Why are some plumbers winners, while others struggle? It is not the market, location of the company, the role of government, customers’ attitudes, the availability of manpower or any of the other excuses bandied about. Winning plumbers share a set of intangible traits that affect how they approach the world, how they see the world, and thus, how the world responds to them.

If the country is not already in recession, it appears likely one will arrive in 2023. Here are six ways to turn the downturn into an opportunity.

You may be the best technical plumber in town, but you will earn poor reviews and bad word-of-mouth if you cannot communicate well. Here are nine simple steps you can take to improve your communication skills. Almost all of them are non-verbal.

Scalding in the home or burns from hot liquids is dangerous to anyone, but is a particular concern to the youngest and oldest Americans. Plumbers are charged with protecting the health of the nation. Thus, plumbers can play a key role in reducing the risk, starting with homeowner education.

There has been a lot of private equity activity in the service trades since the COVID-19 lockdowns. Suddenly, boring old businesses gained monetary sex appeal when they were declared essential and could continue making money while many other local businesses were effectively shuttered. This has led to a land rush for good service contracting businesses and many plumbers have grabbed the brass ring while the grabbing was seen as good.

It is always a mystery why more plumbers fail to emphasize drain cleaning — if they offer it at all. Some think it fails to offer enough revenue. Others think it presents too much low-dollar competition. Here are five solid reasons every plumber should offer drain cleaning.

A product with a "Made in America" label is not necessarily made in the United States. It could be made in Canada or Mexico. Do you want products made in America or the USA?

You know him (or her). He is the irrational employee. The irrational employee is usually a good producer or an essential person. Here is how to manage him, instead of letting him manage you.

AI is the cornerstone of innovation in home services, but its true essence is diverse and multifaceted. Bloomberg predicts AI will affect 40% of global job roles. AI's ripple effects will be consequential for paid and organic search.

Every four years, the election season brings a natural decline in customer demand for services. Marketing costs rise as all channels become saturated with campaign spending, and consumer sentiment declines. 

Hot water has been around since man first harnessed the power of fire, but when at elevated temperatures, it is dangerous and even deadly. Today’s hot water heaters offer a diverse range of technologies that perform leaps and bounds ahead of their predecessors, but what temperature should they deliver?

The National Kitchen & Bath Association and John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s Kitchen and Bath Market Index Report released last fall shows continued demand for residential remodel services, despite the challenges facing the supply chain and ongoing price increases. In fact, the report shows that 89% of customers are shifting toward pricier items and high-end finishes. Among these increasingly popular higher-end products lies the growing customer desire for smart plumbing — Wi-Fi-connected, voice-activated and/or touchless — products.

There’s nothing worse than coming home to find a burst pipe or malfunctioning water heater has flooded your basement. It’s perhaps why leak detection and prevention products continue to become more popular each year.

The partnership between Interplay and Peterman comes at a pivotal time as Peterman continues to expand its operations and scale its technical training efforts.

The lab includes a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions.

Carrier’s lineup of communicating peripherals for the i-Vu building automation system has been expanded to include smart valves with Characterized Control Valve (CCV^T) technology and smart damper actuators. 

This system's sensing technology and robust software platform are designed to uncover hidden water system insights and risks, empowering building managers to enhance building performance and occupant experience. 

The product qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit as well as stackable state and local rebates.

Clearing up to 30 feet of 1 1/4- to 2” pipe, the K9-12 breaks up grease, hair and other soft blockages, making it ideal for kitchen and bath sinks, as well as tubs and shower drains.

The entire offering accommodates Uponor Engineered Polymer (EP) and Stainless-Steel Manifolds, but for the first time ever, four of the six new cabinets will accommodate Uponor Commercial Stainless-Steel Manifolds as well. 

MarginPoint, a provider of mobile-enabled, collaborative inventory management and field management solutions, is focused on helping plumbing industry pros to manage inventory replenishment, optimize business processes and drive revenue. 

After a stint as a top producer at Morgan Stanley, Andrew Ettinger was faced with years of struggling with business initiatives and eventually filed for bankruptcy. 

