The 5 Main Types of Plumbing Pipes for Your Home Plumbing System
1. PVC Pipes
Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) are commonly used as part of a sink, toilet, or shower drain line. Its plastic tubing is ideal for this kind of usage because it protects the water from rust and corrosion better than other types of pipes. This capability also makes PVC pipe incredibly durable. Unless they are subject to some kind of damage, PVC pipes will last indefinitely.
PVC pipe is also able to handle high water pressure. This is why it can also serve as your home’s main water supply line. It is also a lighter-weight material, making it easier to work with than the more traditional galvanized steel piping options. PVC pipes contain a smooth inner lining as well, which protects against sediment buildup and makes them more resistant to blockages.
Drawbacks surrounding PVC pipe include limited size options, an inability to withstand hot water, and concerns over toxicity. Though PVC piping meets all standards set by the American National Standards Institute, there are concerns that it may introduce polyvinyl chloride chemicals into drinking water, potentially causing respiratory and reproductive issues. It is for this reason that some states have banned PVC plumbing pipes from transporting drinking water.
2. PEX Pipes
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, piping also refers to an affordable plastic tubing commonly used for water supply lines. Similar to PVC piping, it prevents rust or corrosion from leaching into the water.
Professionals remain drawn to PEX pipes because they are flexible and easy to weave through walls, ceilings, basements, and crawl spaces. At the same time, they’re strong enough to withstand the pressures of your water supply. Cross-linked polyethylene pipe is also color-coded for hot and cold water, making it easy for plumbers to identify and organize when on the job.
3. ABS Pipes
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipe is similar to PVC pipes in nature but easy to identify based on their black color. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is also particularly resilient to cold temperatures. It is predominantly used for vent and drain lines.
Though this kind of plumbing pipe is easy to install, it can warp when exposed to direct sunlight. ABS pipes are also noisier than other types of plumbing pipes, causing disturbances among some homeowners.
4. Copper Pipes
Copper pipe has been a staple within the plumbing industry for decades. This type of plumbing pipe can last upwards of 50 years and is commonly found in sinks, showers, tubs, and other fixtures in new and old homes. Copper pipes remain popular among plumbers and homeowners alike because they are corrosion-resistant and best suited to protect the quality of the water.
Copper pipes are able to handle high water pressure and are tolerant of both hot and cold water temperatures. It’s also able to be recycled, making it a somewhat environmentally-friendly option.
That said, are a few drawbacks to consider. Because it is so rigid, plumbers cannot use copper piping in tight spaces. It is also the most expensive type of plumbing pipe. As the price of copper continues to rise, so will the costs of any project involving copper pipe.
5. Cast Iron and Galvanized Steel Pipes
Cast iron pipe and galvanized steel pipe are rarely included in new construction, though they are commonly found in homes built in the early 20th century. Still, cast iron plumbing pipes are incredibly durable and remain in use for parts of water distribution systems today.
Cast iron pipes were typically used as sewer pipes or for other drainage purposes. Their popularity largely stemmed from the fact that they are heat-resistant and reduce the sound of moving water.
Unfortunately, the cast-iron pipe is prone to rust and corrosion. Over time, this will affect its ability to maintain a clean water supply. These types of pipes have largely been replaced by copper or PEX pipes in residential plumbing repairs.
Conclusion
Different plumbing pipe types are reserved for different purposes. For a successful career as a plumbing professional, you’ll need to know which to use for specific plumbing systems. Find out what it takes to get HVAC certified!
Learn everything there is to know about plumbing in residential, commercial, and industrial structures with our associate degree program in plumbing and heating technology. Students will be introduced to basic theory and practices of heating and plumbing and receive hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
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11 Tips For Starting A Successful Plumbing Business
Wondering how to start a plumbing business? Well, first you have to keep in mind that plumbing and service sector covers areas such as sanitary, water, gas, heating and cooling, metal roofing, industrial wastes, drainage, building services, mechanical services, air-conditioning, and even fire services. Because these are essential services for commercial and residential buildings, the demand for plumbers never slows down.
In the United States, the plumbing industry was estimated to be $95 billion strong in 2013, according to a research. The potential of plumbing business can be gauged from the fact that plumbers earn more than many workers from other professions.
