Contractor articles from September 2004

Contractor archives from September 2004

High-performance home is model of efficiency.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... PITTSBURGH -- Talk about a knowledgeable owner! Brad Oberg knows about innovative p-h-c products before most contractors. Oberg is president of IBACOS, a research firm that works with the U.S. Department of Energy doing research on...

Contractor Infocus.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2004... CONTRACTOR INFOCUS Types of homes where CONTRACTOR readers work Luxury/custom 88.7% Move-up 82.2% Entry level 76.1% Second home 59.1% Other 13.9% ...

Hurricane brings out the best in plumbing industry.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA. -- It may be that Americans need a natural disaster every once in awhile to bring them together. It may create the realization that we all need to pull together because we're all in the same boat. That was the case when...

Entran tubing battle ends with a whimper.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... TRENTON, N.J. -- In October 1998, CONTRACTOR published a front-page story with the headline, "Rubber hydronic tubing failing." Now, nearly six years later, the legal battles over Entran II tubing are apparently over. The...

Hotel rises Phoenix-like in San Diego.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Right there across from the San Diego Padres new Petco Park, with views of the historic Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego bay, stood a really ugly hotel. You know it was an ugly hotel when its owner thinks it was an eyesore. "It's...

Little Red Schoolhouse marks 50 years of industry training.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... MORTON GROVE, ILL -- Bell & Gossett can trace its origins in the plumbing business to a plumber, said Ken Graham, who came to work for the company in 1953. "The plumber built a pump to take care of a hot water problem," Graham recalled....

Contractor introduces Best Practices column.(Industry News)(Editorial)
September 1, 2004... THERE'S NO shortage of information directed at contractors about how buying this or that product will solve their problems. Some of the best things that contractors can do for their businesses, however, have more to do with policies, procedures...

Garvelink to become first woman to assume presidency of PHCC.(Industry News)(Interview)
September 1, 2004... COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- On Oct. 15, Mary Garvelink will be sworn in as the first woman president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association. The co-founder and comptroller of Commercial Design Engineering, a $12...

High-end radiant job provides comfort, water safety.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... WARRENSBURG, N.Y. -- During his career as an HVAC engineer for highrise buildings and hydroelectric plants, George Weinshenk knew the importance of hiring the right professionals who put quality products into the job. After his retirement, he...

3 kinds of marketing must work together.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- A headline on the front page of CONTRACTOR in May 1988 stated, "Marketing helps sell products, services more profitably." Apparently, the editors of this magazine at that time felt it necessary to explain this basic truth of...

Southern Piping Co.
September 1, 2004... PHCC member company Southern Piping Co., Wilson, N.C., has undertaken an "Operation Comfort" to help the troops in Iraq. The contractor has adopted the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), and is sending packages of miscellaneous items...

On Aug. 13, Massachusetts enacted legislation requiring continuing education for licensed plumbers and pipefitters.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... On Aug. 13, Massachusetts enacted legislation requiring continuing education for licensed plumbers and pipefitters. Approved unanimously by both the House and Senate, Chapter 298 also enables the State Board to develop regulations governing...

Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
September 1, 2004... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America will launch a nationwide project with its chapters this fall to provide assistance to the elderly and disadvantaged. The first annual "Heat the Country" program will take place Saturday, Oct. 23,...

Delta Faucet.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Betsy L. Child recently announced that the Delta Faucet plant in Jackson has become the fourth Tennessee industry to meet all criteria as a Tennessee Pollution Prevention...

Brass Craft.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Brass Craft was recently named a winner in the Cool Products Competition held as part of the annual PCBC trade show and conference for residential builders in San Francisco. One of 20 award-winning manufacturers, Brass Craft was recognized for...

Milwaukee Electric, AEG bought.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... MILWAUKEE -- Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. announced that it entered into a stock purchase agreement to buy Atlas Copco AB's electric power tool and accessories business, currently conducted through Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. and Atlas...

Weil-McLain intros promo.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... MICHIGAN CITY, IND. -- WeilMcLain has announced its 2004 fall "Mid Cut Hiking Boot" promotion, running from Aug. 30 through Oct. 1. Contractors and dealers can receive a free pair of boots for any Weil-McLain boiler they purchase during that...

Even low-rise buildings need sprinklers: contractor.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Although fires in high-rise structures have received considerable media attention in the Chicago area, such fires aren't just limited to high-rises--they occur in buildings of every size and shape, with lives frequently hanging in...

