Problem: John Unitas Jr., son of legendary NFL quarterback John Unitas, was seeking a new high-efficiency water heater for his Baltimore, Maryland home.
Solution: To ensure top-notch performance, energy efficiency and utility savings, Unitas chose to have an A.O. Smith Voltex AL (anti-leak) hybrid electric heat pump water heater installed. After learning that the Voltex AL HPWH could save him more than 75% on water heating bills, Unitas knew that the unit was the right choice. Contractors at Staton Plumbing, Heating and Cooling removed the previous 15-year-old unit and installed the Voltex AL HPWH. Installation was simplified thanks to the product’s versatile, zero-clearance design and top and front water connections. This flexibility decreases the time and effort required to install the product in existing and new homes.
Result: The unit is a cost-effective, energy-efficient option for homeowners who want to save money on their utility bills. It can reduce water heating costs more than 75% and save homeowners more than $600 per year. 800-527-1953; www.hotwater.com
Fixture keeps contamination
from shutting down boiler system
Problem: Technicians with Jonasson Plumbing and Heating of Needham, Massachusetts noticed several lockouts on a HT1.330 Mascot High Efficiency Boiler system from poor flow and high temperatures, discovering that the water was very muddy and sludgy.
Solution: A BoilerMag was installed on a Laars HT1.330 Mascot high-efficiency Boiler system to help collect the debris and maximize the system’s efficiency. Much contamination was captured from the BoilerMag after letting the system run several cycles over the course of a few months.
Result: According to Jonasson Plumbing and Heating technicians, “the system is running more efficiently with no more lockout or error codes.” 800-260-2124;www.boilermag.com
CIPP delivers large cost
cut for drainage project
Problem: The University of Montreal’s Roger Gaudry Pavilion required difficult rehabilitation of a drainage line in an elevator shaft. The complexity of the work demanded specialized expertise. The initial project plan projected a cost of $150,000 due to the difficulty of replacing the badly clogged and deteriorating 3-inch drainage line. The line’s location in an elevator shaft and the extent of blockage made the project even tougher, potentially disrupting building operations and daily activities.
Solution: FORMADRAIN approached the project with its trenchless technology, FORMAPOX 101 fiberglass and epoxy composite CIPP, which allowed the team to clear and reline the drain without interrupting excavation. The 100% no-dig CIPP overlap lining system guarantees no folds or wrinkles, providing a smooth surface without folds despite inside diameters varying between approximately 2 7/10 and 2 4/5 inches.
Result: The relining slashed the original estimated costs for completely replacing the drain with a new one by 90%. “FORMADRAIN turned what could have been an expensive and intrusive project into a straightforward solution,” says Andrew Dunbar, project manager at the university. “Their expertise was invaluable.” 888-337-6764; www.formadrain.com
Master plumber relies on toilet flange extension kit to correct elevations
Problem: After a bathroom renovation, many homeowners start noticing issues like rocking toilets, water pooling at the base or even ceiling stains below the bathroom. According to Mike Mistovich, master plumber and owner of L&M Plumbing in Youngstown, Ohio, these signs often point to an incorrectly installed toilet flange — typically set too low beneath new flooring. “In our area, many remodelers do the work themselves to save money, avoiding hiring licensed plumbers,” says Mistovich. “That can lead to incorrect installation and negligence.”
Solution: To correct flange height after a remodel, Mistovich turns to Oatey’s Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kits. The kits include four spacer sizes and six self-tapping screws, making it easy to adjust the flange to the proper height — flush with or just above the finished floor — without tearing up subflooring. “A toilet is like a piece of furniture and should be mounted on the floor properly,” says Mistovich. “That’s why I always have my flange extenders with me to correct an improper toilet flange height during repairs.”
