Purpose. It is a powerful thing, and it can have a great influence on one’s life path. For Chris Ramos (@bold_cityplumber), he found purpose in his family and his work. You see, Ramos had rough upbringing, to say the least. Growing up in Ossining, N.Y., about 35 miles northeast of New York, Chris’s mother lost Read more
drain cleaning
Purpose. It is a powerful thing, and it can have a great influence on one’s life path. For Chris Ramos (@bold_cityplumber), he found purpose in his family and his work. You see, Ramos had rough upbringing, to say the least. Growing up in Ossining, N.Y., about 35 miles northeast of New York, Chris’s mother lost her best friend and sister—his aunt—and had been in the middle of a divorce and custody battle with his father. Her life started to spiral out of control, and Chris took to the streets, dropped out of school at 16 years old, and made some bad decisions. “I was hard at listening and I just didn’t want to be at home,” says Ramos.
Meanwhile, Chris’s father, his grandparents and his cousin, Jay, would always tell him he needed to do something better with his life. “I just didn’t want to hear it; I was very upset with how things were at home,” recalls Ramos.
Eventually, at the age of 19, Ramos met his girlfriend and eventual wife, Laura. At the time, she had a 3-year-old boy named Derek. “After dating for awhile, I realized I wanted to be a big part of Derek’s life, and I wanted to be a father to him. Yet, I needed to change things with my life first,” says Ramos.
Ramos finally decided to start working different jobs and jumped around for a while until he bumped into a family friend named Dougie, who had been a plumber for many years. Remembering the advice from his cousin Jay, finding a trade could change his life for the better. “Jay was a big part of me turning my life around. Every time he saw me, he would say, ‘Chris, join the trades before you end up in jail or worse.’”
So, Ramos told Dougie he needed a change to make money and do better for himself, his girlfriend and her little boy. “Dougie encouraged me look in the local Penny Saver magazine and find an ad of a local company that was hiring apprentices/helpers. I called a company and asked if they were interviewing. They invited me to their location and hired me on the spot as an apprentice,” says Ramos.
Soon after, Ramos’s wife became pregnant with their daughter, Julianna. At the time, Chris and Laura were living in his grandparent’s house in a very tiny basement studio. “We knew it was time to move out and start our lives as a family in our own place. We decided to move to Florida, and we have lived here ever since, and have another son, Christian Jr.,” says Ramos.
While Ramos has been plumbing for most of the time in Florida, he did take a short break from plumbing to see if he wanted to do something different. “I went to work for FedEx but realized plumbing is where I needed to be. It is my passion.”
Currently, Ramos works for a small company that’s close to home. He is in charge of service plumbing as a residential plumber, which includes drain cleaning and sewer inspections. “I’ve been with this company for a few weeks as I recently made a job transition to be closer to home. This will help me be closer to my wife and kids throughout the day.”
Comfortable in his career, Ramos loves customer service, and the feeling when one is able to diagnose an issue and come up with a resolution and repair it, leaving a happy and satisfied customer. “The customer has paid you their hard-earned money; it is your duty to provide outstanding service and quality work. This will determine the longevity of your career in the trades. Your reputation and your integrity are important,” says Ramos.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been up and down, says Ramos. “Some customers don’t want you in their homes out of fear of getting the virus, understandably so. We make sure to use gloves, masks, shoes covers and eye protection. We dispose of the gloves and shoe covers after every job for the safety of our customers, and ourselves. We also call ahead to ask the customer if they have experienced any symptoms or have any underlying health conditions that could put them at risk.”
Uplifting the Trades
Ramos believes that the trades need more dedicated schools, and more talks with kids in high school to let them know that there are more options and alternatives. “Let’s introduce them to the trades and show them they could make a great living and earn a skill that no one can take from them. They will carry the skill with them for the rest of their lives.”
Ramos suggests to find a company that is offering a helper position or an apprenticeship program. “Be patient and soak in all the knowledge; stay off the phone while at work and bring a note pad. Stay focused, stay hungry and never become complacent. But always make sure to put family first.”
