2022 March

The March 2022 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical highlights how franchising offers plumbing contractors a path to success, women excel in plumbing, and so much more.

EDITORIAL OPINION

Nicole Krawke: A spotlight on climate concerns

Solar goes mainstream in Super Bowl commercial.

Nicole Krawcke

March 10, 2022

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This may come as a shock (or not), but I’m not a huge sports fan. I root for my Alma Mater Michigan State (Go Green!), and that’s about it. Whereas my husband started planning his Super Bowl menu weeks in advance. Clearly, opposites attract!

GUEST EDITORIAL

Aaron Salow: Data drives plumbing software trends in 2022

Software helps plumbing contractors increase productivity and deliver extraordinary service to their customers.

Aaron Salow

March 9, 2022

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Not too long ago, the plumbing industry relied strictly on analog processes. Every job was manual, from installation and repair to dispatch, invoicing and accounting. In 2022, the plumbing profession now runs on advanced technologies that range from thermal-imaging leak detection to smart water heaters and trenchless pipe repair.

GUEST EDITORIAL

Ross Goldstein: Design your system for the ‘what ifs’

Learning from your mistakes.

Ross Goldstein

March 8, 2022

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A lot of things are out of your control when working on a job involving multiple trades. Whenever I design any type of system, I always go down a list of “what ifs.” The “what ifs” are scenarios that can affect the performance of a system due to an unknown. This includes actions by other trades.

SERVICE PLUMBING PROS

Matt Michel: 12 tips to improve your recruiting

Be proactive, not reactive when it comes to hiring employees.

Matt Michel

March 7, 2022

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The most universal characteristic of a plumbing company in 2022 is a dearth of job candidates. Do not complain about it. Do something. Here are 12 things you can try.

CONTRACTOR’S CORNER

Dave Yates: Boundaries

Operating 24/7/365 can take a toll.

Dave Yates

March 4, 2022

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Where do you draw the line? That’s easy if you’re a one-person shop. Telephone rings; it’s 2:30 a.m. The clock face comes into focus as you reach for the phone.

“My faucet is dripping and the noise is keeping me awake. How soon can you be here?”(Seriously?)

THE BLUE COLLAR COACH

Kenny Chapman: The untold dangers of the 30,000 foot view

Don’t fall for the cliché.

Kenny Chapman

March 3, 2022

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You’ve certainly heard all the cliché statements around taking a “30,000-foot view” of the business or your department. How taking this view can help you see things you weren’t able to see “from the ground” when it comes to process, procedure and daily activities.

HEATING HELP

Dan Holohan: Frozen steam coils

Think like steam.

Dan Holohan

March 2, 2022

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Frozen steam coils always seem to happen at the worst of times, don’t they? You’re busy because it’s cold enough to freeze coils. The place with the frozen coil contains people who are doing things that are so important they can’t possibly be without that particular coil. Not even for a minute. They’re on the phone, and they’re not being reasonable.

HYDRONICS WORKSHOP

John Siegenthaler: Peak performance

Modern hydronics technology offers unique solutions.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

March 1, 2022

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As interest and incentives build to transition space heating and domestic water heating systems away from fossil fuels and toward electricity, a somewhat predictable but only marginally quantified problem is developing. Two words describe it: Peak demand.

Franchising offers plumbing contractors a path to success

National brands pave the way for overcoming industry challenges.

Nicole Krawcke

March 14, 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the economic landscape of the entire world. Small businesses were among the hardest hit by government forced closures, labor shortages and rising inflation.

The Glitch + The Fix: Primary reduction

March 30, 2022

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A heating pro is asked to retrofit a pellet-fired boiler to an existing distribution system consisting of older cast iron radiators, iron piping and an oil-fired boiler.

John W. Danforth Co. promotes three to vice president roles

February 11, 2022

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Mike Bement was named vice president, shop operations, Rich DeLotto was named vice president, operations, and Patrick Moran was named vice president, virtual design and construction.

IAPMO names John Watson vice president of industry relations and business development

February 11, 2022

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Watson has more than 30 years of plumbing industry experience in product development and compliance management.

Uponor North America named to Top Workplaces USA 2022 List

February 11, 2022

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This honor marks the first time Uponor has been recognized as a Top Workplace in the U.S., and the eighth time the company has been recognized as a Top Workplace in the State of Minnesota since 2012.

The New Flat Rate announces upgrade to 5.0

February 11, 2022

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These upgrades come on the heels of The New Flat Rate’s Housecall Pro integration, which eliminated manual data entry while seamlessly passing information between the two apps with the click of a button.

