The Pipeline: August 4, 2026
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of The Pipeline. Here's what's flowing this week to keep you informed and entertained!
🔦 Fun Fact
Water hammer is a pressure wave created when moving water stops quickly, often at a quick-closing valve. A mechanical water-hammer arrestor uses a compressible air cushion separated from the water to absorb that spike. Correct sizing and placement near the source matter more than simply adding a dead-end piece of pipe.
😆 Laugh of the Day
Why did the plumber take a stopwatch to the service call?
He was timing the drain.
📱 Your Next Referral Will Probably Check You Online First
Word-of-mouth still opens doors, but a referred customer will usually search the contractor online before making the call. Contractor Magazine recommends checking search results, reviews, service-area details, project photos and testimonials for gaps that weaken trust. The strongest shops show proof through recent work, clear credentials and steady follow-up instead of relying on promises alone. For plumbing businesses, the first impression now starts before anyone picks up the phone...
🎓 Colorado Students Get a Working Hydronics Training Board
NIBCO and Webstone donated a working boiler and water-heater training board to Red Rocks Community College in Colorado. Students will install emitters and practice installation and troubleshooting on equipment similar to what they will meet in residential and commercial systems. The board began as an industry collaboration at the 2026 AHR Expo before moving into the college's HVAC lab. It is a practical example of workforce development that puts real components in students' hands before their first service call...
🤖 Water Utilities Get a Practical Guide to Using AI
A free guidebook is giving water utilities a step-by-step way to evaluate artificial intelligence and machine learning for potable reuse, drinking water and wastewater systems. It covers predictive maintenance, process optimization, water-quality forecasting, digital twins and fault detection. The authors recommend phased pilots and emphasize that good data, operator involvement, cybersecurity and ongoing maintenance matter as much as the software. For utility plumbers and treatment crews, the useful question is not whether AI sounds impressive, but whether it can support a safer, more reliable system...
We hope you enjoyed this week's edition of The Pipeline. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, keep the pipes flowing! 🔧💧
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