Plumbing & Mechanical Top Stories - Articles

A young African-American woman working in a metal fabrication factory, wearing a hardhat, reflective vest, and safety glasses, using a digital tablet. She is standing next to a steel truss.

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Women in the Plumbing Industry

Whether you are a new professional considering a plumbing career or an industry leader looking to foster diversity, your efforts can make a difference.

Tom Roberts

May 13, 2026

Over the years, the industry has been evolving, with more women entering the field and bringing fresh perspectives and skills. To further this positive trend, it is essential to continue attracting and supporting women in plumbing.

How Installers Can Respond to Increasing Legionella Risk

It is more important than ever for installers to stay informed about the latest solutions that can help public buildings optimize infection control.

Greg Rankin

May 13, 2026

Installers can decrease the risk of Legionella by staying informed.

Spotless Sewer Lines Play a Key Role in Lining Success

Deep cleaning is necessary before replacing the lining of sewer pipes. High-powered nozzles and chain cutters make pipe cleaning quick and efficient.

Ethan Elliot

May 11, 2026

Pipe cleaning is not just a preliminary step; it directly affects the integrity of the finished liner. Fortunately, the right combination of nozzles and cutters allows crews to remove even the most stubborn buildup, allowing the liner to work properly once it is installed.

Why Prefabrication Is Becoming the Backbone of MEP Contractor Operations

New data shows contractors shifting toward fabrication-led workflows as labor shortages and operational strain continue to rise.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 8, 2026

New report from Stratus reveals how labor shortages, material costs, and limited operational visibility are driving digital adoption and prefabrication.

A person attending a virtual class on a computer.

87% of HVAC and Plumbing Contractors Are Invisible When Homeowners Ask AI

Most independent HVAC and plumbing contractors have effectively zero AI citation share in their own metro and category.

Ronn Torossian

May 7, 2026

When a homeowner under 50 opens ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews and asks "my AC stopped working — who do I call" or "best plumber in my city," the answer is almost never one of the 230,000 small or independent contractors in the U.S.

Guard on Compliance | Misty Guard

The Impact of EU Reach on Plumbing Component Materials

A look at the pending European regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in light of the European Committee for Socio-economic Analysis draft opinion.

Misty Guard

May 7, 2026

European Union (E.U.) regulators have concluded that PFAS, which do not degrade in the environment, are a major problem.

A construction worker writing on a clipboard

Why the Skilled Labor Shortage Demands a New Approach

Industry leaders are shifting toward training-first models to attract and develop talent in a more complex service environment.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 6, 2026

As the industry marks National Skilled Trades Day, leaders are rethinking training and recruitment to build the next generation of technicians.

The Glitch & The Fix: May 2026

The Glitch and the Fix: Grounded Errors

Can you find the issue with this multi-zone floor heating system?

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

May 5, 2026

An installer is planning a multi-zone floor heating system supplied from a single stage non-modulating geothermal heat pump. Can you identify at least four design flaws or operational issues that are likely to develop if the system is installed as shown?