The Boldcast
Lately, Ramos has been busy with his Boldcast Instagram Live show on Sunday nights. Ramos always wanted to put together a podcast as he’s been a fan for many years, and they have helped him get through his work days. “I was in the middle of putting together a podcast for audio podcast platforms until I started to talk with my buddies ProDrains and Quays Plumbing. They had thought about doing it on Instagram and I was offering my help anyway I could to get them started. One day, I went live with another friend of mine, The Impetus, and it started to take off. The next day I put together some promotional content and scheduled my very first live event,” says Ramos.
On his very first live show, so many big names from the community showed up and chatted with me. “It really helped the show take off. There wouldn’t be The Boldcast Live if it wasn’t for that first lineup of guests that showed up, without being scheduled. And, of course, the fans that viewed the show.”
The show has taught Ramos so many great things—from the awesome knowledge being put out there from every guest to learning how to become a great promoter and staying organized. “My goal has always been to give back to this community.”
Interestingly, at a very young age, Ramos has dealt with very bad anxiety issues. “Before every Boldcast Live event, I get sick to my stomach and have almost gotten sick during the show. I’ve got a great poker face, I guess. I’m working on these issues, and working on making life easier. The Boldcast has helped me break through it and face my fears,” says Ramos.
When he is not on the jobsite or working on his next Boldcast, Ramos likes to spend time with his wife and kids, and go to the beach or go fishing. He also enjoys video editing and graphic designing. “Do your absolute best to be there to be present for your wife and kids. You can never get back lost family time,” says Ramos.
In fact, when asked about the last time he said he had a great day, “I was spending time with my wife and kids, or plumbing. It’s what I know, it’s what I do, and it’s my passion.”
Now Clean 3 to 6-inch Pipe Up to 125 Feet; Wall-to-wall clean with capabilities of simultaneous pipe inspection RIDGID® is giving plumbers even more cleaning power and diagnostic capabilities in large-scale commercial or residential jobs with the addition of the K9-306 to its line of FlexShaftTM Drain Cleaning Machines. Designed to clean 3 to 6-inch diameter Read more
Now Clean 3 to 6-inch Pipe Up to 125 Feet; Wall-to-wall clean with capabilities of simultaneous pipe inspection
RIDGID® is giving plumbers even more cleaning power and diagnostic capabilities in large-scale commercial or residential jobs with the addition of the K9-306 to its line of FlexShaftTM Drain Cleaning Machines. Designed to clean 3 to 6-inch diameter drain lines up to 125 feet, the K9-306 clears blockages with astonishing speed, while the ability to inspect with a camera simultaneously maximizes efficiency and lets you literally complete two jobs at once.
Purpose-built for the professional, the K9-306 quickly clears grease buildup, roots and heavy scale in larger pipes. It features a professional 1.5 HP internal universal motor for maximum power and longevity; a fully enclosed drum to minimize setup and cleanup time; and a retractable handle with multiple wheels and grab points to make loading, unloading, transporting and storage easy.
“The positive response to our first two RIDGID FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines last year was overwhelming, with contractors wanting a similar product to clear wider and longer lines. The RIDGID K9-306 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine is the answer to that request,” said Tim Dunphy, marketing director, Global Underground Technologies, RIDGID. “With the K9-306’s ability to clean wider pipes and reach up to 125 feet, it lets contractors clean larger lines all the way out to the main.”
The K9-306 has the highest capacity of the RIDGID FlexShaft machine models; each utilizes various chain knockers that are spun at high speeds and expand to quickly clear the entire circumference of a pipe for a more thorough and longer lasting wall-to-wall clean. The flexible, fully enclosed nylon-sheathed cable can be easily wiped clean as it is pulled from the line. It also eliminates splatter, cutting down on jobsite cross- contamination.
