Reeves Journal articles from July 2004

Reeves Journal archives from July 2004

Training plumbers at Orange Coast College.(Pipeline)
July 1, 2004... The ongoing search for quality training is a topic on everybody's mind these days. Tomorrow's plumbers need places to learn the trade today, and sometimes resources can be pretty slim. That's why it's a pleasure find a place that provides...

Federal Arbitration Act favors arbitration.(Legal Corner)
July 1, 2004... As many of you know, there is a Federal Arbitration Act, which greatly favors arbitration over litigation. We had previously written about a case based on this Act. However, the case I am discussing now highlights the status of the Federal...

Evaluating service tech productivity (part vii--conclusion).(Service Sense; bonus programs for service techs)
July 1, 2004... Over the past several months we have talked a lot about key information we need to be tracking on each service tech in order to increase their productivity. We also briefly touched on the fact that the productivity of the employee (any...

Information Technology strategy and investment.(Executive Briefcase)
July 1, 2004... Despite the long history of technology purchasing by corporations, there is still a lack of sound advice on how to get the most mileage out of your technology dollar. It always seems to be a big race to get the newest, fastest products--hoping...

Summer To Do's.(Marketing Mechanics)
July 1, 2004... Summer is here. Cash is flowing in the door. Now is not the time to get sloppy. Unfortunately, the busier some contractors get, the sloppier they get with respect to doing the things that will keep their employees and their cash safe. Here are...

San Diego approves PEX in multi-unit project.(News Connection)(Crosslinked Polyethylene)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The City of San Diego has approved the use of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipe in a 138-unit luxury town-home and condominium community in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla, Calif. This marks the first time the city has approved the use of...

California contractor testifies at house hearing.(News Connection)(Cable Pipe and Leak Detection of Spring Valley)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The success story of Cable Pipe and Leak Detection of Spring Valley, Calif., was detailed during a House Committee on Small Business hearing titled "Women's Entrepreneurship: Successes and Challenges" and including comments from the firm's...

Apprentice of the month.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Name: Keith Pearce [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Employer: Risse Mechanical, Sacramento, Calif. Program: Currently in his fourth year (at press time) of the PHCC of the Greater Sacramento Area Plumber's Unilateral Apprenticeship Program,...

Water-free urinals pass Oregon Parks test.(NewsBriefs)(Oregon Parks and Recreation Department)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A report on the results of testing for ammonia odor at selected Oregon state parks as part of an assessment of water-free urinals concluded that the amount of ammonia in the non-water-using urinals was either not detectable or barely...

WPC, WorldSkills to promote education.(NewsBriefs)(World Plumbing Council)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The World Plumbing Council (WPC) and WorldSkills, a nonprofit association providing a unique means of exchange and comparison of competency standards in the industrial trades and service sector, signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the...

AWT publishes new technical manual.(NewsBriefs)
July 1, 2004... The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) announced the availability of a new technical reference for water treatment professionals that also serves as an educational and training tool. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Technical Reference...

CEC launches "Tankless University".(News Connection)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Controlled Energy Corporation (CEC) recently launched its Internet-based "Tankless University," intended to educate and train contractors, builders, sales representatives, wholesale distributors, architects and engineers about tankless hot...

Hughes Supply acquires Todd Pipe & Supply.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Hughes Supply Inc. announced it has completed the acquisition of Todd Pipe & Supply. Founded in 1966, Todd Pipe operates eight branch locations with 483 employees, and is the largest independent wholesale plumbing supplier in the Southern...

Bonetti elected CA prez at PHCC West.(News Connection)
July 1, 2004... At the recent PHCC West Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ray Bonetti, of Bonetti Plumbing in Castro Valley, was elected as the 2004-2005 president of PHCC of California, (PHCC-CA)succeeding Eric Hancock. Two resolutions pertaining to...

AHP legislation passes house, moves to Senate.(News Connection)(Association Health Plan)
July 1, 2004... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC), which has lobbied hard for passage of the Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation on Capitol Hill, hailed the House of Representatives' passage of the legislation as a...

Apprenticeship program commits to concentrated training.(News Connection)
July 1, 2004... The PHCC of the Greater Sacramento Area (GSA) Plumbers Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee (PUAC) recently committed to offer concentrated training at its school site in Sacramento, Calif., beginning with the Fall 2004 semester. Students...

