Master Plumber Ronnie Jackson

Much of my work week is spent traveling and teaching on plumbing / piping methods and practices. With a building economy at light speed beyond the plumbing industries capability to keep up with a capable labor force... Old dogs like me are in ever popular demand. Currently the hot topics are Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST), PEX and Soldering and Brazing practices. The audience for the most part is the "Plumbing Shop", plumbing wholesale distributors and then the plumbing trade school.

The plumbing industry has changed more in the last 5 years than it has in the last 30 years. Materials and methods are introduced at a pace that assimilation will take decades to fully understand in some arenas. For example the waterless urinal, this is no longer a concept. The product research and development prior to launch has been without fault. The Nay Sayers while put up a gallant and energetic argument are 5 years behind the installation crews trying to keep up with demand. Shall we accept the Think Tank Prophets that claim that the next World War will be fought over water rights? I say lets look at water saving and water filtering concepts that are simple everyday obvious choices. It's sometimes the simple devices/equipment that provide the best service. From traditional carbon and membrane units to under the counter RO systems, Water Saving language is sometimes fighting words is some communities. But in the long run conserving water is a good thing, on the horizon we will surely be challenged to examine our methods of hot water distribution within our living spaces. For example the 10 or 15 minute journey the hot takes straight to the drain before we step into the shower because the water is too cold. The recirculation pumps available now days address many solutions for all types of hot water systems. A recirculation piping system is the best installation, but not the easiest to install in existing construction. A solution (in a traditional series type installation) is a control valve installed under the sink at the fixture furthest from the water heater and then the system uses the existing cold water line to return hot water to the water heater. A pump is installed directly to the hot water discharge on the water heater and completes the task at hand.