“Our range of plain and carbide tipped chain knockers for the K9-102 and K9-204 models have proven their worth in the field, and pros have told us how much they value the cleaning power they offer, particularly when getting into grease and scale,” Dunphy said. “When designing the K9-306, we also continued to innovate and expand our chain knocker lineup, adding a new option featuring a carbide tipped penetrating head. These new chain knockers will be available for all FlexShaft models and will help the pro more efficiently engage and clear tough full line blockages.”
“As municipalities deal with older pipe lines and the tough roots of established vegetation, the K9-306’s ability to power through 3 to 6-inch diameter pipes will be a must-have for contractors today. Alongside the proven performance of our K9-102 and K9-204 models, it’s a great addition to our FlexShaft machine line,” said Wyatt Kilmartin, vice president and general manager, Global Underground Technologies, RIDGID.
FlexShaft machines are backed by the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.
To purchase or learn more about FlexShaft machines or other drain cleaning solutions, contact your local
distributor for an in-person demo, visit RIDGID.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-4RIDGID.
A Navy veteran, John Hudek served in the Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees, and part of their slogan is “Can do” and “The difficult we do now, the impossible takes a little longer.” Throughout her life growing up, watching her father work so hard and the mountains he climbed for his family Read more
A Navy veteran, John Hudek served in the Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees, and part of their slogan is “Can do” and “The difficult we do now, the impossible takes a little longer.” Throughout her life growing up, watching her father work so hard and the mountains he climbed for his family, Linda Hudek learned from his example. “He taught me that hard work, persistence and determination is key. Those character traits are even more important than natural talent, and I have taken that mantra into adulthood. I love to take on difficult projects and jobs that demand unique solutions where others have said ‘no thanks’ or ‘it can’t be done.’ I am the queen of ‘Can Do,’” says Hudek.
Linda Hudek and her dad, John.
Celebrating nearly 10 years of self-employment, Hudek, LH Plumbing Services, Fairfield, Ohio, has an already extensive decorated resumé. In 2005, working for her dad—a self-employed Master Plumber who, at one time, employed 20 plumbers—she started out in all new construction plumbing. “I began working for him the summer before my senior year of high school just to have a job and I decided that I really loved it. Although much to his displeasure at the time, he didn’t want me in such a rough environment,” jokes Hudek. “I enjoyed the new challenges on a daily basis and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with physical, tangible work. I also loved the constantly varied workplaces and meeting new people on each and every project. I went to college at night and also obtained an Associates in Business Management degree while working for him, as well,” says Hudek.
Hudek owes much of her success and drive to her parents. With John and Herma as the driving force, “They raised me to love and serve God, and to work hard. And, they love me—they even tolerate my wild adventures. My dad also gave me my trade. I can never repay them for what they have given me.”
A one-woman shop, she started her company in late 2010, “oh how young and dumb, I was,” jokes Hudek. But she obtained her master and backflow licenses shortly thereafter. For the past two years, Hudek has been in the shop location of her dreams, and has since migrated to a majority of service work in both commercial and residential sectors with some plumbing remodeling. In addition to residential and commercial service plumbing and drain cleaning, her talents include natural gas, sewer and water line replacements, backflow testing, and plumbing projects that require scuba diving. She joined her local PHCC chapter as a board member, and is currently the Vice President of the Ohio PHCC.
Being a woman in a mostly male industry, Hudek doesn’t even think about it, really. “I am a plumber first and foremost, and the quality of my work is a testament to that,” says Hudek. “I believe that high quality, professional work speaks volumes to potential tradespeople, customers and the layman alike. I want people to remember me for being able to get shit done, and for working hard. I want to encourage anyone and everyone to join the trades; there is so much satisfaction and joy to be found as a plumber. I am thrilled that women—and men alike—are not only considering joining the trades, but doing so after seeing me and other women successfully working in the field. It helps to see someone they can relate to, whereas it might be more intimidating to consider the trades without seeing successful tradeswomen,” says Hudek.
