Being well-prepared is very important in the field of plumbing. A plumber’s reputation might take a hit if they show up to a project without the proper tools, which increases the likelihood that the job will be mishandled. Every professional plumber must have several essential pieces of equipment on hand at all times, despite the Read more
Just the Tip
Being well-prepared is very important in the field of plumbing. A plumber’s reputation might take a hit if they show up to a project without the proper tools, which increases the likelihood that the job will be mishandled. Every professional plumber must have several essential pieces of equipment on hand at all times, despite the fact that some tasks can call for specialized instruments. The following are the top five items a plumber must always have.
1. Comprehensive Tool Kit
For a plumber, much like any other tradesperson, the caliber of their work is often reflected in the tools they wield. Their toolbox extends beyond just an assortment of wrenches; it’s a curated collection encompassing pipe cutters, pliers, tape measures, and various specialized tools. The efficiency is amplified when the plumber’s arsenal is complemented by truck tool box accessories. These enhancements not only keep tools organized but also prevent them from becoming hazards during transportation. With the right tools in their arsenal, plumbers can execute tasks with precision and efficiency, ensuring the job is done right the first time, minimizing the risk of inadvertent damage.
2. Plumbing Snake and Drain Auger
In the world of plumbing, clogs are an all-too-familiar foe that often shows resistance to even the most fundamental of treatments, such as using a plunger. When a situation arises, the plumbing snake, sometimes referred to as a drain auger, steps up to the plate as the unsung hero. Can battling even the most tenacious clogs are moving them because of its design, which allows them to get deep into drains. Plumbers can arm themselves with the adaptability necessary to deal with a wide variety of clog conditions if they have an armory that includes manually operated and power-powered variations of the same tool. Because of this flexibility, no obstacle cannot be overcome, regardless of the kind or level of the obstacle.
3. Waterproof Work Gear
Regarding plumbing, water can be both a friend and an enemy. Even though it is the same medium they operate, the pervasive presence of water in leaking pipes or blocked drains can make the working environment dangerous. It is impossible to emphasize the necessity of waterproof work gear, which includes items like boots, gloves, and protective eyewear. Such equipment allows plumbers to easily maneuver their wet environment while maintaining their ability to remain dry and comfortable. This gear is more than just convenient; it also serves as a protective barrier, preventing the wearer from slipping, falling, and being exposed to any pollutants hiding in the water.
4. Advanced Diagnostic Equipment
The plumbing industry has also adapted to the modern technology age. It used to be a guessing game when determining what was wrong with a plumbing system. Still, modern instruments like inspection cameras have eliminated that element of uncertainty. Also, leak detection kits have changed the game by making it possible to find concealed leaks without tearing up walls or crawling around on the floor. Modern plumbing inspections are now easier and more accurate thanks to advances in cutting-edge diagnostic tools. This not only saves precious time but also makes better use of available resources, which in turn leads to better outcomes.
5. Pipe and Drain Inspection Cameras
Pipe and drain inspection cameras represent a remarkable technological advancement in the plumbing industry. These ingenious devices provide plumbers with a direct visual assessment of the inner workings of pipes and drains. By offering a clear, real-time view of the interior, these cameras eliminate the need for conjecture and uncertain diagnoses. This not only expedites the troubleshooting process but also facilitates the precise identification of problems, from blockages to corrosion. As a result, plumbers can formulate targeted repair strategies, minimizing the disruption to the plumbing system and maximizing efficiency. These cameras are a testament to the industry’s commitment to innovation, significantly enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of plumbing repairs and maintenance.
Conclusion
In the vast field of plumbing, readiness is pivotal for success. If plumbers make it a habit to carry these five critical supplies at all times, they may confidently take on almost any job. It is not enough to just eliminate an issue; rather, it is necessary to do it in a way that is both productive and dependable at all times. And in a line of work where credibility is absolutely essential, having the appropriate resources at your disposal may make all the difference.
