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  • October 2026

    • October 2026

    IAPMO, ASPE and CIPHE Set New International Partnerships; Looking Back at the Post 9/11 Pentagon Renovation; 100 Years of IAPMO; Forum: The Secret of Our Success; Lowe's Foundation Launches Coalition to Train 1 Million Workers; and much more.

    More content from October 2026

    The association holds its Annual Education and Business Conference in Los Angeles, the city where the organization had its start back in 1926.
    Sept. 24, 2026
    ID 314572430 © Muhammad Ishaq | Dreamstime.com
    construction workers sunset silhouette photo
    Digital tools have the potential to transform the construction workforce while accelerating infrastructure development.
    Sept. 23, 2026
    ID 121872542 © Weedezign | Dreamstime.com
    woman opening ai on her laptop
    None of this asks you to become technical. It asks you to be findable and quotable by the software answering your customer's question.
    Sept. 23, 2026
    Sold-out Massachusetts event will give attendees hands-on exposure to welding, electrical, plumbing, construction and other skilled-trades careers.
    Sept. 23, 2026
    Utility Resilience Index provides a measurable framework for evaluating emergency response, infrastructure readiness and financial capacity.
    Sept. 22, 2026
    ID 28730618 © Pressureua | Dreamstime.com
    website marketing concept art
    A scan of 1,000 home service contractor websites shows most of the industry advertises with the receipts turned off. The fix starts with three questions any owner can ask this...
    Sept. 22, 2026
    ID 7514865 © Yulia | Dreamstime.com
    estimation / accounting concept art
    Key-person dependence can limit bid volume, hide costly errors and prevent the next generation of estimators from developing.
    Sept. 22, 2026
    ID 69992833 © Ioanacirlig | Dreamstime.com
    Modern under floor heating system with accesories.
    ResearchAndMarkets.com report projects 5.2% annual growth as hydronic systems, energy-efficiency initiatives and building retrofits drive demand.
    Sept. 22, 2026
    Southland Industries
    The Pentagon in Arlington, VA.
    In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Southland met extraordinary technical challenges through collaboration, adaptation and innovation.
    Sept. 22, 2026
    ID 3883647 © Adrian Smith | Dreamstime.com
    burnt out stolen van
    Many contractors don't know that a stolen truck doesn’t always mean an insurance policy will cover all of the items in it.
    Sept. 21, 2026
    ID 438912183 © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com
    a person inspecting public real estate data
    Used correctly, public property data can help a contractor prioritize, route, research and prepare; used carelessly, it can turn weak signals into confident but unsupported conclusions...
    Sept. 21, 2026
    ID 90120944 © Arne9001 | Dreamstime.com
    Two technicians perform a boiler inspection.
    Standardizing documentation, connecting records to assets, and reviewing repeat issues enable contractors to deliver more durable solutions.
    Sept. 21, 2026
    ID 445652861 © Sergey Tolmachyov | Dreamstime.com
    building cybersecurity concept art
    As connected building technologies introduce new vulnerabilities, contractors need to adopt rigorous cybersecurity standards, oversight, and comprehensive policies.
    Sept. 21, 2026
    ID 1997581 © Tebnad | Dreamstime.com
    construction cranes at sunset
    Data center construction, tariffs, labor constraints and material costs are expected to increase pressure on nonresidential project costs through year-end.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    This week's gallery highlights a remote input/output module for water-using devices, a 150 MBH tankless water heater, a sewage pump that creates a dry cavity, a translucent bathtub...
    Sept. 18, 2026
    Three-day program will feature technical sessions, emerging technologies, apprenticeship best practices, research and networking at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    ID 35913784 © Phovoir | Dreamstime.com
    Young people wearing PPE
    Nearly half of Gen Z surveyed is learning or seriously considering a skilled trade as economic uncertainty reshapes career decisions.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    Hilliard will lead the Cleveland-based fittings and piping products company as longtime Co-CEOs Alan Lipp and Marc Schlessinger transition to board leadership.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    Eastern Mechanical renovates the Dunlap Building in Manchester, NH, facing numerous challenges with teamwork, expertise and grit.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    50-gallon hybrid combines a 120V heat pump with a 60,000 BTU/h condensing gas burner to deliver up to 3.80 UEF and 100-gallon first-hour rating.
    Sept. 18, 2026
