Plumber prefers water heater with focus on efficiency and sustainability
Problem: As demands for energy efficiency and sustainability increase, most contractors and manufacturers are focused on providing innovative water heating solutions that minimize environmental impact and are more efficient & cost-effective over the long term. Hiller Plumbing, located in the southeastern U.S., provides unique solutions that meet the needs of their customers.
Solution: When asked for an alternate solution to traditional water heaters, Hiller is happy to recommend the EXR from Essency. Essency’s EXR was engineered to address just about any homeowner’s challenges by implementing a unique polymer tank design that can stand up to the wear and tear of scale and other poor water quality conditions.
Result: As Micah Long, project manager at Hiller says, “We strive to give our customers choices and the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Recently we’ve found many of them are choosing Essency’s EXR!” 888-229-6285; www.essencyhome.com
Plumbing camera solves long term plumbing problem
Problem: A homeowner in Mercer Island, Washington repeatedly experienced a clogged shower drain and had to call plumbers or use a drain snake to clear the obstruction himself every time. Finally, he decided to find out what was causing the clog and two plumbers told him that no camera was available on the market that could pass a P-trap in a 1.5-inch pipe.
Solution: The person who was going to do the inspection decided to search online and found a MINIFLEX plumbing camera specifically designed to perform in 1.5-inch pipes and bigger. He called Fiberscope.net, and after some consultation, the company supplied a MINIFLEX Plumbing Camera and a sonde locator.
Result: The MINIFLEX Plumbing Camera had no difficulty maneuvering through the 1.5-inch pipe, especially the P-trap. The inspection revealed that there was an object in the pipe that caused the clog. The integrated 512 Hz sonde beacon in the camera head allowed the locator to pinpoint the blockage in the wall. The homeowner settled on having a professional plumber replace the pipe part with a foreign object inside. 877-613-2210; www.fiberscope.net
Cordless drill pouch attachment saves installation time for plumber
Problem: A plumber in San Diego, California, often faced delays while securing pipe brackets in tight spaces, such as under kitchen sinks and behind toilets. Keeping track of screws, small parts and driver bits was a challenge, leading to lost parts and time wasted retrieving items from his toolbox.
Solution: The plumber started using The Bit Pouch, a magnetic pouch from Jondy Distributors that attaches to his cordless drill’s battery with Velcro strips. The pouch held all the screws and bits he needed securely, allowing him to quickly switch bits and access screws while installing pipe brackets.
Result: The Bit Pouch reduced installation time by 35%, as the plumber no longer needed to constantly reach for his toolbox. It also minimized the risk of losing screws and brackets, making the job smoother and more efficient. 661-268-0304; www.jondydistributors.com
PVC cement solves high-pressure plumbing challenge
Problem: Colin Curry, owner and master plumber at Hill Country Plumbing, faced a tough plumbing issue in a residential area south of Austin, Texas. The water system, which supplies 15 homes, requires pumping water up 200 feet and across 1,000 feet, resulting in high pressure (95 to 160 psi). This pressure caused a PVC ball valve to split, and replacement attempts on a 90-degree joint repeatedly failed due to broken connections before cement could set.
Solution: After trying various products that couldn’t withstand the high-pressure conditions, Curry turned to Oatey’s Rain-R-Shine Medium Blue PVC Cement. “After experimenting with products from one of Oatey’s competitors, and then attempting an industrial gray glue, I decided to try Rain-R-Shine,” says Curry.
Result: Within 45 minutes of applying Rain-R-Shine, Curry pressurized the system to 95 psi. “It held beautifully without any leaks,” he notes. “Its consistency is superior to other glues, which tend to clump up when exposed to moisture during application. Rain-R-Shine cement maintains a smooth application without balling up, even under wet conditions.” Curry completed the job more efficiently and avoided prolonged labor. 800-321-9532; www.oatey.com
Homeowner finds long-term solution to overflow problems
Problem: Jim Mitchell, a retired automotive engineer from General Motors, and his wife Mary faced a challenging plumbing-drainage situation in their home. Its lower-level laundry room was frequently plagued with overflow issues caused by repeated pump failures. The home is somewhat unusual in that it is constructed entirely from wood. The foundation is exposed on one side, with six-by-six posts embedded in the ground every 8 feet. The walls and flooring are made of marine-grade plywood, tar and visqueen, giving the home a distinctive wooden aesthetic. Given the room’s below-ground position on the property, traditional plumbing solutions were not feasible.
Solution: Mitchell’s search for a new product for his laundry room took him to a local hardware store where a close friend worked. The product that Mitchell was shown was the Saniflo Saniswift Gray Water Drain Pump. He was initially impressed by the installer-friendly, compact design of the pump and the fact that it was floor mounted. “The appearance of the pump was an important factor for me because it needs to fit underneath the laundry tub,” says Mitchell. “While it doesn’t necessarily have to be stylish, I didn’t want just a big black plastic box.” The Saniswift is installed beneath a 20-gallon laundry tub, into which a washing machine and sink faucet drain. From there, the graywater is pumped 10 feet vertically to a 1 1/2-inch PVC line that angles horizontally and runs 30 feet to the home’s main waste line on the first level. The unit is vented through an 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe which runs vertically upward 18 inches.
Result: The pump successfully installed, Mitchell has been impressed with how he can now be completely hands-off, in stark contrast to the previous, consistently malfunctioning pumps he had installed in the past. “I’ve got every confidence in the world that the pump will last me a very long time,” he says. “The laundry tub is evacuated instantly with no overflow issues.” 800-571-8191; www.saniflo.com