Tips for taking care of your hoses If you’re a busy HVACR professional, the pieces of equipment that you use most are often hoses. From performing evacuations and refrigerant recharges to hooking them to a manifold for quick diagnostic checks, hoses are used every day. Let’s walk through some of the best ways to care Read more
Tips for taking care of your hoses
If you’re a busy HVACR professional, the pieces of equipment that you use most are often hoses. From performing evacuations and refrigerant recharges to hooking them to a manifold for quick diagnostic checks, hoses are used every day. Let’s walk through some of the best ways to care for and inspect your HVACR vacuum and charging hoses.
Replacing gaskets
Replacing the small black gaskets in your hose connectors is one of the easiest and fastest ways to maintain your hoses. Normal wear and tear can cause the gaskets to deteriorate and create leaks or incomplete connections. When making connections, inspect the gasket. Also, add a drop of refrigerant oil or Nylog to the gasket. This creates a seal between the gasket and the port. Since they need to be changed frequently, store some new gaskets in your shop and teach your team how to spot wear and tear. It’s important to remind techs of the dangers of a worn gasket on the job site.
Cap your hoses
When you aren’t using hoses, cap them on each end with brass caps. This keeps the seals from drying out and ensures hoses stay clean and dry. With this, it helps to set aside hoses that are used for pulling vacuums and use them only for this task. Don’t use them for recovery or normal service. This ensures that your vacuum hoses are always in good condition.
Using hoses on the job site
Sometimes, HVACR connections aren’t in the most convenient locations, and this can cause unnecessary wear and tear on hoses. Be sure to avoid creating sharp bends or excessively twisting them when connecting hoses to the system. Remember, never leave them out in the sun or expose them to extreme temperatures for extended periods of time.
Store hoses correctly
When you’re moving or storing your hoses, be sure not to step on the fittings or store them under heavy equipment. Make sure to properly hang them in a way that prevents them from getting damaged. Since these hoses need to hold vacuums or maintain pressures between 800 and 4000 PSI, they can develop cracks or weak spots if they aren’t stored properly and safely.
Inspect them every time
When you use a hose on the job, inspect it for signs of wear that could include cracks, bulges or other degradation. Each of these threats has the potential to cause a dangerous situation that may lead to equipment damage or injure a tech. Any hose that shows these signs should be removed from the job site and discarded. When using a hose pay attention to reduced flow, blockages or leaks – some of these problems might not be apparent on first inspection.
Pick up some new hoses
If your hoses are worn out or need replacement, add some new ones to your tool bag right away. Learn more about Fieldpiece hoses and accessories here.
By Marty Silverman, General Pipe Cleaners How to repair a pipe without shutting down the whole building Q: We had a lot calls for broken water lines this past winter. It was a pain to my customers when the water had to be shut off each time we made a repair. Is there a better Read more
By Marty Silverman, General Pipe Cleaners
How to repair a pipe without shutting down the whole building
Q: We had a lot calls for broken water lines this past winter. It was a pain to my customers when the water had to be shut off each time we made a repair. Is there a better way?
A: Yes, you can use a pipe freeze system. It may sound crazy to intentionally freeze a pipe. But, under controlled conditions, creating an ice plug is a fast and easy way to make a repair to the line without shutting off the water to you customers building or home.
It freezes all types of liquids in steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum, and plastic pipes ranging from 1/8″ to 2″. The freeze kit uses carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dip-tube tank available at most welding supply houses. The cold liquid CO2 is -110 degrees so it can freeze the water is just minutes. A 1/2″ copper pipe freezes in just 5 minutes, or just 3 minutes in cast iron. The ice plug is so strong it can withstand up to 7000 psi.
So there’s no need to drain water lines, sprinkler systems, or hot water systems before cutting pipe or tubing. You can keep your pressurized system operating while you make repairs.
For more information, or to ask a question, call the Drain Brains® at General at 800-245-6200, or visit www.askthedrainbrains.com or email info@drainbrain.com.
Industry-leading manufacturer’s new digital tool for iOS and Android equips contractors with a range of information and features to support professional service and installation of Bradford White products Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces the launch of its new For the Pro® mobile app. The new app, available for iOS Read more
Industry-leading manufacturer’s new digital tool for iOS and Android equips contractors with a range of information and features to support professional service and installation of Bradford White products
Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces the launch of its new For the Pro® mobile app. The new app, available for iOS and Android devices through the Apple and Google app stores, is loaded with a variety of information and features to support the professional service and installation of Bradford White products.
