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  • February 2025

    • February 2025

    Firms Predict Strong Demand Certain Sectors for 2025; Streamlining Operations Via Database Management; Construction Underperforms Broader Economy in Dec.; Building a Safer Future; Armstrong International Makes it Easy; Disaster and the Limits of Design; and much more.
    Cal Fire
    A view of the Palisades Fire from the Cal Fire web site.

    Disaster and the Limits of Design

    Feb. 1, 2025
    Almost nothing brings the absolute necessity of well-designed water systems so clearly into focus as buildings on fire.
    ID 179357019 © Akesin | Dreamstime.com
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    ABC: Construction Industry Must Attract 439,000 Workers in 2025

    Jan. 24, 2025
    In 2026, the industry will need to bring in 499,000 new workers as spending picks up in response to presumed lower interest rates.
    BrassCraft
    ctr2502_brasscraft

    Weekly Product Gallery: BrassCraft, Bradley, Infinity Drain, Hannay, Flushmate, Channellock

    Jan. 23, 2025
    This week's product gallery features a special finish for water supply pipe and fittings, a bathroom accessories collection, a rounded corner tile for a linear drain, power rewind...
    CONTRACTOR
    Crowds outside the Las Vegas Convention Center during KBIS 2024.

    Excitement Builds for 2025 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas

    Jan. 22, 2025
    Professionals from around the world will gather to see the best in design and innovation.
    Pat Linhardt
    A rare example of an eccentric reducer.

    Eccentric - As in 'Not Normal' - Condensate Flow

    Jan. 22, 2025
    Called in to consult on a new boiler in an older steam system, the author finds a prime example of a rare eccentric reducer.

    More content from February 2025

    fw_webb_promo

    Bring Back the Trades Announces Research Partnership with F.W. Webb

    Jan. 22, 2025
    Three-year collaboration aims to tackle the growing skills gap in the trades.
    ID 116262359 © ArchitectureVIZ | Dreamstime.com
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    Smart Bathroom Products Market Poised for Robust Growth

    Jan. 22, 2025
    Projections from Transparency Market Research have the market reaching $28.8 billion by 2034, growing at a robust CAGR of 10.3%.
    ID 312438567 © Auremar | Dreamstime.com
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    DOL Study: Registered Apprenticeships Expand Access to Living Wages for Millions of Workers

    Jan. 21, 2025
    Participants in union-affiliated programs see biggest gains.
    ID 330922156 © Tanit Boonruen | Dreamstime.com
    dreamstime_m_330922156

    California Air Resources Board Drops Bid to Enforce Advanced Clean Fleets Rule

    Jan. 17, 2025
    Withdrawal of request for EPA waiver means the state no longer seeks to enforce its zero emission vehicle mandate on fleets.
    wint-ferguson

    WINT and Ferguson Announce Collaboration to Elevate Water Management and Leak Mitigation

    Jan. 17, 2025
    Industry leaders deliver comprehensive distribution of AI-based water management, protection and risk mitigation solutions throughout the US.
    rootermanheaderlogo

    RooterMan Earns Spot on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500® List

    Jan. 17, 2025
    The Franchise 500® ranking highlights brands that demonstrate exceptional growth, financial stability, and brand power.
    gryphonrepipe

    Gryphon Investors-Backed Repipe Specialists Acquires A-1 Total Service Plumbing

    Jan. 16, 2025
    A-1 marks the first add-on acquisition that Repipe has made since being acquired in 2022 by Gryphon's Heritage Fund.
    armstronglogo

    Armstrong Fluid Technology to Partner with Parts Town

    Jan. 16, 2025
    This collaboration will improve access to critical components and deliver expanded service excellence to customers.
    ID 5652485 © Jeremyreds | Dreamstime.com
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    Germany to Showcase an Array of Brands in the North Hall at KBIS 2025

    Jan. 16, 2025
    The international pavilions at KBIS are a key part of the NKBA Global Connect international business development program.
    wrench_group_logo

    Plumbline Services Announces Recipients of 2024 'Christmas On Us' Program

    Jan. 16, 2025
    Ten extraordinary individuals have been recognized for their resilience, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to their communities.
    mcelroy_logo

    Volker Köhler to Assist McElroy in Growing its European Market

    Jan. 15, 2025
    In his new position, Köhler will provide support and service to channel partners and end users in the region.
    ID 117597463 | Angry Customer © Antonio Guillem | Dreamstime.com
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    Best Practices for Effective and Efficient Complaint Handling for Plumbing Contractors

    Jan. 15, 2025
    There are ways to minimize the confrontation and friction of a complaint, and turn it into a positive result for both the business and customer.
    ID 177026339 | Storage © Korn Vitthayanukarun | Dreamstime.com
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    Building a Safer Future: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction

    Jan. 15, 2025
    Mental health among construction workers is as much a safety concern as slips and falls. Discover how the industry is approaching the issue and how you can help.
    AHR Expo
    Crowds waiting to enter the expo hall at McCormick Place in Chicago during AHR Expo 2024.

    Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems to Showcase Advanced Solutions at AHR Expo 2025

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Booth #1323 will offer demonstrations of innovative hot water piping, new solutions for data center, and more.
    WWETT Show
    A shot from the show floor at the 2024 WWETT Show.

    General Pipe Cleaners Kicks-Off 95th Anniversary Showcasing Latest Drain Cleaning Technologies At WWETT25

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Fourth-generation, family-owned company is celebrating 95 years of service to drain cleaning professionals and plumbing contractors.
    ID 139636783 © Mariusz Prusaczyk | Dreamstime.com
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    Construction Materials Prices Inch Down 0.2% in December, Up 0.9% Year Over Year

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Nonresidential construction input prices also decreased 0.2% for the month.
    ID 340437870 © Pojoslaw | Dreamstime.com
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    Copeland Study Reveals Increasing Concerns Around Data Privacy in Smart Home Products as AI Accelerates

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Survey of 2,000 US homeowners shows increase in smart home tech usage, decreases in confidence about data privacy.
    A. O. Smith
    The Journey Home volunteers help break ground on the new 20,000 sq. ft. facility.

    A. O. Smith Donates Seven Tankless Water Heaters to The Journey Home Organization

    Jan. 14, 2025
    The units will provide hot water to support the unhoused and disadvantaged community in the Nashville area.
    frontdoorlogo

    Frontdoor, Inc. to Award Scholarships to Trade School Students

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Frontdoor has partnered with BlueRecruit to award scholarships to help increase the pipeline of skilled trades professionals.
    agc_logo

    Construction Firms Predict Strong Demand For Certain Private-Sector, Most Types Of Public-Sector Work In 2025

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Survey results from AGC and Sage show concerns about immigration and trade policies, material and labor prices.
    ID 334427414 © Welcomia | Dreamstime.com
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    ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Slips in December

    Jan. 14, 2025
    Contractor confidence remained high in December.
    High 5 Plumbing
    High 5 wrapped up 2024 with a $4,117 donation to Hope House, a Denver-based nonprofit that works with young moms.

    High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Donates Over $25,000

    Jan. 13, 2025
    Leading Denver home services company gives back to local organizations in 2024 through High 5 Cares.
    Festool
    The chainsaw that started it all back in 1927.

    Festool Celebrates 100 Years of Innovative Power Tool Solutions

    Jan. 13, 2025
    The Company will celebrate a century of revolutionary products and solutions over the course of 2025.
    nkba_kbis_color

    Ferguson's Kate Bailey Joins NKBA Global Connect

    Jan. 13, 2025
    Ferguson's Vice President of Category Management, Residential, has been named an NKBA Global Connect Advisor.
    ID 448116 © Tom Oliveira | Dreamstime.com
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    Retrofitting Older Buildings with Modern Plumbing Systems

    Jan. 10, 2025
    Successfully upgrading these systems requires careful planning, adherence to evolving codes and strategic implementation of advanced technologies.
    ID 72129162 © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com
    New Orleans, LA.

    Quality Service Contractors’ Catalyst 2025: Unmasking the Future

    Jan. 10, 2025
    Service and repair contractors invited to attend event March 24-26 in New Orleans.
    ID 327062586 © Yulia Gapeenko | Dreamstime.com
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    Construction Underperforms Broader Economy in December Jobs Report

    Jan. 10, 2025
    On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 196,000 jobs, an increase of 2.4%.
    Sloan
    ctr2502_sloan

    Weekly Product Gallery: Sloan, Kohler, Brass Knuckle, Toto, Smith and Loveless, Oatey

    Jan. 9, 2025
    This week's product gallery features low-gpm faucets, a freestanding bath, warm work gloves for low temps, a rectangle vessel bath sink, a fiberglass enclosure for grit removal...
    Simpro
    The Simpro scheduling function.

    Details, Data, and Communications

    Jan. 9, 2025
    Reviews of Simpro field service software, GoCanvas data collection solution, FinishLine app, with updates for Knowify and STACK.
    Nelson Mechanical Design
    The dreaded F4 error code returns!

