It’s that time of year again when people reflect on what they’re thankful for in the past year, and hope for a positive 2024. I cannot stress enough the job that Brent and Kathleen Ridley (@toolpros & @toolwife) do with Miracle Mechanical, a charitable organization dedicated to uplifting families in need, one at-no-cost-HVAC/plumbing repair at Read more
Brent Ridley
It’s that time of year again when people reflect on what they’re thankful for in the past year, and hope for a positive 2024. I cannot stress enough the job that Brent and Kathleen Ridley (@toolpros & @toolwife) do with Miracle Mechanical, a charitable organization dedicated to uplifting families in need, one at-no-cost-HVAC/plumbing repair at a time. “Honestly, it’s hard to put into words,” says Brent Ridley. “Seeing and feeling the gratitude from homeowners is an incredible feeling, and something that never gets old.”
Tool Pros began as tool review brand, as the brand grew and relationships with tool manufacturers were made, Ridley felt a need to use his platform for more. “Free tools and trips are great but I thought to myself. ‘let’s actually do something that matters.’”
Combined with his platform and what he knew best—HVAC /plumbing—Miracle Mechanical was born. Shortly after the concept, Ridley reached out to his contacts at RIDGID to gauge interest. “Thankfully they loved the idea and wanted to sponsor the very first project. Two months later we completed our first project, and the rest is history,” says Ridley.
Officially, the primary facilitators of Miracle Mechanical consist of Brent and his wife Kathleen. They also bring in a production crew of three to four people, and their team of HVAC / plumbing contractors—usually a 4-man crew—for a project day.
Ridley says that the goal is always to complete as many projects as possible; however, they are averaging four to five projects per year. In fact, Miracle Mechanical just completed a project this past October with Sharkbite.
And they have partnered with RIDGID for the next project taking place in early 2024. In the past, Miracle has teamed up with the AHR Expo but nothing for 2024. “We look forward to partnering with AHR for their work force development program in the future,” says Ridley.
But between working as an HVAC contractor, content creator, Miracle Mechanical facilitator, podcaster and Lowe’s Santa, finding time to take a deep breath can be difficult. “Sure, it can feel overwhelming at times,” says Ridley. “Thankfully, I have my wife who is a full-time manager and coordinator for the Tool Pros brand and Miracle Mechanical. Her dedication to the brand allows me to focus on my HVAC/plumbing business (H & M Services, Inc.), as well as other creative outlets—without dropping any balls in the process.”
The Miracle Mechanical concept is such a good one, and one that I know Ridley hopes he can provide nationally. At this time, logistics and funding for national projects have been a huge obstacle, but one that I’m confident we’ll overcome in the next couple of years,” says Ridley.
More About Brent Ridley
Ridley started into the trades right out high school in 2004. His girlfriend’s father, at the time, owned an HVAC business, and he started the summer after senior year doing commercial duct work and hated it. It was only until he found service and repair that he fell in love with the HVAC industry. “From there, I have always strived to make it more than just a ‘Job,’ but a lifestyle. If you want to get ahead in life, you can’t clock out at 5 pm.”
In the earier days before social media, Ridley wrote long-form, trade-specific tool reviews on a site called HVACTalk.com, which no longer exists. In 2017, Ridley started his successful Tool Pros Podcast. “Not long after, the social media portion of the brand quickly outgrew the podcast, leading to many opportunities that I am very grateful for, like Miracle Mechanical,” says Ridley.
Miracle Mechanical was founded by contractor Brent Ridley with the mission of uplifting families and communities through plumbing and HVAC repairs at no cost to recipients. The recent Oatey-sponsored Miracle Mechanical project provided much-needed help to Cindy Koehler, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and debilitating physical challenges for the Read more
Miracle Mechanical was founded by contractor Brent Ridley with the mission of uplifting families and communities through plumbing and HVAC repairs at no cost to recipients. The recent Oatey-sponsored Miracle Mechanical project provided much-needed help to Cindy Koehler, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and debilitating physical challenges for the last three decades.
