Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in the plumbing/mechanical contracting industry. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/5169-plumbing-mechanical-top-stories en-us Kylegargaro@achrnews.com (Kyle Gargaro) A proposed bill could allow qualifying plumbers and other workers in physically demanding careers to receive full Social Security retirement benefits at age 60. The legislation outlines two potential paths to qualify and could have implications for skilled trades workforce recruitment and retention. A proposed bill could allow qualifying plumbers and other workers in physically demanding careers to receive full Social Security retirement benefits at age 60. The legislation outlines two potential paths to qualify and could have implications for skilled trades workforce recruitment and retention.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107802 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:31:41 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107802-bill-would-lower-social-security-retirement-age-for-qualifying-plumbers bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) PHCP-PVF price increases slowed in October, with adjustments affecting select heating, geothermal, controls, and industrial product lines. See which manufacturers announced increases and when they take effect. PHCP-PVF price increases slowed in October, with adjustments affecting select heating, geothermal, controls, and industrial product lines. See which manufacturers announced increases and when they take effect.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107801 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:23 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107801-phcp-pvf-price-increases-october-2026 The code does not say the pipe has to come out. It says the material exposed in the plenum has to comply. There is more than one way to get there, and only one of them involves a demo crew. The code does not say the pipe has to come out. It says the material exposed in the plenum has to comply. There is more than one way to get there, and only one of them involves a demo crew.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107713 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107713-the-ceiling-became-a-plenum-after-i-piped-it The current landscape with hydronics and heat pumps feels like an important time to adapt. Changing long-held opinions within the industry is not easy. The current landscape with hydronics and heat pumps feels like an important time to adapt. Changing long-held opinions within the industry is not easy.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107788 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107788-hydronic-and-heat-pump-hybrid-solution-presents-path-for-efficiency-progress baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) AHRI's monthly shipment reports include aggregated information supplied by member companies participating in its Statistics Program. The data represents shipments to customers within the 50 states and District of Columbia, including both domestically produced and imported equipment. AHRI's monthly shipment reports include aggregated information supplied by member companies participating in its Statistics Program. The data represents shipments to customers within the 50 states and District of Columbia, including both domestically produced and imported equipment.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107783 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107783-water-heater-shipments-remain-mixed hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) Improper piping sends heated fluid backward through an idle boiler in this hybrid hydronic system. Improper piping sends heated fluid backward through an idle boiler in this hybrid hydronic system.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107785 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107785-the-glitch-and-the-fix-when-a-heat-pump-retrofit-causes-reverse-boiler-flow AI can do more than offer advice. With the right business context, it can turn a consultant’s playbook into scripts, processes, and workflows a contractor can put to work. Here’s where AI can replace costly playbook work, and where human judgment still matters. AI can do more than offer advice. With the right business context, it can turn a consultant’s playbook into scripts, processes, and workflows a contractor can put to work. Here’s where AI can replace costly playbook work, and where human judgment still matters.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107780 Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:51:12 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107780-how-contractors-can-use-ai-to-avoid-a-9-500-consulting-bill From power tools to inspection cameras, you need a lot of specialized equipment to do your work. Theft or accidental damage can leave you without the gear you need to tackle your next job. From power tools to inspection cameras, you need a lot of specialized equipment to do your work. Theft or accidental damage can leave you without the gear you need to tackle your next job.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107779 Sat, 26 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107779-taking-on-bigger-jobs-make-sure-your-plumbing-insurance-grows-with-you baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) PVC antitrust litigation continues to develop as settlements top $415 million and plaintiffs identify six major distributors as alleged co-conspirators in the price-fixing case. PVC antitrust litigation continues to develop as settlements top $415 million and plaintiffs identify six major distributors as alleged co-conspirators in the price-fixing case.