Plumbing & Mechanical articles from December 2008

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from December 2008

Letters to the editor.
December 1, 2008... [Editor's note: We get a lot of mail that's not your run-of-the-mill Letters to the Editor. For example, Ken Midgett, a plumbing and heating instructor from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Schnecksville, Pa., recently e-mailed us a...

Finish line.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... The Finish Line. What thought comes to mind from this phrase? The Daytona 500, seeing your favorite driver being adored and doused with champagne. Or maybe it's the Kentucky Derby, seeing your favorite horse in the winner's circle. Or it could...

Make me smile.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... [Editor's note: Al Levi recently shared this e-mail he received from an employee of his family's business in New York.] Bob came over to me recently with your column ("They Vote With Their Feet," August 2008) and asked if I had seen it. As...

Residential fire sprinkler market could exceed $3 billion.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2008... The adoption by the International Code Council of an amendment to the International Residential Code that mandates the installation of fire sprinklers in one- and two-family residences, effective Jan. 1, 2011, will significantly increase the...

NAOHSM to award oil heat scholarships for 2009.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2008... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers--with sponsorship support from Delavan, Honeywell, Taco and Weil-McLain--will be awarding 10 oil heat education scholarships in 2009 to people of any age, provided that they further their...

ISH Frankfurt celebrates 50th anniversary.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... In 2009, ISH Frankfurt will celebrate its 50th anniversary. During March 10-14, the trade show will present a range of products and services with about 2,400 manufacturers and more than 200,000 visitors. At The Bathroom Experience, more...

ConsensusDOCS: a better way to negotiate contracts.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2008... ConsensusDOCS, a coalition of 22 leading construction industry organizations, recently published ConsensusDOCS Procedures, which describe how the coalition organizations develop model construction contract documents and forms that advance a...

Construction market will continue to slide in 2009.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... McGraw-Hill Construction recently released its 2009 Construction Outlook, which forecasts a drop in overall U.S. construction starts for next year as the tough funding environment continues, construction projects are deferred and financial...

REHAU to exit PEX plumbing systems, municipal PVC pipe markets.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2008... REHAU announced it will exit its business as a PEX plumbing systems supplier in the United States and Canada, as well as municipal PVC pipe manufacturing and supply in Canada. Production of municipal PVC pipe ended Oct. 31, 2008, with sales...

IPEX discontinues WarmRite in North America.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(IPEX Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... IPEX Inc. has discontinued the production and the sale of WarmRite Floor pipe, fittings and accessories for the North American hydronic heating market. The company cited increased competitive pressures and poor market conditions as reasons for...

Watts water to cut jobs, freeze salaries.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2008... Plumbing products supplier Watts Water Technologies Inc. said it would cut jobs, freeze salaries and suspend its stock buyback program to save costs, even as it reported a quarterly profit. The company said it was implementing these actions due...

Delta Faucet unveils new brand positioning.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2008... Delta Faucet announced a new direction in its brand positioning built around the theme, "A Smarter Way for People to Experience Water." The brand campaign includes television and print advertising, packaging, the Web site and an updated logo....

Kaldewei expands U.S. operations.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2008... European bath manufacturer Kaldewei has established its first U.S. corporate office and expanded its team with the addition of three new members. Kaldewei USA, headquartered in Indianapolis, will serve as the company's base for U.S. expansion....

Turbotec to open additional production facility.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Turbotec Products Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Turbotec site evaluation team chose Hickory, N.C., as the best match to host the 20,000-square-foot expansion at an existing facility for its flexible tubing manufacturing operations. Operation of the facility is slated to begin January...

Your homework for today is ... charging lower rates in this economy won't instantly translate into survival.(Business TIPS)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We've been experiencing an economic rollercoaster. Credit is tightening, unemployment is climbing, construction is declining; is it time to start thinking about survival? Will we have to cut jobs, lower prices or...

Side-by-side vs. end-to-end: the choice of piping system can make a significant difference in operating cost.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
December 1, 2008... If you've been reading my PM columns over the last year, you've probably detected a penchant for reducing the power used to circulate fluid through a hydronic distribution system. I see this as "the final frontier" in the evolution of hydronic...

Trouble waiting to happen.(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Overview: An installer was asked by a client to use both a ground source heat pump and a boiler as alternative heat sources in a zoned, low-temperature hydronic distribution system. Realizing the compact mod/ con boiler and heat pump both have...

Are you an ace troubleshooter?(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)
December 1, 2008... PM's Hydronics Editor 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, www.HydronicPros.com,...

Kick it up a notch.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... "I wanted to step up my game." That's how Mike Douglass of Mike Douglass Plumbing in southwest Florida describes his decision to completely redo his full-service plumbing company's trucks with an inspiring and patriotic theme. His two...

Worst to first: the Tampa Rays can teach us a few valuable business lessons.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How about those Tampa Rays? Yes, I know they didn't win the World Series, but as American League Champions, it's still a remarkable move from worst to first! Just so you know, I root for the Yankees. I root for...

Three little words: a lesson in teamwork.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is a clever little word game my Pap taught me when I was about 10 years old. He called it "three little words" and assured me it would keep me on the right track to whatever I wanted to be in our great...

The big five: manage these five expenses and you'll have a hard time not making a profit.(The BOTTOM LINE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In my role as a business coach, I have the good fortune to review many monthly P&L statements from contractors across the United States and Canada. This includes plumbing, drain cleaning, HVAC and electrical...

Trade name listings.(Directory)
December 1, 2008... "Reps" Pipe Extractors--The Walton Co. [R]Floodmaster[TM] Shut Off Valve w/alarms for water heaters--Flood Master Inc. [R]Speedy Valve[TM] 1/4 Turn Ball Valve--Flood Master Inc. 204/304 Series--Parker Fluid Control Division ...

