Plumbing & Mechanical articles from December 2006

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from December 2006

Rigors of mountain plumbing.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Editor's note: We received an e-mail from Amy Mayo Martin, W.E. Brown Inc., Charlottesville, Va., after she saw our October cover story on "The Rigors Of Mountain Hydronics." Each year, the mechanical contractor supports members of our armed...

PM goes beyond trades.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... The articles in PM have often been a source by this teacher to encourage brave young ladies to consider entering the trades. And many have. Ellen Rohr's confident straight talk on the "mysterious" business world have inspired and will continue...

PHCC, HD Supply to meet to discuss possible partnership.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2006... An executive from HD Supply will meet with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association board of directors next month to discuss how the two groups could work together. Ike Casey, executive director of PHCC-NA, wouldn't...

Which of these service tickets do you complete the most at your shop?(PM Trends)
December 1, 2006... Each month, PMmag.com explores unique industry trends that affect our PHC industry. The results of this informal survey represent PM's online community's opinions. To vote for the current question, log on to www.PMmag.com. * Leak...

Nexstar launches foundation with 15G in scholarships.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2006... Three budding mechanical engineers and a hopeful CPA split $12,000 in becoming the first recipients of Nexstar Legacy Foundation scholarships. The foundation is a new charitable and educational trust set up by Nexstar Network, a 400-member...

Gerald "Jerry" Jubinville, owner, Jubinville Plumbing & Heating.(OBITUARY)
December 1, 2006... Gerald "Jerry" Jubinville, 71, owner and operator of Jubinville Plumbing & Heating (Buckland, Mass.), died in his home Nov. 2. Well known among his peers in the hydronic and oil heat trades, Jubinville was a quintessential "old school"...

ServiceMaster sells ARS.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2006... ServiceMaster Co. completed the sale of its American Residential Services business to Caxton-Iseman Capital Inc. and Royal Palm Capital Partners Inc. Caxton-Iseman, a New York private equity firm, is the majority investor in the transaction....

Managing change, business longevity featured at women in HVACR.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Women in HVACR)(Conference news)
December 1, 2006... Women in HVACR President Adrienne Breedlove kicked off the group's third meeting Sept. 13 with a report on the group's activities over the last year. She then introduced Kathy McCauley, president of Bridgeview, Ill.-based McCauley Mechanical...

NJ Superior Court upholds MCA of NJ challenge.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court recently upheld MCA of New Jersey's challenge to the contracting practices of the New Jersey School Construction Corporation (SCC) (Alan O'Shea and the MCA of New Jersey v. New Jersey...

NEFI CEO retires.(New England Fuel Institute)(Jack Sullivan retires)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Jack Sullivan, executive vice president and CEO of the New England Fuel Institute (NEFI), recently announced his retirement, effective March 31, 2007. A search committee, chaired by Ed Scott, Scott Oil Co., Manchester, Mass., has been created...

Money Masters goes to South Carolina.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... Nexstar's next Money Masters seminar is Jan. 26-27 in Columbia, S.C. Part of the seminar will be a tour of service contractor Gene Love Plumbing & Electrical Service, which pays its techs $60,000 a year, plus paid health insurance, vacations...

MCAA Student Chapter Summit convenes in Atlanta.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... More than 160 students and faculty advisors from 24 MCAA student chapters, contractors, local association executives and staff attended the Mechanical Contractors Association of America's 2006 Student Chapter Summit in Atlanta. The conference...

Farmer & Irwin celebrates 50 years.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... Riviera Beach, Fla.-based mechanical contractor Farmer & Irwin Corp. is celebrating 50 years in business this year. A Construction Contractors Alliance member, Farmer & Irwin specializes in plumbing, fire protection, air-conditioning and sheet...

IAPMO releases solar energy, Spa Codes.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials released the 2006 edition of the Uniform Solar Energy Code, a guide to safe solar system requirements. Given the rising popularity of solar energy, this latest edition has all...

