competition

Speed Test Challenge reveals which plastic plumbing system installs the fastest FlowGuard® Gold CPVC is launching the Speed Test Challenge Sweepstakes 1 , encouraging plumbers 2 to watch the Speed Test Challenge video for a chance to win $3,500. The video provides a side-by-side comparison of installation speeds for plastic plumbing systems and reveals which Read more

Speed Test Challenge reveals which plastic plumbing system installs the fastest

FlowGuard® Gold CPVC is launching the Speed Test Challenge Sweepstakes 1 , encouraging plumbers 2 to watch the Speed Test Challenge video for a chance to win $3,500.

The video provides a side-by-side comparison of installation speeds for plastic plumbing systems and reveals which is faster to install: PEX or CPVC. From Oct. 8 – Nov. 4, 2024, individuals can participate for the chance to win a $3,500 Lowe’s Home Improvement e-gift card, with an additional six social media winners each receiving a $250 e-gift card.

“Third-party studies – and even one by a PEX manufacturer – have documented that FlowGuard Gold CPVC installs just as fast or faster than PEX, but the perception persists that PEX installs faster,” said Jonathan Simon, North American residential plumbing manager for Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc. “This sweepstakes serves as a way to share our speed trial with a greater audience and provide plumbers with an opportunity to reexamine how the materials they use could affect the efficiency of their projects.”

In the Speed Test Challenge video, an experienced plumber assembles the exact same section of pipe using the FlowGuard Gold CPVC solvent weld process, PEX expansion fittings and PEX crimp fittings. The video represents the time it takes for assembly, using the same mock-up in all three materials. The mock-up simulates a mainline and two zones, each with branches. The plumber installing the mock-up is experienced in all three materials. The test reveals the CPVC assembly is complete at 14 minutes and 35 seconds, with Crimp PEX finishing close seconds behind at 14 minutes and 51 seconds, and Expansion PEX finishing at 21 minutes and 30 seconds.

Plumbers interested in entering the sweepstakes should visit FlowGuard Gold’s Facebook page from Tuesday, 10/8/24, at 12 a.m. ET through Monday, 11/4/24, at 11:59 p.m. ET to watch the Speed Test Challenge. To enter, individuals should like the post, follow FlowGuard Gold on Facebook, and comment on which brand showed the fastest installation in the video. One grand prize winner 3 will be chosen at random to receive a $3,500 Lowe’s Home Improvement e-gift card. Additionally, up to six social media winners 4 will be selected at random to receive a Lowe’s Home Improvement e-gift card. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. No purchase is necessary, and full sweepstakes rules can be found here.

To learn more about FlowGuard Gold or to try the speed challenge, visit flowguardgold.com/flowguard-gold-versus-pex-speed-test to access the assembly diagram and parts list.

It’s safe to say that plumbing services will forever be in demand. It’s not a skill that is easily acquired and while many households might be able to resolve basic plumbing problems, it’s not always that simple. However, despite it being a much-needed service, there are a lot of plumbing companies out there, meaning you’re Read more

It’s safe to say that plumbing services will forever be in demand. It’s not a skill that is easily acquired and while many households might be able to resolve basic plumbing problems, it’s not always that simple.

However, despite it being a much-needed service, there are a lot of plumbing companies out there, meaning you’re in tough competition with both old and new businesses. These businesses might be doing a lot to acquire customers you’re after.

With that being said, here are some helpful tips to be one of the best plumbing companies in your area.

Build a website for online users to find you

Not all plumbers or plumbing businesses will bother getting a website, especially those who have been long-established and therefore don’t feel they need one.

However, with the digital world forever growing and transforming the way many choose to spend their money, it’s worthwhile to invest your time and effort into creating a website – even if it’s a basic one!

Building a website enables online users to find those, who might live locally and be in need of your services. It’s one of the first things that many people do when it comes to finding plumbers and other handy-type services in the area. If your business doesn’t exist online, then how do you expect new customers to find you?

While you might have committed customers now, they might not always be available.

Go above and beyond for current customers

When it comes to your plumbing business, focus on going above and beyond for your current customers. These, after all, are your bread and butter of business. They really are the individuals who are propping up your business all year round and most importantly, when times get tough.

With that being said, find ways to always provide more value and satisfaction for current customers. What could you offer as a reward for their loyalty? Perhaps a discount every so often that they can use on a bill from you. It’s these little treats and discounts that can often encourage your long-term customers to remain for years to come.

For newer customers, showing this attitude of going above and beyond, will also make a big difference to their viewpoint of the business and hopefully, they’ll find themselves coming back again and again for your services in particular.

Advertise locally and encourage word-of-mouth

With plumbing services, unless you’re a big company that’s got goals to go national or international, you may be relying on those who live locally for the business. Advertising locally is therefore an important part of running a successful plumbing business.

At the same time, you want to try and encourage word-of-mouth. Being chatty with your customers and ensuring they recommend you to anyone in the local area that they might know, is a good sign-off to have with every customer you have. 

You may start to find you get more queries for new customers as a result and a demand for local work that has come from personal recommendations.

Make use of digital marketing 

Digital marketing is something to be aware of when it comes to advertising your business. While you might not be the best at social media and the digital world as a plumber, there are certain companies out there that will be able to assist in your advertising needs online.

With digital marketing, it’s worth investing a bit of your money into marketing online. From paid advertisements that target local customers to building up a social profile on one of the many social media platforms, there are some great opportunities to be found with digital marketing.

A bit of digital marketing here and there can certainly help to build your business and attract customers from further afield. It’s something that might also open up opportunities for business expansion beyond your local area.

Hire the right plumbers for the business

Plumbers are an important hire to make when it comes to your business. The plumbers you have who are going out and representing your business need to be the creme de la creme of the plumbing world.

Hiring the right plumbers is crucial because every one of them will contribute positively – or negatively to the business reputation. Be selective with plumbers that you bring into the business and only do so when you feel confident that they’re the right fit.

It’s always useful to have plumbers who you can train from a young age or at least have come into the business with plenty of experience. That way, it can save a lot of time and effort on your part stressing about whether they’re the right fit.

Provide additional training to improve skillset

While it does require effort to train your staff, it’s always good to be able to provide additional training where possible. Improving your team’s skillset is always worthwhile, especially when it comes to more complex jobs and those individual jobs that they might not have experienced prior.

Think about what training might be available for you to make use of and to utilize in order to create a team that’s talented and knowledgeable for all plumbing needs.

Keep an eye on what your competitors are up to

Finally, when it comes to building a successful business of any kind, it’s always good to take a look at what your competitors are up to. After all, they might be doing something that you’ve missed or could do better.

For plumbing companies, they all offer the same service, which means finding ways in which your own business might be able to stand out. Consider what you might want to do or introduce in order to stand out from your competition and effectively steal prospective customers from those other businesses.

Being the best plumbing company in your area is a title that you should be keen to earn. Use these tips to help become one of the best, as well as have a reputation that only benefits the business over time.