Plumbing and Mechanical

PM August 2024 eMagazine Cover 450px

2024 August

The August 2024 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features our cover story on the 2024 Mechanical Contractor of the Year, additional features including snow-melt solutions, mastering low-lead brass soldering, and much more!

Columnists

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A stack of PVC pipes at a construction site, in the foreground. A group of construction workers are out of focus, having a meeting in the background.
Codes Corner | Rich Anderson

International Plumbing Code provides critical guidance on handling chemical waste

Contractors should work closely with local building departments to understand the local building codes, which can vary widely by municipality.
Rich Anderson CBO
August 12, 2024

Corrosive liquids can harm DWV piping systems not designed for chemicals. The IPC requires dilution, neutralization, or treatment of chemical waste before discharge. Vents must also use rated piping to avoid harm from vapors.


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Close up of saleswoman doing the checkout using a credit card reader and smartphone at a garden center. **DESIGN ON CREDIT CARD WAS MADE FROM SCRATCH BY US**
Serving Plumbing Pros | Matt Michel

How should you handle merchant service fees?

Quit looking at merchant service fees as an expense.
Matt Michel
Matt Michel
August 9, 2024

Some customers prefer using credit cards, but accepting them means paying merchant service fees. Contractors may offer cash discounts or add an upcharge, so consider how to handle merchant services.


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Traffic Light Trails at George Washington Bridge
Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

When (and when not) to work outside your service area

There are always exceptions to every rule.
Scott Secor
Scott Secor
August 8, 2024

We occasionally receive requests from commercial customers located over 30 minutes away to replace heating systems. For commercial repairs, we may extend our service area. However, for residential heating systems, it's generally not cost-effective for us to travel more than 30 minutes for a repair call. There are exceptions to these rules, and one recently came up.


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Business concepts, evaluation and assessment

How scorecards help level-up your team.

Scoring for success
Kenny Chapman
Kenny Chapman
August 7, 2024

Last month, I introduced the core elements of our training: organizational charts, scorecards, and processes. These form the foundation of your business, providing clarity and accountability. This month, we'll focus on scorecards and how they contribute to team success.


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Mini-Split Heat Pump Heating and Air Conditioning Unit
Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Comparing air-to-water versus ductless heat pump systems

An alternative to ductless
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
August 2, 2024

I attended a conference hosted by the Building Performance Association and presented on air-to-water heat pump systems. Many professionals were interested in heat pumps, especially ductless air-to-air systems. One person mentioned the difficulty of finding qualified installers for air-to-water heat pumps and noted the higher cost compared to ductless air-to-air systems.



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Cover Story

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Feature Articles

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Overhead view of Quiberon Peninsula with the sun setting in the background.
Project Profiles

Resort tackles corrosion on the water

GF Piping Systems’ flow meters, transmitters and corrosion-free thermoplastic butterfly valves provide sustainable solutions to resort challenges.
Katherine Bonamo
August 21, 2024

The Sofitel Quiberon resort in France offers thalassotherapy treatments using the power of the ocean to heal, with the help of sophisticated technology and corrosion-free valves from GF Piping Systems.



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Mastering low-lead brass soldering with tinning flux

Best practices when using tinning flux.
Sean Comerford
Sean Comerford
August 20, 2024

Tinning Flux is useful for soldering low-lead brass effectively. While lead brass conducts heat better, older lead-piping systems have been removed due to health concerns. Soldering low-lead brass can be challenging, but tinning flux can help create leak-free connections. Let's explore how to apply tinning flux and the types available at your local hardware store.


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New Products

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August New Products: Caleffi North America 2-Way Z-one valve
New Products

Caleffi North America announces 2-way zone valve

August 5, 2024

The Z-one valve is a universal zone valve that can be used in a wide range of commercial and residential applications; from fan coils to baseboard, radiant to high rise, the Z-one can be used in both chilled or hot water and low-pressure steam applications.


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