August 2019 Issue | PM Magazine

Today, Smith & Oby primarily does commercial HVAC and plumbing work

Mechanical Contractor of the Year

2019 Mechanical Contractor of the Year: Smith & Oby

The 121-year-old company remains one of Ohio’s leading mechanical contracting firms.

August 5, 2019

Started by Col. James Smith and George Oby back in 1898, Smith & Oby just may be the oldest mechanical contracting firm in Ohio right now, according to President and CEO Mike Brandt.

Radiant heating and cooling ushers in new era in San Diego courthouse

The 370-foot tall structure replaces a three-block-long, seven-story county courthouse that opened in 1961.

Ryan Westlund

August 7, 2019

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They say good things come to those who wait. Judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officials and others who spend their days in and out of courtrooms in San Diego waited more than a decade for a proposed new state courthouse to become reality.

PM Profile: Steve Richman

Milwaukee Tool places focus on employees and customers.

Nicole Krawcke

August 15, 2019

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Earlier this year, Plumbing & Mechanical attended Milwaukee Tool’s New Product Symposium in Milwaukee.

Los Angeles Housing Authority completes $4.5M pipe rehabilitation

ePIPE was selected for the project.

Brett Austin

August 14, 2019

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Originally built in the 1920s, the housing project in Los Angeles was rebuilt in 1974, but was suffering from the onset of pinhole leaks in its copper drinking water pipes that are located within the structure of the units. Pipes varied in size from ½-inch to 1 ½-inch in diameter.

Something's always brewing at Triskelion

Brewery receives process wastewater, process water supply, gas supply and sanitary drain solutions.

John Vastyan

August 13, 2019

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There may be something in the water in North Carolina that’s driving its residents to beer.

Bradford White Training: 'It's who we are'

Water-heater manufacturer and subsidiary Laars make sure their customers are armed with the knowledge to win and retain business.

Mike Miazga

August 12, 2019

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Stew Chaffee, CEO of Aston, Pennsylvania-based manufacturers representative firm Rich-Tomkins Co., puts into clear focus the major benefits of having properly trained customers.

Smart home fever influences new bath products

Manufacturers capitalize on growing trend.

Nicole Krawcke

August 6, 2019

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Technology has invaded the home. Smart devices are in every room, from the basement to the living room to even the kitchen and bathroom.

John Siegenthaler: Put it on my tab

Btu meeting will open many new market opportunities.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

August 6, 2019

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Apartments and condominiums provide homes to families with different comfort preferences and different attitudes on energy use.

Dave Yates: Corporate grand entrance

Success doesn’t happen by accident.

Dave Yates

August 13, 2019

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After being contacted by the general contractor, we met on site to go over the possibility of installing a snowmelt system for the more than 2,000-square-feet of sidewalks, which also included two ADA-sloped approaches to the grand entrance, a wide sweeping brick stairway and the landing pads outside the grand entrance.

Nicole Krawcke: Solving the trades labor shortage: Think like a start-up

Service contractors need to get creative in their recruitment and retaining methods.

Nicole Krawcke

August 15, 2019

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The days when a business owner could place a “help wanted” ad in the local newspaper and secure a bunch of applicants are long gone.

Guest Editorial

Tom Masters: Hiring the right employee for your plumbing business

Good help is hard to find, but these tips can help you reel in the best job candidates.

Tom Masters

August 15, 2019

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When you’re searching for a new, skilled employee, it’s easy to think you might never find the right candidate.

Guest Editorial

Jesse Marcus: PERC study finds favorability for energy efficient homes

Gauging residential customers’ sustainability preferences uncovers opportunities for plumbers.

Jesse Marcus

August 15, 2019

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A new study revealed that many residential customers — driven by cost savings and environmental impact — are placing a high priority on high-performance home projects.

Guest Editorial

David Ratliff: The perfect storm buy assessment

Ensure your company is prepared to weather the surge in business amidst the ongoing labor shortage

David Ratliff

August 15, 2019

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I have seen and experienced a large number of events, situations and changes in my career, which includes many years in the plumbing industry with a family of more than 20 plumbers and having my own master’s license since 1976.

Matt Michel: 8 steps to service recovery

Ways to handle upset customers and recover.

Matt Michel

August 14, 2019

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Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right. However, right or wrong, the customer is always the customer.

Kenny Chapman: Decide what not to do

Reflect on your goals and vision.

Kenny Chapman

August 12, 2019

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More than ever, you are inundated with options, activities, new technologies and decisions to be made.

Dan Holohan: Windows

Let’s hear it for fresh air.

Dan Holohan

August 7, 2019

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No more double windows!” That was the title of an article I read in the Chicago Evening Post. The year was 1911 and the page was yellowed with age.

Al Levi: No such thing as accidental company culture

Five ways to improve your company culture.

Al Levi

August 5, 2019

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I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some great contractors over the years. I shared what I had learned along the way at my own company, and I brought those insights and systems to their companies to help them grow and succeed.

Victaulic acquires Globe Fire Sprinkler

Two leading, century-old companies bring added support to fire protection customers, industry.

July 10, 2019

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Effective July 8, 2019, Victaulic has purchased Globe Fire Sprinkler. Combined, these two respected companies will have the resources and capabilities to bring exciting new solutions to the fire protection industry around the world, Victaulic notes.