PHCC awards scholarships.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... The Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association and its industry partners awarded scholarships at the recent PHCC Annual Convention in Chicago totaling more than $100,000 (for the winners, go to "An...

Home Depot opens fuel location in Georgia.(Briefs)
December 1, 2006... The Home Depot recently opened its third Home Depot Fuel store. The new location is in Acworth, Ga., and houses a 2,700-sq.-ft. convenience store, a filling station and a car wash, which can handle large pickup trucks and vans. A separate...

PHCC launches e-mail discussion group.(Briefs)(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association recently launched an e-mail discussion group called PHCCList to help members easily "talk" electronically with other contractors. Members who sign up for the online discussion will...

PM columnist and PM Engineer Editorial Director Julius Ballanco (left) shakes hands with PM Publisher George Zebrowski.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2006... PM columnist and PM Engineer Editorial Director Julius Ballanco (left) shakes hands with PM Publisher George Zebrowski after Ballanco's inauguration as the new president of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. Ballanco was recently...

State Water Heaters.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2006... State Water Heaters recently held a media event to announce its new branding campaign--the State Racing Program. It has signed a multiyear deal with Morgan-McClure Motorsports to sponsor a car in 36 NASCAR Nextel Cup races, beginning with the...

Wolverine Brass turns 110.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Company overview)
December 1, 2006... During the 1896 presidential campaign, the big political debate of the day centered on whether to stick with the gold standard or go with the silver standard. Meanwhile, a Michigan plumbing company was getting its start thanks to a metal of a...

Selkirk buys Heat-fab.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Canadian manufacturer Selkirk recently purchased the assets of venting manufacturer Heat-fab Inc. (Turner Falls, Mass.). The present operation will remain intact and contine to manufacture a full range of products under the well-established...

Victaulic acquires full ownership of NVent.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Victaulic Company of America)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Victaulic Co. recently acquired full ownership of NVent LLC, a joint venture of the two companies located in Allentown, Pa. Under terms of the agreement, all manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution efforts will now reside with...

Steamist sold to RAF.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Rutherford, N.J.-based Steamist Co., a maker of steam bath and sauna equipment, has been acquired by RAF Industries of Jenkintown, Pa. Jeff Noll, formerly president and general manager of Grohe, and Jeff Carney, formerly vice president of sales...

REHAU opens Mexican manufacturing plant.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2006... REHAU opened a new plant in Monterrey, Mexico. It houses 28,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, in addition to a 16,000-sq.-ft. warehouse facility. Constructed to accommodate a recent contract won from Whirlpool to produce magnetic refrigerator...

Ride your own ride.(Business tips)
December 1, 2006... One of the benefits of two-wheeling on long trips is that I get to ponder for miles with few distractions. Sure, there are plenty of things to pay attention to (Van Wort, Kan., for instance, does NOT have gas and you will not make it to the...

Temporary jobsite heat.(plumbing tips)
December 1, 2006... Original inquiry: I am handling the hydronic heat (along with plumbing and electricity) on a major remodel (read: rebuild) of a small older house this winter. The place currently has a Weil-McLain CGa-series boiler in it. During...

Two certainties: hydronic systems, like nature, want balance.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
December 1, 2006... During 28 years of involvement with hydronic heating, I've had lots of opportunities to design and observe the operation of systems that worked great, as well as some that delivered a few surprises upon start-up. Like any-one who considers...

Mod/con decision.(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Are You An Ace Troubleshooter? John Siegenthaler, P.E., has been challenging heating professionals to take a closer look at how radiant and hydronic systems should be designed to fit today's efficiency-minded world. His Web site,...

Beyond a boss.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)
December 1, 2006... PM received this issue's Truck Of The Month not from a company, but from the owner's friend, who couldn't sit idly by while Plumber Dave President David Dahlquist's unique and effective plumbing trucks went unacknowledged. Sean Sweeney,...