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107773 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107773-six-distributors-named-alleged-co-conspirators-in-pvc-price-fixing-case According to Waterless Co., there are six cities most likely to experience serious to acute water shortages in 2026. According to Waterless Co., there are six cities most likely to experience serious to acute water shortages in 2026.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107772 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:51:37 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107772-the-six-cities-facing-the-most-severe-water-challenges-in-2026 baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) For today's increasingly sophisticated mechanical rooms, designing for the future means thinking beyond installation, and considering the people who will ultimately have to operate, maintain and replace the systems inside. http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107770 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107770-and-so-it-flows-the-modern-mechanical-room If you want the next level, start acting like the operator your next level requires, someone financially disciplined, culture-driven, and relentlessly focused on building a team that can execute fast. If you want the next level, start acting like the operator your next level requires, someone financially disciplined, culture-driven, and relentlessly focused on building a team that can execute fast.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107767 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:25:43 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107767-lead-yourself-first-the-operators-playbook-for-scaling-a-trades-business-without-losing-the-team baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important. The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:30:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709-2026-next-gen-all-stars-top-40-under-40-phcp-pvf-professionals America is investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople, but recruitment and technical training are only part of the equation. Building a stronger trades workforce also means developing leaders who can grow businesses, create careers, and strengthen communities. Discover why leadership development could be the industry’s critical next investment. America is investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople, but recruitment and technical training are only part of the equation. Building a stronger trades workforce also means developing leaders who can grow businesses, create careers, and strengthen communities. Discover why leadership development could be the industry’s critical next investment.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107736 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:27:29 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107736-training-fills-jobs-leadership-builds-careers How much revenue disappears when no one answers the phone? Missed calls, especially before opening, after hours and on weekends, can mean more than a lost order. See how contractors and distributors can measure the gap, improve answer rates and turn more calls into long-term customer relationships. How much revenue disappears when no one answers the phone? Missed calls, especially before opening, after hours and on weekends, can mean more than a lost order. See how contractors and distributors can measure the gap, improve answer rates and turn more calls into long-term customer relationships.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107711 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:44 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107711-the-astounding-cost-of-missing-calls bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) How can contractors can look beyond wages and traditional retirement benefits to build compensation strategies that reward loyalty, leadership, and long-term contributions to the business? How can contractors can look beyond wages and traditional retirement benefits to build compensation strategies that reward loyalty, leadership, and long-term contributions to the business?

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107705 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107705-rethinking-compensation-to-improve-contractor-retention PMI26 heads to New Orleans Nov. 2-5, bringing plumbing manufacturers together for four days of education, leadership development and industry discussion on the issues shaping manufacturing’s future. PMI26 heads to New Orleans Nov. 2-5, bringing plumbing manufacturers together for four days of education, leadership development and industry discussion on the issues shaping manufacturing’s future.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107708 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107708-plumbing-manufacturers-international-sets-agenda-for-new-orleans-conference hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) Two identical air-to-water heat pumps deliver nearly twice the expected output when operating together, but when either unit runs alone, its measured output falls well below its rating. What’s causing the performance drop, and how can the system be corrected? Two identical air-to-water heat pumps deliver nearly twice the expected output when operating together, but when either unit runs alone, its measured output falls well below its rating. What’s causing the performance drop, and how can the system be corrected?

