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Home » Publications » Plumbing and Mechanical

Plumbing and Mechanical

PM April 2023 cover

2023 April

The April 2023 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features Ongoing water quality issues present opportunities for plumbers, 5 reasons to use push-to-connect fittings for plumbing repairs, and much more!

  • Columnists
  • Cover Story
  • Departments
  • Feature Articles
  • New Products

Columnists

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drinking water

Nicole Krawcke: The war on forever chemicals

First-ever national drinking water standard proposed for PFAS.
Nicole Krawcke head shot 2024
Nicole Krawcke
April 12, 2023

Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal, if finalized, would regulate PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants, and will regulate four other PFAS — PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX Chemicals — as a mixture.


Read More
workforce puzzle

Frank Favaro: 3 ways to win back employee loyalty

Losing top talent can be costly.
Frank Favaro
Frank Favaro
April 11, 2023

Recent LinkedIn studies show that more than half of the workforce is open to exploring new employment opportunities. That means there is a good chance that as you read this article, you have people assessing their employment options in your company.


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water quality
Guest Editorial | David Ratliff

Water shortages series: The plumbing industry must come together to solve water scarcity and sanitation issues

Part one in a series exploring water shortages and possible solutions
David Ratliff 200px
David Ratliff
April 10, 2023

It was August 2019 when I was last published in PM magazine. I wrote about the failure of cast iron soil pipe, which now has customers often waiting two weeks or often longer for a plumber. As the plumbing instructor at Ultimate Technical Academy, the administration is adding classes to accommodate the need for plumbers as quickly as possible.


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boilers are still a great heating source

Ray Wohlfarth: Why boilers are still a great heating source

A tale of educating young minds.
ray wohlfarth
Ray Wohlfarth
April 7, 2023

"According to the ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook, the estimated life of an air-to-air heat pump or a rooftop unit is 15 years while a boiler life expectancy is between 24-35 years, depending on the boiler type. So, you will install two heat pumps or rooftop units for every boiler. Where do you think those old units will end up?" I ask the class.


Read More
Legionella

Matt Michel: Let's talk scalding

Plumbers need to inform customers of the risks, tradeoffs and solutions available to them.
Matt Michel
Matt Michel
April 6, 2023

Scalding in the home or burns from hot liquids is dangerous to anyone, but is a particular concern to the youngest and oldest Americans. Plumbers are charged with protecting the health of the nation. Thus, plumbers can play a key role in reducing the risk, starting with homeowner education.


Read More
domestic hot water heat pump

Dave Yates: AHR 2023 — it's a wrap

DHW trends from the show floor.
Dave Yates
Dave Yates
April 5, 2023

Attending trade shows both large and small have always been an integral part of keeping our business abreast of changes within the PHVAC industry. Our employees knew that upon my return, there would be new innovative products joining the tried and true offerings we provided for our customers.


Read More
leadership

Kenny Chapman: Improving leadership effectiveness

Key characteristics of successful leaders.
Kenny Chapman
Kenny Chapman
April 4, 2023

In order to be an effective leader, you need to first understand what leadership actually is. Many people mistakenly believe that leadership is simply overseeing a group or organization. However, there's much more to it than that. Effective leaders possess a number of qualities that allow them to successfully navigate through challenges and inspire others to do the same.


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thermostat

Dan Holohan: Do you miss the T87

Though many have moved on to smart thermostats, several T87s are still in use today.
Dan Holohan
Dan Holohan
April 3, 2023

In 1885, when you could still buy a milk cow for $29.70, Albert Butz, a Swiss immigrant living in St. Paul, Minnesota, invented what he called the damper-flapper. He patented it the following year. The flapper opened a damper that allowed outside air to enter a coal-fired home furnace. This increased the oxygen in the furnace and made the fire burn hotter. When the temperature rose to a desired point, the damper closed.