Technical committees review UPC and UMC proposals.(News Connection)(Uniform Plumbing Code)(Uniform Mechanical Code)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The technical committees of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) met recently in Denver, Colo., to consider proposals on new materials and methods of installation as well as to update and add product standards to...

Washington contractors revitalize homes.(News Connection)
July 1, 2004... Several Washington state plumbing companies and associates recently helped to revitalize eight low-income homes for the elderly, the disabled and families with children in the Tacoma area as part of the Rebuilding Together South Sound Program....

Arizona bill requires water-free urinals.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Arizona Senate passed House Bill 2276 requiring water-free urinals to be installed in all state buildings in an effort to conserve water in the consistently drought-ridden state. According to the bill, effective Jan. 1, 2005, the...

I=B=R School, Product Demonstration Area added to ISH.(News Connection)
July 1, 2004... The 2004 ISH North America Show in Boston will include an additional educational opportunity, an I=B=R Hydronic Heating School, with course content being provided by the Hydronics Institute Division of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers...

Calendar.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... July 22-24, 2004 Quality Service Contractors Power Meeting XXI Renaissance Parc 55 San Francisco www.qsc-phcc.org 800/533-7694 Oct. 12-16, 2004 Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association...

LeDuc & Dexter Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Tom LeDuc, a principal in LeDuc & Dexter Inc. of Santa Rosa, Calif., and an active member in the PHCC of the Redwood Empire, was honored with the Contractor of the Year Award at the PHCC of California state convention in Phoenix, Ariz. LeDuc's...

Air Performance Mechanical.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Eddy Rothenberger of Air Performance Mechanical in Dallas, Texas, was announced as the first winner of QuickPen's new AutoBid Implementation Challenge. The contest challenges new users participating in QuickPen's AutoBid training to implement...

APHCC.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The APHCC of Texas Charitable and Educational Foundation announced it awarded a total of $12,000 in scholarships to the following 12 students for 2004-2005: Joyce Avila, Steven Berry, Jayna Campbell, Rebecca Correa, Emily Cox, Laura Hill,...

Anvil International Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Anvil International Inc. announced that Matthew P. Hurley has joined the company as vice president, sales and marketing. Anvil also announced that Ron Pound was promoted to the position of vice president, global supply chain.

Can-Am Plumbing.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Can-Am Plumbing of Pleasanton, Calif., announced the promotion of Martin F. O'Gara to the position of chief financial officer. For the past 10 years, O'Gara had served as controller of the company, which has more than 300 employees divided...

General Wire Spring Company.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bob Gelman, national sales manager for General Wire Spring Company, died after a long illness at 65 years of age. The company announced that Andy Zelazny succeeds Gelman as national sales manager and that David Silverman has been appointed...

Zoeller Company.(People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Kenneth Everett Zoeller, vice president in charge of engineering for Zoeller Company, died unexpectedly of a heart attack while traveling on business in Taipei, Taiwan, the company announced. He held nine patents related to pump technology on...

A tale of two regions: boom times in the western mountain region overshadow tougher times in Montana's east.(State Lines)
July 1, 2004... Montana, the West's "Big Sky Country," has long been synonymous with wide open spaces, terrific outdoor recreation and national parks. The growing popularity of the region as a vacation destination, coupled with increasing attention on the...

Pipe relining options: new technologies have changed the face of the pipe restoration business and opened doors for plumbing contractors.
July 1, 2004... There was a time when a defective or corroded pipe meant digging up the line and replacing it. These days, however, pipe relining is becoming a more common method of dealing with the problem. Some pipe relining processes are available only to...

Ready for the big one: seismic safety products protect plumbing during earthquakes.
July 1, 2004... Experts have been saying for years now that California is overdue for a large earthquake, or "the big one," as it's often called. Whether or not the golden state suffers such a catastrophe, earthquakes are a regular part of life along the...

Drip, drip, drip.(Leak Detection)
July 1, 2004... For years, leak detection professionals and plumbing contractors have had a close, but separate relationship. Leak detection was--and still is--considered more of an art form, and plumbers would call these practitioners into a job when things...

