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Eric Aune with Mechanical Hub joins American Plumber Stories for a “Signing Day” special at the Build My Future event, hosted by the Iowa Skilled Trades. Take a look at the exhibitors and the hands-on experiences offered for students considering a career in the trades. Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, also presents at the celebration and signs each student’s letter of intent as they commit to their future in the trades after high school.

By Aaron Stotko

When a century-old Dallas railroad company headquarters required major renovations to transform into a Homewood Suites by Hilton, initial cost estimates for the hydronic heating system came in too high.

That’s when City Wide Mechanical of Dallas looked to alternative piping systems for a solution. They found PEX-a pipe with F1960 expansion connections to be the ideal system, due to its durability and ease of installation in addition to the job-site productivity, safety and, best of all, profitability potential it provided.

And City Wide Mechanical isn’t alone in their findings. Many mechanical contractors are discovering the benefits of PEX-a pipe and F1960 connections as the preferred alternative to copper, iron, and steel, which have dominated the mechanical piping industry for decades.

Benefits of PEX-a

PEX is an acronym for crosslinked polyethylene. It has been used in North America since the mid-1980s, starting with radiant floor heating systems, then moving into plumbing and, eventually, to hydronic hot-water heating and chilled-water applications.

PEX can be manufactured via three different processes, which create products with varying crosslinking percentages that allow for different characteristics. PEX-a is the most durable, flexible, and resilient with crosslinking around 85%. PEX-b is a stiffer piping product with crosslinking around 65% to 70%, and PEX-c features crosslinking around 70% to 75%.

ASHRAE Headquarters Grand Opening Fall 2021, photos by Devin Abellon

One major benefit of the higher crosslinking in PEX-a is its extreme flexibility along with its thermal and shape memory. The flexibility of PEX-a eliminates most connections in smaller-diameter piping, saving time and money with up to half the connections required in rigid metal piping systems. To make a change in direction, the installer simply bends the pipe instead of having to stop and make a fitting. There are also bend supports available that help hold a bend securely in place.

The thermal memory of PEX-a provides kink repairability with a simple shot of heat from a heat gun. This eliminates the need to add in a coupling if a kink ever occurs in the pipe. (It is important to note that kink repairability is not possible with PEX-b or PEX-c pipe.)

The shape memory of PEX-a allows the pipe to expand and contract back down to its original shape. This makes it extremely resilient in freezing conditions and also provides for the fastest, easiest, most reliable PEX-a fitting system — F1960 expansions.

Expansion fittings require one simple tool to expand the pipe and an expansion ring before inserting a fitting. As the pipe and expansion ring naturally shrink back to their original shape, it creates a strong, durable connection that holds tight and can never be dry-fit. (Note: It is not recommended to expand PEX-b or PEX-c pipe due to microcracking that can occur.)

The innovative expansion fitting method eliminates torches, glues, and solder from a job site for greater worker safety. Plus, the system is extremely easy for installers to learn, helping get new crews up to speed quickly.

Speaking of job-site safety, PEX is also much lighter in weight compared with metal systems. For example, a 300-foot coil of 1/2-inch PEX weighs about 18 pounds, whereas the same amount of copper pipe weighs around 85 pounds. The lighter weight of PEX makes it safer and easier for installers to move around a job site and also eliminates the need for heavy-lifting equipment.

PEX-a also has a long-term advantage over copper when it comes to performance longevity. It is a static system, meaning its internal surfaces — which are three times smoother than copper — will not pit, scale, or corrode. That means its performance will remain the same from day one through decades of use.

Finally, because it is not a traded commodity, PEX-a holds a relatively stable material cost. This makes bidding a project much more consistent and reliable.

Application Details and Installation Tips

PEX-a is regulated by the ASTM F876 standard, which denotes temperature and pressure ratings of 200°F at 80 psi (pounds per square inch), 180°F at 100 psi, and 73.4°F at 160 psi. These values are well within the range of operation for most hydronic systems, including chilled beams, fan coil units, baseboards, radiators, hydronic VAV (variable-air volume) reheat coils, and radiant manifolds.

Because PEX is oxygen-permeable, it is important to use a pipe with an oxygen barrier that limits oxygen diffusion to levels below DIN 4726. This will protect the metallic components in the mechanical piping system, such as valves, strainers, and pump volutes, from corrosion.

