There are a lot of myths that surround plastic pipes. For example, there are those that still perpetuate the idea that plastic pipe is noisy and easy to break due to the nature they are brittle. Plumbing noise levels in residential bathrooms can only reach 45 decibels as per the ASHRAE Chapter 48 standard on noise and vibration control. To put this into a bit of perspective, a refrigerator usually marks in at around 40 decibels and a dishwasher at 60. Mike Mercurio, senior technical sales representative for IPEX, joins me on the podcast to break those myths. He will also explore some of the latest plastic pipe technology innovations in today’s marketplace. Be sure to listen to the full episode, we promise a fun and interesting chat for this lineup!

Here is a clip from our most recent episode of Trades Talk, where we sit down with Paul Tomlin of AO Smith and he takes us through the six-point checklist that every contractor should keep on them when doing their regular water heater maintenance check. Be sure to listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

If a water heater isn't kept in proper working condition there is a chance it could affect the warranty of the unit. Do I have your attention now? Good.  Adding regular maintenance packages to your business model allows for more consistent work around the calendar year. For those who know all too well that work tends to come all at once or not at all - maintenance plans allow for extra work during those not-so-busy seasons.  Yet, what exactly should be checked annually on a water heater? Well, I now have the answer for you. Paul Tomlin of AO Smith walks me through the six-point checklist that every contractor should keep on them when doing their regular maintenance check.  Take a listen as Paul goes into a bit more detail for each of the points mentioned above and some additional things to check off.  Be sure to listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

Here's a clip from our recent episode of Trades Talk, where we ask the question... how will the 2021 Canadian federal election affect the skilled trades?   Be sure to listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.   Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

Here's a clip from our recent episode of Trades Talk, where we ask the question... how will the 2021 Canadian federal election affect the skilled trades?  Be sure to listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

Elections are a time for change. It’s a changing or reinstatement of the guard. With every election comes new challenges, questions, and concerns. How will this federal election affect me, my family or my work? On today’s episode of Trades Talk, we look to answer that question by gathering a few friends from the industry to form our Advocacy Panel.   Join us as Ken Lancastle, chief operating officer with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC), Dave Hughes Technical Consultant, Codes and Standards at the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), and Martin Luymes  Vice President, Government and Stakeholder Relations at Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) discuss just how this upcoming election could affect the skilled trades.  Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

Here's a clip from our recent episode of Trades Talk, where we ask the question... how will the 2021 Canadian federal election affect the skilled trades?  Be sure to listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.  Website: Home - Plumbing & HVAC (plumbingandhvac.ca)

The entire Plumbing & HVAC team is now fully vaccinated; that is to say that all three of us are. Yet, it wasn't required as a company rule, mostly because companies are not allowed to mandate vaccinations in the workplace here in Canada. I discovered this fact by chatting with Humera Rehman, an associate with Rodney Employment Law. She explains that, here in Canada, it is very unlikely that employers will be able to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. Although, this entire pandemic is unprecedented, so really anything is kind of game at this point.  Topic change.  Have you always wondered why the water heater you just installed develops this little pool of water over time? Well, the solution might just be condensation. I thought this was just something that formed on my beer before I was able to finish it. Take a listen in our Tech Talk segment as Paul Tomlin of AO Smith teaches me about condensation management in water heaters. You truly do learn something new every day; why not make today's fun fact about water heaters.

Training in the pandemic has increased largely due to the fact that contractors or technicians have the ability to complete courses on their own time. No longer do they have to take work off to learn a new skill. This is just one of the lessons learned by Darrin Best, HVAC manager with Doyle Home Services, during the pandemic. “If you want to learn; this is the best time to do so.” Why not also take a listen to your favourite podcast, Trades Talk, while you are at it? In each episode, I am joined by a technical expert to discuss a bit more technical aspect of the industry. This was one of the more difficult interviews I have had on the show due to the truly complicated nature of the discussion. Take a listen as he attempts to teach me more about “Pressure Drops in Water Heaters"; and I’ll have to say, he does a pretty fantastic job.

Behind the scenes, trade associations are consistently working with the various levels of the Canadian government to ensure that the interests of the mechanical trades are met. Ken Lancastle, chief operating officer with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC), and Ralph Suppa, president and general manager with the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), join us to discuss the latest advocacy work that has been done on the behalf of their members.  For the latter half of the episode, our technical expert, Sean Giberson, residential regional sales manager with Taco Comfort Solutions, explores the technology that goes into ECM circulators. Check it out as he teaches us about constant pressure mode in relation to circulators.  What are you waiting for? Have you listened yet!