Giving an estimate of how much a plumber earns, The New York Times says, “Plumbers and the related trades of pipefitters and steamfitters, who often work in commercial and industrial settings, earned median pay of about $49,000 a year nationally, well above the $35,000 average for all occupations, according to 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 per cent earn more than $84,000 a year. The average in big markets like Chicago and New York is about $70,000.” This shows that your plumbing startup can make it big in the market.
Having said that, make it certain that you have planned your business well. There are a lot of aspects such as knowing your niche, marketing your services, getting a nice logo, an attractive business card, using social media to connect with people etc that you need to cover.
Here Are Some Key Tips To Follow For Starting A Plumbing Business
01. Know Your Niche
While plumbing services include pipe repair and drain cleaning, there is a lot of competition in such commonly provided services. If you base your business on these, you are going to face a tough competition from everywhere. This is where the importance of finding out your niche lies.
Do some research to know which plumbing areas are least covered by other companies. For example, your venture can repair a custom bath or it can offer specialized services in the installation of water pipes and gas pipes. Or, you may specially deal in the installation of sanitary equipment.
Your niche may be commercial maintenance, hospitals, nursing homes or large scale buildings and warehouses. Whichever it may be, make sure that you pick a niche that you can handle well.
An advantage of limiting your plumbing business to a particular area of plumbing is that it can operate efficiently. Since yours is a small business that is working on a tight budget, spreading out to many plumbing jobs will put more pressure on your limited resources.
Such a widespread business will mean hiring many workers and specialists, which may not suit your budget. You will also have to buy more tools. Therefore, do some research and see which particular plumbing service you would like to offer with least competition.
02. Get Training And Experience
Without knowing a particular field of plumbing inside out, your business will go directionless. So, get a first-hand experience of the work in which you want to branch out. This is especially important if you are not a licensed plumber yet.
To gain the experience, it is advisable to be an apprentice with a plumbing company. This way, you will develop the required skills for the job, which will be of a great advantage in running your business. Alternatively, you can take courses related to plumbing. Join some community colleges or trade schools for these courses.
With the training and experience, you can add value to your business in many ways. Most importantly, since you become an expert in your field, it helps build a trustworthy brand identity of your company and services.
Take Care Of The Legal Aspect
As is the requirement for most businesses, you need to submit important documents on time for starting a plumbing business. There are, in fact, many plumbing clearance certificates that you need to submit to a construction company. These documents should be given after the respective authorities give the clearance to your business.
Your state requires you to get documents such as plumbing license, a contractor’s license, and plumbing permit. In addition to that, you will also submit other documents such as plumbing forms, proposals, and guide to your client.
Also, you require a tax identification number (TIN) and a liability insurance. In case you intend to sell some plumbing equipment, parts, or products, you will need to produce a retail license as well. So, make it certain that you have acquired all the legal documents.
Talking about the legalities, do not forget to get a trademark for your business. A logo is the trademark of any company and its business. So, you should ask a professional designer to create a logo for your plumbing startup so that people can easily identify your business whenever you offer your services to them.
04. Have A Unique Business Card
One of the key things you must have for your business is a business card. The card has all of your contact details such as phone number, fax number, website address, email address, company’s location, etc. Thus, the card comes in handy when a client wants to contact your company for your plumbing service.
However, modern business cards are specifically designed to make a good impression on the recipients. In fact, the card can even reflect your brand values. So, have some creative business card design ideas first before designing your card. Get services of a professional designer who understand how to design your card specifically for your business.
Make A Business Plan
A business plan is like your guide that helps you keep on the right track. Do not mistake the plan for merely chalking out some financial resources here and there. It is not a randomly created list of DOs or DON’Ts. The fact is that the plan involves all things that you are going to do in next many years even a decade related to your plumbing business. Merely having a company logo design for your plumbing venture is not enough. A plan to proceed in the coming days is also equally necessary.
So, a lot of researching of your plumbing niche goes in preparing the plan. You must mention every available resource to you and how you are going to explore that for the growth of your business. The plan should list out your financial resources, numbers of employees, officials, their salaries, office space, equipment you need to buy, and marketing plans etc.
06. Have A Unique Logo
A uniquely designed logo does many things for the advancement of any business including your plumbing startup. A logo is not just a symbolic representation of what your company makes or sells. It is not just a trademark to legally identify your business. More than that, it is a visual that attracts your potential customers to your offerings or services. They will identify and verify your services by checking your logo.