    Heat Pump Rescue - Struggle with a Crippling Error Code

    Jan. 9, 2025
    Nelson Mechanical finds the reason for a crippling error code in a heat pump system that was driving the homeowner nuts.
    AHR Expo
    Crowds on the floor of the 2024 AHR Expo.

    Bradford White Showcases Growing Portfolio at AHR Expo

    Jan. 9, 2025
    Trusted manufacturer will highlight six businesses including newest acquisitions.
    Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12
    James Vaughan.

    James Vaughan Sworn in as New Business Manager of Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12

    Jan. 8, 2025
    Longtime business agent takes over for retiring Business Manager Tim Fandel.
    aos_logo_cmyk

    A. O. Smith Announces North America Water Heating and Global Supply Chain Personnel Updates

    Jan. 8, 2025
    Keith Auville, vice president of North America manufacturing, will be retiring effective March 1.
    iapmo_white_space

    IAPMO’s Jim Scarborough Elected Chair of High Performance Buildings Coalition

    Jan. 8, 2025
    The HPBC is a coalition of approximately 200 organizations that provides guidance and support to the High Performance Buildings Caucus of the US Congress.
    ServiceTitan
    Competitors in the Elite Trades Championship Series.

    Elite Trades Championship Series Airs on CBS Sports Network

    Jan. 8, 2025
    The nation's top electricians, plumbers, HVAC and auto techs competed for their share of over $250,000 in awards.
    nexstarlogo422px

    Nexstar Network Selects Ripley PR for its Strategic Partners Program

    Jan. 8, 2025
    Public relations agency specializing in the skilled trades offers brand-building services to Nexstar’s vast network of residential PHCE contractors.
    Rheem
    rheemairwatergroupingwhitebg

    Rheem® Celebrates a Century of Excellence, Partnership and Possibilities

    Jan. 8, 2025
    Rheem's rich history dates back to 1925 when the Rheem brothers—Richard and Donald—founded the company.
    ID 309544583 | Ai © Mkmult | Dreamstime.com
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    Have We Reached Critical Mass in the Trades?

    Jan. 7, 2025
    A better way, or a different way, must be found to attract, train and maintain a quality workforce.
    ID 335140125 © Caneritir | Dreamstime.com
    A rooftop-installed solar water heating system.

    Plumbing Innovations for Sustainable Building Projects

    Jan. 7, 2025
    From intelligent materials to highly-efficient heating and cooling systems, sustainable practices represent the future of the industry.
    ID 14899830 © Enrique Gomez Tamez | Dreamstime.com
    dreamstime_m_14899830

    Construction Labor Churn at Historic Lows in November

    Jan. 7, 2025
    Industry job openings increased by 17,000 last month but are down by 178,000 from the same time last year.
    ID 130129519 © Feblacal | Dreamstime.com
    dreamstime_m_130129519

    Revolutionizing Construction Scheduling: Making Complex Tools Accessible to All

    Jan. 6, 2025
    The future of construction scheduling is not just about creating timelines; it's about fostering collaboration.
    Symetri
    Binsky's team can now rely on precise and well-organized database information to support their prefabrication processes.

    Partnership in Precision: Streamlining Operations with Database Management 

    Jan. 6, 2025
    When a leading mechanical contractor wanted to expand, the strain of an outdated database system and limited resources began to hinder their ability to operate efficiently.
    Sonoma Forge
    ctr2502_sonomaforge

    Weekly Product Gallery: Sonoma Forge, Denso, Zurn Elkay, Oatey, Marley, California Faucets

    Jan. 3, 2025
    This week's gallery includes a hands-free faucet, an epoxy coating, a farmhouse style sink, rough-in and trim kits, a washdown heater, and a series of faucets with teak accents...
    Greater Boston PCA
    Left to right, Greater Boston PCA Executive Director Andrew DeAngelo, Rudy Ash, West End House Chief Development Officer, Greater Boston PCA President Paul J. Dionne.

    Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association Donates $35,000 to Area Charities

    Jan. 3, 2025
    Since 2020, the Greater Boston PCA has donated $125,000 to local organizations in Boston around the holidays.
    ID 32425262 © Alexandre Zveiger | Dreamstime.com
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    Service Experts Expects the Home of the Future to Arrive in 2025

    Jan. 3, 2025
    EPAs new refrigerant regulations that took effect on January 1 will have dramatic effects on the home service industry.
    allgoodlogo

    Allgood Plumbing to Rebrand as Allgood Home Services

    Jan. 2, 2025
    Allgood Home Services will offer comprehensive plumbing and HVAC services to residential and commercial customers in Atlanta, Athens, and beyond.