“Our industry is becoming more and more reliant on digital and web-based tools every day,” said Neal Heyman, director of marketing for Bradford White Corporation. “Mobile apps are an important addition to a contractor’s ‘toolbox’ in terms of helping them stay up to date with product changes, installation requirements, and basic repair and troubleshooting information for the products they service and install.”
Users of the For the Pro® app can:
- Scan the barcode of any Bradford White product to quickly check warranty status and access all related technical documents, including I/O manuals and troubleshooting guides.
- Search Bradford White model numbers to instantly retrieve product information including spec sheets, parts lists and product descriptions.
- Get fast, direct access to Bradford White’s RightSpec® suite of sizing and cross reference tools, the For the Pro® Training Academy e-learning program, and Bradford White’s YouTube Channel for time-saving step-by-step videos.
- Quickly call Bradford White’s 24/7 technical support line through the app for fast, knowledgeable help
- Access Bradford White’s new digital Pocket Catalogs for the most recent product specifications.
“We’d like to thank the many loyal Bradford White contractors who helped us through the app’s pilot phase by providing helpful feedback to refine functionality,” Heyman said. “We anticipate regular new releases of the app offering users more information and enhanced functionality and features which are already in queue for subsequent releases, including a feature that allows contractors to register newly installed products on behalf of their customers.”
For more information about Bradford White’s For the Pro® app, visit https://bradfordwhite.com/contractorapp.
For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.
What the Customer Needed This homeowner from Riverwoods, Illinois spends a lot of time away from home. In order to have confidence that his home was protected while he was not there, he decided to get a plumbing leak detection system installed for extra peace of mind. Solution The homeowner hired Ravinia Plumbing in Lincolnshire Read more
What the Customer Needed
This homeowner from Riverwoods, Illinois spends a lot of time away from home. In order to have confidence that his home was protected while he was not there, he decided to get a plumbing leak detection system installed for extra peace of mind.
Solution
The homeowner hired Ravinia Plumbing in Lincolnshire, Illinois, to install The Leak Defense System®. Once it was in place, the system’s control panel showed that significant water was running constantly within the house.
The homeowner and the system installer walked the entire house inside and out looking for a leak, checking each toilet and all other potential leak sources. Three toilet flappers, which seal the opening between the water storage tank and the toilet bowl, were found to be leaking and needed to be replaced.
In addition, they found that a whole house humidifier had a bad solenoid valve (which controls the water flow from the reservoir to the evaporator system). Normally, the valve is closed until humidity drops below a set level. However, due to the faulty valve, water was constantly running through it. “We were NOT aware where or why [the leaks were occurring],” the homeowner said.
Installing Leak Defense
Following a third incident when a hot water tank line sprung a leak in a pantry, the building maintenance engineer suggested several leak detection solutions to the Building Governance Committee. Among the suggestions was The Leak Defense System®, which the committee, chaired by Pusateri, ended up choosing.
The system contains several components. The first is a Leak Defense System® Valve, which is installed on the incoming waterline to each condo unit. Once installed, the automatic water shut-off control valve monitors water flow 24/7/365.
The second is a wireless touchscreen Control Panel in each unit, which allows residents to set the system to fit their family’s lifestyle needs. For example, if high-volume overnight water usage would be unusual, the Control Panel can send an audible alert if significant water is flowing in the middle of the night, and it can shut off the water intake. The Control Panel can also be connected to a third-party monitoring company to make sure an alert gets attention, even if the condo owners are away.
Results
The toilet flappers were replaced, and a new humidifier solenoid valve was installed. Since the Leak Defense System® installation, the control panel has picked up no further leaks. Had these issues not been fixed, “each could have led to serious issues in the house,” the homeowner said and has reduced needless water waste at the home. The system has provided this homeowner the extra peace of mind his home is safe from plumbing leaks while he is away.
To learn more, visit LeakDefense.com.