Plumbing Champions from across the world gather at ISH 2023 to prefab some bathroom fixtures, which were then donated to a nearby local sport facility in Frankfurt. In what was a first of its kind event at an ISH Frankfurt show, 12 young plumbers/apprentices from eight different countries from around the world gathered at ISH Read more
Plumbing
Plumbing Champions from across the world gather at ISH 2023 to prefab some bathroom fixtures, which were then donated to a nearby local sport facility in Frankfurt.
In what was a first of its kind event at an ISH Frankfurt show, 12 young plumbers/apprentices from eight different countries from around the world gathered at ISH Frankfurt earlier this year to work together for one single goal: prefab Geberit bathroom plumbing systems on the show floor, which would be eventually transferred off site to bathrooms at Niddahalle, part of the Eintracht Frankfurt sports club, west of the city.
“We are working together as a team in a collaborative workshop to produce some new bathrooms for the Eintracht Frankfurt sports club,” said Sean Keárny, Managing Director, for the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH). “We built them over the first three days of the trade show, and for the final two days of the trade show, we’ll be taking them to the facility and installing them. This is the first time anything like this has ever been done at ISH, and we are excited about that.”
The skilled plumbers assembled pre-wall frame systems and internal plumbing during the first three days of the ISH show. The systems were then transported to, and installed in, bathrooms at Niddahalle, which is undergoing modernization retrofits.
IWSH and the World Plumbing Council (WPC), brought the Plumbing Champions to Frankfurt from the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (Australia), Apprenticeship Training Trust (New Zealand) and the Connect Trade Union (Ireland); all hosted and working together alongside peers from the Frankfurt branch of Innung Sanitär Heizung Klima (SHK), the master craftsperson’s guild for sanitation, heating and air conditioning in the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The Plumbing Champions consist of: Patrick Howorka, Alexander Tödter and Colin Cubr (Germany); Danny Hoekstra (Australia); Sam Madgin (New Zealand); Veronika Schächle (Liechtenstein); Alex Svetz (United States); Elijah Sommers (Canada); and Jamie Bermingham and James Stenson (Ireland).
The bathrooms in Niddahalle are more than 40 years old, built before today’s high-efficiency plumbing solutions that use less water. “Frankfurt is a water-stressed area. Drought conditions threatened significant economic damage last year when water on the Rhine got so low it impeded barge traffic,” said Dave Viola, CEO of IAPMO and IWSH (IAPMO’s philanthropic arm) and deputy chair of the WPC. “The plumbing industry can alleviate water stress through improved water technology and a skilled workforce. We’re here to demonstrate it in real life.”
The Plumbing Champions initiative showcase retrofit approaches that advance energy efficient goals for the built environment: critical industry requirements set out in modern-day, international agendas such as the European Green Deal. The team will perform tasks including joining and bending hot and cold-water piping systems, installing cisterns and brackets for water closets and basins, and joining HDPE waste pipe. Participants will install plumbing systems designed by Geberit, a European leader in sanitary products working in partnership with the Frankfurt branch of Innung SHK.
“We see value in this program as a recruitment tool, it’s a good humanitarian effort for the community, and we are going to continue to do this at the next ISH two years from now, and we are going to do this in other places in the United States through the World Plumbing Council connections,” says Tom Bigley, Director of Plumbing, UA and chairman, World Plumbing Council.
Trade professionals understand that the plumbing system requires monthly routine checks to keep them highly functional, especially the removable flush valve panel which plays a vital role in regulating water flow into the toilet bowl. Due to frequent use, they become prone to wear and tear or total damage. Here are four often overlooked methods Read more
Trade professionals understand that the plumbing system requires monthly routine checks to keep them highly functional, especially the removable flush valve panel which plays a vital role in regulating water flow into the toilet bowl. Due to frequent use, they become prone to wear and tear or total damage. Here are four often overlooked methods to extend your removable flush valve panel’s lifespan.