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hydronic heating and cooling systems

John Siegenthaler: Eyes for a heat pump

Buffer tanks are necessary for heavily zoned distribution systems.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
March 31, 2023

More and more hydronic heating and cooling systems are being designed around air-to-water and water-to-water (geothermal) heat pumps. When the heating distribution system is extensively zoned, a buffer tank is typically installed between the heat pump and that distribution system.


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Cover Story

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Traditional_ClassicOilRubbedBronze

Ongoing water quality issues present opportunities for plumbers

Point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration systems on the rise.
Nicole Krawcke head shot 2024
Nicole Krawcke
April 13, 2023

When you talk about water scarcity and the lack of clean drinking water, most people think about third-world countries. They don’t realize that there’s a growing threat to clean water right here at home in the United States. Look at the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where a fire forced the controlled release and burn of toxic chemicals to avoid an explosion. The resulting contamination killed thousands of fish in nearby streams and ignited concerns over soil and water quality.


Read More

Departments

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glitch-fix-feature

The Glitch & The Fix: One size doesn't fit all

April 3, 2023

Can you spot at least six design or installation details that are going to create problems?


Read More
Overlook-Medical-Center.gif

Armistead Mechanical recognized by NJ Alliance for Action for Overlook Medical Center project

March 16, 2023

Armistead is being honored with a “New Jersey’s Leading Capital Construction Award,” for its role in the hospital’s crucial Cogeneration Plant Replacement project.


Read More
Petri-Plumbing.gif

Petri Plumbing & Heating celebrates the impact plumbers make in water safety and preservation during March

March 17, 2023

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning is celebrating both World Plumbing Day on March 11 and World Water Day on March 22 by reminding Americans how important plumbing is to human comfort, proper sanitation and water preservation.


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iwsh_WPC.gif

Young plumbers to showcase skills for a sustainable future at ISH 2023 Frankfurt

March 14, 2023

The showcase demonstration will run from March 13-17. 


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Feature Articles

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voice-activated products

Bathroom trends: Technology and advances in barrier-free design support safer living

Smart home technologies help homeowners age in place comfortably.
Jocelyn Hutt
April 24, 2023

How is the aging population changing product design? Builders and designers have been hearing from clients that homeowners now want to age-in-place, and they also want to renovate their existing homes to accommodate various generations living under one roof. The lack of housing stock and current mortgage and interest rates have contributed to this phenomenon. This shift in living has been a boon to the renovation industry, and it has given rise to innovations and building processes that elegantly combine technology and health benefits in the service of independence for elderly or anyone with physical challenges.


Read More
indirect water heater system

Maximizing commercial indirect water heater systems for optimal ROI

Design considerations for indirect water heating systems.
Nicholas Lane
April 21, 2023

The benefits of indirect water heating systems are well-known throughout the industry and include system versatility and aiding in electrification to lower utility costs (if it is used in co-generation environments). Other advantages are higher operating efficiency, lower maintenance costs and longer system life.


Read More
push-to-connect

5 reasons to use push-to-connect fittings for plumbing repairs

Push-to-connect fittings are ideal for fast, long-lasting plumbing repairs.
Jeff Long
April 19, 2023

When plumbing emergencies inevitably happen, plumbing contractors have to act quickly and make pipe repairs swiftly so they can mitigate water damage for their customers. There are several methods you can use for pipe repairs — soldering, gluing, crimping — but only one offers the quickest fix and long-term reliability: Push-to-connect fittings.


Read More
assisted living facility

Hydronic pressurization unit helps maintain Chicago-area assisted living facility

Mikrofill 3 helps 235-unit retirement community identify potential costly leaks.
John O’Reilly
April 17, 2023

The very first installation of the Mikrofill 3 hydronic pressurization unit in North America took place recently in a mechanical room of an assisted- and independent-living community in Southwest-suburban Chicago. You might say the flower of this innovation grew from the soil of an old industry friendship.


