Trial by fire

Trial by fire

The climb to success doesn’t include an elevator or escalator; there are only stairs to climb. I always hated the business side of being in business. After a hard day’s work, we would retire to our home office to do billing, write checks and fill in the books. Truth...
Vented or vent-free gas logs and heaters

Vented or vent-free gas logs and heaters

Ensure your customers are aware of the advantages and disadvantages. Remember the wall-vented, gas-fired space heaters with standing pilots? It sure was fun trying to relight those pilots through the peephole on windy days — not. I had one customer who heated their...
Winterizing buildings

Winterizing buildings

Do it the right way to avoid future disaster. I have far too many memories of freeze damage in “winterized” homes where the winterizing procedure consisted of shutting off the main valve, opening a basement drain in the potable water system, opening all...
Making radiant work on a budget

Making radiant work on a budget

How to get your “foot in the door.” Let’s be honest: More than a few customers have champagne tastes but exist on a beer budget. I’ve encountered it on multiple sales calls — where a potential customer has read about the outstanding comfort and health benefits of...
ABS or PVC?

ABS or PVC?

Better to be on the safe side. Forty-eight years ago, as a plumbing apprentice, we used ABS schedule 40 piping and fittings for DWV work. At that time, only cast iron pipe and fittings were permitted for use below grade. Transition from cast iron was made using a...