Columns

AHR and KBIS/IBS highlighted how AI, efficiency mandates and workforce evolution are converging on the jobsite

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The conversation has clearly moved beyond connectivity for connectivity’s sake, and into something more actionable; and, with new expectations for energy-efficient and low-carbon systems, more necessary.

Building a profitable plumbing business in an uncertain market

chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The next era of the trades won’t be dominated solely by the most prominent brands or the loudest marketers. It will be shaped by operators who understand efficiency, protect their margins, and invest in genuine relationships.

Navigating the United States perchlorate rulemaking: compliance strategies for the May 2027 final rule deadline

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

While perchlorate has been on the regulatory radar for decades, this specific action is driven by a complex legal history.

Trust means more than ever in 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Homeowners are more selective than ever, and in a crowded marketplace, their choice often comes down to which company they trust most. Public relations plays a critical role in shaping, strengthening and protecting your reputation.

Aligning talent strategy with business strategy

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Developing leaders creates leverage for the organization. It allows business owners to step back from day-to-day operations and focus on strategic growth.

Reflections on a year of change: Why the plumbing and mechanical industry continues to deliver

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

To start off the new year, editor Kristen Bayles reflects on 2025, and what's to come in 2026.

New pipe sizing standard brings critical changes and innovation to building services

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

This new standard will mark a turning point for water supply and sanitary drainage pipe sizing, which together haven’t received a meaningful update since the 1940s.

Beyond the classroom: finding fulfillment in the trades

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

I'm grateful my family showed my brother the value of trades. After my great-grandfather's plumbing business closed, my dad became a welder and shared his skills with my brother during many afternoons in the work shed, like an apprentice learning from a master.

Recruit character, teach skill

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

You can teach anyone to sweat a copper joint or wire a circulator pump. What’s much harder to teach is attitude, curiosity, pride in craftsmanship, and the ability to make a customer feel at ease.

When competition becomes community

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

People from all over the world came together with a shared purpose: to learn, grow, and help one another succeed. I sat with plumbers from Georgia during one session, and over lunch, I joined a group from Wisconsin. We talked about everything from the unique challenges of running a business in different regions to funny on-the-job stories that reminded us all why we love this industry.

Clear waters, clear purpose: reflections on protecting a vital resource

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In nature, water moves in carefully balanced cycles: it falls as rain, runs along streams, and percolates through the soil. Each step in that journey is absolutely critical to maintaining water's life-giving power. Similarly, human plumbing and water systems are designed to replicate that balance.

Ethics in service businesses: Making production-based business models work

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As many companies adopt growth-oriented language, it’s important to explore the tactical strategies behind it. Key benchmarks to consider include: What roles do we need to fill in the next few years? How do we retain our experienced employees? Who is our ideal customer and how many will we have in three years? What are our projected revenues in 5 and 10 years? Are our plans aligned with healthy gross and EBITDA margins?

For an effective apprenticeship program, it’s critical to invest in tech

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Most crucial of all is developing a strong team of mentors who can help nurture aspiring technicians. This is often where the true value of an apprenticeship program is revealed. Most contractors have at least one veteran tradesperson about whom they would say, "I wish I had 10 of them!"

How a ride-along program can revolutionize plumbing recruitment

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Not every ride-along ends in a hire, and that’s by design. Last year, a candidate with over 20 years of experience applied. On the phone, he nailed every question with the right answer and knew what to say to capture my attention. His resume looked solid, so I invited him for a ride-along. But when he joined our team, the cracks appeared.

How a ride-along program can revolutionize plumbing recruitment

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Prevention over panic: Educating tenants and customers to avoid costly mishaps

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A proactive replacement of the garbage disposal months earlier would have eliminated the risk entirely. A routine inspection could have flagged the weak points before they failed. Educating tenants about proper system use — no paint down the drain, ever — might have stopped the problem at its source.

More than a paycheck: why retention starts with respect

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

It’s about clarity and consistency. Are your techs empowered to say no to unreasonable requests? Do they feel supported when a client pushes back? Do your customers understand the value behind your pricing, and the fact that your team isn’t just delivering a service, they’re delivering their skill, time and care?

How plumbers can enable insurable homes and deliver peace of mind for homeowners

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

To help control losses and to make insurance available to certain homes, more insurers are requiring plumbing leak detection devices as a condition of coverage, alongside smoke detector requirements that are ubiquitous throughout the industry.

Championing water safety, accessibility and sustainability

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most powerful parts of the trip was witnessing how personal stories and local successes resonate with policymakers. Whether it was a community's struggle with water quality or the adoption of cutting-edge conservation practices, these conversations helped bridge the gap between policy and lived experience.

From leak to lesson: Why transparency and trust matter just as much as the tools in the plumbing and mechanical trades

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Plumbing and mechanical professionals bear more responsibility than often recognized. They ensure building safety, function, and peace of mind for occupants. Every installation, service, or check involves managing expectations, reducing risks, and building trust.

Work smarter, not harder: giving labor productivity a boost with technology

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Advances in hardware and software open the door to future-proof projects, maximize resources and unlock new efficiencies. Here are three ways plumbing and mechanical contractors can use technology to get more done despite the industry’s shortage of skilled labor.

Connecting with gen Z – why they’re the plumbing trade’s next big thing

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Gen Z is reshaping the workforce by opting for trades like plumbing instead of costly four-year degrees. With rising tuition and student debt, they’re seeking immediate job opportunities, which presents a tremendous opportunity for our industry. If you're not tapping into their potential, you're missing out.

The apprenticeship mindset: Lifelong learning as a leader

Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In the trades, apprenticeships form the basis for skill development, but the concept should extend beyond entry-level roles to become a lifelong approach to leadership.

Has AI killed the need for local SEO?

chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Today, AI is changing how people search for services and solve problems. But does this spell the end for traditional local SEO? Not quite. Instead, it signals that plumbing and HVAC businesses must evolve to thrive in an AI-driven world.

New Editor joins Plumbing & Mechanical Group at BNP Media

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Walking into the bathroom of my childhood home, I recall spilling my mom’s dark red nail polish on the white tile floor. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, I held the flashlight for my dad while he fixed a leaky pipe under the sink.

Enhancing workplace safety through challenges

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Jobs like yours are dangerous. You knew when you started your career that you and your crew would be at risk of injury most days. But you were willing to take the chance anyway because you love what you do. As a contractor, you also know that without proper safety training, everyone on your team is a sitting duck waiting for a life-changing injury.

Building trust before knocking on doors

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

There is a fine line between running a profitable business and taking advantage of customers; ethics, values, transparency and consistency are the standout factors that make sure you’re riding the right side of the line.

Phantom stock and profit sharing for top talent

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Small businesses can attract new talent by allowing employees to share in the company's success. Offering phantom stock and profit-sharing can help employees feel valued and invested, moving beyond just earning a paycheck.

From apprentice to all-star

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In the plumbing and HVAC industry, equipping your team with essential skills is crucial. As a general manager, I've seen how investing in training transforms apprentices into top performers, creating a skilled and adaptable workforce.

Water safety and conservation drive trends in every sector

forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In February, three key PHVAC trade shows occurred: the AHR Expo in Orlando with over 51,000 attendees, the WWETT Show in Indianapolis focused on wastewater innovations, and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, held with the International Builders’ Show (IBS).