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ICC, RESNET to develop standard on Remote Virtual Inspections for energy and water performance in buildings

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




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IAPMO seeks WE Stand Task Group members

The deadline to apply is Oct. 22.




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IAPMO code change monographs now available

The Technical Committee Meeting Monographs contain every code change proposal submitted for the 2027 editions of the UPC and UMC as part of the ANSI-accredited consensus code development process employed by IAPMO.




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5 steps to consider when designing a wastewater system

designing a wastewater system requires careful consideration of a range of factors to ensure efficient and compliant operation.




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Commercial water heating market moves toward electrification

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.




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Demand for trenchless pipe solutions grows

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.




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The growing trend toward electrified heating and cooling

As the world continues to search for solutions to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions, the plumbing industry suddenly finds itself at the forefront of change.




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Water shortages series: What happened to our water?

The increase in population and the associated trash continues to increase the need for clean water. These problems are not going to improve until we decide to work for that progress.




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Best practices for venting tankless water heaters

Here's what you need to know about venting for tankless water heaters and how you can approach it for the least cost and best results.




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F.W. Webb's hydronic panels, born of circumstance, succeed

Leave it to good old fashioned ingenuity. F.W. Webb recognized an opportunity during the pandemic that resulted in a new revenue stream and an influx of satisfied customers.




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Tips and tools for 'Fix a Leak Week' and beyond

The U.S. EPA's "Fix A Leak Week" runs March 18-24.




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Flowing forward: commercial pumps embrace sustainability for a greener future

With the world's focus on sustainability growing, plumbing engineers play a crucial role in adopting eco-friendly solutions. A major trend in commercial pump technology is the drive for efficiency and energy conservation. Find out how manufacturers are addressing environmental concerns and high energy costs.




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Master the basics of sewer root removal

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.




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Heat pump water heaters: transforming contractor profits with sustainable solutions

The plumbing industry is evolving with a focus on sustainability. Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) present an opportunity for contractors to stand out and meet changing client needs, contributing to environmental conservation and demonstrating leadership in a dynamic market.




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Hot water in seconds — boosting comfort while saving water

Nestled within a 20-year-old home deep in the heart of Klein, Texas, the Stansifer family encountered a common homeowner problem: a painfully long three-to-five-minute wait for hot water whenever they turned on a faucet.




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The benefits of polymer piping systems for engineers and business owners

PEX's shape memory allows it to expand and shrink without compromising its integrity, making it highly resistant to damage in freezing conditions. This has proven to be a lifesaver in areas like Texas during unexpected mid-winter freezes.




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From automobiles to water heaters

A. O. Smith, celebrating 150 years in 2024, began in 1874 as a metal components supplier for baby carriages and bicycles. Arthur O. Smith designed a lightweight pressed steel car frame and became a major supplier to car manufacturers like Packard, Cadillac, and Ford.




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IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator included in AWWA M22 Manual

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




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Resort tackles corrosion on the water

The Sofitel Quiberon resort in France offers thalassotherapy treatments using the power of the ocean to heal, with the help of sophisticated technology and corrosion-free valves from GF Piping Systems.





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Tankless water heaters offer reliable, cost-saving alternative for fertilizer producer

Tankless water heating technology has proven to be a great success for Wedgworth's, a custom blender of dry and liquid fertilizers for agriculture, sod, nursery, and golf-course applications in Florida.




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Avoiding the pitfalls of breaking concrete with above-floor grinder pumps

When property owners need restroom or kitchen facilities in areas without existing plumbing, they often face the challenge of expensive and disruptive work to create below-floor drainage that usually requires breaking through concrete, which is messy, noisy, and costly. This high cost may lead clients to reconsider their projects altogether. For trade professionals, navigating concrete obstacles is just another day at the office. Yet, for others, it might be less welcome.






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Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater lowers racing legend’s home energy bills

NASCAR legend Ward Burton installed a Premier AL Smart Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater in his 1999 home, saving up to $300 monthly on electric bills. Homeowners can save 75% or more on energy costs with this unit.




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11 ways to boost your plumbing company’s SEO

Explore 11 proven ways plumbing companies can improve their website visibility and search rankings. Whether you run a single-location operation or a multiple-unit franchise, these SEO tips will help you reach more consumers.




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Networking for commercial plumbers

Larry Taylor, a renowned contractor, believed that networking is the key to commercial sales. Business is built on relationships, and networking helps build them. Here are nine ways to network effectively.




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BuyFin payment processing and consumer financing now available to help business owners unlock growth

BuyFin Payment Processing, which is offered in conjunction with third-party partners, helps business owners get paid faster from customers with competitive processing rates and a best-in-class technology platform, the company states.




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How should you handle merchant service fees?

Some customers prefer using credit cards, but accepting them means paying merchant service fees. Contractors may offer cash discounts or add an upcharge, so consider how to handle merchant services.




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When to invest in your contracting business

After hard work, your contracting company is turning a profit. You need to decide when to invest some of that money back into the business, balancing saving and making improvements to stay competitive.




