Problem: Journeyman plumber and gas fitter Jay Wynder was installing a slab heating system in Raymond, Alberta. He used an NTI FTV110c boiler tied into a 40-gallon indirect tank to provide radiant floor heating. Old, degraded piping was contributing to contaminants that were reducing the efficiency of the residential boiler system.
Solution: Wynder decided to install a BoilerMag BM/R in order to maximize the system’s efficiency. With the ability to be installed and cleaned in minutes, it is designed to be a crucial component for protecting and increasing the longevity of any residential system. The no-block design ensures zero blockages no matter the level of filtered contamination.
Result: After two weeks flushing the system, Wynder noticed a great amount of contamination collected by the BoilerMag. Eliminating contaminants in any system is vital to maximizing its heating efficiency. 800-260-2124; www.boilermag.com
Transforming plumbing efficiency with bath waste kits
Problem: Established in 1990 by Cary and Natalie Phillips, Commonwealth Plumbing Systems has evolved into a trusted provider of plumbing services in Richmond, Virginia. Specializing in tract-housing plumbing, Commonwealth Plumbing partners with residential builders, completing around 650 new-residential projects in 2023. Jay Loving, the purchasing manager, ensures adequate inventory for rough-in and trim-out kits, emphasizing the company’s comprehensive approach to home-building services.
Solution: In May 2023, Commonwealth Plumbing made a significant switch to Dearborn TrueBlue Bath Waste Rough-In Kits from Oatey for bathtub projects. After initially using a competitor’s brand, the company embraced the superior value of Dearborn kits following a meeting with Oatey sales agent Dan Dougherty. The TrueBlue kits offer integrated test features, innovative overflow gaskets and compatibility with various finishes, aligning perfectly with customers’ preferences.
Result: Loving and his crew swiftly recognized the benefits of the kits. The tool-free features, depth adjustability, and quarter-turn overflow test plug contribute to time savings and enhanced convenience for installers. “The trim kits caught my attention right away,” recalls Loving. “One feature that stood out was the accuracy of their finishes, which match perfectly with the Moen faucets that our customers purchase from us.” 800-321-9532; www.oatey.com
Mechanical contractor avoids long lead times on fiberglass shower pans by switching to linear shower drain systems
Problem: In Cleveland, Ohio, S.A. Comunale acted as the contractor for the new 385-unit Market District Apartments for mechanical and plumbing fixtures, with project manager and estimator Rick Schueller spearheading the work. Included in the project scope was the construction of bathroom facilities for the residential apartments and luxury penthouse suites. The construction team experienced a problem with the preformed shower pans originally used for all but 13 of the units, as some arrived damaged. Unable to get replacement shower bases in a timely manner, the construction team had to switch gears and find an alternative that would be an efficient solution to compensate for project delays and complete the 13 remaining showers.
Solution: Schueller says he had come across the QuickDrain shower system during a tour of Oatey Company’s headquarters training center. Working with manufacturers representative John Yurcik of Preferred Sales, the Market District Apartments project team used the QuickDrain USA ShowerLine linear drain system in the master bathroom of seven apartments as well as six penthouse-suite bathrooms. In this project, the shower water was routed through 2-inch side-waste outlets. “We went with the side-waste outlets because they allowed us to place the drain wherever we wanted, and then route it back to where the pipe came up through the floor,” says Schueller.
Result: S.A. Comunale’s team handled the drain installation, on-site adjustable PET shower panels and waterproofing. “Installing these systems was fairly easy,” says Schueller, explaining his team needed only four hours per unit.
866-998-6685; www.lrbrands.com/quickdrain
Lift station proves to be only effective plumbing-drainage solution forfloating home
Problem: Installing conventional plumbing in a floating home poses significant challenges due to its construction and the need to preserve structural integrity. AR Plumbing, a local company in Sausalito, California, faced this dilemma when tasked with plumbing renovations for a floating home at Richardson Bay. Reinforced with steel beams, the concrete foundation presented obstacles to traditional plumbing installation, prompting the search for an alternative solution.
Solution: AR Plumbing, led by owner Adelso Rodas, turned to Saniflo’s above-floor plumbing technology as a viable solution. After consultation with a Saniflo representative, they selected the Sanicubic 1 grinder system for its capability to handle wastewater from multiple fixtures. This pre-assembled, compact system offers high efficiency and flexibility in piping layout, which is crucial for the confined spaces of a floating home. The Sanicubic 1’s powerful motor and stainless steel cutting blade ensure reliable operation, capable of pumping effluent vertically and horizontally over significant distances.
Result: The installation of the Sanicubic 1 proved efficient, taking only two days to complete. Despite the unique challenges posed by the floating home’s structure, the system performed well in tests, meeting the client’s requirements for plumbing functionality. Adelso Rodas praised Saniflo’s innovative solution, emphasizing its ease of installation, compact design, and quiet operation. He expressed confidence in recommending Saniflo systems for similar applications in the future, highlighting their reliability and practicality. 800-571-8191; www.saniflo.com
Plumber uses fittings and PEX pipe for quick leak repair
Problem: When a CPVC elbow joint failed in an East Cleveland home in 2023, the residents had a hard time finding a plumber for the leak repair because of their budget and location. But when Matthew Budaji, owner of KJM Emergency HVAC Plumbing, got the call, he was happy to take on the task. After assessing the plumbing issue, Budaji found that the CPVC elbow failed because there wasn’t enough cement to hold it together, causing water to spray everywhere.
