Julius Ballanco: Plumbing Primer

Julius Ballanco: Plumbing for aging in place

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age, and many are planning to age in place. As the body ages, the use of plumbing fixtures changes. The aging body no longer has the strength and flexibility of the younger body.

Julius Ballanco: Modern bathrooms

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Elegance is the name of the game with modern bathrooms. To keep up with the demands of the public, the plumbing codes and standards have changed regarding modern bathrooms. Some changes are for the good; others, well, we will have to see.

Julius Ballanco: Drinking foundtain or bottle filler

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0500

As a backpacker, the most important item I carry in my backpack is water. I start each morning of a hike with three liters of water; two in my bladder and one in my bottle. The water bottle looks like any typical water bottle that people carry.

Julius Ballanco: Legionella and the Plumbing Code

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500

The code-writing organizations are currently finalizing the 2021 edition of the Plumbing Code, which may be adopted in your state or local jurisdiction by 2023. That is how far in advance hot subjects that are being discussed now wait before becoming law.

Julius Ballanco: Is the product listed?

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Third-party listing helps protect you and your customers.

Julius Ballanco: Preventing scalding during water heater replacement

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Thermostatic mixing valves and common sense can help prevent injury and litigation.

Julius Ballanco: The founding fathers of modern plumbing

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400

From Roman baths to modern water-saving showerheads, plumbing has come a long way.

Julius Ballanco: Families are the backbone of the plumbing industry

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Thanks, Fred.

Training to be a plumber in Ghana

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Despite not having electric tools, these young plumbers make it work.

Not everybody has access to clean water and indoor plumbing

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Life in Ghana: The search for water.

Your friend in OSHA

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Emergency plumbing fixtures help save life, limb and eyesight.

Ventilate to control bathroom humidity and odors

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 24 May 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Proper bathroom exhaust design and placement help prevent uncomfortable showers.

How much lead is OK?

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0400

I woke up recently to the announcement that the State of Illinois is mandating that every school’s water must be tested for lead. This is new legislation that just passed.

Save water with low-flow plumbing fixtures

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0500

A common question that I am often asked is, “How much water does a person use a day?”

Why you should be politically correct

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

The plumbing world is no different from the rest of the country when it comes to political correctness.

Soldering vs. brazing when piping is involved

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0400

When to use and which is stronger?

Big drain, little drain

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400

The debate continues on pipe size.

Installing check valves in a recirculation system

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0400

One plumbing contractor commented that most plumbers don’t know how and where to install check valves.

Best water in the world

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:06:11 -0400

Backflow protection leads to safe drinking water.

AHR Expo: Tools, toys and energy

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 14:34:00 -0400

The AHR Show has room for everyone and everything.

Debunking green plumbing myths

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 13:29:00 -0500

We still need to educate our customers on water conservation.

Busting the plumbing venting myths

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:31:33 -0500

Many misconceptions exist about plumbing venting.

Bears and sanitation

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:14:00 -0400

Your plumbing knowledge is invaluable.

Potable water protection in commercial buildings

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Rely on point-of-use potable water protection instead.

Plastic pipe still limited in plumbing applications

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Limitations still exist for water piping and DWV.

Unisex or gender-neutral public toilets

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Redefining the use of public and single-occupant toilet rooms.

Mysteries of wet venting in bathrooms

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

It is one of the easiest ways to vent a bathroom group.

What contractors need to know about new water heater changes

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:01:00 -0400

Water heater changes are on the horizon.

Product highlights from the 2014 ASPE trade show

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 12:53:00 -0500

Some of my favorite things from the ASPE convention.

Value engineering: Investigate changes of plumbing system without decreasing quality

jbengineer@aol.com (Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:00:00 -0500

The term “value engineering” has been a major part of the plumbing profession for a number of years.