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Applying the Water Demand Calculator: Public fixtures in multi-family buildings

The IAPMO Water Demand Calculator has faced challenges due to exclusions from its documentation and calculations, causing difficulties for engineers in luxury apartment buildings.




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Why mini case studies are better than reviews

Online reviews are essential for contractors, as low ratings can hinder local leads. To boost visibility, it's important not just to gather reviews but also to incorporate mini case studies into your marketing strategy.






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Webstone transition tees and unions

These lead-free products are made of dezincification resistant brass, the company notes.




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The Glitch & The Fix: Inadvertent flows

An installer recently read about the benefits of piping a buffer tank in a “2-pipe” configuration.  




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The Glitch & The Fix: Heat, heat everywhere

Figure 1 shows the piping layout for an actual installation. It uses two boilers, fired in stages, to supply three areas of a building. 




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John Siegenthaler: What I look for

I've had lots of opportunities to review plans for pending hydronic heating systems. I've also been on "forensic" visits to sites with improperly performing systems. Of the two, I much prefer plan review over forensics.




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The real value of snow-melt systems

There’s a saying in the environmental health and safety industry: “There are no accidents.” Basically, the idea is this that all accidents can be avoided.




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Kenny Chapman: Overcoming roadblocks to find new ways of doing things

It's easy to fall prey to mediocrity. But, when you’re willing to put in the hard work and do what many people will not do, you'll find that the payoff is well worth it.




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Kenny Chapman: 5 ways to make your business more fun and profitable

Many people run a business because they love to create and share with others. Others are driven to earn money. Some are driven by respect from others and ego. But sometimes, all it takes to run a fun and profitable business that people enjoy is to change the way you think about it.




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Kenny Chapman: Decision fatigue dragging you down?

When faced with decisions, we humans are wired to seek out patterns to help make our choices. However, when we're faced with countless decisions — many of which do not offer a pattern to follow — we tend to develop what's called "decision fatigue."




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Kenny Chapman: How to structure roles for a successful team

Whether you’re bringing on new team members or looking to build a more cohesive group within your current team, the first box you need to check is whether or not you’ve clearly defined each role. This foundational step not only keeps everyone on the same page and working toward the same goals, it also makes your team easier to manage.




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Kenny Chapman: How to move forward despite past mistakes

Are you struggling to move on from past mistakes? Many leaders in the trades find themselves in this position at some point in their careers. It can be difficult to let go of what's happened and focus on the future, but it's essential for your continued success. This month, I’m sharing some tips on how to move forward despite past mistakes.




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Clear outcomes for leaders in the new year

By diligently delineating well-structured goals and objectives for the upcoming year, you can guide your enterprise toward a path of unmatched growth and prosperity.




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Balancing data-driven decisions with human emotion

The service industry needs both data and emotion. Emotional intelligence is crucial to balance them. Strive to understand the 'why' behind the numbers, promote emotional intelligence, pilot programs, open feedback channels, and keep an eye on the long game.




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How to develop the next generation of leaders in the trades

The skilled trades industry is booming, and a new generation of passionate individuals is eager to join the workforce. Let's support and guide them to become the leaders of tomorrow. With my optimism and ideas, we can pave the way to their success. So, let's dive in and explore these ideas together!




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Trust-filled culture builds happy workplace and boosts productivity

Trust-building in corporate culture often used to involve dramatic events like fire-walking retreats, placing the onus of risk and trust on team members. However, there's now a shift towards recognizing trust-building as a daily, intentional effort integral to creating positive workplace environments.




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How organizational charts accelerate team efficiency

Our training at The Blue Collar Success Group focuses on three crucial areas: scorecards, processes, and organizational charts. These components are essential for clarity, motivation, and accountability. This month, we will focus on organizational charts.




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How scorecards help level-up your team.

Last month, I introduced the core elements of our training: organizational charts, scorecards, and processes. These form the foundation of your business, providing clarity and accountability. This month, we'll focus on scorecards and how they contribute to team success.




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Insights on how to lead your business with confidence

Here are a few insights I'd like to share on how to lead our businesses with confidence, regardless of what's happening in the broader world.




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Nicole Krawcke: ‘Tis the season

As I write this, I cannot believe next week is Thanksgiving, and after that, just a few short weeks left until Christmas. 




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Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water probe

Nine individuals have been indicted on a total of 42 counts related to a series of alleged actions and inactions that created the historic injustice of the Flint Water Crisis.




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ASA joins appeal on DOE rule to change showerhead water-flow limit

The American Supply Association (ASA) recently joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in its appeal to the United States Department of Energy related to allowable flow-rate changes for multi-head showers, and the subsequent negative affects it will have on business operations for ASA members, as well as overall negative water-efficiency consequences that will result.




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Abacus Plumbing wins 'Top New Dealer' award for water treatment and filtration sales

Abacus Plumbing's whole-house carbon water filtration, softener and reverse osmosis equipment can dramatically reduce water contaminates.