Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Learn how to install SharkBite Flexible Water Heater Connectors to connect hot and cold water supply lines to a water heater.

Transcript:Welcome to SharkBite Training Videos. My name is Craig and in this video I will show you how to use and install SharkBite Flexible Water Heater Connectors, which are used in residential and commercial applications to connect the hot and cold supply lines to the water heater.

These stainless steel braided connectors make fast work of water heater hot and cold supply line hook-up. The ability to rotate the SharkBite connector after it is pushed onto the pipe and the flexibility of the braided hose allow connections in tight spaces and without additional fittings. On gas heaters, ensure the hose remains clear of the flu.

To install the water heater connector, simply tighten the threaded end of the flex hose onto the water heater then push the other end of the flex hose onto the pipe up to the depth mark. Remember to de-burr and mark copper pipe with the SharkBite Depth & De-burr Gauge.

SharkBite Flexible Water Heater Connectors are available in and 3/4, in various lengths. Lead-free compliant versions are also available.

SharkBite Flexible Water Heater Connectors also come with an integral SharkBite Ball Valve and couplings suitable for use on copper, CPVC and PEX.

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How to Install a Water Heater Using a SharkBite Connector

Home Plumbing Water Heater How to Install a Power-Vented Water Heater

Power vents simplify a gas hot water heater installation

Power-vented water heaters work the same as ordinary water heaters, but the exhaust gases are blown out with a small fan instead of rising upwards through metal pipes.

The hot exhaust gases from a natural-draft water heater rise through an open draft diverter and out through a metal duct.

Natural gas or propane hot water heaters are generally less expensive to operate than electric heaters, but installing a standard vent in a house without an existing chimney is expensive.

Its easier to run the vent if you install a power-vented type of natural gas (or propane) water heater. This type of venting system is different from what you see on most gas water heaters. Most have a natural-draft type of vent, where the hot waste gases rise through an open draft diverter and into metal pipes,which eventually lead to the outdoors. Running one of these vents is complicated and may be expensive. Its best left to a professional.

In contrast, a power-vented type relies on a fan to blow the exhaust gases out. Since this method doesnt rely on the natural buoyancy of hot air, the vent pipes dont have to go upward. They can go out horizontally, which usually makes them much easier to install. Further, the fan dilutes the exhaust with cooler air so you can run the vents with easy-to-assemble PVC pipe. Power venting is an especially good solution for more energy efficient, tightly built homes, where a good natural draft is difficult to establish.

However, you should be aware of several drawbacks:

If you decide to install one yourself, read the instructions carefully and make sure to follow all venting procedures. And call your local building department and ask if you need a plumbing permit to do the work.

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration.

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Heres a list.

Continued here:
How to Install a Power-Vented Water Heater | Family Handyman

"Think of all the energy we've wasted with our water heaters constantly running," says Ryan Williams, general manager of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric. "In a large home, it's not unusual for 75 gallons of hot water in a tank to be constantly working to maintain temperature; even while you're at work or away on vacation."

Williams offers the following benefits for homeowners to consider a tankless, on-demand water heater over a traditional system:

For homeowners in the Boston area who would like help in determining if the tankless water heating system is right for their home, the professionals at 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric are ready to assist. For more information on rebate and financing eligibility, please call 1-888-419-4233 or visit http://www.call128.com.

About 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, was founded in Wakefield, Massachusetts more than 25 years ago. Since their start, 128 PHCE has expanded and grown to become Eastern Massachusetts' most trusted and consistent plumber, heating and air conditioning service company with over 800 reviews online. For more information, call 888-419-4233 or visit http://www.call128.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973hripley@ripleypr.com

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/five-benefits-of-installing-a-tankless-water-heater-in-a-boston-home-300510822.html

SOURCE 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric

http://www.call128.com

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Five Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater in a Boston Home - PR Newswire (press release)

Curtis Watson vividly remembers the day he literally swam through sewage underneath a modular home. Thats the kind of toughness a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division and a plumber of 34 years shows when faced with a dirty job.

The hillside homes sewer had separated because a pipe shifted and completely came apart, leaking raw sewage. Watson put on a contractors rain suit which he threw away when the job was done and fixed the sewer as quickly as possible.

Thats all in a days work for Patriot Plumbing, the Piedmont-based business Watson owns. He prides himself on employing a team of plumbers who tackle the dirtiest, toughest jobs in the region.

The companys general manager, Roger Olson, describes Watson as an intense personality and a good guy to have on your side. Ancient-plumbing conundrums, broken toilets and clogged drains dont intimidate Watson. In fact, they intrigue him.

