controls, pipe, supports, water heating products, and other plumbing and PVF product categories, with increases reaching close to double digits for some lines.
According to restoration professionals, the first hour after a plumbing failure often determines whether damage remains a relatively straightforward cleanup, or escalates into mold remediation, structural repairs and the permanent loss of furniture, electronics and irreplaceable family heirlooms.
Today's plumbing professionals do far more than repair broken pipes. By connecting homeowners with trusted restoration partners early in the process, they can help minimize structural damage, preserve irreplaceable belongings and guide customers through one of the most stressful events they may ever experience.