A gift for all: find the time to give back to the profession by getting involved in associations.(Plumbing PRIMER)
December 1, 2006... We have reached the end of the year and it is time to celebrate. The holiday season gives us time to reflect. From all indications, many of you had a very good year financially. I know that my firm had one of its best years ever. It seemed that...

Soldering: keep the following lessons in mind when grabbing for your solder iron.(Hydronic CONTROLS)
December 1, 2006... I was fresh out of college with my third degree, this time in something I could get a job with--industrial technology. So when I got my real, professional job as a factory technical trainer, I was rarin' to go. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

The present: don't dwell on what your employees did wrong in the past, but think of what you can do to help them change for the future.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
December 1, 2006... I magine telling your son on New Year's Day, "Johnny, if you're a good boy this year and do all the right things like keep your room neat and clean, Mom and I will take you on a dream-come-true vacation to Disney World[R] this December." ...

Construction's No. 1 recruiting tool.(employees' work hours and contractors' workforce management)
December 1, 2006... My motto has always been, "Make a Good Life, Not Just a Living." Throughout most of my jobsite working years, contractors worked those traditional five eight-hour days plus overtime, as needed. Those of you who worked those hours will agree...

WinWholesale: 50 years of creating opportunity; At WinWholesale, the focus is on providing quality customer service, developing and training the people and creating beneficial vendor relationships.(Company overview)
December 1, 2006... WinWholesale is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2006, and the nation's third-largest industrial wholesale distributor couldn't be prouder of the impressive strides it has made in inspiring business opportunity and growth throughout the...

The win group of local companies: how does it work?(WinWholesale Inc.)(Company overview)
December 1, 2006... With 444 separate wholesale companies that are part of the Win Group of Companies, you might think the person in charge at the supply house you buy your products from would be a branch manager, but in the Win organization, that's just not the...

WinWholesale expansion: a look back at the Noland acquisition and plans for the future.
December 1, 2006... The announcement in May 2005 that WinWholesale had acquired Noland Co. certainly made waves across the industry. Noland, a 90-year-old wholesale distributor of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, mechanical equipment and supplies, was an established...

Win Sourcing Services and distribution centers: getting supplies where they need to be.(WinWholesale Inc. group company)
December 1, 2006... Part of the support WinWholesale offers its local companies to help them meet their customers' product needs comes from WinWholesale Sourcing Services, the distribution and vendor relations arm of the organization, which encompasses five...

A closer look at a Winnelson showroom.(The Win Group of Companies, WinWholesale Inc.)(Company overview)
December 1, 2006... Another important part of the Win Wholesale business structure is the combination wholesale supply house and showroom. The Win Group includes 91 showrooms that are designed to be used as a marketing tool for the contractors and their customers....

Drill trick.(removing old kitchen faucets from sink using holesaw bits)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... When removing an old kitchen faucet from a stainless-steel sink, I have battled old, rusty mounting brackets, washers and nuts on the underside of the faucet and sink. When a basin wrench and a deep-well socket wrench won't do the job, I have...

Waste not, want not.(tool tips)
December 1, 2006... Don't throw away those 1/2-inch extension tubes that are cut off from 3/8- or 1/2-inch chrome extension shutoffs. They make a great 1/2-inch copper slip coupling. John Cusik Marshfield Plumbing Marshfield, Mass.

Calcium remover.(tool tips)
December 1, 2006... When you see a white crystal-like buildup on a joint, it's calcium. Soak for a few minutes in vinegar and it will come apart easily. Works on nuts and bolts, too. Bud Rines Bud's Service Quincy, Mass.

Send us your tool tips.(tool tips)
December 1, 2006... If you have an idea that has saved you time and money, Plumbing & Mechanical would like to share your tip with our readers. You can e-mail your idea directly to PM editor Steve Smith at smiths@bnpmedia.com, or mail it to him c/o PM, 1050 IL...

