Rick Donovan
Editorial byline
Rick Donovan is an editorial byline for AllTradesJournal, with a focus on Trades, Industry Practices, Construction Tech. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Trade School or Apprenticeship? A Two-Step Guide to Choosing Your Skilled Trades Path
Choosing between trade school and apprenticeship involves evaluating four personal factors: learning style, financial needs, timeline, and preferred practice environment. This guide helps you decide your skilled trades career path.
Nov 10, 2026 · 5 min read
A Beginner's Starter Kit: The Three Hand Tools That Cover Most Landscaping Work
Discover the three essential hand tools for beginner landscapers: a shovel, rake, and pruning saw. This guide covers what to look for when buying quality tools and how to maintain them for lasting use.
Nov 10, 2026 · 4 min read
PEX, Copper, PVC, CPVC, or Galvanized: How to Identify the Pipes in Your Home
Learn to identify common plumbing pipe materials like PEX, copper, PVC, CPVC, and galvanized steel in your home. Understanding these materials helps you recognize signs of aging and potential issues with your water supply and drainage systems.
Nov 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Drilled, Driven, or Dug: How to Tell What Kind of Well You Have and How It Gets Water to Your Tap
Learn to identify your residential water well type—drilled, driven, or dug—based on its construction, depth, and contamination risk. Understand how different well systems deliver water and what to look for in maintenance.
Nov 8, 2026 · 4 min read
STC vs. NRC: The Two Ratings That Decide Which Soundproofing Material Your Home Project Needs
Understanding the difference between Sound Transmission Class (STC) for blocking noise and Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) for absorbing sound is crucial for effective home soundproofing. Choosing materials based on whether your goal is to keep sound out or tame echo within a room ensures the right acoustic solution.
Nov 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Circuit Breaker vs. Surge Protector: Why Your Home Needs Both
Circuit breakers protect your home's wiring from overcurrents and fires, while surge protectors shield electronics from damaging voltage spikes. Both are essential and serve distinct, complementary roles in home electrical safety.
Nov 7, 2026 · 4 min read
How BIM Turns a Construction Site Into a Shared Data Project
Building Information Modeling (BIM) transforms construction sites into shared data projects by replacing scattered documents with a central knowledge resource. This collaborative process integrates discipline-specific data into a federated model, enabling trades to contribute and benefit from improved coordination, efficiency, and accuracy.
Nov 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Choosing a Residential Water Heater: How Tank, Tankless, Heat Pump, and Solar Stack Up on Cost, Efficiency, and Lifespan
This guide compares four residential water heater types—tank, tankless, heat pump, and solar—across cost, efficiency, and lifespan. It helps homeowners balance upfront expenses with long-term savings to find the best fit for their household and climate.
Oct 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Choosing Between EMT, IMC, RMC, and PVC Conduit for Home Wiring Projects
Selecting the right conduit for residential wiring involves considering the installation environment, potential for damage, and ease of installation. This guide compares EMT, IMC, RMC, and PVC conduit to help homeowners make informed choices based on specific project needs and local codes.
Oct 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Salt-Based Softener or Salt-Free Conditioner? How to Match the Right Water Treatment System to Your Home
Salt-based water softeners remove hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium through ion exchange, while salt-free conditioners alter mineral behavior to prevent scale without removing them. The choice depends on your water hardness, primary goal (mineral removal vs. scale prevention), and maintenance preference.
Oct 26, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Select, Inspect, Set Up, and Climb a Portable Ladder Safely
Learn how to safely select, inspect, set up, and climb portable ladders. Following a routine of pre-use inspection, proper setup, and safe climbing techniques is crucial to prevent falls.
Oct 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint: The Three Components of a Personal Fall Arrest System and Why Prevention Comes First
A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) comprises an anchorage, full-body harness, and connecting device. The article emphasizes that fall restraint, which prevents falls, is inherently safer and preferred over fall arrest, which stops a fall in progress.
Oct 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Match Your Work Boots to Your Trade: A Hazard-by-Hazard Decision Framework
Choosing work boots involves matching specific safety features to the unique hazards of your trade, rather than just appearance. This guide provides a framework to identify job site risks, select appropriate protective features, and verify compliance with standards like ASTM F2413.
Oct 21, 2026 · 4 min read
Williams Safety & Rescue Completes Acquisition of Frandson Safety, Expanding Wyoming Operations
Williams Safety & Rescue has acquired Frandson Safety, expanding its operational footprint into Wyoming with new offices in Worland and Gillette. This strategic move integrates Frandson's established local presence with Williams' broader safety services, training, and technology for the Rocky Mountain region.
Oct 20, 2026 · 3 min read
The Promise and Pitfalls of Reusing Construction Materials
Reusing construction materials offers substantial environmental and economic benefits, but its widespread adoption is hindered by systemic challenges including logistical hurdles, supply/demand mismatches, and a lack of standardized policies. Overcoming these barriers requires policy reform, industry education, and technological innovation to foster a circular economy in the built environment.
Oct 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Kenya Certifies 3,727 Artisans, Launches Digital Portal to Connect Workers with Jobs
Kenya has certified 3,727 artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning program, formalizing skills gained through experience. A new digital platform, Fundi Locator, has been launched to connect these verified professionals with job opportunities and customers nationwide.
Oct 9, 2026 · 4 min read
How States and Cities Are Tackling Embodied Carbon: A Look at 'Buy Clean' and Building Code Policies
State and local governments are implementing policies to reduce embodied carbon in construction, focusing on two main strategies: 'Buy Clean' procurement standards and building code amendments. These approaches leverage public purchasing power and direct regulation, respectively, to drive the use of lower-carbon materials like concrete.
Oct 8, 2026 · 5 min read
A Practical Guide to Smart Safety Tech and the Hazards They Prevent
Modern safety technology is transforming workplaces by shifting from reactive accident response to proactive prevention. This guide explores worker-worn devices and site-based systems that use data and AI to mitigate common workplace hazards.
Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read
A Lifecycle Guide to Circular Construction: Key Strategies for Reducing Waste
Circular construction principles offer a clear path toward reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency by focusing on reuse, recycling, and recovery of materials throughout a building's life. Key strategies involve designing for longevity, adaptability, disassembly, and prioritizing material reuse and recycled content.
Oct 7, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Choose the Right Safety Eyewear for Any Job Site Hazard
Selecting the proper eye protection for any job site involves understanding distinct hazards and ANSI Z87.1 ratings. Match your specific work risks to certified safety glasses, goggles, or face shields for adequate shielding.
Oct 3, 2026 · 4 min read