Oatey’s sponsorship enabled significant HVAC and plumbing repairs for Air Force veteran with disabilities Oatey Co., a leading plumbing manufacturer since 1916, recently partnered with nonprofit organization Miracle Mechanical to make one deserving veteran’s hope a reality through significant HVAC and plumbing repairs. Miracle Mechanical was founded by contractor Brent Ridley with the mission of uplifting families Read more
Oatey’s sponsorship enabled significant HVAC and plumbing repairs for Air Force veteran with disabilities
Oatey Co., a leading plumbing manufacturer since 1916, recently partnered with nonprofit organization Miracle Mechanical to make one deserving veteran’s hope a reality through significant HVAC and plumbing repairs.
Miracle Mechanical was founded by contractor Brent Ridley with the mission of uplifting families and communities through plumbing and HVAC repairs at no cost to recipients.
“The whole premise of Miracle Mechanical is to help veterans with disabilities, elderly people and those in need,” says Ridley. “Generous sponsors like Oatey give us the means to transform people’s everyday quality of life.”
Brent Ridley founder of Miracle Mechanical. He founded Miracle Mechanical with the mission of uplifting families and communities through plumbing and HVAC repairs at no cost to recipients.
The recent Oatey-sponsored Miracle Mechanical project provided much-needed help to Cindy Koehler, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has battled multiple sclerosis (MS) and debilitating physical challenges for the past three decades. Koehler lacked clean drinking water for several years due to her home’s failing water filtration system. Rust, germs and other dangerous contaminants polluted the household water supply, making it completely unsafe to consume.
Through Oatey’s sponsorship, Ridley’s team was able to purchase and install brand new appliances, including an electric water heater, two ADA-compliant toilets and a state-the-art water filtration system – ensuring Cindy and her family have access to the best quality water.
The recent Oatey-sponsored Miracle Mechanical project provided much-needed help to Cindy Koehler, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has battled multiple sclerosis (MS) and debilitating physical challenges for the past three decades.
“Something as simple as clean running water, being able to flush a toilet and wash dishes brought tears in my eyes and joy to my heart,” says Koehler. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen.”
“Improving lives is a core tenet of our mission here at Oatey,” explains Katherine Lehtinen, Oatey’s Senior Vice President, Brand & Digital Marketing. “When we heard about Cindy’s story, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to help. We’re honored to be a part of such an impactful project and make such a big difference for the U.S. Air Force veteran.”
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID is proud to support trade professionals giving back to the community RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, today announced their sponsorship of the first Miracle Mechanical project, a new initiative that completes plumbing, heating and air conditioning work for those in need at no-cost to Read more
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID is proud to support trade professionals giving back to the community
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, today announced their sponsorship of the first Miracle Mechanical project, a new initiative that completes plumbing, heating and air conditioning work for those in need at no-cost to the homeowner. The non-profit, headquartered in Georgia, is spearheaded by plumbing and mechanical contractor Brent Ridley.
“I have been doing tool reviews for many years, but I wanted to do more with my platform and really try to help some folks,” said Ridley, who along with working as a contractor is also a tool reviewer and co-host of the Tool Pros podcast.
The Miracle Mechanical team recently completed its first project for homeowner Nick Hendricks and his family in Monroe, Georgia. Hendricks had been seriously injured in a car accident. While he was recovering, the family’s home began experiencing septic system issues.
“The repairs mean everything to us at a time like this,” Hendricks said. “It had come to a point that we were afraid when it rained that the toilet downstairs would overflow due to groundwater getting in the septic and backing up through the toilet! Any time it rained the toilet would bubble and gargle and it was very unsettling.”
The Miracle Mechanical team repaired the septic system issues to prevent sewage from backing up in the house. They also installed three new toilets, repaired kitchen sink piping and installed a new electric water heater.
“At RIDGID we’re committed to not only supporting the trades, but also giving back to the community,” said Becky Brotherton, Senior Marketing Communications Manager, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a privilege for our team to be a financial supporter of the work Miracle Mechanical is doing to help others.”
https://youtu.be/0FL3hvxn2sY
Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally.
Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.