In response to the coronavirus outbreak, plumbers are looking for ways to work more efficiently and adapt to customer needs. But with people observing social distancing requirements and other precautions, we need efficient solutions more than ever. A Snapshot of the New Normal As a plumber, how has your day-to-day routine changed? Even as a Read more
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In response to the coronavirus outbreak, plumbers are looking for ways to work more efficiently and adapt to customer needs. But with people observing social distancing requirements and other precautions, we need efficient solutions more than ever.
A Snapshot of the New Normal
As a plumber, how has your day-to-day routine changed? Even as a manufacturer of plumbing solutions, we’ve noticed a change in the way our customers work. In the past few months, pros have shared several important trends they’ve noticed:
- Scheduling around other pros on jobsites. With the introduction of staggered shifts in certain construction markets, pros are having to coordinate time around other trades. They can no longer come and go on jobsites as their schedule allows. It’s critical to set a schedule and stick to it. If a firestop installation takes longer than expected, for example, the delay could throw other contractors off schedule.
- Making faster residential service calls. Because of social distancing requirements, plumbers working in homes need to get in and out quickly to keep customers comfortable and reduce the risk of spreading or getting the virus. They need ways to make repairs and install fixtures as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality.
- Conducting virtual consultations and meetings. On websites and social media profiles, some plumbing contractors are inviting customers to schedule a virtual consultation through video conferencing platforms like Zoom. During the appointment, the customer can explain the issue they’re having and receive an initial quote. This reduces time in-home and can ensure efficiency.
- Installing more touchless faucets. Not surprisingly, reducing the spread of germs and viruses is currently top-of-mind for most consumers. Some plumbers have noticed an increase in requests for touchless faucet installations from health-conscious homeowners.
While the pandemic highlighted the need for solutions that get pros in and out faster and help them adapt to shifting customer needs, it’s difficult to make changes in a short amount of time. In some cases, pros don’t have time to perform services in the exact same way as they did six months ago.
At RWC, we’ve always offered solutions that make plumbers’ jobs more efficient, like durable SharkBite push-to-connect fittings and HoldRite firestopping systems. But the past few months has reinvigorated our mission to develop safe, sustainable and efficient solutions. We’re seeking ways to design even more products that cut down on installation without reducing quality and craftsmanship.
So… Where Do We Go from Here?
We can’t pretend to know what the plumbing industry will look like in a month, six months or even a year. Will plumbers continue working around social distancing requirements? Will customer demand for hygienic products like touchless faucets increase?
No matter what the next few months bring, we believe efficiency and adaptability are permanent fixtures. As you continue to improve services for customers, we will support and empower you with plumbing product innovations.
Chris Carrier is the Marketing Director, Americas at RWC – a market leader and manufacturer of water control systems and plumbing solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
RWC is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of premium-branded engineered water delivery, control and optimization products and solutions for residential and commercial plumbing applications and is the premier manufacturer in the world of brass push-to-connect (“PTC”) plumbing fittings. John Guest is a global leader in plastic push-fit fittings and pipe with products distributed worldwide Read more
RWC is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of premium-branded engineered water delivery, control and optimization products and solutions for residential and commercial plumbing applications and is the premier manufacturer in the world of brass push-to-connect (“PTC”) plumbing fittings.
John Guest is a global leader in plastic push-fit fittings and pipe with products distributed worldwide. The company operates three purpose-built manufacturing facilities in the UK and has a well-established international sales and distribution network. Its product portfolio services three end markets: Plumbing & Heating, Water Quality & Fluid Dispense and Industrial PTC. Its portfolio of well recognized brands includes JG John Guestâ, Speedfitâ, JG ProLockTM, and POLAR CLEANâ.
The acquisition of John Guest is a strong strategic fit and aligns with RWC’s strategy to add complementary products which broaden the solutions offered to end users and expand its market presence, particularly in Europe. The combined business will provide an end-to-end solution with applications from meter to fixture and floor to ceiling from a single manufacturer. The combined product offering will serve to improve end user efficiency by reducing installation times, improve reliability and durability.
Heath Sharp, RWC Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We are excited to bring these two great companies together. Our team is genuinely impressed with John Guest’s people and the culture within the organization. The company comes with a long history of innovation and industry leading execution. John Guest has created strong, well-respected brands that are highly regarded in their key markets globally. They bring innovative, clever products that we believe we can successfully leverage through our wellestablished international distribution network.
“We see alignment between our operations, products, and markets which will bring future growth opportunities for the combined group, particularly in the UK and continental Europe.
As a Mechanical Hub ProStaff member and CEO and of Thompson Family Plumbing & Rooter Inc., I am always searching for the best people to add to my crew and cutting-edge products to add to my inventory to save time, money and make our customers happy. We are a family owned and operated business in Read more
As a Mechanical Hub ProStaff member and CEO and of Thompson Family Plumbing & Rooter Inc., I am always searching for the best people to add to my crew and cutting-edge products to add to my inventory to save time, money and make our customers happy.
We are a family owned and operated business in California that specializes in new construction and residential service work such as drain cleaning, backflow certification, video sewer inspection services, and many more plumbing services. Since 2006, our plumbers have been delivering trusted plumbing residential and commercial services with dedication and the highest quality workmanship.
We were recently hired to do a complete re-pipe installation on a beautiful 100-year old home in Lake Arrowhead, California, and knowing that I was going to need a cost-effective, flexible and dependable piping solution, I looked at several options and chose SharkBite EvoPEX pipe and fittings.
During the process of re-piping this house, we found that the SharkBite EvoPEX system provided many benefits. As a two-man job, it was quick and easy to use, which allowed me to save labor costs. Additionally, you don’t need extra tools or glue to secure the fittings to the pipe. Because the EvoPEX system has a fool-proof green indicator ring, you know exactly when you have proper insertion depth to create a watertight and permanently engaged connection to the pipe. It is a godsend and you don’t have any guesswork. As one of the guys on the job said, “green is in for the win.”
During the installation, we only encountered one issue and that was mainly due to the location of the space which we were installing pipe. The space was tight and pushing the fitting together overhead, well, took a little extra time and some body contorting. In the end, I liked knowing that there was no way the fittings were coming apart, and at one point, I grabbed the pipe to keep me from falling off a ladder. Not that I recommend that as a test to see if the fittings stay connected, but they did.
As far as using SharkBite on the future, I have another project on the books next month that will be using the EvoPEX System. This project is a new installation and I cannot wait to use the product in a more open area as I’m sure the time savings will be extensive for the team.
Would I recommend the SharkBite EvoPEX system? Yes, in fact, I’ve had discussions with a few local plumbers asking about the system and our thoughts, since it’s so easy to use with little training.
As with any product I use for the first time, I have suggestions for things that can make EvoPEX even better and maybe should the product have an upgrade, these will be addressed. I wish this project would have had an opportunity to incorporate one of their manifold systems, as I can see the advantages of this product in multiple option sizes and angle variations. Each product has their pros and cons to each application or use, and I feel that this product is good and I will be doing more with it to get a better feel with further testing and installations in the field.
ProStaff Member Bio:
John Thompson is owner, Thompson Family Plumbing and Rooter, INC. of a leading service and repair plumbing company in Hesperia, CA. John and his wife, Devynn’s, focus is to provide superior customer service and maintain top notch plumbing skill. He is continuously pushing the boundaries in his trade and is passionate to encourage his peers to succeed with him. His company has received many worthy acknowledgements and awards from State Senators and Assemblymen for their strong presence and community involvement. Thompson Family Plumbing is constantly working to advance and support their staff and valued customers to maintain their mantra of “Always go the extra mile.”