However, your plumbing business logo design should be a unique, stylish, and memorable piece of work. If it stands out from your competitors’ logos, people will take your business as unique and different from others. That is the message your logo will send to the potential clients.
07. Create Your Business Website
No business can grow without having a good online presence. This is because most people search for products or services including plumbing services online. They usually first visit a prospective company’s website to find out more about its services or products before buying anything. Most of them get an inkling of a business by visiting its website. If a web page design is user-friendly, people will like to stay at it for a longer time. This means that many of them may think of buying your services.
But make sure that the website has relevant images and text content of your plumbing company. It should clearly tell all about what your business and who the target customers are. All the relevant information such as the services, pricing packages, contact details, terms and conditions, etc should be given in the web pages. Also, your website should load quickly when people want to click on its links.
08. Generate Leads And Convert Them To Sales
Another thing to do for starting a plumbing business is to generate enough leads. Then, you should convert them into sales as well. To do that, you need to adopt some strategies to reward those who bring customer referrals. If they suggest some potential customers, reward them with discounts. You can offer discounts to frequent customers, thus to win their hearts and develop a long-lasting relationship.
Another strategy will be to offer follow-up services for free to the customers who call you again for some minor plumbing work. This will help you in turning those customers into your loyal customer base. They will keep coming back to you whenever they need plumbing services.
Similarly, you are also able to generate online leads. There are some internet marketing companies that will help you get customers using your websites and links. You will need graphic design services of a professional graphic designer to create a host of designs that work for bringing customers online.
09. Use Social Media For Business Promotion
Your potential customers use social media to connect with the world. They are on different platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. There are many social channels such as YouTube and LinkedIn, which you can explore to drive customers to your business. All you need to do is to take your company’s services to the social channels.
So, first, create your social media page on the popular channels. Then, post content relevant to your plumbing niche on these pages regularly. This way, you can attract potential clients to your company’s offerings. You should try hard to build a relationship with your customers using these pages.
Recommended Reading:
- Create Meaningful Plumber Logo With These Tips
- 15 Simple Steps For Starting A Home Improvement Business In 2020
- 10 Construction Company Logo Design Ideas For Businesses
- 9 Marketing Strategies To Expand Your Construction Business
10. Use Flyers As Your Affordable Marketing Tactics
Flyers are one of the cheapest ways to advertise and market your upcoming business. These are the one-leaf thin sheet of paper that has a lot of information about a business. You can distribute flyers to the people who are passing by. They will get some details about your business while moving on. The cost of creating many such flyers is within your small budget. You can easily create them by using cleaning flyer templates.
However, flyers are also your chance of making an impression on the people so that many of them inquire about your business later. Therefore, create an online flyer design using some software on your own and print it at a cheaper cost. But the design should be unique and impressive. It should tell about your attractive discounts on the services and its key features.
11. Lower Down Your Overheads
Since yours is a startup, its financial means are smaller. You should keep it in mind for starting a plumbing business. Make all the efforts that can save you money. For example, think of running your plumbing services from home. Remember that there are some tax benefits on setting up your office at home. There are many ways you can check your overheads to a minimum. This will also help in creating a positive cash flow for your business.
You should also think of lowering your costs when creating a lot of marketing materials for advertising and marketing your services. So, find out less costly online graphic design services that can lower cost down to your small budget. Make sure that you have enough cash flow at hand to meet any urgent expenses. That you can ensure by reducing your overhead expenses.
So, these are the key points to consider when starting a plumbing business successfully. If you are also planning to operate one such business, ensure that you have a nice logo, business card, and other such visuals to impress your clients. To create such visuals for your business at affordable costs, you can rely on the services of Designhill, which is a leading crowdsourcing platform.
You can launch your design contest to get dozens of unique concepts from as many designers. In a short period of one to two weeks, you get a logo etc design that is worth representing your startup business.
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10 Perks of Being a Plumber
Have you ever wondered why someone would choose to be a plumber? Maybe you’ve considered it as a career for yourself. Either way, the plumbing trade is a rewarding career for many reasons.
