On large jobs, we sometimes hire subcontractors to help us out. Other times, we will do all of the work in house. Often, we rent tools that make the job easier.
A plumber recently asked us to inspect a home with issues related to radiant heating. The homeowner, Ronny, runs a company that builds commercial office buildings, and the plumber handles the plumbing work.
I suspect manufacturers have had annual price increases since they began producing the items we need. So far this week we have been informed by one of our suppliers that the condensing boiler we use most often is going up by six percent.
This has been busier than normal heating season. I suppose this winter was colder than most in the last decade. For the first time in years, we had to make numerous repairs to frozen pipes. There were many late nights and weekends that required me or my men to work extra hours. I’m sure we were not alone.
A few weeks back, I received a call from an acquaintance named Jack, whom I hadn't talked to in a while. He mentioned a job opportunity and mentioned the radiators in the house have burst. We discussed the details and arranged for me to visit the location.
An emergency call led a team to a school with a leaking boiler, which was shut down due to safety concerns. After clarifying the need for urgent repairs, the executive director approved the work. Complications arose from snow and transport challenges, but a friend connected them with a group of young workers willing to help, easing manpower concerns.
We tackled issues at a 1953 apartment complex with a failing steam system, repairing pumps and leaks. This year, we discovered significant deterioration in the 6-inch steel steam main while preparing for its replacement, highlighting the poor condition of the aging infrastructure.
A hotel’s aging hot water system faces upgrades as leaking tanks are set to be replaced with smaller units. While a full redesign is desired for efficiency, budget constraints may limit the project scope, causing temporary hot water disruptions.
Last week, we did a simple oil to gas steam boiler replacement. The customer (Mike) has been a family friend of my parents for more than 60 years. Mike’s grandfather built the house back in the 1920s. The home is currently occupied by Mike’s daughter and her two teenage grandchildren.