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Check for Wear, and Tear
The valve panel that connects to the toilet tank has a rubber gasket that easily gets worn out. You need to regularly check it and ensure there are no cracks, warps, and Wear and tear, which may cause water to leak. If it shows any signs of a damaged rubber gasket, call your plumber immediately to have it fixed or replaced to avoid further damage.
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Use the Right Tools
Your plumbing system may be durable enough to handle pressure, but the entire system comprises complex and sturdy materials. They are tool-sensitive, which makes them delicate enough for breakage or any form of damage. Thus, it is advisable that you must invest in the right plumbing tools and have them ready in case of emergency, especially if your area does not have an on-call plumber who can help you fix the removable flush valve panel.
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Book a Maintenance and Repair Team
Your plumbing system requires the best and most skilled professionals who can thoroughly clean the removable flush valve panel, which may have debris and mineral deposits that may cause it to malfunction.
There are numerous ways to safely and efficiently remove the valve panel. However, it is not advisable to follow any do-it-yourself method as it may cause problems to the system, and you might end up paying more to fix it. Thus, it is essential that you need to consider hiring a reliable service team to have them checked and cleaned.
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Consider Upgrading Your Flush Valve
Usually, your removable flush valve panel may malfunction sometimes. However, suppose it is an old model or frequently fails or breaks. You may need to consider getting a newer model with reliable materials and designs to last longer and promotes efficient functionalities, which helps you save money from routine checks.
Contact your plumber immediately when you consider upgrading it. Ask them which model best fits your toilet and plumbing system. In addition, they can assess your toilet’s situation, recommend necessary upgrades or processes, and, most importantly, they can give you advice on how to extend your provable flush panel’s lifespan based on your plumbing system and your toilet’s status.
Why Do You Need to Extend Your Removable Flush Valve Panel’s Lifespan?
A well-taken care removable flush valve panel is crucial to maintain its optimal functionality and avoid inconvenience and costly repairs. By following the four methods, you can guarantee that its lifespan will extend for years allowing you to save money from frequent repairs and replacements.
Additionally, consulting with a professional plumber will help you decide how and when to maintain and replace it to extend your removable flush valve panel’s lifespan. Thus, take action before your removable valve fails. Flush away your plumbing worries by taking care of your removable flush valve panel today!
The latest of the Watts Works Learning Centers, now with 200+ employees, has opened in Ft. Worth, Texas. The 250,000-sq.-ft. facility—customized for broad training purposes, administration, and manufacturing—joins several other Watts Works Learning Centers across North America. https://youtu.be/T74E2QHfnDc In addition to a working mechanical room with pressurized water lab, the facility includes a 3,600-sq-ft. Learning Read more
The latest of the Watts Works Learning Centers, now with 200+ employees, has opened in Ft. Worth, Texas. The 250,000-sq.-ft. facility—customized for broad training purposes, administration, and manufacturing—joins several other Watts Works Learning Centers across North America.
In addition to a working mechanical room with pressurized water lab, the facility includes a 3,600-sq-ft. Learning Center, office areas and a wide range of product manufacturing and assembly, including robotic welding and cutting, metal passivation, sheet metal rolling, precision laser metal cutting, CNC machining, and ASME testing.
At the facility, employees produce PVI water heaters, BLÜCHER stainless-steel trench and HygienicPro® drains, and Ames and Watts in-building risers. The products that are manufactured in Ft. Worth, TX are used worldwide in various commercial applications. Many Watts technologies play a role in supporting energy efficiency, safety and regulation, and water conservation.
Through innovative training, the Watts’ training offerings help customers and employees improve their knowledge of Watts products, services, and solutions to enhance their professional skills.
Other North American-based Watts Works Learning Centers are located at North Andover, Mass.; Blauvelt, N.Y.; St. Pauls, N.C.; Burlington, Ontario; and Woodland, Calif.
For more information, visit https://www.watts.com/resources/training/learn-from-the-experts.