Plumber Perks
Here are 10 of the many perks of being a plumber:
1. Job Security: There’s no need to worry about your job being outsourced or eliminated — as long as there are pipes and drains, the world will need plumbers. The industry is experiencing steady growth, too.
2. Opportunity for Entrepreneurship: A licensed plumber can choose to work for a company as an employee, or they can strike out on their own independently.
3. Job Variety: Some people hate to be stuck at a desk all day. Plumbers get out of the office — all around their neighborhood, visiting residences, and businesses — and every day is different.
4. A Chance to Help People: It’s great to have a job that makes a difference in people’s lives. Plumbers help improve the quality of life and safeguard the health of their community by keeping water and sewer pipes well maintained.
5. Mental Challenges: Working as a plumber means solving a puzzle with every job. A plumber has to analyze the situation, find the problem, and figure out the most efficient way of solving it. This type of job never gets boring!
6. A Feeling of Importance: Let’s face it — when people need a plumber, they really need a plumber! Often they need one immediately to prevent water damage in their home or business, fix toilets, make sure they can take a hot shower, and keep their drinking water safe.
7. Exercise: Who needs a gym membership when you haul heavy pipe around every day? Plumbers bend, crouch, and squeeze into small spaces. They also use upper-body strength to run the equipment. A hard-working plumber can stay in great physical condition.
8. No Student Loan Debt: Most plumbers learn their trade either in a vocational school or as apprentices assisting licensed plumbers. On-the-job training is the opposite of college tuition: You literally earn while you learn.
9. Social Interaction: Working as a plumber means you get to meet all kinds of people, from all walks of life. Whether your project is in a commercial building or a residence, it’s guaranteed you’ll never feel isolated or lonely while on the job.
10. Great Pay and Benefits: Good plumbers earn a comfortable living, whether they work for a plumbing company or as independent contractors. Many plumbers join a union, and they receive excellent benefits such as health insurance, a 401(k), life insurance and more.
As you can see, there are many reasons to become a plumber. Many people take their plumbing for granted and don’t think about it — until it stops working. However, well-maintained plumbing is crucial to our way of life and our health. Therefore, there will always be a demand for good plumbers. It’s nice to feel needed!
Trust your plumbing to Mr. Rooter of Oneida. We’ll be there to help you with whatever plumbing issue arises.
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3 reasons to build a good relationship with your plumber
Communication
For your Canberra plumber to do their job effectively, they need to understand exactly what the problem is. Therefore, if you have built a solid relationship with your plumber, you can quickly and easily communicate this information to them. Whether you are able to give your emergency plumber details over the phone or even send them photos of the problem, this information will help them do their job faster and more efficiently. A plumber who understands you and your needs can bring the right tools for the job, have any necessary parts ready, and save you time and money.
Save Money
Plumbers can also save you money in unexpected ways. For example, your plumber can help you with:
– A water softening system. This will remove naturally occurring minerals in your water such as calcium, limestone, lead iron, and magnesium. Without these minerals running through your taps and appliances, you can extend their lifespan by up to 30%. You’ll also find you’re able to use less detergent and shampoo without these minerals reducing your soaping efforts.
– Repairing leaks. A slow leak can quickly add up to a big water bill. An unidentified leak can also cause mold which can lead to expensive repairs.
– Gas hot water systems. Switching to a tankless hot water system can save your power and your water bills as you’re only heating the water as you need it.
– Updating fixtures. You may already know about low-flow showerheads and taps, but did you also know your plumber can save you money by installing an energy-saving dishwasher and washing machine?
– Maintenance. You may think that the worst part of a plumber’s job was when they’re called into the bathroom. However, most plumbers find the most unpleasant and difficult substance to work with is grease. When you have a good ongoing relationship with your plumber, they can help you maintain your kitchen sinks and food disposals to avoid costly, messy, and smelly build-ups of grease.
Safety
We take fresh, clean running water for granted. Even when we need an emergency plumber, our water systems are usually back online in several hours. However, keeping your water systems and pipes clean and well-maintained means that your plumber is ensuring your access to clean water and reducing your risk of exposure to a range of diseases.
It is also important to remember that plumbing can be dangerous and shouldn’t be attempted as a DIY project. Your plumber could be facing up to 100 pounds of pressure from a burst water pipe. Therefore, it’s best to leave the repairs and maintenance to the experts, for your own safety.
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