The pipe is manufactured in sizes from 5/16 inch up to 4 inches and features a copper tube size (CTS) outside diameter. This means all the off-the-shelf components used in a copper hydronic piping system — hangers, supports, and insulation — can be the same.

For horizontal piping, the industry offers PEX-a Pipe Support — a galvanized-steel channel that is 9 feet in length and available in PEX pipe sizes from ½ inch to 3½ inches. This solution enables hanger spacing similar to copper pipe and helps control the natural expansion and contraction of the pipe as it heats and cools.

Because PEX-a expands at 1.1 inches per 100 feet per 10°F Delta T (which is 10 times that of copper), installing anchors every 65 feet and using PEX-a Pipe Supports allows PEX-a to function much like a copper system. In fact, different installation methods have a different effect on the overall net expansion rate.

With a strut-and-clamp system, using PEX-a Pipe Supports and anchoring with fixed points reduces the expansion rate of PEX-a to 0.08 inches per 100 feet per 10°F Delta T (a rate less than copper). And a loop-and-clevis system can reduce the rate to 0.12 inches per 100 feet per 10°F Delta T.

If you’d like to learn more about PEX-a piping systems, visit the Plastics Pipe Institute at plasticpipe.org or the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association at ppfahome.org.

Aaron Stotko is the director of Segment Marketing at Uponor. He can be reached at aaron.stotko@uponor.com.

Name: Matthew Fleming
Title: Owner
Company: All-Star Plumbing & Heating
Location: Manasquan, New Jersey
Specialty: New Construction Large Custom Homes

Although a self-described “rough around the edges” kind of guy, Matthew Fleming (@allstarplumbinginc), owner of All-Star Plumbing & Heating, Manasquan, N.J., admits he’s a girl dad, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have no problems laying on the floor and playing dolls with my daughters,” says Fleming. He says that at some point you have to be able to shut OFF work and turn ON home.

And while spare time doesn’t happen as often as Fleming would like, when it does, he loves hanging at the beach with his wife and kids. He also tries to make time to work out at the gym every morning to clear his head and start the day right. “Work will always be there tomorrow so you need to make sure that you’re not missing those important life/leisure moments that you can’t get back.”

It’s a Generational Thing

With Fleming’s father owning a family plumbing business, it was a simple decision to get into the plumbing industry. Fleming went to college for business administration and construction management to at least give himself a solid base of business knowledge if he was to ever take over the company. A solid decision as it turns out. “I started plumbing when I was about 16 years old but would always help out my dad as a kid. I worked part time through school and college. Once I graduated college, I jumped in full time and I’ve never looked back,” says Fleming.

The Ultimate Influence

Fleming has recently officially taken over the company that his father started 30+ years ago. And it was his father that molded Fleming into the craftsman that he is today. “He instilled in me the values of hard work and determination,” says Fleming. “He was always pushing the envelope and would take on jobs that other plumbers and companies would shy away from. My father always embraced challenges, and after years of doing that, it became clear the you can attack difficult situations with the confidence and mindset that you have what it takes to handle it.”

Like most modest tradespeople, Fleming doesn’t consider himself a “role model” but he does feel like he has some valuable bits of advice he could pass on to the younger generation looking to get into this trade or take into whatever field they choose. “A lot of plumbing is having the ability to problem solve, and that applies to any field. I encourage people to never be content with their current knowledge and skill set, you can always find ways to improve,” says Fleming.

These days a lot of teaching and connecting with others happens through social influencing. “Social media has absolutely made a big impact on my business for multiple reasons. I’ve learned so much from so many of the incredible plumbers across the country and have made some good friends, too. I’ve gotten jobs from the work people have seen on my Instagram, but above that, seeing the amazing work that others put out makes me improve my own work. I always remind the guys that I might take a picture of their work and post it to Instagram for public ridicule by the “super plumbers,” so make sure it’s right, haha,” says Fleming. “Social media can be very valuable if you use it right, and the plumbing community is second to none on there.”

State of the Industry

“I feel like most people believe that being in the trades means that you’re a second-rate citizen and couldn’t get a “real” job,” says Flaming. When in reality, continues Fleming, it’s a respectable occupation that requires highly educated, hard-working people. And with that comes training. “There should be more educational and training options available so that people entering the trades can be trained properly, which will help raise industry standards. Increasing trade school funding to ensure that the programs available are legit programs would absolutely attract more people. They need to be proactive in recruiting instead of just waiting for kids to show up,” says Fleming.