CPVC Fire Sprinkler System.(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... CPVC Fire Sprinkler System: BlazeMaster[R] CPVC fire sprinkler systems are a cost-effective alternative to metal piping systems, and are widely recognized for ease of installation, corrosion resistance, low flame spread and low smoke...

Quick-Response Horizontal Sidewall [no photo].(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Quick-Response Horizontal Sidewall [no photo]: The Globe Quick Response GL8114 Extended Coverage Horizontal Sidewall Adjustable Concealed Sprinklers for light hazard occupancies have a low profile and provide an aesthetically pleasing design....

Flexible Connections.(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Flexible Connections: FlexHead Industries' flexible fire sprinkler connections use patented flexible stainless-steel hose rather than hard-pipe armovers to connect sprinkler heads to the branch line. Ideal for commercial properties, new...

Thaws Frozen Pipes.(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Thaws Frozen Pipes: General Pipe Cleaners offers the Hot Shot[TM] 400 pipe-thawing machine capable of thawing pipes in minutes to eliminate tear ups. It has a dual-level output. With 400 amps of thawing power, it can clear frozen lines up to...

Grease Interceptor.(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Grease Interceptor: The Trapper II grease interceptor from Schier Products is installation-friendly and easy to clean. It has three outlet options, built-in flow control and offers excellent grease storage in a heavy-duty polyethylene unit....

Moen Plumber Program.(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Moen Plumber Program: Moen recently introduced the Moen Certified Service Plumber program for service plumbers. The one-of-a-kind training and certification program allows plumbers to sharpen their installation techniques using tools and parts...

Power Tubing Cutter [no photo].(PRODUCT FOCUS: FIRE SPRINKLERS)
December 1, 2006... Power Tubing Cutter [no photo]: Superior Tool Co.'s UltraCut[TM] cordless power tubing cutter debuts AnyFuel[TM] power technology, which makes it practical to create cordless versions of tools and appliances that have always been manual. Cut...

Trade name listings.
December 1, 2006... "Reps" Pipe Extractors -- The Walton Co. [R]Floodmaster[TM] Shut Off Valve -- Flood Master Inc. [R]Speedy Valve[TM] 1/4 Turn Ball Valve -- Flood Master Inc. 370-Series[R] -- Liberty Pumps, Inc. A.O. Smith -- A.O. Smith...

Manufacturers alphabetical listings.
December 1, 2006... 1-800-Plumbing, Inc. P.O. Box 8025, Surprise, AZ 85374 (800) 758-6298 Fax: (623) 584-2751 sales@800plumbing.com www.800plumbing.com 1-800-PLUMBING is a simple and cost effective tool to help attract and retain customers....

Product listings.
December 1, 2006... Access Panels Acorn Engineering Co. * Benjamin Mfg. Co. Dallas Specialty & Mfg. Co. Diversified Plastics Industries, LLC Hercules Chemical Company, Inc. * IPS Corporation * Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., Div. of Smith...

Product listings.
December 1, 2006... Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Systems American Plumber, Pentair Filtration * AMTROL, Inc. Aquathin Business Centre Campbell Mfg. Inc. Marlo, Inc. Pentair Water, Water Systems Vertex Water Products ...

Manufacturers Representatives.
December 1, 2006... ALABAMA Mid-America Marketing, Inc. 203 Industrial Dr. Birmingham, AL 35211 (205) 879-3469 Fax: (205) 870-5027 Clark@midamericamktg.com www.midamericamktg.com Clark Williamson, Sales Mgr. STATES SERVED: Al,...

Four customer service truths that can make or break you.(Editorial OPINION)
December 1, 2006... TARP is a business consulting firm based in Arlington, Va., that specializes in customer experience research. Its clients include many of the nation's most recognizable Fortune 500 firms, as well as the federal government. [ILLUSTRATION...