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People may not associate plumbers with technology, but the modern plumber knows that technology makes his job much easier. From offering customers better products and services to managing the office and fleet more effectively, modern technology is helping the plumbing industry evolve. Here are some trends to watch if you are in the field:

Technology to Improve Customer Comfort and Health

It is not uncommon for a household to experience leaks. While some may go unnoticed, others may result in increased water bills. If you suspect your tap could be leaking, you can best handle the situation by contacting Mr Flow plumbing services to discover the best repair for such leaks. 

Getting a leaking tap fixed could save you money spent on water bills and save thousands of liters of water yearly. Besides having a plumbing company resolve the issue, ensure that you always close all the taps tightly. 

Today, there is high-end technology plumbing contractors use to deliver quality plumbing services. By hiring the right company with such tools, you will avoid regretting your decision in the future. This is because the problem will have gotten a permanent solution that does not need constant repairing. It would be best to do your research and identify all emerging trends now and then.

Technology Focused on Green Living

Going green” is no longer a fad; it is now deeply ingrained into today’s society. According to Hardware Retailing, 47 percent of retailers who sell plumbing products indicated that they had customers actively seeking green products for their plumbing systems. For modern plumbers, adding these into their service offerings is not just a good idea for customer service, but also a good idea for overall business growth.

Technology is helping in several ways: Consider, for example, the dishwasher. New dishwasher technology that recycles rinse water for the wash cycle can save the average family as much as 700 gallons of water a year. Home automation technology that automatically shuts off sprinkler systems based on weather reports can also help save water. Plumbing contractors that can offer these services will find themselves in high demand.

Using greywater (water that runs down the sink drain or shower drain) for other purposes in the home, such as flushing the toilet, is another water-saving innovation, and this is one area where the services of a plumber are absolutely necessary. Once installed, a greywater system can save a significant amount of money, but only a licensed plumber is able to set up the complicated system. Plumbing professionals that can learn how to offer these services will be in an excellent position to gain new clients.

Technology to Improve Customer Comfort and Health

In addition to saving water and energy, customers are looking for plumbing technology that makes them more comfortable and healthier at home. For instance, technological advancements that make toilets and faucets “touchless” are becoming increasingly popular in the home. Customers enjoy being able to close the lid, flush the toilet and wash their hands without having to touch germ-infested surfaces.

Water filtration systems are increasingly on demand as consumers are learning more about the dangers of tap water. Reverse osmosis filtration systems are a popular option in the modern home, because customers want instant access to clean drinking water.

Shower technology is also making the home experience more comfortable. Luxury faucets and showerheads can turn the home shower into a spa-like experience. Plumbers who can offer these types of upgrades to their customers will meet a growing need in the industry.

Technology to Streamline the Fleet

Most plumbing companies have a fleet of service vehicles they dispatch to deliver their services to clients; technology can make vehicle management more efficient.

GPS fleet tracking technology, for instance, allows the dispatcher to know where vehicles are and what the best route for them to take is. This limits wasted fuel from poorly planned routes and ensures drivers arrive on time. It can also limit wasted time and mileage when drivers take personal trips in company vehicles, because the technology provides a level of accountability.

With GPS fleet tracking, companies can improve customer service by ensuring that drivers are on time to their service calls. This is important, because 67 percent of customers will not do business again with a company that sends a technician an hour late, according to Software Advice, a service that assists plumbers in finding field service software. Sending drivers on time using the most productive route, and estimating arrival times accurately, requires the use of GPS fleet tracking.

Whether technology is improving the work of the plumber or the customer experience, the fact remains that it is changing the face of the industry. To ensure that your plumbing business remains relevant, be sure to keep up with these changes.

Robert J. Hall of Track Your Truck is president of one of the leading GPS vehicle tracking systems for small and midsized companies.

PVC terminology can be confusing for a lot of people, so we’ve put together an easy-to-understand glossary. Here is list of some of the more common PVC terms:

ASTM – This stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials, which sets several international standards for not only PVC fittings and pipes, but also CPVC materials.

Bell End – This is a pipe that flares out at one end so another pipe can connect without a coupling. Connections are typically made by using adhesives, mechanical techniques or solvent cements.

Blister – An imperfection in a piece of plastic typically due to excessive pressure or temperature, not using enough adhesive, or not curing the material for the proper amount of time.

Compact Ball Valve – A small valve, usually made of PVC, that offers on/off functionality. It is typically inexpensive because it cannot be easily repaired or taken apart.

Conversion – The result of processing a raw material into a usable form. For example, plastic pellets are often converted into films. Conversion usually entails mixing together additives and polymers, melting and extruding them, and then shaping and solidifying to create the final product.

Coupling – A type of fitting that joins two pieces of pipe.

