2023 August

The August 2023 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features the 2023 Mechanical Contractor of the Year, a plumber's guide to residential floor drains, 5 steps to consider when designing a wastewater system, and much more!

Editorial Opinion | Nicole Krawcke

Driver’s training for the trades

Plumbing and HVAC contractors are implementing driver’s training into in-house training programs.

Nicole Krawcke

August 10, 2023

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of teenagers who have driver’s licenses have declined. You wouldn’t think this matters to the home service contracting industry, but it does.

Guest Editorial | Bartholomew Jae

Gen Z wants technology, and skilled trades are rising to the challenge

Lean into technology when recruiting, retaining the younger generation.

Bartholomew Jae

August 9, 2023

The current U.S. workforce is comprised of four generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. But there’s one generation in particular that the skilled trades have their eyes on right now: Gen Z.

Guest Editorial | David Keane

Developing resilient project execution plans help keep projects on track

Successful projects don’t just happen.

David Keane

August 8, 2023

Things like timeliness, on-budget delivery, superb communication skills and flexibility all convey a contractor’s approach and their execution capabilities. As such, the success of every project boils down to planning.

Serving Plumbing Pros | Matt Michel

11 steps to follow to run a sales promotion

Matt Michel

August 7, 2023

Plumbing contractors are not known for their marketing prowess, yet marketing can drive more calls. The simplest marketing might be the sales promotion. Here are the steps.

Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

Educating homeowners establishes trust

Comfort resolution

Dave Yates

August 4, 2023

Educating the homeowner(s) establishes trust, and trust trumps price so their sticker shock can be tolerated.

The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

Authenticity creates abundance in business

Understanding what it means to lead with authenticity.

Kenny Chapman

August 3, 2023

The challenge for most of us can be identifying how we foster an abundance mindset—a key ingredient to achieving success—in our daily lives and workplace cultures.

Heating Help | Dan Holohan

The Wallies hash out advice for younger generations

Advice for newbies?

Dan Holohan

August 2, 2023

Not long ago, Ray asked the Wallies who post daily on The Wall at HeatingHelp.com what advice they would give someone just starting out in this business. Here’s some of what they had to say. There’s a lot of street-smart experience here.

01 PM 0823 CLM John Siegenthaler feature

Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Relays and switches — part two

Building the brains for custom hydronics systems.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

August 1, 2023

Last month, we covered the basics of classifying switches and relays based on poles and throws. Once you learn these, it’s easy to apply switches and relays to create “hard-wired” control logic - part two.

PM 0823 Mechanical Contractor of the Year 1440

Plumbing & Mechanical's 2023 Mechanical Contractor of the Year: Baker Group

Employee-owned firm focuses on growing the next generation of young leaders.

Nicole Krawcke

August 11, 2023

Baker Group’s dedication to its employees and commitment to building lasting relationships with its clients have earned the firm the distinction of being named PM’s 2023 Mechanical Contractor of the Year.

Commercial water heating market moves toward electrification

Manufacturers talk trends and design considerations for commercial water heating.

Nicole Krawcke

August 23, 2023

As more and more cities and states seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear that regulatory activity is clearly driving the push to electrification and decarbonization.

PM Profile

Meet PHCC Educational Foundation's new executive director

Daniel Quinonez took over the educational arm of PHCC in June.

Nicole Krawcke

August 21, 2023

Meet Daniel Quinonez, PHCC Educational Foundation's new executive director.

5 steps to consider when designing a wastewater system

How to choose and size a wastewater pump, plus other crucial considerations for efficient operation.

Tom Stephan

August 16, 2023

designing a wastewater system requires careful consideration of a range of factors to ensure efficient and compliant operation.

Residential Plumbing Drains

A plumber’s guide to residential floor drain selection and installation

8 important factors to consider.

Sean Comerford

August 2, 2023

Charlotte Pipe’s large diameter fittings include injection-molded and fabricated fittings produced by experienced fabricators with the latest technology available.

Product Focus | PVF

Caleffi North America introduces new vacuum relief valve

August 1, 2023

Introducing Caleffi's New Vacu-Stop™ Vacuum Relief Valve (VRV). Available in ½” and ¾” MNPT, the Vacu-Stop is suitable for use in water and low-pressure steam services.

Plumbing and Mechanical

Columnists

Driver’s training for the trades

Gen Z wants technology, and skilled trades are rising to the challenge

Developing resilient project execution plans help keep projects on track

11 steps to follow to run a sales promotion

Educating homeowners establishes trust

Authenticity creates abundance in business

The Wallies hash out advice for younger generations

Relays and switches — part two

Cover Story

Plumbing & Mechanical's 2023 Mechanical Contractor of the Year: Baker Group

Feature Articles

Commercial water heating market moves toward electrification

Meet PHCC Educational Foundation's new executive director

5 steps to consider when designing a wastewater system

A plumber’s guide to residential floor drain selection and installation

New Products

Watts announces ligature-resistant floor drains and waterline shower channels

Taco Comfort Solutions announces domestic water booster systems

Rheem announces Triton super and light duty water heaters

RIDGID releases new K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine

Lime-Set announces new floor drain cleanout cover

Bell & Gossett announces new ecocirc circulator pump

Wheatland Tube releases new black steel pipe coating

Uponor announces kitting services

REHAU adds CPVC and copper press adapters to EVERLOC+ fitting system

NIBCO expands Wrot Racer push fittings

Matco-Norca announces new eccentric plug valve

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co. large diameter fittings

Caleffi North America introduces new vacuum relief valve

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