Plumbing & Mechanical articles from July 2008

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from July 2008

History Lesson.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... It would be a tremendous value if Julius Ballanco would write an article on the history and reasons behind the fresh air inlet and the house trap. My biggest beef in all my years of plumbing has been the ignorance around these two items....

On the Mark.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I loved Dan Holohan's column in the May issue of PM about Mark ("This One's For Mark"). We come across such projects a lot of times. I have learned how to handle them, and we will not undertake the project at all if we cannot revise it or...

Thanks.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I wanted to say "thank-you" for the first-place award on the Tool Tips page in the April issue. It was flattering, mainly since I am such an avid admirer of your magazine; I read it from front cover to back. I am heading towards my...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We failed to credit the photos we used for our cover story, "Sunny Side Up" in the Solar Installer supplement. We'd like to thank Boaz Soifer, Cedar Mountain Solar, Sante Fe, N.M. Many of the shots show Soifer's...

Federal contractors required to use E-Verify.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
July 1, 2008... MCAA, PHCC concerned that system may overburden PHC employers Could affect millions of workers Individual states working to enact own regulations The Department of Homeland Security has designated E-Verify as the electronic...

Construction starts estimated to fall 11% in 2008.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
July 1, 2008... New construction starts for 2008 are estimated at $558.5 billion, down 11 percent from 2007, according to McGraw-Hill Construction's annual Construction Outlook Midyear Update. Single-family housing continues to weaken, with 2008 declines of 28...

Gasoline prices not expected to peak nationally until August.
July 1, 2008... The Energy Information Administration reported in its Short-Term Energy Outlook that the U.S. national average for regular-grade gasoline will peak at $4.15 in August. For the year, regular-grade gasoline is expected to average $3.78 per...

REX 2008: Aug. 13-15.(Radiant Panel Association)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Radiant Panel Association's 2008 REX show will be held at the new Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., Aug 13-15. This year's conference portion will highlight how radiant has been "green" all along with...

MEP Jobs publishes hiring, retaining white paper.
July 1, 2008... MEP Jobs, a job board for the HVAC, electrical and plumbing industries, released a new white paper," Hiring and Retaining MEP Talent," which provides a step-by-step guide to building an effective recruitment and retain program for MEP...

ISH North America announces renewable energy, business seminars.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
July 1, 2008... ISH North America recently announced seminar tracks on efficient technologies/renewable energy and business strategies for its trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Oct. 1-3. Renewable Energy Track: To educate...

May NATE Bowl winners announced.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Awards list)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... NATE is pleased to announce the contractor winners of its NATE Bowl for May 2008: * Division 1--Cropp-Metcalfe, Beltsville, Md. * Division 2--BW Service Experts, Mishawaka, Ind. * Division 3--Anderson Brothers, Kearney, Neb. *...

IAPMO, WPC to present Emerging Technology Symposium.
July 1, 2008... The international Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the World Plumbing Council will convene an international Emerging Technology Symposium, Aug. 19-20, 2008, at the O'Hare Marriott in Chicago. The event will discuss water,...

COSA unveils new Web site.(Website overview)
July 1, 2008... The Carbon Monoxide Safety Association launched a new Web site, www.cosafety. org. Some of the features of the new site include calibration specifications, carbon monoxide daily news updates, an online store for purchasing training materials...

NSPC hearing set for Aug. 21.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The National Standard Plumbing Code Committee will consider proposed NSPC changes at a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 21, 2008, with a possible second day of Aug. 22, at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City,...

Plumbing surplus Web site.
July 1, 2008... Plumbing and HVAC equipment is being purchased online at very low prices from the Department of Defense's exclusive surplus contractor, Government Liquidation--www. govliquidation.com. The Web site handles 11,000 transactions each month. Photos...

A few states are exploring building ordinances that include greywater fixtures.('Green' News Roundup)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... A few states are exploring building ordinances that include greywater fixtures. In late June, Oregon state building code regulators considered passing new rules to allow homeowners to collect and use greywater--water used in sinks, showers...

A Georgia county ordinance mandates the installation of water-conserving fixtures.('Green' News Roundup)
July 1, 2008... A Georgia county ordinance mandates the installation of water-conserving fixtures before new homeowners can obtain municipal water. Home sellers and buyers are scrambling to comply with the DeKalb County law that states, as of June 1, any...