According to Hudek, she has encountered very few stereotypes concerning her gender. There have been a few people who have said that she wouldn’t be able to accomplish what a man could accomplish, but she simply proves them wrong daily. “Everyone has an opinion; some are simply incorrect and ignorant.”
To be honest, says Hudek, the most aggravating stereotypes would be from the individuals who say that the trades are for the less intelligent or troubled individuals who couldn’t do anything else or couldn’t go to college. As in any career, the best tradespeople are hard working, determined, intelligent, strive for excellence, continue their education and are motivated. “I went to college and my master license is far more valuable to me than my college degree ever could be. You can take that to the bank. I did,” says Hudek.
The advice she’s give other women thinking of entering the trades is this: find a company offering an apprenticeship program. Ask questions constantly. Anticipate your journeyman. Work hard and leave the attitude at home. Stay off drugs and stay physically fit. Learn as much as you can—spend some time each week furthering your education by gathering as much info as you can and join in the many free classes offered by suppliers and manufacturers. When you have the opportunity to earn certifications—jump on it. “Don’t be intimidated. If you want it, the sky’s the limit in the trades.”
Yet, the trade industry faces a skilled labor shortage and it needs help in recruiting talented people. Hudek suggests having more apprenticeship offerings in the non-union companies. “Plenty of people could come into the trades, but have no experience and need a structured and planned learning environment,” says Hudek.
Because some companies only want to hire experienced plumbers, “We need to get back to legitimate apprenticeships. We need more training and flexible childcare options to attract single and working parents. Many companies think they can’t afford to attract the best help, but that’s generally because they aren’t charging enough for their services.”
Also, Hudek wants to see more youth outreach in elementary, middle and high schools. “Take a day or an afternoon and talk to a class about the trades. It’s so much fun and the best time to reach out is when they’re young!”
Speaking of youth, Hudek cherishes spending time with kids. “I love spending time with kids. So many children don’t have good role models or loving families. One of the best things you can do for a child is to simply live by example. Teach them to work hard, how to love, and show them where that hard work and love can take them. Your example is far more telling than your words.”
As for personal time, Hudek says she works, a lot, and admits it can take its toll on relationships and her sanity. “But I feel like I’m maintaining a good balance now,” says Hudek. “I make time to spend with my significant other, my family and friends—sometimes it may only be for an hour or two—other times I might get the chance to randomly take a day off and spend it with loved ones. It’s one of the perks of being independent and self-employed. Oh, and I try to never work on Sundays unless it’s an absolute emergency for a good customer.”
When she can escape, Hudek is an avid scuba diver, kayaker, hiker and lover of the outdoors. She enjoys traveling all over the world when she finds the time. In fact, Hudek swam from Alcatraz Island back to San Francisco Bay for the Sharkfest Swim. “That was wild!”
Lately, Hudek has been active on social media (@thebrunetteplumber on Instagram). According to Hudek, it has opened up a whole new world and it has allowed her to bring customers into her world—helping them understand the importance of hiring licensed professional tradespeople in ways they could have never understood before. It has also helped her network with so many plumbers and business owners alike.
“These people are my rock. They have become the best friends I could ever ask for. So many have encouraged me, taught me new tricks, been referred to me, and I’m able to listen and share about things that only plumbers are going to understand and relate to. It has been a huge blessing. It has also helped me encourage others to join the trades. I’m glad to inspire them and encourage them.”
Proud of being featured in such media outlets such as Mechanical Hub, Plumber and Cleaner magazines, in the end, Hudek loves her career—she enjoys providing services that protect the health of the nation. For her, it is supremely satisfying to routinely complete projects that affect peoples’ lives in such an extreme manner, and she loves seeing the results of her work. It is tangible and visible. “And, we will be needed to sustain the quality of life that people enjoy in modern society. Unless we go back to the stone ages, we will always be needed.”
The last time she had a great day? “I was running a new gas service outside in the sunshine on a job with no one on site to bother me—just me, the trackhoe and some Nine Inch Nails.”