We do the things nobody thinks can be done or wants to do. It doesnt matter how nasty or complicated we tackle it, Watson said. We find a way to get it done.

Patriot Plumbing services residential and commercial plumbing throughout the Black Hills. The business specializes in updating plumbing when homeowners or business owners remodel or need repairs. Watson and his team also install plumbing in new-construction homes and businesses, and they install water purification systems, standard and tankless water heaters and well systems.

Patriot Plumbings team includes four master plumbers three of whom are veterans and four apprentices who go out on jobs with the master plumbers to learn the trade.

Though Watson will work on custom homes by request, he prefers the complexity of dirty jobs over straightforward tasks such as installing brand-new plumbing.

I do historical remodels, and making something new out of something old is very challenging. It can be dirty and messy and complicated and mean. There can be safety issues, especially on jobs that require working on unstable earth, Watson said.

One of his current jobs is an 1893 house in Deadwood thats being remodeled. Taking something very, very old and making it modern and new you have to step back and figure out how to put in what (the homeowners) want with what you have, Watson said.

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Watson and his crew often are called to repair bad plumbing in newer houses, as well.

Were finding a lot of that. The contractors that build them do an inadequate job. I come into customers homes and make it right, Watson said. We do a lot of bathroom remodels, kitchen remodels, burst pipes, leaks. We replace a lot of toilets because these newer ones dont work very well. We have toilets we (install). They arent cheap, but they work.

For the dirtiest of dirty jobs, Patriot Plumbing has a truck called the rescue unit. Its for getting to places most vans cant go, and its equipped for almost any plumbing problem we come across, Watson said.

Watson sets high standards for his team of plumbers and encourages them to follow his mantra.

Being a plumber is not just what I do, its who I am, Watson said.

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No job too nasty for master plumbers - Rapid City Journal

Somebody ratted Patrick Kelly out to the Philadelphia Gas Works, which dispatched a revenue-protection team to his Fox Chase home in 2015 to inspect his incoming gas line.

Investigators for PGW discovered a flexible metal hose attached to the houses service line, bypassing the utilitys meter. The illegal line supplied free fuel to two furnaces, a hot water heater, a gas range, a gas dryer, and a swimming pool heater.

PGW cut off service to thehouse in the 700 block of Strahle Street and said the customer owed $21,000 for unauthorized gas used from 2003 through 2015, on top of the $7,800 Kelly was actually billed.

A heating and air-conditioning contractor, Kelly denied knowledge of the bypass and complained to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

On Thursday, an unsympathetic PUC voted, 3-1, to uphold a recommended decision that Kelly pay $18,378.72, an amount adjusted down to reflect a change in the estimated date when one of his gas appliances went into service.

Commissioner David W. Sweet cast the only dissenting vote, but notin Kellys favor. Sweet argued that a deadline had passed to legally adjust the amount owed, and that Kelly should actually pay $21,000, plus reconnection fees.

I see no reason for this commission to reach beyond our lawful authority in order to give partial relief tothisparticular complainant, he said.

The panel also rejected Kellys request that PGW give him a payment agreement.

Each year, the PUC deals with thousands of utility customers complaints, a fraction of which proceed through a formal hearing and go to the full commission. But few customers caught with an illegal bypass go public and seek relief from the agency.

Theft of natural gas is a dangerous practice that puts peoples lives at risk and forces honest ratepayers to cover the fuel cost, PGW spokesman Barry OSullivan said Friday. The city-owned utility was satisfied with the PUCs decision, he added.

Kelly did not respond to email and phone messages left with his answering service and his lawyer.

He converted his residence to propane and electric appliances after PGW shut off his service in October 2015 and did not dispute that PGW found an illegal tap on his property. But in testimony before a PUC administrative law judge, Kelly denied knowing anything about the bypass.

Neither PGW nor the PUC attempted to determine who installed the bypass, since Kelly was responsible for it because it was on his property. People can draw their own conclusions, OSullivan said.

Andrew M. Calvelli, the administrative law judge, dryly noted in his recommended decision that Kelly has owned a heating and air-conditioning business since 1993. Mr. Kelly installs a lot of air conditioners, heaters, walk-in boxes and refrigeration equipment as part of his business, thejudge wrote.

According to public records, Kelly bought the house in 2003 for $225,000. It had a gas dryer, a gas water heater, and a gas range.

Kelly installed a 100,000 BTU gas heater in 2003 and added a 50,000 BTU heater in 2009.In April 2014, he had a pool installed at the address, along with a 300,000 BTU gas heater to heat the pool.