A Hard Day’s Work

One of the most rewarding things about his work is the problem-solving aspect. “I really enjoy when the customer tells me that they had four other companies there prior and nobody could figure out the problem but we did,” says Fleming. I’d say that’s a win.

But nothing compares to when you are down and come home to see those smiling faces.  “I was having a pretty rough week, put through the ringer. I came home that day feeling pretty defeated only to be greeted by my two daughters—ages 6 and 8—barreling towards me to give me a huge hug as my wife kissed me on the cheek. Instantly, I was reminded of what is really important, and even though I was having a rough patch, I was still doing a good job. It was just what I needed and I thought to myself, ‘I’m extremely lucky to have this life that plumbing has provided me.’”

You think you have what it takes to own your own plumbing business? Every first-year apprentice dreams about it. But owning your own business someday takes hard work, perseverance and a willingness to learn. Recently, we talked with four prominent business owners about what they thought it took to go off on their own, and what they have learned from their experiences of ownership. Here is the advice that they shared:

Linda Hudek
Owner, LH Plumbing Services LLC
Fairfield, Ohio

The most important things were knowing my worth as a professional and licensed plumber. So many people start a business thinking their previous boss was overcharging or “lining their pockets off my back,” in their words. Don’t undercharge. Knowing and understanding expenses is so important. Your wage is not the same as the business profit.

It’s also important to not fall for the temptation of going into business too quickly when you are not knowledgeable enough in the technicalities of you field. Being uneducated or undereducated and inexperienced in plumbing can cause major property damage and even death to yourself and your customers. I went into business still lacking some knowledge that I had to learn the hard way.

Bob Baker
Owner, Baker Plumbing Inc.
Master Plumber/Gasfitter
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Cash flow is KING! You can be the best tradesperson on earth with skill and knowledge oozing from your pores! None of that matters if you ain’t getting paid. So many people start their business by market research—what’s the average hourly rate. They phone around and get some pricing and figure the average is $115 an hour so I’m going charge $105 and steal my piece of the pie through price.

Initially, it seems like a decent plan but the guy starting his business three months after you has the same plan and before you know it you’re losing those cheap clients to the cheaper guy. My suggestion is add up all your monthly expenses—rent, fuel, truck, your personal wage, etc. and determine what you need to make to meet your needs. Distill that down to an hourly rate and stick to it. If you’re good, the clients will come.

Also, the best tools don’t make you the best. It’s a hard one with all the cool tools out there these days and their splashed all over social media. Set yourself a tool budget and stick to it. The formula pertains to skills, knowledge, experience, and then tools. Expensive tools don’t make you money, your skills and knowledge do. Tools make your job easier but as I’ve told my boys, learn the hard way first so you can appreciate the easier way.

Maybe this one is too old school but I think it tracks. Your personal appearance matters! You need a uniform—you ought to wear clothes that are cleaned, pressed and smell good. You need keep your appearance neat, clean and tidy. You, your person, needs to look presentable, smell good, teeth brushed, hair combed and be well put together.

It seems obvious but I’ve seen so many people starting out looking like they slept in the back of their trucks on some random Thursday. Even in today’s wide scope of acceptance, the disheveled look is always a bad one. Personally, I carry a brand new black shirt—still in the packaging—a variety of hats and a can of deodorant in the truck for those days where the first job of day goes horrible wrong. Your first impression is of vital importance and yet so is the 10th. People notice that stuff even if it’s sub-consciously.

Andy Mickelson
Owner, Mickelson Plumbing & Heating, LLC
Missoula, Montana

I wish I would have known how to anticipate the time required to run the behind-the-scenes portion of our business, not sure it would change anything, but nonetheless it would have been nice to know what to expect.

I have learned that every employee has their own baggage and quirks that show up occasionally and require a special set of kid gloves to handle.

I also have learned that I need to be open minded when it comes to trusting my employees to do their best and allow them to make choices that sometimes might not completely align with what I would have done.

Mike Lomonaco
Owner, Lomonaco Coast Plumbing,
San Clemente, Calif.

Make sure you know business; it takes more than being a good technician and wanting to go out on your own to be successful.

Know your competition, and what separates you from your competition.

Know what your definition of success is, and where to draw the line. It’s about how much money you save, not how much money you spend. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. To start your own business is a major commitment. It’s a lifestyle change that doesn’t stop. It is a huge toll on all aspects of life that you will have to juggle.