Welcome to the 3rd edition of ISH North America ...(Expo & Seminar Brochure)
July 1, 2004... WELCOME iSH NORTH AMERICA 2004 The 3rd edition of ISH North America, the consolidated trade show for Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing, PVF, Heating and Air Conditioning, is the leading North American trade event integrating these major industry...

When opportunity knocks, do you answer? Or let your competition respond instead?(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Would you like to be the first call from customers in your area? Can you imagine having your contact information placed throughout hundreds of homes for years to come? Now you can actually profit from developing this type of ongoing connection...

Serving the trade for 68 years.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Founded in 1936, PASCO has maintained a steadfast commitment to providing plumbers with the highest quality plumbing specialty products. Among its broad line of plumbing specialty items, PASCO was the originator of what are now considered to be...

Epoxy pipe lining covering America.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... In the past, property owners and managers had little choice to fix plumbing problems. Pipe replacement or repair was the traditional method, however now many plumbing contractors are using epoxy to line pipes and are achieving better results in...

Shower-Up[TM] shower tree assembly system.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Sioux Chief Manufacturing introduces an exciting new concept that provides smart solutions to a common plumbing problem: the difficult, time-consuming installation of the tub/shower valve. The Shower-Up shower tree assembly system allows...

Rockford Sanitary Systems, Inc.: over 35 years of quality separation systems.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... With separation as its sole business, Rockford Sanitary Systems has supplied quality separation systems to the plumbing industry for over 35 years. More than 26 varieties in over 200 available sizes are engineered and custom-built for job-site...

It's an EverHot[R] summer.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Bradford White is introducing a hot new line of water heaters this summer with a kick-off promotion! From June 1st to September 30th the company is offering free Thermoelectric Cooler/Warmers to professional installers who purchase the new...

Legend Valve: listening to the market.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Usually recognized for its passionate devotion to customer service, Legend Valve is also known for developing innovative products that squarely meet specific market needs. Its recent and highly successful introduction of quarter turn valves for...

CIPP, sewer lateral pipe re-lining local training available now.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Trenchless Technology... Lateral Repairs In the United States, there are more than 75 million private sewer laterals. These pipelines account for a significant footage of pipelines. In many areas within California, laterals exceeds the...

A new product from those "EVERFLUX" people.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... With sales of EVERFLUX getting stronger and stronger, Wiseman, the people who manufacture the leading water-soluble plumbing flux have come up with another unique product--EVERFREE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EVERFREE is a uniquely...

The innovation leader to the plumbing industry.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... LSP, founded over 35 years ago, focuses on unparalleled innovation, unsurpassed quality and superior customer service. LSP consists of four product divisions. Specialty Products[TM] is the industry leader in pipe clamps, hangers and outlet...

Firefighter gas safety products introduces new water heater restraints.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... I have been told many times that contractors are resistant to try new products. We will find out whether or not this statement is true soon enough because we are manufacturing a new water heater restraint and it is better than anything else on...

Viega PureFlow[TM] water system--a faster and more dependable connecting technology.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Plumbers looking for ways to cut installation time and reduce inventory have found the solution at Viega. The company has developed a complete system with two choices of lightweight, flexible PEX tubing, a single connection system and a unique...

Saves energy, loves the environment: introducing Takagi's Flash T-K1S tankless water heater.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Not satisfied simply to be the top-selling manufacturer of tankless water heaters in the nation, Takagi Industrial Company USA Inc. continues to unveil innovative products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The latest is the small-but-mighty...

Behind every great product is at least one great story.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... This one finds its roots a little over fifty years ago, back when very few plumbing products were being specifically designed for commercial kitchen use, T & S Brass took it upon itself to address that need. Its first product was a clever...

ThermaSol--developing products that meet the needs of the plumbing professionals ... and their clients.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... ThermaSol knows that professional plumbers need ways to increase profits while delivering added value to their clients. And, consumers need more affordable access to the relaxing, health-restorative benefits of steam bathing. That's why...

The next generation of backflow prevention assemblies.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Watts Regulator Company, a leader in the plumbing & heating and water quality markets, is pleased to announce its revolutionary new line of backflow prevention assemblies, the SilverEagle[TM] series. The Watts SilverEagle series incorporates a...

