Plumbing

This quick Hub on the Road finds us in a residential new build in Chippewa Falls, Wis. Plumber Ross Christopherson of Dunkin’ Creek Plumbing talks about the Noritz EZ-111 LP tankless unit with top mount access, and the space-saving aspect the unit provides compared to other alternatives. There was some discussion as what heat source to use as natural gas was not an option. The left an electric heat pump or this Noritz propane tankless We’ve heard back from the homeowners and they are ecstatic with their endless hot water.

To the left, Christopherson double-checks the installation instructions before bleeding the system to gain full hot water throughout the house. Reading the manual (RTFM) is always advised for any installation. A tankless advocate, Christopherson likes the space-saving aspect of a wall-hung tankless unit. Now the mechanical room has a bit more space for any type of work needed. As mentioned, a bulkier heat pump, which just wasn’t right for the northern climate of Wisconsin, was considered.

To the right, Christopherson uses the Milwaukee Tool M12 PEX Expander to connect some of the PEX piping and fittings. Ross is a big user of Milwaukee Tool cordless tools and the PEX Expander is huge difference maker in his tool bag arsenal. For a one-man shop, efficiency and time-saving methods are key to his “survival.”

For this first-time attendee, I was super impressed with this year’s Nexstar Network’s Super Meeting. The member event was well-organized, well-attended, and some really compelling keynote speakers, which included Gary Vee speaking on the importance of social media, Rocky Ozaki touched on AI, and the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The always engaging CEO Julian Scadded kicks off the Super Meeting.

More than 900 members and vendor partners attended Nexstar Network’s annual Super Meeting, held September 24–27, 2024, at the extraordinary Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Over the course of four days, the event featured dedicated spaces and times for members to meet with their business coaches, as well as multiple social and networking events. Every day the event was designed to help owners in the trades make connections, learn how to take their businesses to the next level, and harness emerging technologies in the industry.

Mother Nature can be a … well you know the rest. Hurricane Helene prevented Arnold from actually being there in person, but it didn’t stop him from giving the keynote remotely.

Mike Cottle of Cole Services – a Nexstar member in Garden Grove, CA ­– attended the event. He said, “My favorite part of Super Meeting is connecting with other members and finding out the latest trends. When I met with my coaches the other day, I asked, ‘What is someone doing well with in their business? And can you introduce me to them?’ AI is something that I’m a late bloomer in – I’m super excited about it, and it’s a new thing for my business.”

The trade show floor had some unique and fun events, including this Hold ‘Em table.

As he reaffirmed relationships and helped members discover new ways to grow their businesses, Nexstar President and CEO Julian Scadden said, “We’re excited about the content of this year’s meeting, which has a renewed focus on fundamentals and operational basics for organic and controlled growth. We also introduced new technology applications and frameworks to our members’ businesses this year, which provide new perspectives and action items to help them grow and increase their community impact.”

The after-events were fantastic!

The theme of the event was Built to Scale, and members were buzzing and excited to learn from notable keynote speakers. The lineup included world champion bodybuilder, actor, and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger; Rocky Ozaki, the founder and CEO of the NoW of Work; serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk; and economist Brian Beaulieu.

The Hub’s John Mesenbrink (l) with Julian Scadden (c) and Mike Prencavage Jr., owner of The Family Plumber.

Breakout sessions taught by Nexstar coaches focused on AI and other new technologies, operational marketing, creating efficiencies, and working to improve business practices. Participants at Super Meeting also attended a jam-packed, two-day Strategic Partner trade show, Strategic Partner-sponsored social activities, speed-networking events, a Women of Nexstar reception, a nonprofit fundraising fireworks and dessert party for Explore The Trades, and other networking functions. Those who attended Super Meeting 2024 left with new ideas, new solutions to business challenges, and a new dedication to reimagining their day-to-day operations. They also left with new industry friendships, forged under the Florida sun at Walt Disney World.

If you have always wanted to become a plumber then you may be wondering how to go about this. Plumbing is a wonderful career to get into as there will always be people with leaks or other issues that need to be fixed. However, it is not as simple as just going out into the big wide world fixing peoples sinks and toilets. You will need to get the right level of education and experience if you want to create a successful plumbing business. 

Get Educated

One of the first things you need to do if you want to run your own business is get educated. This means heading to college or taking an apprenticeship to get the right qualifications. When people are looking for a plumber to help them they will look at things like qualifications, paperwork, and experience. If you don’t have what they need then you may struggle to find work. It can sometimes be better to do an apprenticeship in plumbing and get into it that way, at least then you will gain valuable experience along the way. 

