March 2020 | PM Magazine

The March 2020 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical explores the advantages of belonging to plumbing industry associations and best practice groups, current smart home plumbing trends and much more.

CIPP offers Missouri college cost-saving solution

Properly installed CIPP is one solution for failing pipes.

Nicole Krawcke

March 11, 2020

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In March 2019, Columbia College, located in Columbia, Missouri, discovered it had a problem.

New criteria for assisted toileting and bathing options gives elders extra protection in 2021 Building Codes

Building codes continue to evolve to assure the utmost comfort and accessibility for older generations.

Kimberly Paarlberg

March 13, 2020

One Comment

Growing older can come with many challenges and changes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall.

PM Profile: Uponor

102-year-old manufacturer continues to focus on the customer experience.

Nicole Krawcke

March 16, 2020

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From celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018 to investing another $6 million to its joint venture company, Phyn, in 2019 to the release of the Phyn Plus Pro Edition at the 2020 International Builders Show, Uponor has certainly been busy the past few years.

Security, water conservation influence smart home plumbing market

Consumers desire connected devices to provide peace of mind and control.

Nicole Krawcke

March 9, 2020

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The last 10 years has seen an explosion of connected smart home devices controlling everything in the home from lighting to security to climate.

Contractor organizations empower plumbing pros to grow

Contractors learn better systems, solutions and best practices with group memberships.

Nicole Krawcke

March 5, 2020

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Eleven years ago, Edmonton, Alberta-based Capital Plumbing & Heating was in a tough situation — the company was not making money.

Dave Yates: X marks the spot

The PHVAC industry is ever changing and ever evolving.

Dave Yates

March 10, 2020

One Comment

Suppose I was to tell you there exists a tankless water heater you could install on the hardest of hard water that would never, ever have to be descaled and that its heat exchanger’s water pathways would look almost as clean as the day it was born.

Nicole Krawcke: Technology and trade shows

Innovative new products were on display during IBS/KBIS and AHR Expo.

Nicole Krawcke

March 13, 2020

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It’s an exciting time for the plumbing and heating industries.

Matt Michel: Create a plumbing service agreement in six steps

Give your team the tools necessary to present and fulfill a service agreement.

Matt Michel

March 11, 2020

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Few contractors are successful with plumbing service agreements, but they should be.

Dan Holohan: What’s the right heat exchanger pressure?

Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know; ask.

Dan Holohan

March 6, 2020

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A few years ago, an engineer who works with older New York City buildings started to email me with good questions, mostly about steam heating.

Kenny Chapman: Identify and overcome the hidden signs of business burnout

Technology will not solve our tendency to get burned out in our business and personal lives.

Kenny Chapman

March 9, 2020

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Have you ever felt a lack of energy and/or excitement to jump out of bed and hit the ground running? Do you love what you do for a living? If you answered yes to either one or both of those questions, you are not alone.

John Siegenthaler: Three inputs, one output

Multiple strategies for heating domestic water.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

March 5, 2020

One Comment

I recently designed a system for my daughter’s new home with a water-to-water geothermal heat pump as its main heat source.

Al Levi: Mastering the master project list

Create a process to get your staff on-board with new policies and projects.

Al Levi

March 4, 2020

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Why is it that your staff isn’t quite as excited as you are when you discuss a new project, a new process, new policy or a habit you want to change?

Tool Tips: Unplug a bath tub drain trap

March 23, 2020

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First, remove the overflow trim. Then, insert a water hose down overflow.

Truck of the Month: Ron's Plumbing, Heating & AC

Ron’s Plumbing, Heating & AC — Lompoc, California

Nadia Askar

March 18, 2020

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Ricci Hancock helps manage and run his father’s plumbing, heating and AC full service and repair business.

AquaMotion hot water recirculation kit

March 11, 2020

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The circulator for this tankless one-pipe system installs at the tankless unit.

Weil-McLain stainless steel vertical firetube boiler

March 11, 2020

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Weil-McLain’s Stainless Steel Vertical Firetube (SVF) boiler features thermal efficiency up to 97.1%, easy installation and maintenance, the intuitive and user-friendly Unity control system, and Weil-McLain boiler design reliability and longevity, the company says.

Reducing tees from Uponor

March 11, 2020

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The ProPEX EP reducing tees series streamlines residential and commercial plumbing and hydronic applications by eliminating unnecessary connections when joining pipes of various diameters.

Laars commercial condensing boiler

March 11, 2020

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The MagnaTherm FT condensing boiler is available in 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 MBH sizes with up to 20:1 turndown.

Combi boiler from A. O. Smith

March 11, 2020

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The A. O. Smith ProLine XE combination boiler’s service-friendly compact design offers professional contractors easy installation, setup and maintenance, delivering immediate hot water and comfortable space heating for homes.