Solution: To fix the leak and meet the customer’s budget, he reached for SharkBite Max fittings and SharkBite PEX pipe. Since KJM Emergency HVAC Plumbing always has SharkBite fittings on their trucks, Budaji quickly fixed the issue. “We were in and out faster than the drive time to get there, testing included. The residents were more than thrilled at the end results,” Budaji says. To ensure there wouldn’t be a callback for the same section of piping, he used SharkBite Max couplings. Compared to the company’s first-generation fittings, they can withstand double the burst pressure and only take half the insertion effort to make a connection. He used the couplings to transition to PEX, which was flexible and easy to work with around obstacles and in tight spaces.
Result: Budaji had peace of mind that the SharkBite Max connection would hold up long-term for the customer. 877-700-4242; www.sharkbite.com
Racing Legend lowers home’s energy bills with smart heat pump water heater
Problem: 2002 Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR legend Ward Burton needed a new high-efficiency water heater for his home in Virginia. He was seeking a water heater that could support his home’s hot water needs while simultaneously lowering his family’s utility bills.
Solution: Continuing their long-standing partnership, Burton worked together with State Water Heaters to install a Premier AL Smart Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater in his family’s home, built in 1999. The Premier AL HPWH doesn’t burn fossil fuels, but instead draws heat from the surrounding air. The unit boasts up to four times the efficiency compared to a standard electric water heater, and features whisper-quiet operation around 45 dBA. The Premier AL model also has backup heating elements for times when the Burtons need additional hot water.
Result: In the months since replacing his commercial electric water heater with the Premier AL HPWH, Burton has saved up to $300 per month on his electric bills. Homeowners who replace a residential electric unit with a Premier AL model can expect to see savings of 75% or more on energy bills. 866-667-4960; www.statewaterheaters.com
Multi-Port drain adapter a fit for dental office
Problem: Dental offices have many water-using devices in the sterilization center. Most of these devices require a drain and space is at a premium in the base cabinet. Plumbers simply don’t have enough space or connection points to the drainpipes to handle all the varied connection requirements. A plumber at working in a Midwestern dental office faced that issue.
Solution: The contractor specified and installed QAI-certified DrainDock Multi-Port Drain Adapters from Vista Water Group to solve these connection problems. Where air gaps are not required, DrainDock accepts up to eight inputs from devices like instrument washers, ultrasonic cleaners, reverse osmosis and deionization systems and autoclave wastewater lines. About the size of a grapefruit, it is available in eight-, four- and two-hole models and can be used in commercial kitchens, offices, bars and residential settings under sinks or on top of standpipes for handling drainlines from washing machines, water filters, softeners, R/O systems and condensate lines.
Result: Now there is a product for organizing drainlines and connections in base cabinets at the dental office. If there are unused ports, just add a 1/2-inch NPT plug to any open port. If a new piece of equipment requiring a drain is added later, just remove a plug, add the appropriate fitting, and make the connection in just minutes. 419-565-5702;www.vistawatergroup.com
Boiler serves large church’s needs
Problem: St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana, spanning roughly 18,000 square feet with seating for 950 parishioners, sought a heating solution that not only accommodated the current space but also had the capacity for future expansions, including the installation of a storage tank hot water heater. The challenge for the Rev. Douglas Mayer of St. Paul was to balance efficiency, comfort and the unique requirements of the church, particularly regarding humidity control for three pipe organs. The primary pipe organ resides in the main church, while two antique wood organs grace a secondary chapel and choir room. The three existing boilers had reached the end of their service life and required ongoing maintenance, prompting the church to seek a high-efficiency upgrade.
Solution: Gary Jorgensen Jr. of G.L. Jorgensen Heating & Cooling recommended Weil-McLain SVF boilers, emphasizing their capacity to handle the load, improve occupancy comfort, decrease energy costs and maintain ideal humidity conditions for the delicate wood organs. The Weil-McLain SVF boiler line, ranging from 500 to 3000 mBh models, boasts thermal efficiency of up to 98%. The SVF boiler units were installed in October 2023 and set up as modulating, allowing for seamless load management and turndown capabilities. This feature is designed to adapt to varying occupancy levels, transitioning from periods when the building is unoccupied, and ramping up for church events when the chapel is full. This method is also designed to minimize wear and tear on the system, ensuring long-term performance and reliability.
Result: The project has yielded remarkable benefits thus far. Following a complete heating season, the Rev. Mayer has already begun to observe notable energy savings. “We’ve seen remarkable utility cost savings since implementing these Weil-McLain units, leading to substantial reductions in our energy expenses,” says Mayer. “It’s been truly gratifying to witness thousands of therms saved compared to previous heating seasons, reaffirming the efficiency and impact of our decision.” 855-248-1777; www.weil-mclain.com