CPVC – Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride — it has similar resistance to chemicals and corrosion as PVC, but can tolerate a higher temperature (200 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

Diffusion – Movement of gas, liquid or another material through plastic.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) – A form of rubber commonly used to seal valves and fittings made of PVC material.

Fitting – This is a portion of a pipeline used to connect sections of a pipe. It comes in a wide range of materials, sizes and shapes.

Gasket – A device used to create a watertight seal between two different surfaces.

Infiltration – The intrusion of water into a sewer system from the ground. It typically occurs due to defective connections, pipes, joints and other factors.

Injection Molding – The process of using granular or powdered plastics to make plastic products. It is typically performed by using heat and a great deal of pressure to fuse the material inside a chamber. The heated mass is then forced into a cooler area so it can solidify.

NPT (National Pipe Thread) – This is the United States standard governing tapered threads.

Operating Temperature – This is the temperature a pipe can typically tolerate and still be able to function properly. The highest operating temperature for PVC pipe is 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

O-Rings – Circular gaskets commonly found in valves and fittings made of PVC. They create a watertight seal between two pieces of a plumbing system.

Pipe Dope – Slang for pipe thread sealant, the flexible material typically applied to fitting threads prior to installation. Pipe dope is designed to result in a long-lasting, watertight seal.

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) – A measurement of the maximum amount of pressure a fitting, valve or pipe can tolerate.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – Used regularly in a wide variety of consumer and commercial products, PVC is a rigid, thermoplastic material that is chemical resistant and corrosion resistant.

Schedule 40 PVC – The “schedule” is the thickness of a pipe’s wall. Schedule 40 is the most commonly used thickness of PVC in irrigation and home projects. It is typically colored white.

Schedule 80 PVC – This is usually gray and has a thicker wall than Schedule 40. As a result, it can tolerate higher pressures and is more appropriate for industrial and commercial use.

Union – A fitting used to connect two pipes. It differs from a coupling in that it uses a gasket seal to create the connection.

Working Pressure – The amount of pressure recommended for use on a fitting, valve or pipe. It is frequently denoted in PSI.

Again, these are just some of the many common terms used by professionals in the PVC industry. If you have any questions or need further definitions, talk to a local PVC dealer.

 

Author Bio:

Amanda Hill is the content manager at PVC Fittings Online, a leading supplier of PVC Supplies and accessories for commercial contractors. Amanda is known as the Queen of PVC because of her knowledge of PVC Pipes. Visit their resource center today to learn more about PVC piping.

by Jim Hinshaw

Recently, I heard a story of a Viet Nam Vet who was at a restaurant having a dinner with his wife when a stranger comes up to him and calls him out by name. He asked the Vet how he was doing. He responded, “Do I know you?”  The stranger says, “Yeah, I packed your chute back in the day.” This supposed stranger was no stranger at all. In fact he was the ground support crew that made sure parachutes opened for the troops while flying missions over Nam. There’s nothing more critical than making sure you parachute opens when jumping out of an airplane. It’s the difference between life and death. This stranger literally kept this other Vet alive by packing his parachute correctly every time. Talk about having a guy’s back; this stranger literally did.

This got me thinking about contractors in our industry and the survival of your business. So who’s got your back to support you or even help save your business? Who can you call on when things don’t go exactly as planned? Many of you in this industry are in business for yourselves and sometimes it can be lonely running the shop by yourself. So whom can you call upon? You can’t talk to your employees if you have any because they have problems of their own and aren’t interested in yours. Friends don’t want to get involved and usually don’t understand your business and industry anyway.

So you need a person you can call upon when you are not sure what to do next and offer support to grow your business or even survive. You need a good chute packer who’s got your back. Do you have such a person in your life that’s a confidant and trusted advisor to help you get through the tough times and market swings this industry brings?

I happened to have married a chute packer, May, who always has my back and I have absolute confidence in that. She not only supports me, but she’s also completely honest in all aspects of our relationship, business and personal. That is what you want from a trusted advisor, the truth at all times. Even when there is bad news to be delivered, you need one who will deliver it and not sugarcoat the opportunity you are facing to simply make you feel good temporarily.

So how can you find such a trusted advisor that can support you with the challenges this business and life throws your way? Perhaps they may be someone you already know. In some cases, a family member may be able to help such as a relative who has been or still is in business and can share thoughts on your plan of action for your business.

In addition, there is no shortage of consultants on the planet; you can hardly swing a cat around by the tail without hitting one. OK, I know that’s sort of a stupid and non-politically correct phrase, but you see where I am going. There are consultants who have been in this industry and have bought and sold companies similar to yours. There are others who have had experience in different industries but have life lessons that apply across many industries and businesses that can help you with the issues you are facing. Ask other business owners whom you respect who they have used and how they have been helped to receive the results they achieved.