Milwaukee Tool announces a new accessory, CABLE DRIVE™, for the groundbreaking M18 FUEL™ SWITCH PACK™ Sectional Drum System, the first drain cleaning solution that combines the benefits of sectional and drum machines to create the single most versatile and mobile machine on the market. The SWITCH PACK™ CABLE DRIVE™ Assembly provides users with the ability Read more
Milwaukee Tool announces a new accessory, CABLE DRIVE™, for the groundbreaking M18 FUEL™ SWITCH PACK™ Sectional Drum System, the first drain cleaning solution that combines the benefits of sectional and drum machines to create the single most versatile and mobile machine on the market. The SWITCH PACK™ CABLE DRIVE™ Assembly provides users with the ability to automatically feed and retract cables through 1-1/4” to 4” lines at up to 15-20 feet per minute.
The SWITCH PACK™ CABLE DRIVE™ Assembly quickly attaches to any SWITCH PACK™ drum with the mounting plate installed. A twist lock feature allows the CABLE DRIVE™ assembly to be easily swapped between drums. This means users only need one CABLE DRIVE™ Assembly for all the SWITCH PACK™ Drums they own.
A ratcheting lever automatically adjusts for Milwaukee® 5/16”, 3/8”, and 1/2″ inner core drain cleaning cables and 5/8” open wind cables. The assembly is equipped with a RAPID STOP™ button that releases the steel bearings to provide a quick way to release the cable once a blockage is reached, preventing the cable from binding.
Tackling the most frequent challenge of any drain cleaning application, getting the machine onto the job, the M18 FUEL™* SWITCH PACK™ System utilizes a modular design with backpack straps for the easiest transport to any roof, drain, crawl space, or cleanout. The tool-free drum connection allows users to quickly interchange between cable sizes, or add a second drum to reach a length of 100’. SWITCH PACK™ drums are fully enclosed to provide the best protection and containment of the mess.
The System combines three exclusive innovations—the POWERSTATE™ brushless motor, REDLITHIUM™ battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence. The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor delivers up to 2X more clearing power than corded competitors for tough jobs through 4” drain lines.
The M18 FUEL™ SWITCH PACK™ Sectional Drain System is fully compatible with the entire M18™ line, now offering more than 200 power tool products.
Milwaukee Tool is committed to providing drain cleaning professionals with the most portable and versatile drain cleaning solutions. The company is dedicated to continuing investments in technology to build solutions from the ground-up that provide these users with an easier way to get on and off the job, with less mess, so they can service more calls. Currently, Milwaukee offers the only completely cordless drain cleaning lineup for fixtures to sewer lateral lines, as well as premium cables with the maneuverability and durability to tackle the clogs.
*M18 FUEL™ is engineered for the most demanding tradesmen in the world. Delivering unrivaled performance, all M18 FUEL™ products feature three Milwaukee®-exclusive innovations—The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software—that deliver unmatched power, run-time and durability on the jobsite. Simply put, M18 FUEL™ tools are the most powerful 18V cordless tools in their class.
Specifications
CABLE DRIVE™ Assembly
- Feed Speed: Up to 15-20 ft per minute
- Ratcheting Lever
- RAPID STOP™
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Steel Bearings
- Compatible with: Milwaukee® 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2″ Inner Core and 5/8” Open Wind Cables
M18 FUEL™ SWITCH PACK™ Sectional Drum System (2775-211)
- Drain Line Capacity: Up to 100”
- Recommended Pipe Sizes: 1-1/4” – 4”
- SWITCH PACK™ Drum Capacity:
- 5/16” x 75’ Inner Core
- 3/8” x 50’ Inner Core
- 1/2” x 50’ Inner Core
- 5/8” x 50’ Open Wind
- Backpack Straps: Yes
- Removable Drum: Tool-Free
- Cable Spin Speed: 250 RPM
- Electronic Foot Pedal: Yes
- Integrated Drum Brake: Yes
- Length: 15.75”
Includes 2775-20 SWITCH PACK™ Powered Base, SWITCH PACK™ Drum w/ Anchor Cable, M18 REDLITHIUM XC 5.0 Battery Pack and Charger (cable not included)
Additional kit options, accessory cables, and attachment heads available. Check www.milwaukeetool.com for a full listing.
