In response to the coronavirus outbreak, plumbers are looking for ways to work more efficiently and adapt to customer needs. But with people observing social distancing requirements and other precautions, we need efficient solutions more than ever. A Snapshot of the New Normal As a plumber, how has your day-to-day routine changed? Even as a Read more
Industry Blogs
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, plumbers are looking for ways to work more efficiently and adapt to customer needs. But with people observing social distancing requirements and other precautions, we need efficient solutions more than ever.
A Snapshot of the New Normal
As a plumber, how has your day-to-day routine changed? Even as a manufacturer of plumbing solutions, we’ve noticed a change in the way our customers work. In the past few months, pros have shared several important trends they’ve noticed:
- Scheduling around other pros on jobsites. With the introduction of staggered shifts in certain construction markets, pros are having to coordinate time around other trades. They can no longer come and go on jobsites as their schedule allows. It’s critical to set a schedule and stick to it. If a firestop installation takes longer than expected, for example, the delay could throw other contractors off schedule.
- Making faster residential service calls. Because of social distancing requirements, plumbers working in homes need to get in and out quickly to keep customers comfortable and reduce the risk of spreading or getting the virus. They need ways to make repairs and install fixtures as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality.
- Conducting virtual consultations and meetings. On websites and social media profiles, some plumbing contractors are inviting customers to schedule a virtual consultation through video conferencing platforms like Zoom. During the appointment, the customer can explain the issue they’re having and receive an initial quote. This reduces time in-home and can ensure efficiency.
- Installing more touchless faucets. Not surprisingly, reducing the spread of germs and viruses is currently top-of-mind for most consumers. Some plumbers have noticed an increase in requests for touchless faucet installations from health-conscious homeowners.
While the pandemic highlighted the need for solutions that get pros in and out faster and help them adapt to shifting customer needs, it’s difficult to make changes in a short amount of time. In some cases, pros don’t have time to perform services in the exact same way as they did six months ago.
At RWC, we’ve always offered solutions that make plumbers’ jobs more efficient, like durable SharkBite push-to-connect fittings and HoldRite firestopping systems. But the past few months has reinvigorated our mission to develop safe, sustainable and efficient solutions. We’re seeking ways to design even more products that cut down on installation without reducing quality and craftsmanship.
So… Where Do We Go from Here?
We can’t pretend to know what the plumbing industry will look like in a month, six months or even a year. Will plumbers continue working around social distancing requirements? Will customer demand for hygienic products like touchless faucets increase?
No matter what the next few months bring, we believe efficiency and adaptability are permanent fixtures. As you continue to improve services for customers, we will support and empower you with plumbing product innovations.
Chris Carrier is the Marketing Director, Americas at RWC – a market leader and manufacturer of water control systems and plumbing solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Ductwork Learnings on HVAC and Aging in Place The term “aging in place” refers to homeowners’ ability to stay in their home as they age. But what’s good for a homeowner, may not be good for a home’s ductwork system. As homes built during the housing boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s age Read more
Ductwork Learnings on HVAC and Aging in Place
The term “aging in place” refers to homeowners’ ability to stay in their home as they age. But what’s good for a homeowner, may not be good for a home’s ductwork system. As homes built during the housing boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s age, many of these homes’ ductwork systems – particularly in areas such as the deep south – are beginning to show their age.
While HVAC contractors understand the benefits of replacing aging, less efficient HVAC equipment, what about the unseen parts of the comfort system? Even the highest performing, most energy efficient system will not deliver optimal performance if the invisible network of ducts that distribute air to every room in a home are damaged, leaky, or poorly connected.
Aging ductwork is a key concern in many housing markets that experienced robust growth during the housing boom – Southern Florida, Phoenix and Las Vegas, for example. Ductwork in many of these warm region homes is located in the unconditioned attic space, where it is out of sight and not subject to routine maintenance.
The integrity of a home’s ductwork in unconditioned spaces can have a big impact on comfort, energy, and efficiency. Offering duct inspections and retrofits can help contractors optimize their customers’ comfort while generating an additional source of revenue for the business.
Owens Corning recently piloted a duct retrofit service with five HVAC contractors in Florida. The objective was to understand homeowners’ interest in ductwork -and evaluate conditions in aging homes. The HVAC ductwork inspection evaluated key ductwork areas, with a focus on helping stop the spread of airborne pollutants and unwanted noise while improving home comfort and efficiency:
Ductwork inspections reviewed:
- Duct insulation integrity
- Interior duct condition
- Exterior duct condition
- Sealing around duct joints
- Evaluation of output efficiency
Contractors in the pilot found that a home’s ductwork is an overlooked opportunity to add comfort and support homeowners in creating comfortable environments. Few homeowners are aware of the role their home’s ductwork plays in facilitating comfort, air flow and the spread of airborne pollutants. Contractors also found that speaking with customers about their home’s ductwork, conducting a duct inspection, determining if the duct is sized properly, and explaining the benefits of a duct retrofit helped generate new business opportunities.
