Plumbing & Mechanical, the information resource for contractors engaged in plumbing, piping, hydronic heating, fire protection and water treatment. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/articles Problems do not go away in business. They are part of the process. But in a culture of ownership, problems become opportunities for leadership. Instead of frustration, you get solutions. Instead of finger pointing, you get growth. Problems do not go away in business. They are part of the process. But in a culture of ownership, problems become opportunities for leadership. Instead of frustration, you get solutions. Instead of finger pointing, you get growth.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:28:44 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107573-extreme-ownership-in-the-trades-the-leadership-standard-that-changes-everything http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107573 In this 1.5-hour webinar, instructor Randy Lorge will review how to use the Water Demand Calculator, highlight its technical benefits, and demonstrate how to apply it to accurately right-size a water distribution system. In this 1.5-hour webinar, instructor Randy Lorge will review how to use the Water Demand Calculator, highlight its technical benefits, and demonstrate how to apply it to accurately right-size a water distribution system.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:39:22 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107572-iapmo-announces-new-webinar http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107572 All courses are accredited through ASPE and/or AIA with certificates issued within 72 hours of completion. All courses are accredited through ASPE and/or AIA with certificates issued within 72 hours of completion.

]]> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107571-watts-launches-your-pdh-pipeline-training-campaign http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107571 Feedback from the survey continues to inform how AD evolves its workplace experience. Over the past year, this has included enhancements to benefits and wellness offerings, a continued focus on recognizing associate contributions, and expanded access to professional development opportunities Feedback from the survey continues to inform how AD evolves its workplace experience. Over the past year, this has included enhancements to benefits and wellness offerings, a continued focus on recognizing associate contributions, and expanded access to professional development opportunities

]]> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107570-ad-recognized-across-north-america-with-multiple-workplace-honors-in-2026 http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107570 A&L Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today announced it has rebranded as Test of Time Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, marking the company's 50th anniversary with a new name A&L Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today announced it has rebranded as Test of Time Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, marking the company's 50th anniversary with a new name

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:25:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107563-test-of-time-ushers-in-new-era-for-50-year-family-business http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107563 Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results. Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results.

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107561-why-service-beats-sales-on-every-plumbing-call http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107561 Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times Top 40 Under 40 Next Gen All-Star competition. Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times Top 40 Under 40 Next Gen All-Star competition.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:54:14 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107569-top-40-under-40-next-gen-all-star-competition-officially-open http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107569 PEX has earned its place in the plumbing industry through decades of proven performance. That success, however, can make it easy to overlook materials that have continued to evolve alongside it. PEX has earned its place in the plumbing industry through decades of proven performance. That success, however, can make it easy to overlook materials that have continued to evolve alongside it.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107550-more-than-one-right-answer-rethinking-pe-rt-in-modern-plumbing-systems http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107550 Contractors will have the opportunity to receive a $25 tool credit for every purchase of an A. O. Smith standard gas or electric water heater from participating wholesalers, while supplies last. Contractors will have the opportunity to receive a $25 tool credit for every purchase of an A. O. Smith standard gas or electric water heater from participating wholesalers, while supplies last.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107565-a-o-smith-launches-summer-promotion-with-participating-wholesale-partners http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107565 The announcement follows a period of meaningful transition for Legend and reinforces the company’s focus on stability, continuity, and long-term growth. Legend continues to operate from its Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters while serving the PVF plumbing market and industry partners throughout North America. The announcement follows a period of meaningful transition for Legend and reinforces the company’s focus on stability, continuity, and long-term growth. Legend continues to operate from its Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters while serving the PVF plumbing market and industry partners throughout North America. 

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:30:41 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107566-legend-valve-announces-executive-leadership-promotions http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107566 The truck-mounted system can hold two coils and includes a measuring wheel for cutting tubing to length in the field. The truck-mounted system can hold two coils and includes a measuring wheel for cutting tubing to length in the field. 

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:30:02 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107564-cerro-flow-products-llc-copperboss-copper-plumbing-tube-payoff-system http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107564 ServiceTitan announced a partnership with All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, to support workforce education through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). ServiceTitan announced a partnership with All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, to support workforce education through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:53:34 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107562-servicetitan-partners-with-metallica-to-support-workforce-education http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107562 As utilities and building owners look for new energy storage solutions, hydronic thermal storage presents an efficient alternative to batteries in many applications. As utilities and building owners look for new energy storage solutions, hydronic thermal storage presents an efficient alternative to batteries in many applications.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107568-an-open-and-shut-case-part-1 http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107568 A Massachusetts plumbing contractor replaced an aging indirect water heater with a larger system designed to accommodate future renovations and improve efficiency. A Massachusetts plumbing contractor replaced an aging indirect water heater with a larger system designed to accommodate future renovations and improve efficiency.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107567-from-firehouse-to-jobsite-a-contractors-approach-to-water-heater-replacement http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107567 The partnership reflects a joint commitment to helping privately owned businesses compete for talent, improve employee engagement and increase enterprise value. The partnership reflects a joint commitment to helping privately owned businesses compete for talent, improve employee engagement and increase enterprise value.

