Plumbing & Mechanical Top Stories

$29.7M Electrification Bronx Supportive Housing Retrofit Begins

Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The eight-story, 130,000-square foot Silverleaf Hall includes 55 units under contract with NYS Supportive Housing Program for formerly homeless families and 63 affordable units available to single adults and families earning less than 80% AMI.

Rethinking How We Work Together at the GF Flow Symposium

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

At the GF Flow Symposium, conversations focused not just on solving individual problems, but on building the relationships needed to address them over time.

Building Resilience: Why Pressure-Assisted Toilets are Critical for Emergency Preparedness

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:30:52 -0400

High-efficiency plumbing systems can help facilities conserve water, reduce operational costs, and improve long-term sustainability performance.

The ROI on Smart Water: Do Connected Systems Really Pay Off?

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Insurance incentives, hidden leaks and operational gains are driving adoption, but the real return on smart water depends on who is measuring it and how.

PHCP-PVF Price Increases May 2026

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Plumbing and PVF manufacturers announced another round of price adjustments in May, with most increases falling in the low- to mid-single-digit range, while select product categories, including press fittings, grooved products, valves, PVC fittings, and specialty piping systems, saw larger increases.

Diagnosing Pressure and Air Issues in Closed-Loop Systems

hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Think about the “long game” when designing or installing hydronic systems. Make the system’s as easy as possible to service. Those who follow will appreciate and respect you for doing so.

Stop Selling, Start Translating: A New Playbook for the Trades

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The trades industry spends significant time training technicians on technical competencies like diagnostics, installation, and troubleshooting, but far less time teaching them how to communicate with homeowners. In today’s environment, that gap matters more than ever.

Old Systems, New Demands: How Contractors are Navigating the Retrofit Market

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With an increase in retrofits in the current market, here’s how contractors are navigating the issues that come with it.

A Second Look at a Two-Pipe Steam System

scottsecor@comcast.net (Scott Secor) — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400

A service job for an apartment building still using its original heating system from the 1970-1980s has unique issues.

Heat Pump Water Heater Brings Efficiency and Cost Savings to California Apartment Complex

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:29 -0400

Unlike traditional high efficiency models, the Voltex 120V HPWH is designed to plug into a standard electrical outlet–eliminating the need for adaptors or restructuring.

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Women in the Plumbing Industry

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Over the years, the industry has been evolving, with more women entering the field and bringing fresh perspectives and skills. To further this positive trend, it is essential to continue attracting and supporting women in plumbing.

How Installers Can Respond to Increasing Legionella Risk

Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Installers can decrease the risk of Legionella by staying informed.

Spotless Sewer Lines Play a Key Role in Lining Success

Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Pipe cleaning is not just a preliminary step; it directly affects the integrity of the finished liner. Fortunately, the right combination of nozzles and cutters allows crews to remove even the most stubborn buildup, allowing the liner to work properly once it is installed.

Why Prefabrication Is Becoming the Backbone of MEP Contractor Operations

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

New report from Stratus reveals how labor shortages, material costs, and limited operational visibility are driving digital adoption and prefabrication.

87% of HVAC and Plumbing Contractors Are Invisible When Homeowners Ask AI

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:30:22 -0400

When a homeowner under 50 opens ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews and asks "my AC stopped working — who do I call" or "best plumber in my city," the answer is almost never one of the 230,000 small or independent contractors in the U.S.

The Impact of EU Reach on Plumbing Component Materials

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

European Union (E.U.) regulators have concluded that PFAS, which do not degrade in the environment, are a major problem.

Why the Skilled Labor Shortage Demands a New Approach

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As the industry marks National Skilled Trades Day, leaders are rethinking training and recruitment to build the next generation of technicians.

The Glitch and the Fix: Grounded Errors

hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) — Tue, 05 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

An installer is planning a multi-zone floor heating system supplied from a single stage non-modulating geothermal heat pump. Can you identify at least four design flaws or operational issues that are likely to develop if the system is installed as shown?

Leaks Happen. Here’s the ‘Why’ When They Do

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of leaks — especially in plastic piping systems — during installation, service and maintenance.

How Plumbing Contractors Can Grow Without Losing Their Team

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

As contractors focus on growth, strong supervisors and clear communication are becoming essential to workforce stability.

Case Study: Noritz Hybrid Tank-Tankless System Install in Production Bakery

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:30:14 -0400

Three (3) Hybrid Hot commercial water heating systems (Model No.: NHH199100), manufactured by Noritz America, represented by its local sales agent, Tipton Company (Conroe, Texas), were used in this project.

Plumbing’s Hidden Miracle: Why Savvy Contractors are Betting on the Most Urgent Trade

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:28:56 -0400

Plumbing’s urgent, round-the-clock nature makes it a uniquely steady and profitable growth engine for contractors.

Beyond the Toolbox: PHCC Educational Foundation Prioritizes Communication Training with New Soft Skills Courses

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:18:42 -0400

New training tracks for technicians, leadership, and office staff emphasize communication, professionalism, and business growth.

Making time to clean the shop and the truck

scottsecor@comcast.net (Scott Secor) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As fuel systems change and customers get busier, heating contractors are adapting to a new service landscape.

The biggest interview mistakes plumbing contractors make with journalists

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As a contractor, one area you may overlook or may not fully understand is how media visibility can promote your business more effectively than traditional marketing or advertising.

And So It Flows: How AI and Gen Z Are Transforming the Trades

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In a recent episode of And So It Flows, Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro, joined host Kristen Bayles to discuss how AI, changing workforce priorities and evolving technology are driving renewed interest in careers across plumbing, HVAC and other home service trades.

AI can't fix a leak

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A recent interview with the former CEO of Uber shows that jobs in the trades are on their way to being seen in a new way.

How manufacturers are reframing risk, resilience and return in 2026

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Bryan O'Toole and Paul Spradling weigh in on the state of the manufacturing market, and what it means for contractors.

How inspection technology is transforming drain work

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Contractors have found that, when used correctly, camera systems simplify their lives, increase their options, and pay for themselves very quickly.

Rethinking upselling: guide, don't sell

baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

When options are framed around lifestyle improvements rather than just technical fixes, customers are far more likely to engage, understand the value and ultimately choose what’s right for them.