Innovative approaches to water and energy savings in the bath.('Green' News Roundup)
July 1, 2008... Innovative approaches to water and energy savings in the bath will be honored with a new Best Sustainable Bath Award category (formerly the Smartest Hot Water Award) in the 2009 National Kitchen & Bath Association Design Competition. The award...

The Green Mechanical Council.('Green' News Roundup)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Green Mechanical Council recently announced "GreenMech Solutions," a talk radio show on www.blogtalkradio.com every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. EST. The show offers education, information and live chat via both Internet and phone calls. In...

The Environmental Protection Agency released a WaterSense draft specification for water-efficient single-family new homes.('Green' News Roundup)
July 1, 2008... The Environmental Protection Agency released a WaterSense draft specification for water-efficient single-family new homes. Once the criteria are finalized, new homes that meet them can be certified and labeled under the WaterSense program. The...

Mueller Steam announces custom fabrication services.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Mueller Steam Specialty announced its new custom fabrication department in St. Pauls, N.C., providing customers with quick, economical, custom-designed fabricated units. Mueller has access to a wide range of materials and overlays, as well as...

Grainger to expand in Gulf region.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Wholesale distributor Grainger announced plans to expand and enhance its operations throughout the Gulf region to better serve customers. As part of this expansion, the company will revamp its distribution network by opening four new...

WinWholesale opens new plumbing supply firms.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
July 1, 2008... Wholesale distributor WinWholesale Inc. opened three Winnelson locations on the East Coast and in the southeast. Each location has a warehouse, counter sales and pickup, and local delivery service: * Ocala Winnelson Co., Ocala, Fla.,...

Multalloy expands warehouse with new facility.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Distributor Multalloy moved its warehouse facilities to better serve customers in the Southwest and Western regions of the United States. The new facility, located in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., has 40,000 square feet of space, which is double...

Ridgid names 'Press for Success' grand-prize winner.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
July 1, 2008... Ridgid announced the grandprize winner of its 2008 "Press for Success" promotion, celebrating the recent launch of the RP 330 B pressing tool. The grand-prize winner is Gregg Hall of Columbus, Ohio, who received a $2,500 gift card to Dick's...

Lochinvar announces showcase grand-prize winner.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Ken Tingey, Paul Rohrs and Joe DiBacco of Tingey Plumbing and Heating honored)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Lochinvar Corp. announced the grand-prize winner of its VIP Contractor Showcase: Ken Tingey of Tingey Plumbing & Heating in Murray, Utah. He was awarded first place in the contest for his impressive installation of the KNIGHT heating boiler. In...

A difficult balancing act: marketing and advertising cannot be ignored.(Business TIPS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Here's a riddle for you: * Its price keeps getting higher but if you don't buy it, your trucks will be stuck at the shop. * Some get more efficiency with it than do others. * Everywhere you turn, there's...

Mountaintop experience: if there's ever been a time to get serious about slab insulation, it's now!(Hydronics: WORKSHOP)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A wide variety of opinions on what constitutes proper underslab insulation continue to exist in the North American radiant panel industry. They range from "No underslab insulation is needed because everyone knows...

Heat pump helper.(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)
July 1, 2008... Overview: Given the rapid increase in the price of propane, an installer decides to install a geothermal heat pump system to supply several zones of radiant floor heating. He's heard that geothermal heat pumps work well with low temperature...

Women in plumbing: 'believe you can do it': how two women saved a New York City plumbing company.(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... Mac Felder Inc., a union plumbing contractor located in densely populated New York City, has been in the plumbing business since 1936. Once a family-owned business, it is now owned and operated by two women: Chief Executive Officer Amy Breslaw...

GreenPlumbers USA: one relatively recent program hopes to turn plumbers 'green'.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steve Lehtonen, executive vice president of the PHCC of California, helped kill state legislation on high-efficiency toilets--and then six months later worked with the same legislator to help make essentially the...

MCAA hosts Green Webinars.
July 1, 2008... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America began a Green Building Webinar Series last March. The presentations are free to members; they begin at 1 p.m. Eastern and last less than one hour. The MCAA will hold three more webinars this...