The size and installation dates of the appliances were pertinent when PGW went about computing how much unbilled gas was consumed. For instance, PGW said it estimated that the pool was open from May to September, which istypical for a residential outdoor pool in Philadelphia, and was heated to 78 to 80 degrees.

Kelly disputedPGWs methodology, testifying that he let the weather heat his pool, and that he did not maintain the temperature between 78 and 80 degrees as suggested.

I do not find such testimony to be credible, Calvelli wrote in his recommended decision.

The administrative law judge did adjust down the estimated total, which CommissionerJohn F. Coleman Jr. said he found acceptable, despite Sweets dissent.

While I share the displeasure with my colleagues of the conduct of this customer, I believe the evidentiary record requires that we affirm the ALJs decision, Coleman said.

Published: September 1, 2017 5:16 PM EDT

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A PGW customer's plea gets no sympathy from the PUC - Philly.com

Londiwe Buthelezi

Between 40 percent and 70 percent of solar water heater installations were estimated to be unsatisfactory to customers, the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa ombudsman said yesterday.

The ombudsman, Carel Ballack, said his office received about 15 complaints a month. This number might seem fairly low, but Ballack said this was because the ombuds office was not known to customers.

He said installation problems were not alarming, but customer dissatisfaction also arose from service received after they had installed their solar water heater systems.

In winter there were a lot of complaints about systems freezing, while in summer there were overheating issues.

Eskom has also been telling households that have installed solar water heaters with mechanical dump valves to service their systems twice a year so that these would not develop frost or freeze.

The utility even advised that the use of mechanical dump valves in solar geyser installations was now prohibited by the SA Bureau of Standards.

While faulty installations have frustrated a number of households, Eskom said the only recourse for customers was to approach the ombudsman or revert to the Consumer Protection Act because the customers installation agreement was with the installation company, not Eskom.

Eskoms spokesman for the solar water heater rebate programme, Andrew Etzinger, said in most cases installations were done correctly but acknowledged that the utility had received a number of complaints about faulty workmanship.

He said in such cases, Eskom retained a portion of the payment claimed by suppliers until the faults were rectified. This had caused payment disputes with some suppliers.

In the majority of cases the disputes relate to the quality of workmanship where a supplier believes the quality is adequate and Eskom believes otherwise. Eskom deploys auditors to sites who take photographic evidence to substantiate concerns, Etzinger said.

Last week Frost & Sullivan released findings of its recent study, which showed that the uptake of solar geysers by consumers had been disappointing.

Yesterday, Frost & Sullivan energy and power research analyst Muneera Salie said the issue of faulty installations emerged very strongly when the firm conducted the study. The product is often good quality but the system does not work properly and people feel frustrated.

Customers did not want the product any longer as they thought the solar heater was faulty, but the problem was the installation, she said.

She said the study also found that some installers posed as if they were contracted by Eskom and when people tried to call them when problems arose after the installation, the companies had vanished.

Frost & Sullivans study showed that 40 percent of new suppliers left the industry every year because of disappointing demand and that the solar water heater market generated revenue of only about R810 million last year.

Etzinger admitted that the amount that had to be paid by homeowners for solar geysers, even after the Eskom rebate, was still too high to achieve a large uptake of the high pressure systems.

Eskom offers rebates of between R3 936 and R8 964 on different sizes of high pressure geysers. Through the rebate programmes, including that of the Department of Energy, 336 391 were installed in the country by April 5.

Eskom said the installation companies registered in its rebate programme met the minimum required qualifications and skills.

But Ballack said some installers were not too concerned about the functionality of the system when installing the geysers, while others did not understand the technicalities.

Three years ago, a certain supplier flooded the market with 12 volt circulator pumps, which are not reliable and some consumers are not even aware that their systems are not functioning because of this, Ballack said.

More:
Solar water heater complaints flood in - Independent Online

We previously reported the Washington Supreme Courts decision in Xia, et al. v. ProBuilders Specialty Insurance Company, et al., 188 Wn.2d 171, 393 P.3d 748 (2017), in which the Court applied the efficient proximate cause rule to a third-party liability policy to find a duty to defend.

To recap, Washington law requires insurers to assess and investigate coverage under first-party insurance policies by applying the efficient proximate cause analysis. Until Xia, the efficient proximate cause rule has only been applied to first party insurance policies in Washington. But the Washington Supreme Courts decision in Xia changed that by holding that an insurer must consider the efficient proximate cause rule in determining its duty to defend under a CGL policy.