Read More
Hot water

Minimize the risk of scalding

Scalding: What is it and why it should concern you
Kimberly Manchester
April 14, 2023

Have you ever started your day thinking, “Ahh, coffee!” only to have it turn into “ouch!” as the steaming hot beverage hits the roof of your mouth? If so, you have experienced scalding. Luckily, the scald you experienced was (most likely) mild and, while quite painful, healed quickly and without the need for hospitalization or the prolonged medical treatment that is required for the nearly half a million people who experience scalding each year.


Read More

New Products

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Vortex UV CIPP system

Vortex UV CIPP system

April 19, 2023

UV CIPP provides additional installation flexibility and environmental advantages. Vortex has introduced a comprehensive UV CIPP system that includes everything needed — curing equipment, liners and custom truck builds.


Read More
Watts Water Technologies' pressure monitoring large-diameter backflow preventers

Watts Water Technologies' pressure monitoring large-diameter backflow preventers

April 18, 2023

Pressure monitoring capability is now standard on Watts large diameter (2 1/2” or larger) Series LF007 and LF709 backflow preventers with NRS gate valves for non-fire applications.


Read More
Uponor North America commercial radiant stainless-steel manifold

Uponor North America commercial radiant stainless-steel manifold

April 17, 2023

Uponor's Commercial Stainless-Steel Manifold handles 48 gpm total flow with up to 4 gpm flow meters, 1 1/2" distribution ball valves, and 1" loop isolation ball valves that reduce loop pressure drops without impact to pump head pressure for improved system performance.


Read More
NIBCO large-diameter butterfly valves

NIBCO large-diameter butterfly valves

April 14, 2023

NIBCO’s line of large-diameter butterfly valves offer enhanced performance with pressure ratings of 232 to 250 psi, depending on the size range.


Read More
Milwaukee Tool pipeline inspection system

Milwaukee Tool pipeline inspection system

April 13, 2023

Providing maneuverability in small lines, the 100’ Flexible Pipeline Inspection Reel has a flexible push cable built to navigate tight bends and traps in 1.5” – 4” lines, up to 100 feet.


Read More
A.Y. McDonald ranger fitting

A.Y. McDonald ranger fitting

April 12, 2023

The unique design of the RANGER enables it to assemble onto multiple ranges of nominal pipe diameters from CTS up to PEP and is applicable for underground and aboveground potable water systems.


Read More
Noritz residential water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Noritz residential water heater

April 11, 2023

The compact EZ Series is designed to speed replacement of conventional storage-tank water heaters, offering a Uniform Energy Factor of 0.96 and a 25-year warranty.


Read More
Navien’s NPE-2 series condensing tankless water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Navien condensing tankless water heater

April 10, 2023

Navien’s NPE-2 series condensing tankless water heaters feature an EZNav upgraded advanced multi-line control panel with Setup Wizard, high efficiency up to 0.96 UEF, 2” PVC venting up to 75’, cascade capability up to 32 units and common vent capability up to 12 units.


Read More
HTP electric water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

HTP electric water heater

April 7, 2023

HTP Everlast Elevate is a flexible capacity water heater that includes an adjustable thermostat paired with an ASSE 1017-certified mixing valve.


Read More
Bradford White tankless water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Bradford White tankless water heater

April 6, 2023

With stainless steel heat exchangers and multiple venting options, the ENERGY STAR-compliant Infiniti GS and GR tankless water heaters combine reliability with flexibility to meet the demands of both residential and commercial applications and accommodate a variety of installations


Read More
American Standard Water Heaters heat pump water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

American Standard Water Heaters heat pump water heater

April 5, 2023

The Aura Hybrid heat pump water heater from American Standard Water Heaters offers premium efficiency and performance along with app connectivity for remote programming.


Read More
A. O. Smith hybrid electric heat pump water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

A. O. Smith hybrid electric heat pump water heater

April 4, 2023

The Voltex AL (anit-leak) features a high Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 4.02 with the 66-gallon unit and 3.8 with the 50-gallon unit.


Read More
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      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
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    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
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    • PME COLUMNS
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      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
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