Xylem is addressing current challenges and provide solution-specific insights for dewatering, clarification, sludge collection, biosolids management, disinfection, filtration applications and more. The Xylem portfolio of systems designed to meet the demands of water and wastewater treatment will feature products from Flygt, Godwin and Goulds Water Technology. “The water and wastewater sectors are at a critical juncture right now Read more
Xylem is addressing current challenges and provide solution-specific insights for dewatering, clarification, sludge collection, biosolids management, disinfection, filtration applications and more. The Xylem portfolio of systems designed to meet the demands of water and wastewater treatment will feature products from Flygt, Godwin and Goulds Water Technology.
“The water and wastewater sectors are at a critical juncture right now. These two sides of the water system are coming together, seeking total solutions and service support that goes well beyond standalone equipment,” said Ken Albaugh, director of sales & services, Xylem Rental Solutions.
• Flygt Concertor is a complete, clog-free wastewater pumping solution with integrated monitoring and control software that senses the operating conditions of its environment and adapts performance to provide real-time feedback to station operators.
• Godwin NC100 Critically Silenced Dri-Prime Pump comes equipped with the non-clogging, non-stop performance of the proven Flygt N-technology. This portable pump series delivers sustained hydraulic efficiency to handle tough wastewater pumping applications.
• Goulds Water Technology’s AGS Series grinder pumps feature axial grinder and semi-open impeller technology to easily slice through the solids, flushables and trash found in the modern wastewater stream without roping or clogging by reducing waste to a fine slurry. The AGS pump design minimizes downtime and service issues.
For more info, www.xylem.com
As the owner of a plumbing business. or as someone who wants to start their own plumbing business, you’ll know that competition in this industry can be fierce. It’s a great business to have because people will always need plumbers, so you’ll never be out of work, but of course, other people will have the Read more
As the owner of a plumbing business. or as someone who wants to start their own plumbing business, you’ll know that competition in this industry can be fierce. It’s a great business to have because people will always need plumbers, so you’ll never be out of work, but of course, other people will have the same idea. If you want to be successful, you need to set yourself apart from your competition, but knowing how to do this can be a challenge. The good news is there are ways you can do it; read on to find out what some of them are to help you get started.
Offer Exceptional Customer Service
Many people will be able to do the work that plumbers do and will have the experience and qualifications to back this up. However, they won’t all be able to offer exceptional customer service, and it’s this that people will remember. After all, they will expect you to fix their plumbing issue, but if you are polite, friendly, and go above and beyond where possible, you’ll definitely stick in their minds. This means they will come to you again the next time they need any plumbing work, and hopefully, they’ll tell their friends and family about you as well.
Things can still go wrong, even if you do have amazing customer service and excellent plumbing skills. Knowing how to handle complaints and problems in a polite and courteous manner will go a long way, and you might keep the customer and gain a great reputation at the same time.
Use Quality Materials
Another way to ensure your plumbing business stands out is to use the best quality materials. You could go to the same plumbing store as everyone else, or you could get pipework that has been specially made using hydroforming by experts. What is going to be best for your customer, and what is going to last longer and do a better job? It’s highly likely to be the latter.
You can make a name for yourself if you are known as being the plumbing company that uses the very best. If you don’t have to charge too much extra, this will help as well, but make sure you’re still making a profit, or you won’t be able to continue for very long.
Provide Transparent Pricing
We’ve briefly touched on pricing above, but it’s an important point to make about standing out in a crowded marketplace. You don’t have to be the cheapest to be the business that people want to use. In fact, you can be one of the more expensive plumbers and still find a large customer base.
The key is transparent pricing. What people don’t like is being given a final price without any explanation about what it is they are paying for. They might find it untrustworthy, especially if the cost is higher than they expected. If you can list out everything you are charging for and show people why they are paying what you’ve billed them for, they’ll be much happier about paying. Show them all the receipts and how much profit you’re making if you want to take this idea to the extreme – it can really make a difference, and you’ll be able to charge more and stand out for the right reasons.