The issue in Xia was whether the pollution exclusion applied to relieve ProBuilders of its duty to defend a claim against the insured alleging that carbon monoxide was released into the claimants house through a defectively installed vent. ProBuilders denied coverage to the insured contractor, in part, under the pollution exclusion. The Washington Supreme Court held that while ProBuilders did not err in determining that the plain language of its pollution exclusion applied to the release of carbon monoxide into Xias home, under the eight corners rule of reviewing the complaint and the insurance policy, ProBuilders should have noted that a potential issue of efficient proximate cause existed, as Xia alleged negligence in her original complaint, i.e. failure to properly install venting for the hot water heater and failure to properly discover the disconnected venting.

Ultimately, the Court concluded that the efficient proximate cause of the claimants loss was a covered peril the negligent installation of a hot water heater. Even though ProBuilders correctly applied the language of its pollution exclusion to the release of carbon monoxide into the house, the Court ruled that ProBuilders breached its duty to defend as it failed to consider an alleged covered occurrence that was the efficient proximate cause of the loss. The Court granted judgment as a matter of law to the claimant with regard to her breach of contract and bad faith claims.

Soon after the Washington Supreme Courts decision, ProBuilders filed a motion asking the Court to reconsider its decision. However, on August 17, 2017, the Washington Supreme Court denied the motion, leaving in place the holding that insurers must take the efficient proximate cause rule when analyzing coverage under third-party policies.

As discussed in our earlier post, the efficient proximate cause rule applies when two or more perils combine in sequence to cause a loss and a covered peril is the predominant or efficient cause of the loss. Vision One, LLC v. Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co., 174 Wn.2d 501, 276 P.3d 300 (2012). If the initial event, the efficient proximate cause, is a covered peril, then there is coverage under the policy regardless of whether subsequent events within the chain, which may be causes-in-fact of the loss, are excluded by the policy. Key Tronic Corp., Inc. v. Aetna (CIGNA) Fire Underwriters Insurance Co., 124 Wn.2d 618, 881 P.2d 210 (1994).

Insurers must be extremely cautious when assessing the duty to defend and an exclusion that could potentially preclude coverage. Under Xia, liability insurers must examine the underlying complaint very carefully to determine whether there could potentially be multiple causes of a loss, and if so, which cause is the initiating cause. If the initiating cause is potentially a covered event, then there may be coverage and the insurer must provide a defense under reservation of rights in order to minimize bad faith exposure.

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Washington Supreme Court Denies Reconsideration of Its Decision to Apply the Efficient Proximate Cause Rule to a ... - Lexology (registration)

Ernest Gilbert knows that a kitchen or the bathroom remodel can help update any house and built his Bradenton-based business, Gilbert Design Build, on such remodels.

Gilbert, 48, started his full-service business in 2001 and has showrooms at 816 Manatee Ave. E. in the Central Plaza and at 4049 Clark Road in Sarasota.

We are a design, build and remodeling company. We specialize in remodeling, Gilbert said in his Bradenton showroom, accompanied by his son, Evan, who works in accounting and purchasing.

Gilbert Design Build is a licensed contractor with interior designers on staff, and the company recently was a finalist in the annual Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year awards in the category for firms with more than $1 million in annual revenue.

Ernest Gilbert got into the business at age 17. When he bought his first house, it was a 1920s-era fixer-upper located in the Wares Creek section of Bradenton.

I had no money, he said of the initial challenge of updating the house. I learned how to do things and realized I enjoyed it.

We want to create an environment where our team members like to come to work. We want an environment where they can be creative.

Ernest Gilbert, Gilbert Design Build

His wife Jessica encouraged him to pursue home remodeling as a career.

We grew faster than most businesses should, and pretty soon I was in the office running things, Ernest Gilbert said.

Like many during the Great Recession, the company had to downsize, but it has rebounded and now counts about 25 on its payroll. Among them is Evan Gilbert, who thought he might become an architect but gravitated to the family business by working in the office doing computer-assisted design and getting involved in the financial side of the operation.

The creative urge to improve a home is reflected in the Gilbert Design Build showroom, which showcases modern kitchen and bathroom designs while fostering a happy work atmosphere.

We want to create an environment where our team members like to come to work. We want an environment where they can be creative. We encourage creativity to improve our system, Ernest Gilbert said.

That translates into a pleasant experience for the client.

We are trying to operate with integrity and create a relationship with the client so they will want to come back to us, Ernest Gilbert said.

Being in the remodeling business, Gilbert donates many serviceable fixtures taken from the homes he upgrades to Habitat for Humanity, giving them a second generation of use.

Occasionally we will work on one of their builds, he said.

Gilbert Design Build has also supported Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Toys for Tots.

