Did you know, that around 500 000 US homes still do not have adequate plumbing? This shocking statistic has sent shockwaves through an industry much maligned for being too expensive for ordinary people and has led to a jump in students and apprentices registering for the trade – not a bad thing at all. The Read more
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Did you know, that around 500 000 US homes still do not have adequate plumbing? This shocking statistic has sent shockwaves through an industry much maligned for being too expensive for ordinary people and has led to a jump in students and apprentices registering for the trade – not a bad thing at all. The more players there are in the field, the more competition will raise standards and force prices down, and hopefully, that will mean that more folks can get the work done that they really need.
So we thought we’d help you jump the gun (at least, a tiny bit), and help you discover what are the essential tools and skills that every aspiring plumber must-have.
First up, what tools should every plumber have – and know how to use?
Well, as your progress through your training and apprenticeship, you’re going to learn all about what you’ll need when, and depending on the discipline you’re pursuing, home-based or commercial, you’ll learn about different requirements and needs. But, as a general rule, you’ll not be worth any salt at all without:
- Pipe wrench
- Basin wrench
- Adjustable wrench
- Faucet key
- Hacksaw
- Tube and plastic pipe cutters
- Plumber’s torch
- Thread sealing tape
- Pliers
- Press fitting systems
- Plungers
- Hand Auger
- Snake Machine
- PPE
- Heat shields/pads
- PEX pipe expander & fittings
- Crimpers
- Stubby screwdriver
- Borescope
- Plumbing business software
- Communication skills
- Patience!
And when you’re really ready to up your game, you’ll be wanting a lathe too.
What skills will you be learning?
Plumbing is so much more than just working with waterpipes and you’ll want to make sure that you’re best placed to capitalize on opportunities when entering the market. So when choosing your school or training facility, you want to make sure that you’ll be learning:
INSTALLATION, TROUBLESHOOTING, AND REPAIR
- installing and repairing piping (for waste, drainage, and venting systems)
- installing and repairing plumbing fixtures (sinks, faucets, toilets, etc.)
- fixing leaking or clogged lines
- connecting appliances that use water (washing machine, dishwasher, etc,)
- installing piping for gas, pneumatic, and air handling systems
THE LATEST TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY
- hands-free faucets and toilets that use motion technology to turn off and on
- programmable showers that can be set up with personalized lighting, temperature, and sound
- digital leak-monitoring systems that detect leaks fast, and send alerts straight to the client’s cell phone
- greywater recycling systems that take “gently” used water from showers, washing machines, and dishwashers, and recycle it for re-use in the home and garden
BLUEPRINTS & BASIC MATH
Interpreting blueprints correctly is a very savvy skill for all plumbers to learn. Without this, you won’t be able to understand mechanical or architectural drawings which help you correctly install fixtures and appliances. Learning how to do this correctly will also help you sharpen your analytical skills too.
Now, to learn all of this you’ll be wanting to make sure that you find the best possible training facility in order to get the best possible apprenticeship.
Lochinvar, an industry leader in high-efficiency boilers and water heaters, recently announced the introduction of the Reverse Indirect Water Heater to its continually expanding family of best-in-class water heating solutions. This unit is currently available in a 125-gallon capacity for a variety of applications, both residential and commercial. “For decades, Lochinvar has been dedicated to Read more
Lochinvar, an industry leader in high-efficiency boilers and water heaters, recently announced the introduction of the Reverse Indirect Water Heater to its continually expanding family of best-in-class water heating solutions. This unit is currently available in a 125-gallon capacity for a variety of applications, both residential and commercial.
“For decades, Lochinvar has been dedicated to not only cutting-edge product innovation, but also superior durability and flexibility, offering long-lasting, quality systems for a variety of applications,” said Jeff Vallett II, segment market manager for Lochinvar. “The top performance and dependability offered by the Reverse Indirect Water Heater is an excellent example of the Lochinvar experience our customers have come to expect, and should expect for years to come.”
