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Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is manufactured using three different methods of cross-linking. PEX-A is produced by the peroxide (Engel) method. Common brands sold in North America produced under the Engel method would be Uponor, Rehau & MrPEX. One unique property of PEX-a is its ability to be heated, using a heat gun, and repaired if kinked Read more

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is manufactured using three different methods of cross-linking. PEX-A is produced by the peroxide (Engel) method. Common brands sold in North America produced under the Engel method would be Uponor, Rehau & MrPEX.

One unique property of PEX-a is its ability to be heated, using a heat gun, and repaired if kinked in the handling process which eliminates the need to cut the tubing and install a coupling. This information is widely known by plumbers having experience with this type PEX but for those not familiar I thought I’d take a couple minutes and put it all in a quick video. The total time it took to make this simple repair was about 5 minutes using the cordless heat gun. I edited the video to speed up the process, using a corded heat gun would also quicken the process. No manufacturer condones the use of a flame (torch) as a heat source.

 

Chicago Faucets, the leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, introduces its new 404 and 405 Series faucets with improved underbodies and new modern-look spouts that meet the rigorous demands of today’s commercial restrooms. The 404 and 405 Series underbody has been improved to accommodate a newly designed spout connection for easy and fast one-person installation. These Read more

Chicago Faucets, the leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, introduces its new 404 and 405 Series faucets with improved underbodies and new modern-look spouts that meet the rigorous demands of today’s commercial restrooms.

The 404 and 405 Series underbody has been improved to accommodate a newly designed spout connection for easy and fast one-person installation. These spouts also offer attention to detail: a new knob rest covers the unsightly pop-up rod hole, and the spout shanks are keyed to prevent rotation.

All current trim accessories such as outlets integrate seamlessly with the new designs, continuing the Chicago Faucets tradition of interchangeability and backward compatibility.

“Our new 404 and 405 Series faucets display fresh, modern aesthetics with two new cast spout choices offering design flexibility for commercial restrooms,” says Patrick Tanzillo, Chicago Faucets product manager. “The new spouts reinvigorate one of our most popular faucet series and demonstrate our commitment to offer designers and architects faucets they will be proud to include in their restroom designs.

Chicago Faucets is a proud partner of WaterSense®, a program sponsored by the EPA, designed to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water efficient products, programs and practices.

Chicago Faucets is a charter sponsor of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, a broad-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water. It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to advocate water-use efficiency and conservation.

Chicago Faucets is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. USGBC has developed The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System, to measure the efficiency and sustainability of buildings constructed in the U.S. and Canada, and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The Chicago Faucet Company is part of the Geberit Group, a European market leader and global provider of sanitary technology. Since 1901, The Chicago Faucet Company, located in Des Plaines, Illinois, has offered commercial and residential products built to stand the test of time. A combination of the best engineering, finest materials and quality workmanship has made Chicago Faucets the specified choice in many of the finest building projects throughout North America.

As European market leader, the Geberit Group is a global provider in the area of plumbing technology with sales of CHF 2.9 billion and more than 12,000 employees in 49 countries worldwide.

For additional information, contact The Chicago Faucet Company at 2100 South Clearwater Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, or call 800-566-2100. You can also visit Chicago Faucets at chicagofaucets.com.

I’m not sure where I first learned of the uni-strut pipe wrench holder trick but after trying it myself I can say its great! Typically I keep my pipe wrenches upright in a 5 gallon bucket, the bucket is heavy and doesn’t last much more than a few months due to the weight and having Read more

I’m not sure where I first learned of the uni-strut pipe wrench holder trick but after trying it myself I can say its great!

Typically I keep my pipe wrenches upright in a 5 gallon bucket, the bucket is heavy and doesn’t last much more than a few months due to the weight and having to move it out of the way often. For now I’m still using the bucket for the larger wrenches as I make space in the truck for their strut hangers but as you’ll see in the video, the smaller daily wrenches are taken care of.

ACME Tools

Extra space is a premium on any type of service truck. Having a van and pickup myself I see the challenge from both sides. Organizing everything is important but having the tools you use everyday quickly accessible can make you day much more efficient and honestly, a lot easier. My hats off to the person who first shared this trick, I absolutely love it.

One tip I’ll share is that you’ll want to use the 1-5/8″ strut for wrenches 18″ and longer. I installed the pipe wrench holders in late July and have yet had any of the wrenches fall out of their holder. I chose to use small stainless stove bolts and locking nuts with fender washers, I’d say this hardware was a good choice. Please share a link back to this post with your friends if you find this helpful, I’d appreciate it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmBVIJOnIkr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I have been using the M18 FUEL Metal Cutting circular saw for over a year now for cutting strut and other metals like this. Its motor and drive system turn the blade at 3900 rpm, the perfect speed for the high torque task of metal cutting. You can find all the specs or get the best price on the #2782-20 M18 saw here: M18 FUEL Metal Cutting Circular Saw

Winter is Coming

As they say in one of the world’s most popular television shows: winter is coming. With winter comes the inevitable rise in the number of burst pipe calls all plumbers will be tasked with repairing. Pipes are generally more likely to burst when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is suggested that those Read more

As they say in one of the world’s most popular television shows: winter is coming. With winter comes the inevitable rise in the number of burst pipe calls all plumbers will be tasked with repairing. Pipes are generally more likely to burst when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is suggested that those living in cold-weather climates keep their homes heated to a minimum of 36 degrees if they are not going to be using their water for an extended period of time. However, no matter how present these warnings are, some winter pipe bursts are unavoidable.

Fortunately, John Guest has committed time and effort to developing the products necessary to tackle this problem. The John Guest Speedfit slip connectors provide plumbers with a quick, simple, and easy fix for burst pipes.

Their slip connectors come in two sizes and can be used to fix pipe bursts on PEX, CPVC, and copper pipes, providing an efficient solution to a litany of burst-pipe problems. John Guest slip connectors have push-fit connections, allowing for rapid installation that should at least temporarily solve one of the major issues with burst pipes: leakage. The push-fit fitting allows all of this to be accomplished without any additional pipe work.

Slip connectors are also built to work with both hot and cold pipes, again providing coverage across the entire spectrum of possible burst-pipe issues that one may encounter. John Guest slip connectors are made with lead-free, non-toxic, and non-flammable materials so you can feel secure in installing these connectors for any issue and leave them to run without constant monitoring. Like all John Guest products, the Speedfit slip connectors are made with an advanced polymer material, assuring our customers that they are receiving only the highest-quality performance.

For more visit John Guest Speedfit slip connectors.

 

Hauling out old, leaking and dirty tank water heaters can be a messy job. I’ve covered walkways with drop cloths, tarps or plastic in attempt to contain the dripping water, soot or rust and still have had carpets get soiled; not since we started using the “body bag” heater hauler. It’s a giant duffel with Read more

Hauling out old, leaking and dirty tank water heaters can be a messy job. I’ve covered walkways with drop cloths, tarps or plastic in attempt to contain the dripping water, soot or rust and still have had carpets get soiled; not since we started using the “body bag” heater hauler. It’s a giant duffel with a water resistant lining inside that contains the mess. It’s always on my truck and I haven’t had to hire a carpet cleaner for years now.

Check out my first review from 2015 on The Hub

Bradford White Heater Hauler