Established as a foundry of brass fixtures in 1851, Oventrop has since evolved into a global manufacturer of balancing valves and thermostatic radiator valves for the building industries. The family-owned company is now expanding into the American market, and Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Nicola Schannath, CEO of Oventrop-US, about the company’s plans in the United States and current PHCP-PVF market trends.

On Feb. 1, NIBCO announced it acquired Matco-Norca and its subsidiary SVF Flow Controls.
NIBCO Chairman Rex Martin stated, “This acquisition supports our strategic long-range goal of growth through acquisition, expanding our market reach and providing customers with access to a broader portfolio of products.This is an extraordinary time in NIBCO’s evolving history.”

PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke sits down with Lance MacNevin, director of engineering, building and construction division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, to discuss top trends influencing the use of plastic pipes in commercial applications.

When most people think about solar, they think about photovoltaic panels that generate electricity, but they don’t often think about solar thermal. When considering heating water, solar thermal is incredibly efficient by comparison.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than half (51%) of the energy used in U.S. homes is directly spent on just two end uses, heating and air-conditioning. As such, producing a comfortable temperature within your living space creates one of the biggest carbon footprints of our modern living environment.

Each module is $140 for RPA and IAPMO members, and $170 for non-members.

What does a looming housing shortage, a significant increase in energy prices and 52% of home buyers ready to heat and cool their homes with electricity have in common? They’re all remedied in the same way: All-geothermal residential developments.

There are multiple ways to dehumidify a space — mechanical, reheat and desiccant to name a few. The biggest issue has been that conventional air conditioning units are only 10% effective at removing humidity. Until now, standard de-humidification systems were expensive to purchase and install.

New technical assistance capacity will help the federal government lead by example in demonstrating benefits and potential of decarbonizing buildings with geothermal energy.

 While most plumbers may like to think that they’re mostly serving routine maintenance or installation customers, the most common nature of those calls is likely panicked customers with a burst pipe, a backed-up toilet or another emergency that needs a response ASAP.

PPI MS-7 includes detailed specifications for four plastic piping materials which have been proven in ground-source heat exchange systems: HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and PP (PP-R and PP-RCT).

In 2009 under President Barack Obama, the economic stimulus package of 2009 was signed into law. Egg Geo was a regional engineering and contracting company in the southeastern United States with robust business in our central Florida offices.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has delivered good news in the form of federal income tax credits and accelerated depreciation deductions that help make geothermal a more attractive option.

Greenwashing is deceptive advertising that uses green PR to make products seem eco-friendly and desensitizes consumers to environmental claims. TerraChoice describes "seven sins of greenwashing" to help consumers spot misleading environmental claims.

The document addresses the need for enforceable safety provisions for geothermal district ambient temperature loop systems.

Sigler is a well-known and highly respected technical expert in the industry with over 20 years of experience in construction, codes and engineering.

Proposals accepted by the technical committee will appear in the 2024 NSPC.

The new standard will provide guidance for implementing RVI for energy code compliance and for energy and water efficiency performance.

The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 5.

As more and more cities and states seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear that regulatory activity is clearly driving the push to electrification and decarbonization.

Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Jason Klaus, senior sales manager of HammerHead Trenchless about the growing market demand and the benefits of offering trenchless solutions.

IEC, a subsidiary of Climate Control Group, celebrated its 75th anniversary in October.

Root intrusion in sewer systems causes blockages, slow drainage, unpleasant odors, and overflow. Preventative root control is essential to maintain the sewer system's hydraulic capacity. This issue deserves our full attention.

AWWA M22 is a manual of water supply practices that covers the basic principles and methods of water distribution system design and operation.

Every now and then I talk with a plumber who gripes about manufacturer ads in the trade press. Usually, the plumber believes the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as consumer advertising to make it easier for the plumber to sell the manufacturer’s products. Here are seven reasons why manufacturers advertise in the trade press.

As Leap Partners' CFO I handle financial statements, acquisitions, and sales. Small businesses often find finance tasks overwhelming. I work with them daily, guiding them to secure their financial standing. Through this, I've learned about common financial trends and errors. Recently, I shared my insights with a friend.

Developing a strong brand can significantly impact your plumbing company by making it more familiar and less intimidating to consumers. This can lead to more calls and reduced marketing costs. Here are six important factors to consider when building a brand and brand image in your market.