A-S names PepsiCo exec bath/kitchen president.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- American Standard Cos. has named James E. Dwyer as president of its global bath and kitchen business, reporting to Chairman and CEO Fred Poses as of Sept. 1. Dwyer joins American Standard after spending a decade in...

Contractor lights 150 candles.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... NEW HAVEN, CONN. -- Although CONTRACTOR is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is 100 years younger than the plumbing and heating contractor that claims to be the oldest in the nation in continuous operation. Buckingham Routh...

Unico promo gives coats and tool bags.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Unico Inc., manufacturer of mini-duct central heating and air conditioning systems, has announced its Fall 2004 Heating Promotion. For each order placed between Sept. 6 and Dec. 3, Unico System contractors can receive a free Unico...

RuB marks 10th year.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... MINNEAPOLIS -- Rubinetterie Utensilerie Bonomi, the Italian brass valve manufacturer along with its U.S. subsidiary RuB Inc., is celebrating RuB's 10th year as a U.S. corporation. Formed as a corporation in 1994 by owner Silvio Bonomi and his...

Kramer marks 100 years as dealer.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... MEDFORD, WIS. -- Staying in business for more than 100 years is something most small companies don't experience, but Kramer Plumbing and Heating here recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as a Lennox dealer. The company was founded in 1901...

NSF adds perchlorate to test list.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MICH. -- NSF International added perchlorate to the list of chemicals that drinking water treatment units can be tested against. Perchlorate is both naturally occurring and a manmade chemical found in rocket fuel that may pose...

No pay arrangements in advance, no work.(Schmitt On Management)
September 1, 2004... IN PREPARATION for writing this column, I visited extensively with one of the sharpest financial operators I know specializing in service contracting. I needed to get an update on his tough-minded credit philosophy. His claim to fame is having...

Solar's summer heat buildup.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... VIA E-MAIL -- I took Mark Eatherton's Hydronic Heating course a couple of years ago. I found his article on solar heating in CONTRACTOR magazine ("Solar domestic hot water pre-heating," July, pg 36). I remember him talking about this issue...

Hot-work fires: devastating but preventable.(Forum)
September 1, 2004... WHEN SIMULTANEOUSLY MM delivering good and bad news, I find it better to deal with the bad first. So, here it is: Contractors appear to be responsible for a majority of hot work-related fires and explosions--which result in multimillion-dollar...

Great John vs Big John: the nation's obesity epidemic spawns new products for the plumbing market.(Plumbing Trends)
September 1, 2004... The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 30% of Americans are obese and another 34% are overweight, making almost two-thirds of the population obese or overweight. These numbers have doubled since 1980. Just as alarming...

Tank and tankless technology: to store or not to store? Be sure you answer that question before tackling any water heater application, residential or commercial.(Water Heating)
September 1, 2004... For centuries, man's only access to hot water was to find a hot spring. With the discovery of fire and invention of pottery, our forebears began heating water. While it is safe to say the first use of hot water was for cooking, it is unknown...

New York "Next Generation" contractors are preparing for the future.(PHCC News)
September 1, 2004... "I DIDN'T KNOW how to run a business." That's a comment often heard from plumbing and HVACR contractors who become responsible for the management side of a company. Sure, they may be experts at the technical aspects of plumbing or HVACR,...

Tips for effective business succession.(PHCC News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... In addition to making sure next generation plumbing and HVACR contractors know how to run a business in the future, current owners and the next generation need to develop an effective succession plan to ease the transition of the business. Here...

Contractor headlines: 1954-2004: front pages from the last 50 years reflect what has changed--and what hasn't--in the mechanical contracting industry.
September 1, 2004... The front page of CONTRACTOR has held up a mirror to the mechanical contracting industry since it was founded by Herb Walther in 1954. Frontpage headlines from the last 50 years show that contractors today are facing some of the same issues...

Best solar DHW pre-heat systems.(Hydronics)
September 1, 2004... IN LAST MONTH'S column ("Active and passive solar pre-heat systems," pg. 36), the final system we addressed was the closed-loop pressurized system. One of this system's major Achilles heels is the potential for exposure to stagnation...

Why builders are scared of hydronics?(Hydronic Systems)
September 1, 2004... OK. I AM GOING to admit to what every one of you trade contractors is thinking--when it comes to hydronic heating, we home builders are a bunch of cheap bastards. That's all right, it's tree. I'm building a custom spec house? I call the...