Pilot participants found that a good place to start the conversation with homeowners is by reviewing a checklist of signs suggesting duct problems. These signs may include:
- Musty smell
- Excessive dust
- Mold/mildew or visible “dirt” around vents
- Condensation on (or near) AC unit cooling coils
- Frequent cycling
- Hot or cold spots
- Visible ductwork damage
While many homeowners take great pride in having the most energy efficient cooling equipment, they will not enjoy the benefits of their investment if their ducts are leaking. In fact, the typical house loses up to 30% of the air in ducts due to leaks and holes in ductwork. Today’s HVAC equipment is more energy efficient than ever, standing up to today’s vigorous code environment and weather that seems to keep getting warmer. But as American homes age and energy codes are stricter, the ductwork distributing air is not keeping pace.
To learn more about Owens Corning’s air distribution services and how duct retrofit can support your business and the homeowners you serve, contact Duct Retrofit Program Business Development Leader Dave Pawlicki at dave.pawlicki@owenscorning.com
Propane tankless systems are an efficient, affordable solution for any project What is your customer’s biggest water heating concern? Running out of hot water? Rising utility costs? Environmental sustainability? Builders, remodelers, and contractors can address any of these concerns by helping customers select a high-efficiency propane tankless system. Tankless technology is becoming increasingly popular because Read more
Propane tankless systems are an efficient, affordable solution for any project
What is your customer’s biggest water heating concern? Running out of hot water? Rising utility costs? Environmental sustainability?
Builders, remodelers, and contractors can address any of these concerns by helping customers select a high-efficiency propane tankless system. Tankless technology is becoming increasingly popular because of its versatility, convenience, and efficiency in both new construction projects and as retrofits to existing systems. These systems offer reduced energy costs, a long service life, and high volumes of hot water — and propane units provide a level of performance that electric and heating oil systems just can’t match.
But there are still some common misconceptions that can keep professionals and their clients from upgrading to a tankless water heater.
Here are four common tankless myths, debunked:
MYTH: Tankless water heaters are too expensive.
For some customers, it’s hard to look past the upfront cost of a high-efficiency tankless water heater, but it’s important to consider the system’s annual cost of ownership (ACO). Tankless water heaters reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent compared with storage tank water heaters and eliminate standby energy loss from the tank, as well as the unnecessary expense of heating water when it’s not being used — which ultimately reduces water heating bills. High-efficiency units pay for themselves in just a few short years — which is a big win for contractors and their customers. Big picture, they’re a smart investment. Plus, there are great rebates available to help bring the costs down.
In a 2015 comprehensive analysis of residential water heating systems, two propane tankless systems were found to offer the lowest ACO in eight out of nine scenarios covering different climate and housing types when compared with electric water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and heating oil systems. Propane tankless’ cost-effectiveness stems from the system’s low annual energy costs and long service life of roughly 20 years.
MYTH: Tankless water heating requires natural gas.
By incorporating propane into a project, construction professionals and contractors can give their clients the same luxury, performance, efficiency of a natural gas tankless system — no matter where the house is located. There are still a lot of builders that are building in rural areas where the natural gas line isn’t available and instead using electric tanks. They are simply not thinking of propane tankless just because it’s not as common.
What many builders and contractors may not realize is how construction-friendly this energy source is. Propane is used much like natural gas and is easy to incorporate into a project. Plus, with propane, professionals and their customers aren’t at the mercy of a public utility. Meanwhile, performance is never sacrificed. Propane tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water, averaging about 222 gallons per hour, compared with an average first-hour delivery rating of just 62 gallons per hour for electric storage tank models.
MYTH: Tankless systems require complicated venting.
Venting for propane tankless systems is flexible, easy, and inexpensive. Given the unit’s compact size and direct-vent design, they can be installed in closets, tight spaces, and even outdoors. Upgrading from an electric tank to an interior propane tankless system may require a little more planning, but high-efficiency units can be vented straight through the wall with inexpensive PVC pipe.
MYTH: Tankless won’t work with well water.