Providing up to 30 GPM of continuous hot water delivery, the Reverse Indirect Water Heater is designed perfectly for multi-family, commercial and large residential water heating applications using a hydronic system. The generous hot water supply allows for an extremely dependable hot water source. The Reverse Indirect Water Heater is available in ASME and Non-ASME construction, providing superior flexibility to fit most any job.
As with Lochinvar’s continued commitment to quality, the Reverse Indirect Water Heater comes standard with a 10-year limited warranty. It also features a 316L stainless-steel coil, a jacketed and insulated steel tank, and 2” HCFC foam insulation.
To learn more, visit www.Lochinvar.com.
You’re likely reading this because your business currently serves residential customers, taking care of domestic plumbing and HVAC system installations, repairs, and maintenance. But, your business only serves that particular niche market. Things are going well for your business, and there is seemingly no shortage of customers. However, one thought that has crossed your mind Read more
You’re likely reading this because your business currently serves residential customers, taking care of domestic plumbing and HVAC system installations, repairs, and maintenance. But, your business only serves that particular niche market.
Things are going well for your business, and there is seemingly no shortage of customers. However, one thought that has crossed your mind on several occasions is whether you should offer commercial plumbing services as well.
As a contractor and entrepreneur, it can make good business sense to incorporate commercial plumbing services into what you offer. Here’s why:
Business Growth
Firstly, while you’ve got plenty of residential customers, you might have noticed that your business growth has hit something of a plateau in recent years. It’s a good idea to offer additional services to your business repertoire for the following reasons:
- Expansion. Providing commercial plumbing services means you won’t have to rely on one sole revenue stream, and you could even start operating in different regions;
- Lucrative Contracts. You’re far more likely to get put on a “retainer” by companies than individuals, especially if you provide a 24/7 emergency call-out service.
Financial Security
As a contractor, you want to make sure that you’ve always got the means to pay your personal outgoings each month. What would happen if residential plumbing work started to dry up in your local area?
When you offer commercial plumbing services, you’re less likely to have concerns about your financial security because you’ve always got reliable revenue streams. What’s more, commercial revenue can come from various sources:
- Companies
- Factories
- Property Management Firms
- Local Government
Of course, you may need to invest more in your business to offer commercial plumbing services, such as additional equipment, training for you and your staff, and complying with specific commercial plumbing regulations.
You may even need to stock different types of parts than you’re used to carrying, such as commercial oil water separators. However, such investments will be worth it, and your business will always be busy with work.
New Horizons
Sometimes, domestic plumbers feel like some days are exactly the same if they get called out for specific jobs, such as fixing leaking faucets or blocked drains. When you work on commercial plumbing jobs, you’ll contend with a whole new set of challenges.
If you’re the kind of person that relishes tough challenges and likes to learn about new things all the time, offering commercial plumbing services will be a no-brainer for your business.
Adding commercial plumbing to your list of services may even spark you into diversifying further. For example, you might wish to offer marine plumbing services for boats, ships, cruise liners, and other vessels.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that residential plumbing services are always in need by homeowners and householders across the country. However, you’re not just a residential contractor; you’re also a business owner, and you need to think more about its future direction.
Commercial plumbing services can be a lucrative market to enter, and it’s one you should highly consider to grow your business.
PumpMan SoCal™ Expands Southern California Coverage to San Diego and Imperial Counties PumpMan®, a national leader in the service, sales, maintenance, and repair of pumping systems throughout North America, announces the opening of its new San Diego, California, location. PumpMan San Diego™, part of the Baldwin Park-based PumpMan SoCal operation, will support commercial, industrial, municipal Read more
PumpMan SoCal™ Expands Southern California Coverage to San Diego and Imperial Counties
PumpMan®, a national leader in the service, sales, maintenance, and repair of pumping systems throughout North America, announces the opening of its new San Diego, California, location. PumpMan San Diego™, part of the Baldwin Park-based PumpMan SoCal operation, will support commercial, industrial, municipal, and larger multi-unit residential pump systems in San Diego and Imperial counties. PumpMan SoCal has been servicing Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and surrounding counties since 1977.