Radiant software makes instant recalculations.(Feldmans On Computers)
September 1, 2004... RADIANT HEATING IS an increasingly popular option in American homes. The process of laying out properly sized and configured piping runs manually is tedious and time-consuming. Computer assistance has streamlined the process dramatically,...

Stop paying other people's bills.(McGreevy On Law)
September 1, 2004... NOW THAT'S a headline to catch your attention! Other than contracting the plague, or paying a lawyer, I can't think of anything a contractor hates more than the prospect of paying its subs' and suppliers' bills, particularly when the bills are...

All life insurance policies not created equal.(Blackman On Taxes)
September 1, 2004... WHAT DO AIRLINE tickets and life insurance premiums have in common? The cost for the identical service can vary all over the map. Two unrelated airline passengers sitting next to each other on the same flight often pay different prices for...

Doing due diligence on a dirty job.(Craig On Project Management)
September 1, 2004... IF YOU STAY in the project management profession long enough, you're going to be assigned a "dirty" job, even if that job is a clean-room or ultrapure water system. In my career I've always sought out the difficult jobs from which others...

Is inventory the root of all evil?(Best Practices)
September 1, 2004... IS INVENTORY A contractor's safety net or the root of all evil? Some see inventory as a necessity while others see it as waste. First of all we need to be clear on some ideas. Inventory is any material (or tools and equipment) that is...

Kamco betters Web.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... OAKVILLE, ONTARIO -- Kamco Products, manufacturer of coated copper tubing, has officially launched its redesigned corporate Website, www.kamcoproducts.com. With product and company information, visitors can browse through Kamco's line of...

IAPMO offers inspector certification program.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ONTARIO, CALIF. -- The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials has expanded its roll-in program for inspector certification. Certified plumbing and mechanical inspectors who have passed an inspector examination may be...

Haberberger wins 3 plum contracts.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Haberberger Mechanical has been awarded three projects for Anheuser Busch, Mallinckrodt and American Airlines. The mechanical contractor will return to Anheuser Busch for two projects. Haberberger will serve as the primary...

Do foremen need a tighter rope?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... VIA E-MAIL -- I enjoy H. Kent Craig's articles on project management greatly and believe they offer many valuable tips to your readers. I've recently come across a problem within my company that I hope he can help me with. I am relatively...

Membership has its rewards.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... ROEBLING, N.J. -- I have just finished, with great interest and enjoyment, Joseph Schmitt's column in CONTRACTOR ("Valuable advice can come from conventions," July, pg. 22). We continually flog our members (and prospective members) about the...

Joule merger takes firm private.(JAC Acquisition Co.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... EDISON, N.J. -- Joule Inc. has completed its merger with JAC Acquisition Co., a Delaware corporation owned by Emanuel N. Logothetis, the founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Joule; members of his family; and John G....

The experience whirlpool.(editor's choice)
September 1, 2004... THE EXPERIENCE WHIRLPOOL is offered in five models, each of which is available with four "Experience Options." The Relax Experience features effervescent bubbles; the Spa with stimulating Flexjets; the Massage with hydrotherapy; and the...

The Q-series of relative humidity duct sensors.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE Q-SERIES OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY DUCT SENSORS are for use with all standard building control applications. The embedded microprocessor converts the sensor's digital signal to a continuous 0-10 V. DC signal which corresponds to 0-100% relative...

Four environmentally-friendly torch coolants.(Products)
September 1, 2004... FOUR ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY TORCH COOLANTS are now available for use with any water-cooled cutting and welding torch. They include freeze-resistant propylene glycol-based coolants and a de-ionized water mixture. Extra Cool resists freezing to...

The cozumel sink.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE COZUMEL SINK is designed for vanity-counter top applications. It is molded from a solid piece of metal with no applied coatings. It is created from an aluminum-based alloy using a sand casting manufacturing method. While all bowls are made...

The type 546 ball valve.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE TYPE 546 BALL VALVE features a short overall length, buttress thread design and universal multifunction module. It is a true union ball valve with added safety and functionality for a diverse range of applications. Available in PVC and...

The Trevi wall-mount kitchen faucet.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE TREVI WALL-MOUNT KITCHEN FAUCET is ideal for situations where a solid countertop surface or vessel-style basin is preferred. It features a solid cast body, all-metal construction, and standard quarter-turn ceramic cartridges. It boasts a 9"...