Ridge Tool expands innovative RAPIDGRIP[TM] wrench product line with three new sizes.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Ridge Tool Company has recently added three new sizes to expand its RAPIDGRIP[TM] wrench product line. The RAPIDGRIP wrench is an innovative, heavy-duty, self-adjusting pipe wrench that is designed for one-handed operation with a rapid...

Speedrooter tackles toughest clogs to avoid expensive excavations.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Folks in Chicago's northwest suburbs call the sewer-cleaning professionals at V.J. Centracchio & Son "the underground people." That's because they nearly always eliminate tough blockages where they actually occur: beneath the ground....

Hubbard Enterprises Quick Strap[R] and Quick Belt[TM] Seismic Water Heater Restraints.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... For over twenty-two years Hubbard Enterprises has been "Converting Makeshift Plumbing Methods into Engineered Solutions." The company began with the introduction of the first Holdrite[R] product when George Hubbard was concerned with two things...

Zoeller, the market leader.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Zoeller Pump Company, located in Louisville Kentucky, is a leading manufacturer of quality submersible sump and sewage pumps and related products. Zoeller Pump Company, established in 1939, manufactures products for the plumbing professional...

New Vanex[R] Ultra PEX combines with the MANABLOC for an unbeatable plumbing system.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Vanguard introduced a revolutionary PEX product to the market this year. Vanguard's VANEX ULTRA multi-layer PEX will offer enhanced flexibility, superb chlorine resistance AND proven UV resistance. Combined with the MANABLOC manifold the...

People make the difference at Pacific Fire Safety.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Pacific Fire Safety (PFS) supplies high quality fire-protection products and fabrication in 11 states from 28 warehouse facilities in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida....

Quality & service that lasts a lifetime.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... New Website Reed's new website offers a wide range of information about its products and company. The electronic product catalog is searchable by key word. A "where to buy" section is offered, along with tool instruction manuals, new...

Truebro's NEW, improved Lav Guard[R] 2 installs super-fast ... super-E-Z!(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... New Lav Guard 2, E-Z series from Truebro[R] incorporates major improvements that provide professional installation that's up to 10 times faster--without any tools! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Internal E-Z Tear-To-Fit trimming feature allows...

ACE DuraFlo[R]--the industry leader in corrosion control for small diameter Pipe and drain restoration.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... America's pipe infrastructure is failing at an alarming rate. Home and building owners are now experiencing the same problems faced by many communities--failing and potentially dangerous pipes and drains. Leaky water pipes, plugged and broken...

Wilkins introduces a new, lighter, grooved body backflow preventer.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Wilkins, a Zurn Company, has expanded their already extensive line of Backflow Preventers with the addition of a smaller, lighter grooved body Backflow Preventer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designated the "A" body, the series is available...

Caroma "it works".(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Founded in 1941, Caroma is the market share leader in the Australian sanitary ware industry and is renown as the world's leader in dual flush technology. Due to the fact that Australia is the driest continent on the planet, Caroma took the...

Zurn Radiant Heating Systems feature comfortable, clean and cost-effective heating.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Zurn PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heating Systems use warm water to transfer heat from its production point (a boiler or water heater) to where it is needed. Radiant heating systems, using cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing, are commonly...

Gastite helps luxury villa finish on time, despite super-tight schedule.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... What do you give the "ultimate luxury home" that offers every amenity an affluent Baby Boomer could ever want? How about nearly 2,000 linear feet of Gastite flexible gas piping to help the 10,000-square-foot, $7.5 million "homeDestinations at...

Pace Machinery/Atlanta Special Products=innovative piping product solution.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... More and more contractors and wholesalers are turning to Atlanta Special Products and Pace Machinery for innovative, cost-effective solutions to everyday piping problems. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For over 30 years, mechanical and fire...

After 75 years copper still the standard.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... For 75 years copper has been the choice of most plumbers, builders and building owners for one reason--it works. While that's not the flashiest product claim, it's true. No other modern plumbing material has performed so well for so long in so...

MyTana--committed to serving the needs of the professional sewer and drain cleaning contractor.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... MyTana is committed to serving the needs of the professional sewer and drain cleaning contractor. Since our start in 1957 and continuing through today and into the future, everything we do is directed at helping our customers make money. ...