Additional Accessories:
47-53-2773 Mounting Plate
47-53-2776 Guide Hose
“The compact size makes it great for one-man operation – and it’s perfect for much of the work I do!” That’s Craig Casteen describing the lightweight JM-1000 Mini-Jet™ from General Pipe Cleaners. Owner of Casteen Plumbing & Repair in Rose Hill, NC, Casteen can find himself in some pretty tight spots. “There are lots of Read more
“The compact size makes it great for one-man operation – and it’s perfect for much of the work I do!”
That’s Craig Casteen describing the lightweight JM-1000 Mini-Jet™ from General Pipe Cleaners.
Owner of Casteen Plumbing & Repair in Rose Hill, NC, Casteen can find himself in some pretty tight spots.
“There are lots of crawl spaces beneath homes in North Carolina,” he says. “And I’m often under someone’s house – by myself – doing plumbing and drain cleaning work.”
Inside jobs can be cramped, too. “I clear lots of kitchen clogs – and do contract service work on apartments,” Casteen adds. “So I can get into even tighter spots!”
Compact Water Jet Provides The Solution
That’s why Casteen chose General’s JM-1000 Mini-Jet.
The compact, lightweight, electric-powered JM-1000 Mini-Jet is great for clearing grease, sand and ice from small, 1-1/2” to 3” lines – up to 50 feet long.
For extensive outside jobs, Casteen uses the larger, more powerful, gas-powered JM-3000 water jet. “General water jets are great for clearing grease and slurry – but kitchen sinks are the number one place for inside grease problems,” he observes. “And the JM-1000 is perfect for spot-clearing kitchen stoppages.”
It’s excellent on laundry drains and other small lines, too. General’s 1500 psi of raw cleaning power hits soft stoppages with high-pressure, wall-to-wall water streams – and flushes them away.
Design Meets Tough Requirements
General offers an option of tough stainless steel braid hose to help the hose slide smoothly down 1-1/2” to 3” drain lines – and more easily navigates tight bends. The 3/16” Teflon core also reduces flow resistance, further improving small line cleaning power.
Pulse technology also helps slide the hose around tight bends and farther down lines. It breaks the initial tension between the hose surface and pipe walls, increasing cleaning power. And it separates General’s Jet-Set from ordinary pressure washers.
“General’s nozzle design negotiates twists and turns very well,” Casteen remarks. “I think General’s R&D crew a great job!”
As large as a typical toolbox, the rugged, diamond plate metal case protects the pump and motor assembly. And at just 23 lb, the JM-1000™ is easy-to-carry.
“It’s lighter than my tool bag,” Casteen smiles. “Although small, it’s powerful!”
It’s maneuverable, too. “If I’m in a sink cabinet, the JM-1000 size lets me easily move around – and, if problems occur, quickly back-off and shut off the water.”
Great for one-man operation, General’s tough little tool respects surroundings, too. Rubber feet on the carrying case help protect counter tops in kitchens and baths. It also sports safety features like a sensor to shut off the motor if water stops flowing.
General Equipment Inspires Confidence
Water jets aren’t the only General products in Craig Casteen’s equipment mix. “When you’re safeguarding a 34-year reputation for quality work, you get the best tools for the job.”
So with his JM-1000 and JM-3000, Casteen’s arsenal also includes Super-Vee® hand-held drain cleaners for small-line work – and a Speedrooter 92® cable machine for long, tough jobs.
On his residential, agricultural and commercial jobs, Craig Casteen stresses, “I only use tools I trust.”
“General wrote the book on drain cleaning equipment,” he concludes. “And I foresee using my JM-1000 a whole lot!”
For more information, contact the Drain Brains® at General at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/jets.