Finding comfort with orange.(PM TRUCK OF THE MONTH: Rosenthal Plumbing, Santa Cruz, Calif.)(Rosenthal Plumbing)
July 1, 2008... David Rosenthal is a third-generation owner of Rosenthal Plumbing. His grandfather started it in the early 1960s as a construction company, where it used the original eye-catching orange color you see in the picture in its logo. Along the...

Water utility problems: a water meter is the sacred cow for water utilities.(Plumbing PRIMER)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Water utilities are like other utilities; they are legal monopolies. In our free enterprice society, monopolies don't make sense. But, our government allow certain monopolies for the good of the public. When you...

Flip your sales day: re-examining my sales approach allowed more opportunities while creating free time to manage work already sold.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When I first started doing sales at our company back in the late 1970s, it used to be easy to find at least one of the homeowners at home during the day. It was easy back then to go on a sales call during the...

It takes a team: your business can't grow and adopt modern techniques unless there is a team approach.(In The FIELD)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If one of your computers malfunctions, you know not to tinker with it too much before calling an expert to get it fixed--and get it fixed fast. The use of experts has become essential to running a top-flight...

Do you have a CEO on every jobsite? Absolutely! The 'facts of life' of foremen on the jobsite.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That question and answer came up during our lunch break at a convention seminar. We were talking about a jobsite foreman's decision-making responsibilities. The question came from an open shop plumbing contractor...

A year of tool tip winners: the best tips, plus tips on sending in tips.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Here's a list of the Tool Tip winners we've published in the last 12 months. We're certainly always looking for more, but we're also certain everyone wants to know how to win the Ridgid tool package, too. So here are...

Handy holder.(FIRST PLACE)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I have discovered that a small mapp gas or propane bottle with one of those trigger-start torch heads fits nicely into a piece of 3-inch PVC Schedule 40 pipe. Cut off a short section of pipe and put one of those rubber end caps on it, then...

Capillary action.(tool tips)
July 1, 2008... Save one of chose old-style 318-inch metal lavatory supply tubes and keep it in your tool box. It works great at lowering the water level in vertical 112-inch copper tubing that is holding water. Just lower it into the vertical pipe, then hold...

Both hands.(tool tips)
July 1, 2008... When sanding the ends of short pieces of copper tubing, use both ends of the sandpaper (one in each hand) and twist back and forth at once, sanding the pipe on both ends simultaneously. This method is twice as effective as sanding each end...

TOTO--'green with luxury'.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Neorest 550 from TOTO responds to the user by opening, closing and flushing automatically like the others in the Neorest toilet line. It has a programmable nightlight that lights the bowl, saving electricity, and removable side panels,...

Duravit/Geberit--bringing wall-mounted toilets to the U.S.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... First cisterns were mounted overhead. Then they moved behind the toilet. Now an emerging contemporary concept has moved them behind the wall. Duravit has partnered with The Geberit Group to establish a North American concealed installation...

Gerber--all the parts needed in one box.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Gerber has launched a complete package--The Toilet Pak--for the ease and convenience of plumbing professionals. It contains all the parts needed for installation: a tank, bowl, toilet seat, wax ring and flange bolts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Kohler--HET plus versatile design.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Kohler introduced two new dual-flush toilets this year: the Saile and Persuade. Both are EPA WaterSense-certified, and offer versatile design aesthetics as well as water savings. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In terms of design, these models'...

Brondell Inc.--retrofitting for dual-flush.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Green bathroom products manufacturer Brondell Inc. unveiled the Ecoflow flushing solution that converts existing toilets to a dual-flush water-saving fixture. It takes less than 30 minutes to install the two-button...

American Standard--space and water savings.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... American Standard has 12 design-savvy residential high-efficiency toilet (HET) models that use 20 percent less water than standard 1.6 gpf models, all while still offering superior flush performance. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new...

Caroma--thinking green.(Eco-Friendly, User-Friendly, Plumber-Friendly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Caroma Profile toilet suite with integrated hand basin teased the North American market at this year's K/BIS. This design is a simple and effective way to re-use water in the bathroom: first for hand washing and then for toilet...

