Plumbing

22 articles

Split image contrasting a well-maintained home with a neglected one, highlighting the importance of home maintenance services for efficiency.
Services

Top 9 Home Maintenance Services for Year-Round Efficiency in 2026

While an annual HVAC check-up costs as little as $75, replacing a complete system can drain your bank account by up to $28,000.

Rick Donovan·June 30, 2026
Split image: one side shows a clean, organized home plumbing system, the other shows water damage from a burst pipe.
How-To

Residential Plumbing Maintenance Guide

An average household leak silently wastes 9,400 gallons of water annually, often due to preventable issues.

Scott Ramirez·June 25, 2026
Concerned homeowner observes a large franchise service van parked outside their home during summer, questioning the necessity of recommended services.
Services

Summer Home Maintenance: Franchise Service Warnings

Last summer, a Phoenix homeowner faced a $1,200 quote for an 'urgent' AC coil cleaning from a national franchise.

Rick Donovan·June 24, 2026
Skilled Indian plumber earning more than a junior software developer, illustrating a significant shift in the country's job market favoring trades.
Trades

India emphasizes skilled trades as tech sector shifts

In Bengaluru, a city synonymous with India's tech boom, a certified plumber now earns more than a junior software developer—a stark reversal from a decade ago.

Rick Donovan·June 18, 2026
A detailed view of a home's plumbing system showcasing different pipe materials and potential signs of wear and corrosion.
How-To

Residential Plumbing Pipe Types and Maintenance

Replacing galvanized pipes in a typical home can cost between $2,000 and $15,000, a hidden expense many homeowners only discover after their water turns brown or pressure drops.

Scott Ramirez·May 19, 2026
A long line of aspiring plumbers fills a college hallway, illustrating the high demand for plumbing apprenticeship programs in Canada.
Trades

Skilled Trades Surge Overwhelms Plumbing Colleges in Canada

At Humber College in Toronto, the plumbing apprenticeship program received 3,500 applications for just 150 spots this year — a 23x oversubscription.

Rick Donovan·May 19, 2026
Middle school students actively participating in hands-on plumbing, electrical, and HVAC training workshops at the Future Builders program.
Trades

Future Builders Offers Free Skilled Trades Training for Middle Schoolers

Springfield's new 'Future Builders' initiative launched last week, offering free after-school training in plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC to students aged 11-14.

Rick Donovan·May 15, 2026
A homeowner stressed by a DIY plumbing disaster, with water spraying from a pipe and tools scattered around the bathroom.
How-To

DIY Plumbing: When to Call a Pro

More than half of surveyed homeowners (54%) experienced financial issues during DIY projects significant enough to require financial assistance, according to Hippo .

Scott Ramirez·May 5, 2026
Homeowner performing a DIY plumbing check on a toilet base, looking for signs of leaks and potential subfloor damage.
Trades

DIY Plumbing Checks: Improve System Health, Prevent Issues

A toilet that wobbles more than half an inch is not just a minor inconvenience; it signals a potential water leak that could lead to extensive subfloor damage.

Rick Donovan·May 4, 2026
A homeowner in a hazardous DIY plumbing situation, surrounded by water damage, mold, and chemical warnings, facing costly repairs.
Trades

DIY Plumbing Exposes You To Toxic Chemicals, Biohazards, And Costly Repairs.

An incorrect pipe connection, a common DIY plumbing error, can cause extensive water damage to a home's flooring, walls, and structure, costing thousands more than a professional repair.

Rick Donovan·April 26, 2026
A tradesperson using a smart home device to efficiently diagnose a problem, showcasing the integration of technology in professional trades.
Tools & Equipment

Smart Home Devices for Tradespeople in 2026

A plumbing contractor recently saved 3 hours on a complex leak detection job by deploying a smart water sensor that cost less than a single service call, preventing thousands in potential structural d

Kyle Brenner·April 21, 2026
Students actively learning HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades inside a modern, well-lit Pima Community College Building and Construction Technology Center.
Trades

Pima Community College Plans 2026 Opening for New Tech Center

Pima Community College's new 25,000-square-foot Building and Construction Technology Center, funded in part by over $1.

