2024 April

The April 2024 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features our cover story on pipeline profits and how drain cleaning and inspection create opportunities. Read a feature story on the basics of sewer root removal, take a look at the latest products, and much more!

image of Dominic Sims, CEO of the International Code Council

Editorial Opinion | Nicole Krawcke

ICC celebrates 30th Anniversary in 2024

The code and standards organization will sponsor the next season of “American Plumber Stories.”

Nicole Krawcke

April 8, 2024

Dive into 30 years of plumbing safety with the ICC! The code gurus celebrate their anniversary and sponsor "American Plumber Stories" to inspire future generations.

April 2024 Guest Editorial Evan Heidenrich. Plumber working on water heater.

Innovation for an important part of the home

Work with a supplier who understands the changing marketplace, and provides a full range of water heaters that meet the needs of all your customers.

Evan Heidenrich

April 5, 2024

Wi-Fi technology has improved homes, including water heaters. The changing landscape of water heaters presents challenges for industry professionals. Nick Snell, director of plumbing sales at F.W. Webb Co., emphasizes the importance of working with a supplier that understands the evolving marketplace.

Cropped shot of three young businesspeople working together on a laptop in their office late at night.

Guest Editorial | Mic Green

The AI and fintech lessons I learned while acquiring 14 PHVAC companies

Standardizing offers time-savings for businesses.

Mic Green

April 3, 2024

As controller, my job essentially boils down to two things: support our branches and ensure that Leap Partners has the cash flow to fund further acquisitions. I want to share with you the three fundamental lessons I’ve learned to achieve these goals.

April 2024 PM Matt Michel column feature image of water tap with hot water and steam.

Service Plumbing Pros | Matt Michel

Beating the scalding and legionella paradox

Plumbers can spot add-on opportunities while on calls to help protect customers.

Matt Michel

April 2, 2024

Scalding remains a hidden danger lurking in homes across the United States, particularly impacting the vulnerable. The plumber can avoid the unintended consequences of simply lowering water temperatures.

April 2024 Kenny Chapman Column feature image of a woman's legs with an orange dress walking over fire.

The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

Trust-filled culture builds happy workplace and boosts productivity

Cultivating a culture of trust

Kenny Chapman

March 29, 2024

Trust-building in corporate culture often used to involve dramatic events like fire-walking retreats, placing the onus of risk and trust on team members. However, there's now a shift towards recognizing trust-building as a daily, intentional effort integral to creating positive workplace environments.

April 2024 Scott Secor column feature image of line of white arrow dice going in one direction, a red dice, white arrow dice in the down direction to green check dice.

Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

A graduate from the school of 'figure it out yourself'

Approaches to learning the trades have changed over the years.

Scott Secor

April 1, 2024

This month, I will share some of the history of the company I run. I suspect many of you will have similar stories.

April Dave Yates column feature image: Providing gas boiler repair services at home is responsibility of a qualified engineer

Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

Reap the benefits of heat pump technology

Belts and suspenders

Dave Yates

March 28, 2024

There was a time when furnaces and boilers shared equal flexibility in Btu/h input/output and air delivery. It's hard to imagine, right? But times are changing. Will you embrace this change for profit, or cling to old ways as sales slip away?

Image of square cast iron woodburner on top of granite slab with orange fire flames burning.

Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Combining a wood-fired boiler with a hydronic distribution system

Doing wood right

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

March 27, 2024

I’ve written many PM columns discussing how air-to-water and geothermal water-to-water heat pumps can be combined with hydronic delivery systems to deliver efficiency AND superior comfort. This combination is a great solution for many consumers.

Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

New technologies simplify process for plumbers in the field.

Nicole Krawcke

April 4, 2024

Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative opportunities for plumbing contractors, especially with aging infrastructure. New technology makes these services easier than ever.

The Glitch and The Fix black and white feature image concrete slab with PEX tubing placement

The Glitch & The Fix

Concrete slab over radiant tubing — who takes the blame?

April 24, 2024

Take a look at the two photos in Figure 1. Do you see any installation practices that might compromise the eventual structural or thermal performance of this slab?

Open door of a white modern garage with a concrete driveway, next to the main house at the urban district.

Above-floor plumbing simplifies garage conversion to an in-law suite

Mechanical contractor opts for cost-effective, easy to install Saniflo solution.

Michael Cerna

April 22, 2024

Joseph Cariola, a licensed plumber and operations manager at Feddon Mechanical, converted his garage into an in-law suite with a bedroom and bathroom to accommodate up to three people.

Chicago Faucet feature image of a classroom with students raising their hands.

The ABCs of anti-scald with Chicago Faucets

Michigan school installs anti-scald faucets to promote safety within its student body.

Greg Hunt

April 17, 2024

NorthPointe Christian Schools near Grand Rapids, Michigan, has grown from 90 students to over 1,250 across Pre-K to 12th grade. To keep pace with the needs of ever-expanding schools like Northpointe, Chicago Faucets has evolved to meet school safety needs with products like thermostatic mixers and touchless faucets.

Workers in a residential construction site

How water chemistry impacts residential plumbing materials

Plumbers need to recognize that water chemistry varies from municipality to municipality.

Jonathan Simon

April 15, 2024

Builders often overlook local water chemistry when selecting materials. Water chemistry and plumbing materials require more attention.

Master the basics of sewer root removal

Preventative maintenance and control tips.

Sean Comerford

April 2, 2024

The Little Giant 16G Series heavy-duty 1 hp grinder pump is designed to deliver serious power for the most challenging residential and light commercial wastewater applications.

April Products: Armstrong Fluid Technology Design Envelope Permanent Magnet Pumps

Product Focus | Pumps

Armstrong Fluid Technology introduces expanded range of Design Envelope permanent magnet pumps

April 1, 2024

Armstrong unveiled a wider range of Design Envelope Permanent Magnet pumps (60hp motors), delivering 20% lower operating costs compared to standard variable speed pumps with induction motors.

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

Plumbing and Mechanical

Columnists

ICC celebrates 30th Anniversary in 2024

Innovation for an important part of the home

The AI and fintech lessons I learned while acquiring 14 PHVAC companies

Beating the scalding and legionella paradox

Trust-filled culture builds happy workplace and boosts productivity

A graduate from the school of 'figure it out yourself'

Reap the benefits of heat pump technology

Combining a wood-fired boiler with a hydronic distribution system

Cover Story

Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

Departments

Concrete slab over radiant tubing — who takes the blame?

Feature Articles

Above-floor plumbing simplifies garage conversion to an in-law suite

The ABCs of anti-scald with Chicago Faucets

How water chemistry impacts residential plumbing materials

Master the basics of sewer root removal

New Products

Zurn Elkay announces Quartz sinks

WarmlyYours introduces ThermalSheet radiant floor underlayment

RectorSeal announces SureGrade adjustable drain

QuickDrain introduces BenchDrain linear drains

Mill-Rose Co. introduces Blue Monster LUBE-JOB pipe joint lubricant

California Faucets announces ZeroDrain

Zoeller announces grinder pump package system

Xylem introduces e-150X Smart Pump

Taco Comfort Solutions announces ECM high-efficiency circulator pumps

Saniflo introduces sewer pump kit

Grundfos introduces hot water recirculation pump

Franklin Electric announces Little Giant 16G Series heavy-duty, 1hp grinder pump

Armstrong Fluid Technology introduces expanded range of Design Envelope permanent magnet pumps

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