Western Specialty Contractors names Jason Paoli regional business development manager

February 10, 2022

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In his new position, Paoli is responsible for maintaining existing client relationships and identifying and developing new clients throughout the Chicago region.

T&S Brass completes first phase of $10M expansion and renovation

January 28, 2022

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The projects are part of a $10.3 million improvement project, first announced in September 2019.

Aliaxis acquires Harco, strengthens position in the United States

January 28, 2022

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Harco will be part of IPEX, Aliaxis’ leading brand in the region.

Plumbing trends from the field

Residential contractors share how they’re handling a booming retrofit market amidst supply chain shortages.

Natalie Forster

March 23, 2022

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Although lack of available product and labor are ongoing factors within the residential plumbing sector, there is certainly no lack of opportunity. According to the 2021 North American Plumbing Fixtures Market Report, compiled by Grand View Research, the plumbing fixture market ended 2020 with a $22.4 billion value and it is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5% from 2021 to 2028.

The DIRTMAG PRO separates both ferrous and non-ferrous debris

The gold standard: Protection from dissolved oxygen and debris in hydronic systems

Keeping hydronic systems healthy.

Kevin Freidt

March 21, 2022

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Water is the life-blood of hydronic systems. Just as we strive to maintain the health of our own circulatory systems, it’s important to maintain the health of the water-based solutions that circulate through the hydronic systems we construct and maintain.

Women excel in plumbing

These ladies have already shattered the glass ceiling, now they’re recruiting others do the same.

Nicole Krawcke

March 16, 2022

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Sorry James Brown, but this is no longer a “Man’s World.” Today, women work in just about every field and industry, proving they can do just about anything a man can do. U.S. Census statistics show more and more women have been entering previously considered male-dominated industries, including construction.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Rheem Commercial heat pump split system

March 18, 2022

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With increased electrification and greater energy efficiency, this unit from Rheem is built for large-scale commercial applications where a large amount of potable water is needed at usable temperatures.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Rinnai Compact wall-mount system

March 17, 2022

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Designed to offer faster and more flexible installation in an easy to transport package, Rinnai’s TRX compact wall-mount system takes less than half the time to install, Rinnai points out.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Noritz Condensing tankless

March 16, 2022

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The EZ Series of high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters cut installation time and cost when replacing larger, storage tank-type units, Noritz notes.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

PVI Direct-fired water heater

March 15, 2022

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PVI’s Centurion compact, 2000 MBH direct-fired domestic water heater features state-of-the art combustion controls technology and superior reliability, the company notes.

Navien’s NPE-2 condensing tankless water heaters

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Navien Tankless water heaters

March 14, 2022

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Navien’s NPE-2 condensing tankless water heaters include a turndown ratio up to 15:1, advanced EZNav multi-line control panel with setup wizard, and 2" PVC venting up to 75'.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

A.O. Smith Gas water heaters

March 11, 2022

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Ideal for large commercial applications, the Cyclone XL commercial gas water heater operates at 1 million Btu/h, with an additional 750,000 Btu/h model available.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Lochinvar Condensing water heater

March 10, 2022

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The updated line of ARMOR condensing water heaters is available in a total of 10 models, ranging from 399,000 to 4 million Btu/h.

Product Focus: Water Heaters

Bradford White Commercial water heater

March 9, 2022

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With Bradford White’s ElectriFLEX Series, phase, voltage and wattage are all convertible in the field using a conversion kit.

Everlast Elevate electric storage water heater

Product Focus: Water Heaters

HTP Electric water heaters

March 8, 2022

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The 55-gal. Everlast Elevate electric storage water heater was developed as an innovative solution to federal regulations imposed on light-duty electric tank-type water heaters with storage capacities larger than 55 gallons.

Product Focus: Tools

RIDGID Tubing cutter

March 7, 2022

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The RIDGID PTC-400 power tubing cutter is a high-efficiency, portable tubing cutting machine designed to quickly cut stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, aluminum and plastic.

Product Focus: Tools

Knipex Pipe level set

March 4, 2022

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The Karpo 350 pipe level set consists of round, clamping-style pipe levels that clip directly onto the pipe.

Product Focus: Tools

Milwaukee Tool Pipeline inspection system

March 3, 2022

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Milwaukee’s M18 pipeline inspection system is built around their M18 500GB Control Hub, powering both the 120' and 200' pipeline inspection reels.

Product Focus: Tools

Starrett Recip saw blades

March 2, 2022

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The L.S. Starrett Co.’s new series of 3X power bi-metal reciprocating saw blades feature teeth that cut more efficiently, enabling users to make up to three times the number of cuts than conventional blades