Result: The extension kits work on PVC, ABS, cast iron and stainless steel flanges. Multiple spacers can be stacked for a custom fit, and a foam rubber gasket ensures a secure seal. “I can pop the spacers in and secure them to the floor or old flanges,” Mistovich explains. “It’s a quick repair homeowners appreciate. Easy installation is the most important benefit — it saves time and money.”800-321-9532; www.oatey.com
Time-saving accessories
slash plumber’s install time
Problem: A South Atlanta plumber wanted to find ways to cut the install time for his crews so they could each install a total of three additional tankless units per week. The most time-consuming installation tasks were identified as commissioning, routing waterlines and vent installation. After attending training put on by a local distributor, the crews were shown some techniques and tools to assist them in reaching their new installation benchmarks.
Solution: The distributor training focused on the technology and time-saving benefits of the Rinnai SENSEI RXP 199,900 Btu/h condensing tankless water heater with an 0.98 UEF. It provides several time-saving features like adaptability to either natural gas or propane without needing a conversion kit and Bluetooth connectivity for easy setup and registration, no Wi-Fi required. The crews also learned about some new SENSEI RX install accessories like the standoff bracket which mounts 1 1/2 inches off the wall so you can pipe directly behind instead of around the unit, saving time and material. Each crew now carries the Rinnai Laser Vent kit that fits into the top of the tankless vent and marks exactly where to drill a hole for venting in an adjacent wall or ceiling.
Result: With these new time-saving capabilities the crews are saving up to an hour on each installation and consistently reaching their goals. 800-621-9419; www.rinnai.us
Contractor transforms unused mudroom into fully functioning bathroom, using
innovative above-floor plumbing solution
Problem: When homeowner Jeff Mignon set out to convert an underused mudroom into a full bathroom in his Long Island home, he anticipated major challenges. Most notability to avoid the disruption and cost of breaking through the concrete garage floor for traditional plumbing. Mignon envisioned a full bathroom — toilet, shower and vanity — without the mess or expense of trenching. As an interior design hobbyist, Mignon had long been aware of Saniflo’s above-floor plumbing products. As a result, he turned to contractor Agim Zylaj for guidance. Together, they explored potential solutions that aligned with his project’s requirements.
Solution: Zylaj recommended the SFA Saniflo Saniaccess 3 macerating pump system — an above-floor solution capable of handling black and gray water from multiple fixtures. With extensive experience in renovation projects, Zylaj saw the unit’s low-inlet design, compact footprint and rear-discharge toilet compatibility as key advantages. To maintain clean aesthetics, he positioned the macerator behind the wall in the garage and built a custom access box for future maintenance. The toilet, sink and shower were all easily connected through the unit’s 2-inch inlets, enabling a seamless and efficient installation.
Result: Installation was quick and hassle-free, with Zylaj praising the product’s ease of setup. “Seeing how easily it all came together,” Mignon says, “Agim said he’d definitely use it again.” Since becoming operational in early 2024, the system has performed flawlessly — handling heavy usage with minimal noise. 800-571-8191; www.saniflo.com
No-water urinals allow
contractors to reduce expenses
Problem: A 28-story Midwestern apartment building with 644 units borrowed $20 million to replace their aging risers, i.e. the vertical plumbing stacks hidden within walls that deliver water and remove waste from the apartments. While these systems typically last 30 to 40 years, the building managers just addressed repairs as problems emerge. Eventually, these temporary fixes fail, necessitating complete replacement. When costs exceeded this budget, their bank offered an additional $1 million loan with one condition: Find ways to reduce construction expenses. Part of the project included redesigning the building’s locker room. This required relocating four water-using urinals from one side of the wall to another. While drainage plumbing was available at the new location, there was no water supply. The contractor estimated this single issue would cost over $150,000 and delay the project by more than a week.
Solution: Looking for alternatives, building management decided to install no-water urinals from Waterless Co. These fixtures only need to connect to existing drainpipes, eliminating the need for water supply lines.
Result: This decision saved $150,000 in plumbing costs and prevented project delays. The accelerated timeline allowed workers to proceed with other renovations, saving the building $300,000. Further, once installed, the association found the waterless urinals to be affordable, dependable and reliable. 800-244-6364; www.waterless.com