Licenses & Registration 

Another thing you will need before you head off into the wide world of plumbing is the correct licenses and paperwork. You need to register to be a plumber and what you need will vary depending on your state. Make sure you know what you need at the last thing you want is to be missing something when you go to apply. Being registered means people will be able to find you easier and they can trust you have met all the minimum requirements. 

Target Audience 

Before becoming a plumber it can be useful to do some market research. This involves looking around your local areas to see if there is any need for plumbers. Great news, if there are that many around then you should get a great deal of customers and clients contacting you. You can find out whether there is any need for plumbers by sending out polls to potential customers. This can also be done on social media platforms, people can click yes or no depending on the questions you ask. 

Funding 

When you are about ready to open up your new plumbing business then you need to work out how much funding you need. This will provide you with everything you need, from tools to marketing, and everything in between. If you don’t have this money to hand then there are a couple of things you can do. You could apply for either a business loan or a credit card, as you won’t need high amounts like other businesses to get started. 

Equipment 

Finally, as a fully fledged plumber you will require the right tools and equipment. You will be dealing with many different nuts, bolts, and faucets during your work day. Kit yourself out with everything you need, you never know when you will need it. Brand new stuff can be expensive so don’t be afraid to buy second hand, used goods. As long as they are in full working order you can give them a new lease of life. When you are finished on jobs and you have taken pipes and other metals out then you could scrap it with scrap dealers near me. 

We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some ideas, tips, and guidance on what you need to open and run a successful plumbing business. 

In today’s world, cybercrime is an ever-present threat, but many people still think it’s only large corporations that are vulnerable. The truth is, cyber criminals increasingly prefer small businesses (SMBs), finding them to be much easier targets. Plumbing businesses, in particular, are at higher risk for cyberattacks due to a combination of factors.

Outdated Websites

Many small plumbing businesses have websites that were built years ago and have not been updated since. While these sites may still look functional, they often have security flaws that make them vulnerable to attacks. Hackers look for these weaknesses and can easily exploit them, gaining access to customer data, business information, or even using the site as a gateway to launch broader attacks.

When websites aren’t regularly maintained, they can miss critical updates that patch security vulnerabilities. 

For small plumbing businesses, it’s essential to keep websites up to date. Even if they aren’t regularly used for transactions, an outdated website can become a liability.

Unmanaged IT Systems

Plumbing businesses are busy, and running a company takes a lot of time and effort. As a result, managing an IT system often falls by the wayside. Many plumbing businesses either have no dedicated IT staff or are simply too busy to stay on top of software updates, security patches, and regular maintenance.

The problem with an unmanaged IT system is that it leaves vulnerabilities that cyber criminals can exploit. 

One solution to this issue is outsourced IT. Managed IT services can take care of software updates, security checks, and ongoing monitoring, offering small business owners peace of mind while allowing them to focus on what they do best—running their plumbing business.

Working On the Go

The nature of plumbing work means that plumbers are always on the go, often carrying mobile devices like phones and tablets to handle their day-to-day operations. These devices are crucial tools for managing business on the move, from sending invoices in real-time to handling customer queries and scheduling appointments. However, this reliance on mobile technology also introduces significant cybersecurity risks.

Mobile devices can become an easy entry point for cyber criminals when not properly secured. One common mistake is using unsecured Wi-Fi networks in public places like cafes or clients’ homes. Hackers can easily intercept data sent over unprotected networks, gaining access to sensitive business information such as customer details, payment information, or internal communications.

Another vulnerability occurs when devices are left unattended. It’s not uncommon for a plumber to leave their phone or tablet in a work truck or even lying around on a job site. 

The solution here is twofold: plumbers need to be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi, and they should invest in proper security measures for their mobile devices. Strong passwords, biometric locks, and using a virtual private network (VPN) when on public Wi-Fi can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks on mobile devices.

Small plumbing businesses are prime targets for cyber criminals due to a combination of outdated websites, unmanaged IT systems, and the use of mobile devices on the go. While large corporations often have dedicated cybersecurity teams, many small businesses lack the resources or time to protect themselves adequately. However, by staying on top of website updates, considering outsourced IT services, and securing mobile devices, plumbing businesses can safeguard their operations and reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrime. In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is not a luxury but a necessity for businesses of all sizes.