Tankless is a great option for customers, whether they use city water or well water. When a water heater heats water, a small amount of scale can form on the heat exchanger, so periodic flushing is required to keep tankless water heaters functioning at their best. Homes with harder water or more usage will have more scale, but city water versus well water won’t affect this. Many modern tankless systems will notify the homeowner when they need to be flushed or can even be set up to notify a technician when maintenance is required. Regardless of the water source, a water softener can greatly reduce the scale created, allowing for much longer intervals between flushing. And maintenance is key — if properly maintained, propane tankless units last twice as long as traditional tank systems.
Don’t let customers settle when it comes to water heating performance for their home — and for many projects, this means choosing the limitless hot water delivery and efficiency of a propane tankless water heater. Visit Propane.com/Water-Heating to learn more.
Bryan Cordill is director of residential and commercial business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at bryan.cordill@propane.com.
Peter DeMarco, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Research – The IAPMO Group In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) started monitoring the outbreak of a new coronavirus which ultimately was named COVID-19. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China. This paper is intended to provide practical guidance for plumbing professionals who work on Read more
Peter DeMarco, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Research – The IAPMO Group
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) started monitoring the outbreak of a new coronavirus which ultimately was named COVID-19. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China. This paper is intended to provide practical guidance for plumbing professionals who work on sanitary waste and sewer systems on how to protect themselves, their loved ones and their coworkers during the current pandemic.
Coronaviruses are so named because, when viewed under a microscope, they have protrusions that resemble a crown. They belong to a family of viruses common in both humans and many animal species. In rare occurrences, animal coronaviruses can mutate to the point where they are able to also infect humans, which is likely what occurred in China late last year. The potential for viruses that cross over from animals to humans to develop into an epidemic, happens when the virus can then be transmitted between humans. The COVID-19 virus is highly transmissible between humans and can cause respiratory illness and even death.
As of this writing on March 11, World Plumbing Day, the WHO has announced the outbreak qualifies as a pandemic, having spread on all inhabited continents. The worldwide number of humans diagnosed with COVID-19 has surpassed 120,000, with more than 4,300 deaths (see chart below). These numbers are predicted to grow. Unfortunately, there’s much we still don’t know about the virus, including important details about its transmissibility, how long it can survive on various surfaces or in water, and the range of illness severity amongst various population groups. It is known that the elderly and those who are immuno- compromised with pre-existing medical conditions are the most vulnerable for poor medical outcomes, which is consistent with other pathogen-based diseases, including influenza. However, contrary to some misinformation that’s currently available, the coronavirus is in fact considerably more dangerous than the current annual influenza virus.
So, what are the implications for those who work in the plumbing industry and what steps can plumbers take to stay safe? It is likely that the COVID-19 coronavirus can indeed be spread through building sanitary drainage systems. This became apparent when the Chinese government identified an outbreak in a Hong Kong high-rise building a few weeks ago (see the IAPMO white paper).
Therefore, for as long as the pandemic is still active, it should be assumed by anyone working on a sanitary drainage system that the virus is present. Considering the potential to come into contact with water and aerosols that contain the coronavirus when working on sanitary systems or sewers, it is highly recommended that plumbers wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including a full face shield that is worn over safety glasses, and gloves.
Of course, plumbers work on sanitary drainage systems that contain fecal matter and a host of dangerous pathogens every day. Taking careful precautions to prevent contact with wastewater and proper hand and arm hygiene is a matter of good practice for plumbers. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides standards for worker protection. OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction provides the requirements for construction worker safety, including plumbers who work on sanitary drains, vent systems and sewers. The standards are available free at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926.
The most important subsections for plumbers to review are: 1926.20 – General safety and health provisions; 1926.21 – Safety training and education; 1926.22 – Recording and reporting of injuries; 1926.23 – First aid and medical attention; 1926.28 – Personal protective equipment; 1926.50 – Medical services and first aid; 1926.95 – Criteria for personal protective equipment; 1926.102 – Eye and face protection and 1926.103 – Respiratory protection.
Additionally, ASSE International’s Series 12000 Standard, Professional Qualifications Standard for Infection Control Risk Assessment for All Building Systems, is a standard that sets minimum criteria for the training and certification of pipe trades craftspeople, and other construction and maintenance personnel, on how to safely work in an environment with the potentially deadly diseases that may be present within
worksites. While the pandemic remains ongoing, ASSE International is making the ASSE Series 12000 Standard available for free at https://asse-plumbing.org/12000-2018 . The ASSE 12000 certification training addresses viruses, including the Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, but does not specifically reference COVID-19. We welcome plumbers from across the globe to consider professional qualification for infection control risk assessment especially when working on sanitary systems that have a high probability of being contaminated with COVID-19, such as healthcare facilities and hospitals.
