As the year comes to a close, we take a look at some of the most popular stories on www.plumbermag.com. If you missed any of these, now is your chance to catch up.
10. Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Trades Workers
Back in June, Oatey associates mentored students at the “Let’s Build Construction Careers” Camp for Girls in Canfield, Ohio, which immerses middle and high school girls in the skilled trades.
9. How to Size a Residential Tankless Water Heater
This July article from Noritz America showed how properly sizing a tankless water heater maximizes the full potential of the unit, efficiently meeting the full range of a customer’s demands.
8. The Art of Sniffing Out Business Inefficiencies
Time bleeds differently than money. Money disappears from obvious places. You can see it drain from bank statements and invoices, but time evaporates into thin air and takes profits with it. When it comes to time leaks, there are two main sources in business: broken systems and disconnected people. How does a business owner become the hound dog on the time leak trail? Business coach Anne Lackey provided some tips in this article from July.
7. Plumbing Materials’ Impact on Water Quality
No piping material can improve water quality — that’s the job of water treatment professionals. But different materials have characteristics that can make them more or less vulnerable to water quality issues and how those issues are managed. Gabe Ellis of the Lubrizol Corporation looked at the issue in this October article.
6. Navigating Tariffs: A Survival Guide for Contractors
A main subject in 2025 was tariffs and their effect on the world economy. This article from August examined the issue, specifically how contractors in industries like plumbing could best handle the uncertainty.
5. Inspection Cameras Give California Contractor Good Look Inside Pipes to Gain Customer Confidence
California-based Rooter Hero discussed the benefits it gains from its inspection cameras in this article from August.
4. Annual Backflow Testing Basics
Regular contributor Anthony Pacilla offered an overview on the basics of conducting backflow testing.
3. Communication Tips for Field Techs Who Want to Stand Out
Working in the field means you're the face of the company. You’re not just fixing things; you're also building trust with customers, keeping projects on track with your crew, and representing your employer every time you open your mouth. That means communication matters. A lot. This article provided some practical communication tips to help field techs make a positive impression.
2. Podcast: A Master Class in Scaling a Trades Business
We branched out into podcasts in 2025 as another way of getting contractors’ stories out there. This article promoted an episode done with Michael Crowe, examining his journey from a Harvard master's degree and background in commercial real estate to a career in the trades.
1. Shifting From Copper to Hybrid Polymers Produces Cleaner, More Sustainable Plumbing Systems
Increasing concerns for health and safety along with the need for sustainable building materials has resulted in a unique industry challenge — finding a domestic water piping solution that is safe and sustainable while also being economical and reliable. As this article examines, the answer for many professionals has been transitioning from copper to hybrid Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX piping systems.