Product listings.(Directory)
December 1, 2008... Access Panels Acorn Engineering Co. Amstd Walk in Baths Benjamin Manufacturing Co. Dallas Specialty & Mfg. Co. Diversified Plastics Industries LLC Fluidmaster Inc. Goss Inc. Hercules Chemical Co. Inc. ...

Manufacturers representatives.(Directory)
December 1, 2008... ALABAMA Coleman-Russell & Associates P.O. Box 100217 Biringham, AL 35210 (205) 833-0700 Fax: (205) 836-6528 Morris "Bull" Kay STATES SERVED: AL, FL panhandle, TN, MS, ARK, LA Available upon request ...

For nasty jobs.(FIRST PLACE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... For all the drain-cleaning techs out there: Ever had to cable a main through a pulled toilet in a commercial establishment? Or cable a urinal line? Hate the mess it makes? Solution: The arm that attaches the flushometer body with the angle...

Slow cooker.(tool tips)
December 1, 2008... Does your solder flux get frozen stiff on those cold days while running copper waterlines? Struggle no longer! Place your flux jar in a small crock pat, and in minutes, the flux is soft and workable. This works great and is safe because the...

Removing flange.(tool tips)
December 1, 2008... When replacing a cast-iron toilet flange, I use a metal drill bit and drill holes all around the old lead. Then I take a screwdriver to pry the old lead out of the flange. This makes the flange come off easy. Andrew Cinko Andy's...

Women's uniform.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Cintas Women's Comfort Pant is available in two fit patterns to accommodate various female body types. It comfortably outfits at least 90 percent of the female workforce with a smaller, softer waistband, a...

Water-saving showerhead.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cleveland Faucet Group, a Moen Inc. brand, introduces its new Water-Saving showerhead, designed specifically for the multifamily market. With flow rates of 1.75 gpm, it offers a 30 percent water savings from the...

Limescale defense.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lochinvar Corp introduces its new SHIELD[TM] commercial water heater with inputs up to 500,000 Btu/hr., 96 percent thermal efficiency and storage up to 125 gallons. It is equipped with an advanced stainless-steel...

Walk-in tub.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Meditub, a division of Spa World Corp., offers an accessible and comfortable walk-in tub. It features a low step-in and contoured seat, making it easy for anyone to use. Its watertight door seal has a lifetime...

Greywater system.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sloan Valve Co.'s new Sloan AQUS[R] Greywater System funnels water from lavatory sinks and routes it through a sanitizing device that disinfects and filters the water. The water then goes to a storage reservoir under...

Fire sprinkler bracket.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Flexible sprinkler drop manufacturer Aquaflex offers its 1-Bee Squared bracket. The innovative open gate system allows you to connect flexible sprinkler drops with no pre-assembly. It features easy readjustment, both...

Free sample.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] General Pipe Cleaners now includes a free 4-ounce sample bottle of Snake Oil[TM] with each General floor model power drain-cleaning machine. Snake Oil is a deodorizer, and preserves and protects sewer cables against...

New EP line.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Uponor is expanding its engineered plastic (EP) line to include durable 2-inch tees, elbows and couplings. They stand up to the harsh demands of commerical plumbing applications; are immune to corrosion, pitting and...

Self-seal insulation.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Armacell LLC introduces the new Tubolit W SS (White Self-Seal) polyethylene pipe insulation and Tubolit W Tape. With this complete insulating and closure system, contractors no longer need to deal with the mess, itch...

Thermal storage tank.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Slated for introduction in early 2009, the Marathon[TM] non-metallic thermal storage tank from Rheem will carry a watertight lifetime warranty--guaranteed not to leak for as long as the consumer owns his or her home....

Automatic filling valve.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AutoFill combo from Caleffi is a preassembled unit consisting of an AutoFill and backflow preventer. It is a pressure-reducing valve with a compensating seat, an inlet filter, a shut-off valve and a check valve...

Trigger Start Hose Torch.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... BernzOmatic unveils the new Trigger Start Hose Torch. It includes a 5-foot hose and fuel cylinder holster, providing added convenience, maximum mobility and accessibility. Its high-intensity swirl flame also provides a hotter, more efficient...

Putty replacement [no photo].(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2008... Gidders & Sons Plumbing LLC is distributing a water-resistant Volara cross-linked polyethylene foam gasket that replaces putty in all bathroom and kitchen applications. Each gasket application (basket strainer, lavatory and bathtub) has been...

Survey: UPC preferred code Of plumbing inspectors.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2008... A majority of plumbing inspectors in the country's major metro areas consider the Uniform Plumbing Code as the most "efficient and least confusing" plumbing code in the country, according to a survey conducted by the University of Illinois at...

Andrew Vanti, past NAOHSM president.(OBITUARIES)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew "Andy" Vanti, 77, died Nov. 2. Vanti served as the national secretary and then as president of the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers from 1986-1996. He was retired from Dupuis Oil of...

William O'Hagan, president/CEO, Mueller Industries.(OBITUARIES)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... William D. O'Hagan, 66, died Oct. 27 of lung cancer. O'Hagan was president and chief executive officer of fittings, valves and tubing manufacturer Mueller Industries. In September he had announced that he would be stepping down from his...

Time to close up shop? Working for someone else would be a better deal for many contractors.(Editorial OPINION)
December 1, 2008... Thomas Edison failed with thousands of different filaments before finding one able to sustain the light of an incandescent bulb. So don't equate failure with being a loser. If there is a positive spin to all I have to say here, it's that in...