For more information, visit gilbertdesignbuild.com or call 941-757-3395.

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Assembling ideal creative team for home renovation projects - Bradenton Herald

By Ed Del GrandeTribune News Service

Q: Were getting older and plan to stay in our home longer than expected. Were remodeling the bathroom with age-friendly plumbing fixtures. What tips can you give for an aging-in-place massage soaking tub? Ann, Nebraska

A: I know from personal experience that old bones love a gentle soaking. My tips:

Check out a drop-in style tub. These usually require a custom-built enclosure, which will let you add stairs and seating areas around the tub for easier access.

In place of a whirlpool jet system, I recommend a bubble massage system. Soft, rising bubbles are a lot easier on the body.

Dont forget comfort and lumbar support. Look for a tub with rounded edges and body-supporting features.

Q: Our children are getting to be independent in the bathroom. We want to teach them good water-saving habits. What do you recommend? Becky and Joe, Rhode Island

A: To start, I would upgrade to high-efficiency fixtures. My tips:

Upgrade your faucets with water-efficient aerators and teach the kids to turn the tap off while brushing teeth.

Install an adjustable-height shower and slide bar instead of taking baths.

Replace your old toilet with a high-efficiency dual-flushing toilet. Kids love to press buttons. Teach them the No. 1 button (half flush.) is for No. 1 and the No. 2 button (full flush) is for No. 2.

Q: Im planning an extensive kitchen remodel and would like a kitchen island with a bar sink. What features would you suggest? Mary, Wisconsin

A: With kitchen island sinks, I can tell you that the good old fashioned bar sink has evolved into a staging area for food and beverages rather than an actual work station. Thus I suggest exploring these design features:

Material choices: Cast iron and acrylic are popular, as well as stainless steel.

Shapes and mounting: Under-mount bar sinks with rounded shapes can make a dramatic visual statement.

Faucets and accessories: High-end faucets and custom cutting boards also help keep a new island sink on the cutting edge of design trends.

Ed Del Grande is a Master Contractor/Plumber and LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com.

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For bathtubs & older bones, bubble massage bests whirlpools - The Columbus Dispatch

Boston, MA - The kitchen is where families prepare their food; thus, it is important that it does not only look clean, but elegant as well. However, it could lose its elegance with time and soon, it will need a facelift. To achieve this, one needs professionals that have the expertise to deliver. It is with this in mind that Boston Prime Building is offering services to turn a home into a haven by offering a 10% discount on their kitchen remodelling services.

What is different about Boston Prime Builders is the fact that they actually listen to what a client would like to accomplish in remodeling their kitchen. Based on that they will share with the client what the best options are in terms of materials and design that will not only ensure the desired outcome, but will exceed it. The company is a local contractor company owned and managed by one of the most professional and skilled masters in the field, Mr. Pasquale Spadorcia. According to the spokesperson for the company, Mr. Roberto Fernandes, "dining rooms are being eliminated in favor of remodeled kitchens that accommodate kids doing their homework while you are cooking. You can add a large island where people come, join in a good conversation and in general have some fun, among other things." As such, whether looking for an efficient space or something dramatic, this company has designers that can turn customers dreams into reality.

The truth is that most homeowners have a special attachment to their kitchen. This is where family memories and special moments are created as immaculate recipes are brought into life and many delightful meals shared with relatives, friends, and family during holidays. It is imperative, therefore, to have a kitchen that is awesome and looks the part. This general contractor in Boston can make that happen and has been in the business of remodeling kitchens long enough to have a solid reputation and a slew of satisfied customers in their wake. The staff at this remodeling company comprises of a special group of talented and qualified individuals whose sole objective when working with a client is to deliver the desired results and leave a client smiling at the attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship, and amazing design that culminate in a dream kitchen.

They will also help to design around budget since this is a big factor when remodeling kitchens. Boston Prime Builders (http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com/) provide homeowners with the opportunity to take full advantage of the 10% discount on kitchen remodeling offered among other perks that they have for their clients.

Get in touch with Boston Prime Builders for more information by calling them via telephone number 617-315-6140 or visit their website at http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com. Interested personnel can also email them at BostonPrimeBuilders@gmail.com. They are located at 6 Liberty Square Unit 2044, Boston, MA 02109.

Media ContactCompany Name: Boston Prime BuildersContact Person: Roberto FernandesEmail: BostonPrimeBuilders@gmail.comPhone: 617-315-6140Address:6 Liberty Square Unit 2044 City: BostonState: Massachusetts Country: United StatesWebsite: http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com

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Boston Prime Builders Offers Discount on Kitchen Remodeling ... - Digital Journal