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107704 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:21:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107704-the-glitch-and-the-fix-checking-details In a category where the first contractor to respond wins the job more than 70% of the time, a six-hour window is not slow — it is a forfeit. In a category where the first contractor to respond wins the job more than 70% of the time, a six-hour window is not slow — it is a forfeit.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107702 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:18:09 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107702-why-plumbing-contractors-are-losing-leads-they-dont-know-exist If a GC or homeowner hands you a mechanical square-foot number, treat it as a conversation starter, not a bid. If a GC or homeowner hands you a mechanical square-foot number, treat it as a conversation starter, not a bid.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107698 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107698-what-mechanical-square-footage-costs-plumbing-contractors-on-the-back-end bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) September brings another relatively light round of PHCP-PVF price increases, with adjustments affecting pumps, valves, piping products, and other plumbing-related product categories, with increases from 3% to 30%. September brings another relatively light round of PHCP-PVF price increases, with adjustments affecting pumps, valves, piping products, and other plumbing-related product categories, with increases from 3% to 30%.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107701 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:19:51 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107701-phcp-pvf-price-increases-september-2026 bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) In this episode of So It Flows, ASPE president Bryan L. Hutton shares what attendees can expect from the organization’s big biennial event, from technical education and new technologies to networking with plumbing engineers, designers, contractors, manufacturers, and other industry professionals. http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107700 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107700-inside-aspes-2026-convention-and-expo-education-innovation-and-connections-in-okc A frozen pipe at 9 p.m. doesn't wait for business hours, and neither does the homeowner calling about it. A frozen pipe at 9 p.m. doesn't wait for business hours, and neither does the homeowner calling about it.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107694 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107694-the-hidden-cost-of-missed-calls-for-plumbers Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project. Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693-boiler-upgrade-helps-tacoma-art-museum-secure-grant-cut-costs The lead-free transition is entering its next phase, and engineered polymers are helping plumbing manufacturers and contractors balance long-term performance, manufacturing efficiency and sustainability in demanding drinking water applications. The lead-free transition is entering its next phase, and engineered polymers are helping plumbing manufacturers and contractors balance long-term performance, manufacturing efficiency and sustainability in demanding drinking water applications.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107692 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107692-beyond-lead-free-new-priorities-in-faucet-component-design baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The Knoxville, Tennessee-based company has been in business for 16 years, and is expanding beyond plumbing to add heating and air services. For owner Jamie Foster, that growth presented an opportunity to rethink the company’s longtime branding. The Knoxville, Tennessee-based company has been in business for 16 years, and is expanding beyond plumbing to add heating and air services. For owner Jamie Foster, that growth presented an opportunity to rethink the company’s longtime branding.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107690 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107690-truck-of-the-month-my-professional-plumber baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Three of the four storage water heater categories posted year-over-year monthly increases: residential gas rose 6.7%, residential electric increased 0.8% and commercial electric jumped 10.9%. Commercial gas was the exception, declining 5%. Three of the four storage water heater categories posted year-over-year monthly increases: residential gas rose 6.7%, residential electric increased 0.8% and commercial electric jumped 10.9%. Commercial gas was the exception, declining 5%.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107681 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107681-water-heater-shipments-show-signs-of-improvement-in-june hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) Non-pressurized storage systems have advantages and limitations. In applications where cost per gallon of storage is critical, or where it’s otherwise impractical to bring in one or more pressure-rated tanks, a non-pressurized tank combined with the piping and control concepts discussed represents a viable solution to leverage the combination of time-of-use electrical rates, heat pumps, and the unsurpassed comfort made possible by modern hydronics technology. Non-pressurized storage systems have advantages and limitations. In applications where cost per gallon of storage is critical, or where it’s otherwise impractical to bring in one or more pressure-rated tanks, a non-pressurized tank combined with the piping and control concepts discussed represents a viable solution to leverage the combination of time-of-use electrical rates, heat pumps, and the unsurpassed comfort made possible by modern hydronics technology.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107654 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107654-an-open-and-shut-case-part-2 A familiar name can make all the difference when a homeowner needs help fast. That's why building brand recognition before the emergency can give plumbing and mechanical contractors an edge when customers are ready to call. A familiar name can make all the difference when a homeowner needs help fast. That's why building brand recognition before the emergency can give plumbing and mechanical contractors an edge when customers are ready to call.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107677 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107677-the-click-goes-to-the-contractor-theyve-heard-of Plumbing Manufacturers International’s “Plumbing Manufacturing Industry Economic Impact Study” reveals the combined, total economic impact of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers to be more than $442 billion annually, with almost 1.8 million jobs, and over $142 billion in wages. Plumbing Manufacturers International’s “Plumbing Manufacturing Industry Economic Impact Study” reveals the combined, total economic impact of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers to be more than $442 billion annually, with almost 1.8 million jobs, and over $142 billion in wages. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107673 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107673-plumbing-industry-adds-442b-to-us-economy-faces-550-000-worker-shortage