You can even interview a consultant and ask about their experience, how they have helped others and what they will do for you. Any consultant should be able to provide references and an action plan for your situation before going on the clock. Just ask.

Another source of trusted advisors are your business relationships, the sales reps calling on you. Many have been involved with contractors who have businesses similar to yours; they may have helped others grow their companies or have learned over time what separates one successful contractor from another. Ask your rep what advice he may have for your business as many have moved from being simply order takers to consultants that will work with you; and without charging additional fees. Many distributors have put together business programs addressing exit strategy, HR concepts, how to work with different generations, Quick Books, and many other concepts. So the next time your rep calls on you, ask him to have a cup of coffee with you at a local coffee shop. Ask for his help with your business or what he sees other successful contractors doing that you may also be able to implement.

A final source of help may be an industry group such as Service Roundtable. With full disclosure, I am a coach and partner in SR; it is the nation’s largest forum for HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical contractors. It’s only $50 per month and you may interface with companies up to $50 million/year in sales. You can ask the group how they are doing GPS, health care, dispatching, almost anything, and be provided some great resources. It’s a huge bargain! Here is a link to save you $25 off the first month’s membership, from me! http://www.serviceroundtable.com/Hinshaw

Also be aware that none of us know everything about every business and even we can use outside support from time to time. But there is help and advice available all around us. Just do your investigative work and find the person who can fit your needs, budget, and who will defiantly have your back. With your business and livelihood at stake, It can be the difference between survival or going out of business. You need a good chute packer.

You can lead a blind man to the top of Mt. Everest, but you can’t keep a house comfortable with mangled hydronics. Mike O’Donnell aught’a know. Because, in fact, he has lead a blind man to the summit of Mt. Everest. And at home, his dilapidated hydronic system was about as unpleasant as a Himalayan snow squall.

O’Donnell’s renowned climbing career would eventually lead him to guide Erik Weihenmayer to the 29,035-foot Everest summit in May of 2001 – the first blind man to accomplish the unthinkable task. The adventure has since been turned into a book and feature film, “Touch the Top of the World.”

While on a speaking tour to share the details of that expedition, he met Susan Epply. Before too long, they married and now reside in a 10,000 square foot home on the high plains of Southeast Colorado. It sits at the foot of the Rockies on a 500-acre ranch dotted with horses and miniature donkeys. “I designed the home to be functional for children and dogs and the occasional donkey passing through,” said Epply.

As all large undertakings have their challenges, so did the all-hydronic heating system at the ranch. When the home was built in 2001, the original mechanical system sent half of its BTUs to baseboard and half to in-floor radiant loops. Sadly, the 19-zone system wasn’t comfortable; not even close.

In short order, anaerobic bacteria from the property’s well (now abandoned) had ruined most of the original components. The microorganisms were present in water used for the system’s initial fill. To make matters worse, the boiler and piping strategy were ill-suited to meet the needs of a structure of that size.

Problematic piping

According to Epply, Wright Jones was the mechanical contractor of choice when the home was first constructed. At the time, the company was booked solid and couldn’t take on the job. For the second go-round, Epply called the office herself. It proved to be a good decision; by the end of the project, Wright Jones cut her heating bill by over 65 percent.

“When we got the call to renovate and improve the system, I was immediately drawn to the boiler,” said Kenny Gulley, owner of Wright Jones. “A ten-year-old, 180 MBH sectional boiler was struggling to heat the big house while also providing domestic hot water. My first thought was to replace it with a larger Burnham Alpine condensing boiler.”

“Although the undersized boiler was an obvious issue, the key challenge was harder to see. The entire system was contaminated with anaerobic bacteria,” continued Gulley. “They’re a nasty lot – able to survive without oxygen and can easily handle the temperatures inside a boiler.”

Over time, the bacteria thrived. Some components simply couldn’t hold up to the onslaught. Copper pipe and zone valves were literally eaten from the inside out. The boiler, two water heaters and radiant tubing were filled with thick, efficiency-smothering sludge – a byproduct of the single-celled organisms.

After pulling 200 feet of ruined copper out of the mechanical room, the Wright Jones crew installed the new boiler. Mechanically, there were other issues to attend to, as well. System circulators were too small and too few. The in-floor zones simply weren’t getting the flow they needed.

“It was piped old-school,” said Mike Merryman, with McCoy Sales in Littleton, CO, the manufacturer’s rep for the Taco and Burnham products. The supply temp was 180° and was tempered down with mixing valves for the radiant loops.”