Faucets and controllers engineered for demanding applications.(Manufacturer's Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... As the makers of the most reliable, hardest working plumbing fittings in the business, Symmons brings more than 60 years of experience to the job of specifying the correct products for any application. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We have a...

Solving 'comp confusion: nine quick strategies for reducing workers' comp headaches.(Business Strategies)
July 1, 2004... In my past few columns, we've looked at the state of insurance for contractors, strategies you can use to lower your general liability insurance, and ways to reduce your auto insurance. Now we come to one of the most important of insurances for...

Faucet finishes.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The manufacturer introduces two new finishes: Antique Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze. These beautiful Old World finishes can now be found on all Kingsley bathroom faucets and matching bath accessories that coordinate with other products on the...

Glass coating.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The patented new Blue Diamond glass coating provides enhanced protection against tank corrosion for the manufacturer's top-of-the-line Conservationist gas and electric residential water heaters. The Blue Diamond formula, developed by the...

Air bath.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The Serenity XI is a classically designed air bath with a pedestal base that offers the benefits of a therapeutic air bath while not compromising on style. It features a generously sized oval bathing well equipped with 60 air jets for an...

Straight fitting.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The XR series straight fitting, made exclusively for use with the company's corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST), is engineered to prevent corrosion in gas piping system connections for the life of the structure in which they are installed....

Pipe freezing kit.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The Cold-Shot pipe freezing kit lets the user repair an operating water system without draining water lines, sprinkler systems or hot water systems before cutting pipe or tubing. Using carbon dioxide in dip-tube cylinders, the Cold-Shot freezes...

Mixing valve.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The company introduces a new temperature control device for hydronic heating systems. The iSeries mixing valves provide precision, cost-effective temperature control for outdoor reset control or fixed water supply temperature. These mixing...

Cabinet water softener.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... This stylish cabinet sports an attractive design that can fit into virtually any decor. In addition, when compared with timer models, the new demand-initiated cabinet water softener can save up to 50 percent on the cost of salt and water. Made...

Dual-flush toilet.(NewProducts)
July 1, 2004... The Rockton toilet with Dual Force flushing technology provides an exceptional combination of water savings and powerful, single-flush performance. Operated by a user-friendly two-button actuator integrated into the tank lid, this toilet will...

Faucets and valves.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The company introduces its Sierra lead-free commercial faucets, Temp-Gard pressure balancing tub and shower valves, and Temp-Gard II pressure balancing tub and shower valves with ceramic operations. The AquaSpec Sierra faucet is a polished,...

Wall mount lavatory.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The new Grace wall mount lavatory has an updated look with a concave front, fits in nicely in all commercial settings and provides better access to wheelchairs. The new Grace is made of vitreous china, meets Americans with Disabilities Act...

Water-free urinal.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... This water-free urinal uses a proprietary cartridge, installed at the base, that holds a sealant liquid. When urine flows into the cartridge, the liquid forms a barrier between the open air above and the urine below, preventing any odors from...

Brochure.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The company has published a six-page, full-color brochure on its Spectroline fluorescent leak detection products. The brochure provides practical information on Spectroline's tools for adding AR-GLO fluorescent dye to air-conditioning and...

Valve product guide.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The company announces the availability of its new water pressure-reducing valve product guide, featuring detailed information on the company's entire water pressure-reducing valve product line. Each product description includes features,...

Check valves.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The newest series of Apollo check valves, the 61-600-A0 series, are equipped with 2-inch copper tubing at both ends to allow installation in seconds using the Viega nosolder ProPress crimping system. These new bronze check valves are available...

Drinking water system.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Two pioneering filtration companies have launched the first drinking water system certified as a microbiological purifier for residential health care facilities and light commercial applications. The Purefecta drinking water purifier removes...

Lavatory bowl.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Islandia, the solid surface industry's first triple-use lavatory bowl, can be used as a vessel bowl mounted onto a lavatory countertop, as a drop-in lavatory sink or as an undermount. It is available in a decorative, soft petal-textured...

Saddle box.(NewProducts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... This new style of Weather Guard aluminum deep saddle boxes (models 137 and 137-5) is designed to fit compact pickup trucks with short beds and wheel wells located to the front of the bed. The saddle boxes feature a notched bottom design that...