HET System.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... HET System: Sloan Valve Co.'s new High-Efficiency Toilet Systems packages 1.28 gpf Flushometers with vitreous china fixtures. They combine the performance of both the toilet and the flush valve to ensure true, water-efficient systems....

New ProPress tee.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New ProPress Tee: The CxFxC tee is the newest tee available in Viega's ProPress line. Made from high-quality bronze, it is designed primarily for transitions between copper tubing and male NPT connections. Available...

Cutting stainless steel.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cutting Stainless Steel: RIDGID[R] has added the Model 35S stainless-steel tubing cutter to its line of cutting and preparation tools. The lightweight tubing cutter features an X-CEL[TM] knob, roller bearings and pin...

Quiet wet rotor circulator.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... Quiet Wet Rotor Circulator [no photo]: Magna from Grundfos is the smart wet rotor circulator that's adaptable. Wet rotor technology means the pump is oilless and sealless. It has no noisy fan; it's cooled and lubricated by the water it pumps....

'Eco-Friendly' brochure.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'Eco-Friendly' Brochure: Bradford White Corp. published a new "Eco-Friendly Water Heating Solutions" brochure. This 12-page, full-color brochure features the company's entire line of eco-friendly water heaters, from...

Flood control.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Flood Control: The Drytrol II from Electro-Matic Products Co. is an intelligent, one-piece unit that supplies 120VAC power to two sump pumps during a power outage. The sleek, light-weight design incorporates sensing...

Reverse Osmosis Controller.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reverse Osmosis Controller: Electronic Systems Design Inc.'s Model 250C Reverse Osmosis System Controller is a low-cost, reliable system for manufacturers of industrial and commercial water purification systems. It...

HET trio.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HET Trio: Briggs Industries introduced a trio of high-efficiency toilets: the Conserver dual-flush lets users select either 1.0 or 1.6 gpf; the Maelstrom Max HET will provide powerful one-flush performance using only...

BackBerry protection.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... BlackBerry Protection: The OtterBox 1935 BlackBerry[R] Curve[TM] case now fits models from all carriers, including the 8300, 8310, 8320 and 8330 Series smartphones. This enclosure is slim, stylish and fully functional even through the case....

Shock-freeze metal parts.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shock-Freeze Metal Parts: To free seized or corroded assemblies, Henkel Corp. offers Loctite[R] Freeze & Release, a low viscosity, spray-on lubricant. It instantly freezes seized and rusted parts to -45 degrees F;...

GE Hybrid Water Heaters.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... GE Hybrid Water Heaters: The new GE Hybrid Electric Water Heater combines energy-saving heating technology with traditional electric heating systems without sacrificing the amount of hot water it can deliver. It absorbs heat in ambient air and...

Cast-stone sink.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cast-Stone Sink: The designers at J. Aaron have crafted a round cast-stone sink to fit rustic country to contemporary decor. It features an integrated bowl, uses standard plumbing, and is easily adaptable to any...

Direct-Vent Chimney Catalog.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... Direct-Vent Chimney Catalog: The Direct-Vent Chimney Product Catalog is a complete listing of Metal-Fab Inc.'s line of 4x6 and 5x8 diameter pipe, fittings and installation kits for every direct-vent gas appliance application. Each pipe and...

Eco-shower.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eco-Shower: The ergonomically designed Satinjet Tahi Shower System from Methven emits a waterfall of 3,000 droplets per second and consumes only 2.3 gpm, while the handshower with twinjet performance consumes only...

Space-saving tankless.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Space-Saving Tankless: The new RTG-66DV direct-vent, gas-fired tankless water heater from Rheem meets the hot water needs of a two- or three-bathroom residence, yet takes up no more space than a medicine cabinet. It...

How water delivery.(Products & LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hot Water Delivery: NIBCO Inc.'s Just Right[R] is a low-cost hot water circulating device that saves water and energy without sacrificing hot water convenience. This nonmechanical circulating device requires no...

A regulatory compliance inventory: your government is just trying to be helpful!(Editorial OPINION)
July 1, 2008... Rick Johnson, a bright and witty consultant to the distribution industry (www.ceostrategist.com), recently published what he called "A Regulatory Compliance Inventory." It lists the various federal laws governing employment issues and is worth...