Plumbing & Mechanical Top Stories - Articles

Shown with the new water heating system are Joel Eggebrecht (left) of Moeller Plumbing & Electrical, and Del Sol Food’s Antonio Vazquez (right - Vice President of Operations), and Ronnie Dudley (Maintenance Manager).

Case Study: Noritz Hybrid Tank-Tankless System Install in Production Bakery

Texas contractor installs hybrid tank-tankless system to meet the super-sized hot water needs of new production bakery

May 1, 2026

Three (3) Hybrid Hot commercial water heating systems (Model No.: NHH199100), manufactured by Noritz America, represented by its local sales agent, Tipton Company (Conroe, Texas), were used in this project.

Plumbing’s Hidden Miracle: Why Savvy Contractors are Betting on the Most Urgent Trade

From apprenticeship backlogs to modern training and evolving industry standards, plumbing is reshaping contractor business models

Austin Keating

April 30, 2026

Plumbing’s urgent, round-the-clock nature makes it a uniquely steady and profitable growth engine for contractors.

Beyond the Toolbox: PHCC Educational Foundation Prioritizes Communication Training with New Soft Skills Courses

New PHCC Academy offerings reflect the industry shift toward customer-facing roles, where communication and sales skills are key to growth.

April 29, 2026

New training tracks for technicians, leadership, and office staff emphasize communication, professionalism, and business growth.

Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

Making time to clean the shop and the truck

What once was a seasonal trade has become a year-round balancing act of service, maintenance and installations

Scott Secor

April 28, 2026

As fuel systems change and customers get busier, heating contractors are adapting to a new service landscape.

Guest Editorial | Heather Ripley

The biggest interview mistakes plumbing contractors make with journalists

Strategic media coverage can elevate your company's reputation and position your leadership as industry experts.

Heather Ripley

April 27, 2026

As a contractor, one area you may overlook or may not fully understand is how media visibility can promote your business more effectively than traditional marketing or advertising.

And So It Flows Podcast

And So It Flows: How AI and Gen Z Are Transforming the Trades

As conversations around artificial intelligence continue to dominate headlines, an equally important shift is happening in the skilled trades.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 23, 2026

In a recent episode of And So It Flows, Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro, joined host Kristen Bayles to discuss how AI, changing workforce priorities and evolving technology are driving renewed interest in careers across plumbing, HVAC and other home service trades.

Editorial Opinion | Kristen Bayles

AI can't fix a leak

Why automation may elevate plumbers, and other skilled trades, to the top of the labor market.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 23, 2026

A recent interview with the former CEO of Uber shows that jobs in the trades are on their way to being seen in a new way.

How manufacturers are reframing risk, resilience and return in 2026

In an uncertain market, predictive maintenance and domestic manufacturing are emerging as the new pillars of risk management and competitive strength.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 22, 2026

Bryan O'Toole and Paul Spradling weigh in on the state of the manufacturing market, and what it means for contractors.

How inspection technology is transforming drain work

Advances in camera systems are helping contractors reduce uncertainty, limit excavation and win more business.

Dave Dunbar

April 20, 2026

Contractors have found that, when used correctly, camera systems simplify their lives, increase their options, and pay for themselves very quickly.

Rethinking upselling: guide, don't sell

What contractors get wrong about upselling, and how to fix it.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 17, 2026

When options are framed around lifestyle improvements rather than just technical fixes, customers are far more likely to engage, understand the value and ultimately choose what’s right for them.