Rick Donovan·April 15, 2026
Homeowner stressed over plumbing bill with a dripping faucet in the background, symbolizing unexpected costs and financial burden.
Trades

Plumbing System Costs in 2026

In 2026, a standard plumbing service call can cost anywhere from $75 to $300 before any work even begins, with emergency rates soaring to $400 per hour, according to Serviceagent .

Rick Donovan·April 13, 2026
Split image showing a modern AI data center and skilled tradespeople learning carpentry and plumbing, symbolizing Lowe's investment.
Trades

Lowe's Pledges $250 Million for Skilled Trades Training

A Wisconsin town recently restricted AI data centers, while Lowe's is investing $250 million over the next decade to train 250,000 skilled trades professionals.

Rick Donovan·April 12, 2026
Diverse young adults learning skilled trades like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work in a modern workshop, symbolizing Lowe's $250 million investment in workforce development.
Trades

Lowe's Pledges $250 Million to Combat Skilled Trades Shortage

The Lowe's Foundation is pledging $250 million over the next decade to train plumbers, carpenters, and electricians, a direct response to the critical skilled trades shortage facing the U.S. construction and home improvement industries.

Rick Donovan·April 9, 2026
Diverse students learning skilled trades like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry in a modern vocational training center, symbolizing the Lowe's Foundation's investment in future professionals.
Trades

Lowe's Foundation Pledges $250 Million for Skilled Trades Training

In a major move to combat the national labor crisis, the Lowe's Foundation has committed $250 million over the next decade to fund skilled trades training for 250,000 new professionals.

Rick Donovan·April 7, 2026
Skilled tradespeople using ergonomic tools and proper posture in a well-designed workshop, illustrating injury prevention and productivity through applied ergonomic principles.
Safety

A Workplace Ergonomics Guide for Skilled Trades: Injury Prevention and Productivity

For skilled trades, understanding and applying ergonomic principles is crucial for injury prevention, productivity, and career longevity. This guide explores how to design workspaces, tools, and tasks to minimize physical stress and reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

Ben Foster·April 6, 2026
A skilled tradesperson, perhaps a plumber or electrician, looking overwhelmed by a desk full of paperwork and digital tasks, symbolizing the administrative burden faced by US home service businesses.
Services

US Home Service Trades Report Growing Administrative Overload

US home service trades are experiencing a significant administrative overload, impacting the efficiency and profitability of small businesses. This burden, often a hidden cost, pulls skilled professionals away from their primary, revenue-generating work.

Rick Donovan·April 2, 2026
A person inspecting a residential water heater, demonstrating routine maintenance tasks like checking connections or flushing the tank, in a clean utility room.
How-To

How to Maintain a Water Heater: A Complete Guide

Water heaters, both tank and tankless models, require regular maintenance to operate efficiently and safely. This step-by-step guide covers how to maintain and troubleshoot your residential water heater to extend its lifespan and prevent a cold shower surprise.

Scott Ramirez·April 2, 2026
A futuristic underground city infrastructure with glowing pipes, showing a dynamic chemical reaction clearing blockages in a transparent drain pipe, symbolizing market growth and maintenance.
Services

Global Drain Cleaning Chemicals Market Forecasts Steady Growth Through 2035

The global drain cleaning chemicals market is projected to exhibit steady expansion through the 2026-2035 forecast period, driven by aging infrastructure and non-discretionary demand. This growth highlights a persistent need for drainage maintenance services across residential, commercial, and municipal sectors.

Rick Donovan·March 31, 2026
A homeowner confidently repairing a leaky pipe under a kitchen sink, surrounded by plumbing tools, demonstrating DIY residential plumbing problem-solving skills.
How-To

How to Fix Common Residential Plumbing Problems: A Complete Guide

A comprehensive guide to understanding and troubleshooting common residential plumbing issues, including identifying leaks, clogs, and water pressure problems, with step-by-step DIY solutions.

Scott Ramirez·March 30, 2026
Engineers monitoring holographic data on drain cleaning chemical market growth, with glowing pipes representing advanced bio-based solutions in aging urban infrastructure.
Services

Drain Cleaning Chemicals Market Forecast Shows Steady Expansion to 2035

The global drain cleaning chemicals market is projected for steady growth through 2035, fueled by the increasing maintenance needs of aging infrastructure and rising demand from commercial sectors. A notable trend is the shift towards safer, bio-based formulations.

Rick Donovan·March 30, 2026