Bedroom blizzard

The nine zones of radiant heat were spread across the ground level and upstairs. An additional 10 zones of high-temp fin-tube baseboard were used in the basement and in various rooms upstairs. The master suite, almost 2,000 square feet in size, presented some unique challenges. By order of Epply, the bedroom goes almost unheated while the adjacent bathroom remains at 90°F.

“I keep a snow shovel in the bedroom during the winter,” said Epply. “By leaving my three French doors and six windows wide open, it feels like I’m sleeping outside. If there’s a snow drift beside the bed when I wake up, I just shovel it back outside.”

“I open the room up before I go to bed each night, year around,” continued Epply. “It’s an energy loss I’m willing to tolerate.” The baseboard in the bedroom circulates just enough warmth to keep the pipes from freezing. Yet the master bath – with three exterior walls – continuously calls for heat.

Pumps and piping

Although the heating requirements remained high, limited BTUs and flow rates weren’t an obstacle this time around.

“All zones now tie to a primary-secondary pumping arrangement,” said Gulley. There’s a Taco 0013 for the new condensing Burnham Alpine boiler. A 0011 circulator is used for the domestic tanks and baseboard loops.” The 0011 is a variable speed pump capable of up to 31 GPM, with a head range up to 31 feet.

For the radiant portion of the system, another 0013 circulator provides system flow, installed before the bank of zone valves. The Delta-T circulator turns on when the difference between supply and return temperatures calls for it.

“With the IFC in the circulators, there’s no concern about the high and low temp systems mixing,” said Gulley. The 19 heating zones are controlled by Taco Zone Sentry zone valves and zone control panels.

“Several times – after learning how to drain down the entire system – O’Donnell took the time to swap original plate-style zone valves himself,” said Gulley. “Not anymore. I’m confident that the Zone Sentry’s ball-valve design won’t give out.”

Resilient radiant

“There wasn’t a thing wrong with the radiant tubing, aside from the fact that nothing was labeled when it was installed,” continued Gulley. Over 12,000 feet of ¾-inch Watts EPDM Onyx tubing makes up nine radiant zones. The loops are stapled into the joist bays; five radiant manifolds are scattered throughout the home.

Tearing out and re-installing an entire heating system in an occupied home requires patience from everyone involved – especially in the middle of a Colorado winter. As luck would have it, temperatures dropped below zero and two major snowstorms arrived just after system disassembly.

“It was a good thing that Michael and Susan left for the holidays, because we spent a lot of time turning on zones and waiting to see what got hot,” said Gulley. “Until the system was back together, it was no small task keeping everything sorted out.”

“To get rid of the bacteria, we flushed the system with chlorinated water for five hours. Sterile water was also used to fill the system,” said Gulley. “As soon as the system was turned back on, we had some air noise coming from the in-floor tubing. We purged the lines, and let the Taco 4900 air and dirt separator do its thing, and that was the last we heard of it.”

Because the contaminated well was abandoned, Epply and O’Donnell needed an alternative for the home’s water supply. When the home was built, two 1,500-gallon concrete cisterns were poured under the home. They’d gone unused until the well was abandoned, so all that was needed to fill them up was to call the nearest bulk water company. Today, the cisterns are chlorinated just enough to keep stagnation from becoming an issue.

More BTUs, fewer therms

“The elevation of the home – roughly 6,200 feet – wasn’t helping the poor heating conditions,” said Merryman. As an outside salesman for McCoy, he covers several Rocky Mountain States and routinely encounters situations where efficiency is limited by air density.

“The old boiler ran constantly,” said Gulley. “During the heating season, it drank about $2,000 worth of propane each month.” The solution to the problem came in a smaller package, albeit with larger capacity.

Kenny, Travis, and Master Plumber Drew Macaluso pulled out the old boiler and installed a 285 MBH, 95 percent efficient Burnham Alpine boiler. More than 100 MBH larger than its predecessor, the new boiler is sized properly for the home.

Gulley set up the boiler so that the baseboard and DHW are priority. Plumbed in series, the original 80-gallon indirect water heaters also pull heat from the boiler. After a good cleaning, the units were in good shape. Once the 180° baseboard loops and indirect tanks are satisfied, the boiler turns down to supply water for the Onyx in-floor loops.

“The Alpine was the ticket for this home,” said Gulley. “The entire house isn’t always in use, so it’s nice to have all the capacity if it’s needed, and to scale back if it’s not.”

“Before I called Wright Jones, my December propane bill was $1,560,” said Epply. “After the project, my January bill was $450, February was $510 despite a wicked cold snap, and March was $310.”

Upon completion, the family was able to return to cold bedrooms, hot bathrooms and a smaller heating bill. At night – with snow settling dreamily at the foot of their bed – Epply and O’Donnell can rest assured that the microscopic assault on the mechanical system has come to an end.