Tool Tips: Going fishing

Tool Tips — August 2019

August 20, 2019

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When it comes to a well pump that has fallen off the pitless to the bottom of the well due to a broken adapter, it can cost a homeowner a lot to fix.

Truck of the Month: P.A.C. Plumbing, Heating & AC

P.A.C. Plumbing, Heating & AC | Staten Island, New York

Nicole Krawcke

August 19, 2019

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After returning from Vietnam, Paul A. Campione Jr., a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, came home to his wife and worked many odd jobs until he got into the plumbing industry.

Armstrong Fluid Technology signs Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment

July 12, 2019

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All signatories to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment pledge to reach net zero carbon operating emissions within their portfolios by 2030.

ServiceTitan launches new pro products to help home services businesses

July 19, 2019

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ServiceTitan Marketing Pro and ServiceTitan Phones Pro are two new add-on products that ServiceTitan believes will take home services businesses to the next level.

SRGI wins Rinnai Presidents Award

July 11, 2019

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The award is an authentic samurai sword, and represents honor and service in the Japanese culture.

OESP announces 2019 Dan Holohan grant winner

July 11, 2019

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The grant supports instructors at HVAC colleges or technical high schools who want to continue their education or purchase needed tools or books for classroom instruction.

MIFAB announces new rep, promotions and software

June 27, 2019

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MIFAB launched a new website for sizing injection and rotational molded HDPE grease and oil interceptors.

OmegaFlex Black CSST

August 12, 2019

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Introduced in 2004, CounterStrike features a robust jacket design with built in lightning resistance.

Compact sectional machine from RIDGID

August 16, 2019

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RIDGID’s K-5208 Sectional Machine is purpose-built to cut through the toughest roots with a ¾ hp motor and cable that can spin up to 700 rpm.

SharkBite's push-to-connect solution

August 16, 2019

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SharkBite’s EvoPEX system is a push-to-connect plumbing solution for new construction

Lead-free brass valves from Uponor

August 16, 2019

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The ProPEX lead-free brass valves from Uponor are constructed from high-quality ECO BRASS lead-free brass and now includes an industry-leading 10-year warranty for increased confidence and peace of mind, the company points out.

InSinkErator's digital instant hot water tank

August 13, 2019

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InSinkErator’s new digital instant hot-water tank features a 100% all-welded tank that eliminates the need for seals and O-rings.

Fluidmaster's toilet flappers

August 13, 2019

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Fluidmaster introduces its Pro Series Flappers exclusively designed for plumbing professionals.

Viega’s automatic recirculation balancing valve

August 13, 2019

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Viega’s automatic recirculation balancing valve ensures a balanced domestic water recirculation system by dynamically changing with varying conditions, the company notes.

Bonomi North America's ball valve/limit switch packages

August 12, 2019

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Industrial ball valve and limit switch packages from Bonomi North America improve safety in industrial systems, allowing critical manual valve applications to be monitored remotely, the company notes.

General Pipe Cleaners drain cleaning machine

August 12, 2019

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With the versatility to handle 1-1/4” to 4” drain lines, General Pipe Cleaners’ Root 66 is three machines in one.

Armstrong introduces ECM Pump-Less-Volute Repair solution with energy-efficient permanent magnet motor

July 15, 2019

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The new ECM Pump-Less-Volute uses a permanent magnet motor that is up to 40% more efficient than a standard induction motor.

Brasscraft Mfg. Co. Thermal Excess Valve

August 12, 2019

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Brasscraft Mfg. Co. continues its legacy of innovation with an enhanced version of its patented Safety+Plus Excess Flow Valve (EFV).

Powers' digital mixing valve

June 14, 2019

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The IntelliStation Jr. is self-balancing, which prevents overnight temperature creep by balancing the hot water distribution system during low- to no-demand periods.

T-Rex's Waterproof Tape

June 18, 2019

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T-Rex’s Waterproof Tape provides tough waterproof adhesion that can be applied in dry conditions or underwater, the company notes.

A. O. Smith's residential water treatment solutions for wholesale

June 19, 2019

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A line of commercial-grade water filters, softeners, conditioners and accessories for plumbing contractors.

Pipeline inspection camera system from Electric Eel

July 12, 2019

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Its compact, lightweight size and portability make this camera very user-friendly for contractors, plumbers and homeowners alike, the company notes.

August 2019 Ad Index

August 14, 2019

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PM's Ad Index for August 2019 is as follows.

The safety concern today is in the use of plumbing Solid Wall Schedule 40 or Foam Core DWV pipe and fittings in FGV applications. These products were never intended to be used in FGV applications, but they have been chosen because they are often the least expensive materials available. Simply put, plumbing DWV products are NOT designed to meet the life safety standards of FGV applications.

This program will explore how customers can easily gain efficiency, comfort, and/or performance to an existing residential hydronic heating system. We will look at how to optimize system efficiency using controls, components and/or circulators and the benefits to the end user. Outdoor responsive controls will be explored as a boiler reset as well as load reset in order to gain system reset, which saves fuel and adds comfort to existing projects.

Plumbing and Mechanical

2019 August

Cover Story

Feature Articles

Columnists

Departments

New Products

Ad Index