Finally, common sense still reigns supreme. Plumbers are advised to increase the frequency of hand washing and wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water (even longer hand washing time is good practice after contact with wastewater); avoid touching of the face; cover any open cuts or wounds and wear proper PPE. If you personally come into close proximity, or into direct contact with an infected person, immediately report the incident to your supervisor and to your doctor or healthcare provider.
Good workplace and tool cleaning practices are also extremely important. Avoid sharing of tools with coworkers to the greatest extent possible. When choosing cleaning chemicals, look for cleaning agents with claims against viral pathogens. If such cleaning agents are not available, use soap and water and dry tools thoroughly after use. Keep your PPE clean as well by following manufacturer instructions carefully.
With no vaccine or treatment regimen currently available, it is important for all workers to be able to recognize the symptoms associated with contracting the coronavirus, which include fever, shortness of breath, and persistent cough. Symptoms can take between 2 to 14 days to become apparent after exposure to the virus. If you start to feel ill, stop work immediately so as to protect your coworkers and others around you, go home, contact your doctor and follow your doctor’s orders! This is critically important when working in a facility that houses immuno-compromised people.
The IAPMO Group sends its best wishes to plumbing professionals around the world. We hope that the information above is helpful. As usual, plumbers are on the front lines fighting the battles that keep people safe. By working carefully and thoughtfully, we can also keep ourselves and our loved ones safe as we deal with and defeat COVID-19!
Additional sources of useful information can be found at the links below:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.wef.org/resources/online- education/webcasts/ArchivedWebcasts/CoronavirusWebcastArchive/
Menomonee Falls, Wis. — For the past 11 years, Bradley Corporation has conducted its Healthy Hand Washing Survey to track American’s hand washing habits and their reactions to germs, the flu and colds. The annual survey queried American adults and youth online Dec. 11-16, 2019. Participants were from around the country, were 14 years and older, and were Read more
Menomonee Falls, Wis. — For the past 11 years, Bradley Corporation has conducted its Healthy Hand Washing Survey to track American’s hand washing habits and their reactions to germs, the flu and colds.
The annual survey queried American adults and youth online Dec. 11-16, 2019. Participants were from around the country, were 14 years and older, and were fairly evenly split between men and women (47% and 53%).
The findings revealed that:
- Even before COVID-19 hit the United States, 60% of Americans were extremely or quite concerned about catching the flu, compared to just 32% who felt that way four years ago. Among all age groups, Millennials expressed the most trepidation about getting sick.
- 50% of Americans said news coverage of cold and flu outbreaks has an impact on their hand washing behavior.
- In response to flu outbreaks, 79% of Americans said they wash their hands more frequently, more thoroughly or longer after using a public restroom.
- 89% of Americans in the workforce said they consciously take steps to avoid the germs of sick co-workers or colleagues.
- 64% of Americans correctly believe that hand washing is more effective in removing germs than hand sanitizer — a fact supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- When asked where they were MOST concerned about somebody not washing their hands, 40% said restaurants, 35% identified hospitals, clinics and doctors’ or dentists’ offices, 15% answered schools and 8% said airports.
- When they are sick, 54% of Americans said they simply wave hello to greet people, 48% avoid shaking hands and 18% use a fist or elbow bump.
- At home, if someone is sick or if a cold or flu virus is going around, Americans kick into action. 65% wipe down bathroom and kitchen surfaces. 47% wipe door knobs and handles. 46% wash sheets and/or towels.
- In a public restroom, 93% of Americans try to avoid coming in contact with germs by employing evasive measures. 65% use a paper towel when touching door handles, faucets or toilet flushers, 44% operate the toilet flusher with their foot, 42% use a seat liner or cover, 29% hover above the toilet seat, 29% use their butt to open and close doors and 27% use their elbow to operate towel dispensers.
- 97% of Americans believe it’s important to wash up after using a public restroom. However, hand washing doesn’t happen all the time. Respondents said they washed their hands 86% of the time after using a public restroom.
- 67% of Americans admit they’ve skipped the soap and simply rinsed their hands with water after using a public restroom.
“Thorough hand washing with soap and water remains the best way to reduce the spread of disease-causing microorganisms like COVID-19,” says medical microbiologist Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., professor of biology, Saint Joseph’s University. “Soap and water, used as per the evidence-based recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and other government agencies, will help reduce the spread of flu and other illnesses in the home and work place.”
Bradley Corp. is a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, emergency fixtures and solid plastic lockers.
For more information, visit www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.