The allure LK6520 kitchen faucet.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE ALLURE LK6520 KITCHEN FAUCET provides single-handle control for water temperature and volume. It is deck mounted, provides an 8" height (deck to aerator), and a 7 3/4" reach. It is offered in chrome, brushed nickel, brushed chrome and white...

The cinch clamp.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE CINCH CLAMP is for use in tight, hard-to-reach places. With its "tab" design, there is no need to get a tool around the entire fitting. Press the tab closed with the accompanying tool and the connection is complete. It offers a positive...

The vertispa hydro massage shower system I.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE VERTISPA HYDRO MASSAGE SHOWER SYSTEM I is a compact home spa unit that includes an adjustable vertical shower torso that that connects to the surface of the wall. The tower has five body spray jets that cover the bather with water. Two...

The C-634 heavy commercial wall hydrant.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE C-634 HEAVY COMMERCIAL WALL HYDRANT installs through a simple 1 3/8" round opening. It has a quick open/quick close design for fast water delivery. It has a 19 gpm flow rate at 25 psi. It is tested to 250,000 cycles, and is available with a...

The Sonora faucet collection.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE SONORA FAUCET COLLECTION features a stylish, minimalist spout, and is available six different lavatory configurations. Tub, shower and bidet faucets allow the style to be expanded to the entire bathroom. The collection is equipped with...

The stand-off hanger and restrainer.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE STAND-OFF HANGER AND RESTRAINER for CPVC plastic pipe has a one-piece design for fast and easy installation. It eliminates the need for wood blocking extensions. Pipe can be snapped right into the hanger with little effort. It features...

This high-performance butterfly valve.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THIS HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUTTERFLY VALVE features a machined seat with multiple concentric sealing edges to provide bubble-tight shut-off. Those same edges allow for high seat-loading even at low pressures, for complete application coverage. The...

The supply stop mini-rester.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE SUPPLY STOP MINIRESTER is one of many AA size miniature water hammer arresters offered by the company. The 3/8" or 5/8" OD reverse compression connection easily attaches directly to the supply stop on any faucet, toilet or dishwasher. ...

Large diameter injection-molded fittings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... LARGE DIAMETER INJECTION-MOLDED FITTINGS are now available in more configurations. 10" and 12" PVC DWV fittings now include test tees. They deliver a high degree of structural integrity. The test tees are also compact to better accommodate...

The Tosca pedestal lavatory.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE TOSCA PEDESTAL LAVATORY has a 4" center, allowing for a wider choice in the style and size of faucets it can be used with. Currently available only in white and biscuit, it provides a distinctive, distinguished look at an affordable price....

The Guildmark collection of premier faucets.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE GUILDMARK COLLECTION OF PREMIER FAUCETS are designed to complement the company's line of upscale flushometers. Polished brass, gold, satin, brushed nickel and chrome are available as finishes, all created with physical vapor deposition for...

The installer friendly series control panels.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE INSTALLER FRIENDLY SERIES CONTROL PANELS have an easy-to-use touch pad on the inner door. The panels program and monitor pump control functions such as float status, pump run, elapsed time, cycle, hand/off/auto and more. The panels are...

The fireclay collection of kitchen sinks.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE FIRECLAY COLLECTION OF KITCHEN SINKS are the result of the company combining its talents with Villeroy & Boch to recreate some of its popular stainless steel designs in ceramic. Fired at 2,200[degrees]F, fireclay is extremely hard and...

Uniflex union gasketed pipe couplings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... UNIFLEX UNION GASKETED PIPE COUPLINGS provide leak-free protection of process fluid equipment and steam lines while minimizing downtime required to replace conventional unions. They are composed of a flanged female and male end, a threaded nut,...

The handy shield under sink protector.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE HANDY SHIELD UNDER SINK PROTECTOR offers ADA-compliance, universal fit and easy installation. Features include an RF welded design, tamper-resistant snap fasteners, and a smooth finish to prevent grime and fungal build-up. Plumberex...

A new terminal box.(Products)
September 1, 2004... A NEW TERMINAL BOX is now available for the SuperBrute, the three-speed circulator designed for hydronic heating and radiant panel applications. The drip-proof design makes speed selection simple with a thumb-operated "hi-med-lo" rotary switch....

A line of old-English style shower curtain rails.(Products)
September 1, 2004... A LINE OF OLD-ENGLISH STYLE SHOWER CURTAIN RAILS are now available to partially or fully enclose a shower or bathtub area. The brass rails are easily mounted to the wall or ceiling, and are offered in five distinct designs: oval, U-shaped,...