]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:01:46 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107560-reins-and-profitworks-announce-partnership http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107560 The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. 

]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:03:32 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107559-truck-of-the-month-armbrust-plumbing http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107559 Emergency demand will always be part of plumbing and mechanical work. Systems fail. Weather intervenes. Customers need help quickly. But treating urgency as an emotional reflex rather than a validated signal creates inefficiencies that compound as organizations scale. Emergency demand will always be part of plumbing and mechanical work. Systems fail. Weather intervenes. Customers need help quickly. But treating urgency as an emotional reflex rather than a validated signal creates inefficiencies that compound as organizations scale.  

]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107556-are-emergency-jobs-costing-you-money-rethinking-dispatch-decisions http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107556 Initial research released by BBTT in February 2026 revealed stark projections for the industry: 25% of jobs across the original seven trades studied will be vacant by 2030. This workforce deficit is projected to trigger a $325 billion loss in U.S. GDP if left unaddressed. Initial research released by BBTT in February 2026 revealed stark projections for the industry: 25% of jobs across the original seven trades studied will be vacant by 2030. This workforce deficit is projected to trigger a $325 billion loss in U.S. GDP if left unaddressed. 

]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:49:55 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107557-bring-back-the-trades-expands-research-initiative-examining-skilled-trades-workforce-gap http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107557 The analytics endpoints also open up RoadFlex's AI features, including anomaly detection, outlier surfacing, benchmarking, and ranking. The analytics endpoints also open up RoadFlex's AI features, including anomaly detection, outlier surfacing, benchmarking, and ranking. 

]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:33:55 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107555-roadflex-launches-roadflex-direct-open-api-platform http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107555 Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook. Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook.

]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107554-ai-is-exposing-the-cracks-in-contractors-operations http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107554 The Fewer Callbacks, Faster Jobs study surveyed 1,000 skilled-trade workers across the United States and Europe (UK, Germany, France) between May 28 and June 14, 2026, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. The Fewer Callbacks, Faster Jobs study surveyed 1,000 skilled-trade workers across the United States and Europe (UK, Germany, France) between May 28 and June 14, 2026, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points.

]]> Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107553-new-survey-reveals-the-job-tradespeople-most-want-ai-to-solve-in-the-field http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107553 As companies begin evaluating budgets and planning for the future, many leaders focus on lead generation and brand awareness. While those initiatives are important, it is equally important to examine what happens after a prospect enters the sales funnel. As companies begin evaluating budgets and planning for the future, many leaders focus on lead generation and brand awareness. While those initiatives are important, it is equally important to examine what happens after a prospect enters the sales funnel.

]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2026 10:00:11 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107552-the-marketing-materials-your-sales-team-actually-needs http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107552 Max orchestrates end-to-end automation for trades businesses. Max orchestrates end-to-end automation for trades businesses. 

]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107548-servicetitans-max-reports-ai-powered-growth-for-contractors http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107548 The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity. The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity. 

]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:34:01 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107549-ahri-data-shows-water-heater-shipments-remain-soft-in-2026 http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107549 Winners received a range of prizes designed to support ongoing learning and development, helping them continue to invest in training initiatives and workforce growth. Winners received a range of prizes designed to support ongoing learning and development, helping them continue to invest in training initiatives and workforce growth.

]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107547-interplay-learning-announces-2026-excellence-awards-winners http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107547 Apogee Equity Partners, led by M&A Advisor and President David Yezbak, served as the sell-side advisor to David and Jennifer Buky in the transaction. Apogee Equity Partners, led by M&A Advisor and President David Yezbak, served as the sell-side advisor to David and Jennifer Buky in the transaction.

]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:31:09 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107546-apogee-equity-partners-advise-on-the-sale-of-dbs-plumbing-and-drain http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107546 The Esco COHOG Split Frame Machine squares itself to the pipe with clamps and is available in eight sizes for pipe ranging from 2” to 48” O.D. The Esco COHOG Split Frame Machine squares itself to the pipe with clamps and is available in eight sizes for pipe ranging from 2” to 48” O.D.

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:39:40 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107545-esco-cohog-split-frame-machine http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107545 Industry leaders say Gen Z sees something previous generations may have overlooked: the trades offer purpose, opportunity and a chance to make a tangible impact every day. Industry leaders say Gen Z sees something previous generations may have overlooked: the trades offer purpose, opportunity and a chance to make a tangible impact every day.

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:33:05 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107544-nearly-60-of-gen-z-is-considering-skilled-trades-careers http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107544 Barton James has concluded his service as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Martin Hoover, 2024-2025 ACCA Chair of the Board of Directors, as Interim CEO. Barton James has concluded his service as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Martin Hoover, 2024-2025 ACCA Chair of the Board of Directors, as Interim CEO.

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:26:55 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107543-acca-names-interim-ceo-launches-national-search-for-new-leader http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107543 Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company and held various senior leadership roles across the business before becoming president and CEO in 2018 and chairman in 2020. Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company and held various senior leadership roles across the business before becoming president and CEO in 2018 and chairman in 2020.

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:01:51 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107542-kevin-wheeler-to-retire-as-executive-chairman-of-a-o-smith http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107542