“There’s a growing need in the San Diego community for expert pump system service, preventative maintenance programs, and emergency pump, and pump system repair,” said Elton Link, General Manager, PumpMan SoCal. “This new location will support customers in San Diego and Imperial counties, and we know these communities will be best served with a local facility and equipment to provide best-in-class service,” said Link.
PumpMan San Diego will operate a full staff of pump technicians, field service mechanics, and administration personnel at the facility located at 7567 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA. 24/7 Service is available by dialing 877.786.7626.
PumpMan San Diego services all types of pumps and pump systems from most manufacturers. PumpMan San Diego is an authorized service warranty center for major pump manufacturers: ABS, Barnes, Burks, Crown, Deming, Essco, Hayward Gordon, Rain Bird, Prosser, Sulzer, Weinman, and Wilo, to name a few. More information at: www.PumpManSD.com
Providing ease, cost savings and strong performance, product offers contractors a competitive advantage To provide a quick and easy tank replacement solution to both contractors and end users, Rinnai America Corporation created the non-condensing Demand Duo® R-Series Commercial Hybrid Water Heating System. Its design connects easily to the existing 6” B-Vent, allowing Contractors to quickly and easily replace standard-efficiency Read more
Providing ease, cost savings and strong performance, product offers contractors a competitive advantage
To provide a quick and easy tank replacement solution to both contractors and end users, Rinnai America Corporation created the non-condensing Demand Duo® R-Series Commercial Hybrid Water Heating System. Its design connects easily to the existing 6” B-Vent, allowing Contractors to quickly and easily replace standard-efficiency atmospheric tanks. The end user, too, can benefit by simply upgrading to a “best of both” system, featuring part-tank and part-tankless design.
“With patented technology, the Demand Duo R-Series delivers superior, reliable performance and a longer service life,” said Dale Schmitz, Marketing Segment Manager. “Switching from traditional tanks to the consistency and efficiency of the Demand Duo R-Series is simple and benefits customers with a lower total cost of ownership.”
Sold in 80 or 119- gallon tank options, the Demand Duo R-Series eliminates the need for new vent penetrations. The pre-installed drip leg and 36” Swivel-Flex Gas Line also creates material efficiencies and reduces install time with a pre-installed electrical junction box and duplex outlet. The digital controller, which comes with the product, also allows management of building recirculation without having to purchase an additional aquastat.
“With cost advantages to the end user, as well as ease of installation, this product gives contractors a great competitive advantage,” said Schmitz. “Rinnai is going one step further and offering an aggressive promotion to encourage Rinnai PROs and installers to try the Demand Duo R-Series, earning them a $150 rebate through June 30, 2021.”
Rinnai’s R-Series originated from the Demand Duo product portfolio; the first commercial hybrid water heating product introduced by Rinnai in 2015. It was developed to compete against high-efficiency tank-type water heaters in emergency replacement situations. Due to water heating inside traditional tanks, those products are put through a higher amount of strain, and that constant heating is what ultimately causes the tank to fail, leading to costly replacements. The Demand Duo was designed to solve this problem, by putting less stress on the tank through water being heated outside the tank in the Demand Duo’s tankless unit. With this solution comes a longer product service life, a longer warranty and more economical repairs.
To continue providing solutions to end users and contractors, Rinnai expanded the product category which now includes multiple tank sizes and Btu inputs including two tankless units mounted to a 119-gallon tank, known as the Demand Duo H-Series, a condensing hybrid water heater.
“Once contractors use the Demand Duo series, they seldom go back to installing tank-type water heaters because they can offer a product that is at the same price point but offers so many more advantages,” said Schmitz. “These advantages end up benefiting both the contractor and customer, while providing reliable performance whenever hot water is needed.”
To learn more about Rinnai, visit www.rinnai.us.