The caddy BCISN beam clamp.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE CADDY BCISN BEAM CLAMP features a finger-close "smart nut" which allows for easy installation of 3/8" threaded rod for attachment to beam flanges up to 1/2". Without the use of tools or need for added nuts, the clamp allows for fine tuning...

The ProPress G piping system.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE PROPRESS G PIPING SYSTEM is approved for natural gas, LP gas and fuel oil installations using copper tubing. Like the water-carrying ProPress system, the ProPress G uses specially-designed 1/2" to 2" copper fittings and hydraulic pressing...

The model 63, 66 and 68 IR thermometers.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE MODEL 63, 66 AND 68 IR THERMOMETERS feature pistol grips for easy handling and a single-dot laser sighting system for accurate aiming. They are ideal for measuring rotating, electrically live, dangerously hot or hard-to-reach objects. They...

An expanded line of shower stalls.(Products)
September 1, 2004... AN EXPANDED LINE OF SHOWER STALLS is now available in either one-piece fiberglass or multi-piece. Stalls are made for easy access to meet the new "accessibility" market. The line has the appearance of classic tile thanks to a polyester gelcoat...

The Futera II series boilers.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE FUTERA II SERIES BOILERS are now offered with an optional stainless steel jacket. The brushed stainless steel provides corrosion resistance for indoor or outdoor installations in harsh environments. The non-condensing design can provide up...

The Apollo 82-F series bronze ball valve.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE APOLLO 82-F SERIES BRONZE BALL VALVE is made specifically for use the oxygen and other medcial gases such as carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen and nitrus oxide. The three-piece valve offers the efficiency of a full port design. It is offered...

The propanel pre-wired, pre-piped control panel.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE PROPANEL PRE-WIRED, PRE-PIPED CONTROL PANEL is able to integrate multiple hydronic system controls into one cost-effective and efficient system. Contractors can use a stand-alone panel for a small application, or connect multiple panels...

These stubby nut drivers.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THESE STUBBY NUT DRIVERS are designed for use in tight spaces and on hard-to-reach fasteners. They have cushion-grip handles for greater torque and user comfort. They are made for 1/4" and 5/16" hex nut and hex screw sizes. Tool shafts measure...

The model 5000L expansion tank.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE MODEL 5000L EXPANSION TANK features a heavy-duty butyl bladder. Designed and constructed per ASME Section VIII, Division 1 standards, the tank offers a wide range of working pressure capabilities (125 psig to 250 psig). Optional seismic...

The VB-8000 series of high performance globe valves.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE VB-8000 SERIES OF HIGH PERFORMANCE GLOBE VALVES feature a balanced plug design. Intended for large commercial applications, the series boasts a plug and seat that eliminate unbalanced pressure forces on the plug. The result is a valve with...

This diaphragm relief valve.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THIS DIAPHRAGM RELIEF VALVE is designed for use with lined metal piping. The Teflon diaphragm and plastic body combine to provide a non-leaching, contamination-free relief/bypass valve. It is available with integral flange connections in...

The monoblock single lever bath lavatory faucet.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE MONOBLOCK SINGLE LEVER BATH LAVATORY FAUCET features solid brass construction and is offered in over 35 finishes. It is part of the Transitional collection, which includes matching tub and shower fittings, towel bars, towel rings, robe...

The foster bathtub.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE FOSTER BATHTUB features a simple, elegant design. It is available free-standing with surround, or as a drop-in. Generously proportioned and easy to get into, the bath rim creates space for "tidying away" fitting and accessories. Hoesch...

This rotary tool cut-off machine.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THIS ROTARY TOOL CUT-OFF MACHINE pulls the tube from the center of the coil through an innovative "eye in the sky" handling system. The tube can be fed from the coil and allowed to naturally orient prior to entering the system straightener. In...

Solid-surface moldings.(Products)
September 1, 2004... SOLID-SURFACE MOLDINGS are available in both butterfly and fluted styles and in a 3 3/4" by 105" size. Rosettes are 4" by 4" square with a starburst on one side and a concentric circle design on the other. These decorative touches can add a...

The ranger GXT welder.(Products)
September 1, 2004... THE RANGER GXT WELDER features a sizeable AC generator that delivers 11,000 watts peak and 10,000 watts continuous power for inverter welders, plasma cutters, light, grinders and other power tools. A full-KVA 120V/ 240V outlet allows operators...