    Meta-supported tour will bring immersive simulators and skilled-trades career information to students in eight states.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    ID 1110771 © Eimantas Buzas | Dreamstime.com
    data center
    New program combines classroom and laboratory instruction with industry input to prepare technicians for the growing data center construction market.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    2025–2026 “Make a Splash!” Impact Update reports progress across six countries and nearly 20 million people reached since the partnership began.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    ID 108711402 © Igor Akimov | Dreamstime.com
    forklift driver moving building supply materials in a warehouse
    Training, troubleshooting, and inventory management are just a few reasons to involve wholesalers early in the planning process.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    ID 35982669 © Airubon | Dreamstime.com
    welder working on a construction site
    Cushman & Wakefield report says tariffs, metals supply constraints and high demand are pushing material costs higher.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    Mobile-friendly, self-paced craft courses give contractors a flexible way to train and upskill employees without pulling workers off the jobsite.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    CF Connect PLUS uses BACnet/IP to integrate faucet-level water temperature, hygiene flushing and system status into building automation systems.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    Regent delivers up to 97% thermal efficiency and 25:1 turndown with oxygen trim and flow sensing for variable commercial hot-water demand.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    High-efficiency commercial gas water heater features AiQ Adaptive Gas Technology, up to 98% thermal efficiency and extended venting capabilities.
    Sept. 17, 2026
    ID 297841197 | Ai © Blackay | Dreamstime.com
    robotic hand reaching for a plumbing wrench
    What does the evolution of AI/Robotics mean to the trade as we know it? It means changes are coming!
    Sept. 16, 2026
    ID 4879378 © Yakobchuk | Dreamstime.com
    luxury swimming pool
    New updates to the ISPSC for 2027 provide a clear roadmap for contractors installing public aquatic facilities this fall. Changes to the codes aim to improve safety, health, ease...
    Sept. 16, 2026
    The $500 million distributor will operate independently under its existing management team while gaining access to Watsco’s scale, capital and technology.
    Sept. 16, 2026
    The partnership expands service offerings while retaining many former McNorton team members and adding Hiller’s plumbing and electrical capabilities.
    Sept. 16, 2026
    Portfolio includes guided product selection, Intellihot commercial water heating, smart connected technologies and water-quality solutions.
    Sept. 16, 2026
    ID 27196086 © Andreas Karelias | Dreamstime.com
    construction workers at work
    ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.5 months in August, reflecting increased sales and profit margins, despite staffing concerns.
    Sept. 16, 2026
    PPI’s EPG helps newer professionals navigate plastics, piping standards, codes and applications while building technical expertise and industry connections.
    Sept. 15, 2026
    Available floor space, building height, output and operating requirements can all influence boiler configuration.
    Sept. 14, 2026
    Rheem employees, including CEO Chris Peel, joined volunteers nationwide to pack meals for families and individuals facing food insecurity.
    Sept. 14, 2026
    Edward Burtynsky photographs of water infrastructure are featured in a University of Saint Francis exhibit.
    Sept. 14, 2026
    New leadership role will focus on expanding Wright’s distribution network, strategic partnerships and market opportunities.
    Sept. 14, 2026
    The company’s development of submersible, self-cleaning and intelligent pumping technologies reflects more than a century of solving real-world water-management challenges.
    Sept. 14, 2026
    Northern Tool’s fourth Student Build brings 14 students and industry mentors together for a school-year project spanning multiple skilled trades.
    Sept. 11, 2026
    ITAC appointment gives the plumbing and mechanical industry a direct channel for advising federal policymakers on trade barriers and market access.
    Sept. 11, 2026
    UPC FI 006 takes effect Oct. 1 unless an appeal is filed, giving plumbing professionals a new code interpretation to review.
    Sept. 11, 2026
    This week's gallery highlights an air-to-water heat pump for cold climates, a learning thermostat, a smart and connected restroom partition system, a series of diaphragm pumps...
    Sept. 11, 2026
    ID 104679968 © Wollertz | Dreamstime.com
    map of mexico
    Monterrey laboratory can now support testing for cUPC certification and standards covering lead content, water closets, urinals and plumbing components.
    Sept. 11, 2026
    H28MC and H28LC pumps expand NPC’s hydraulic lineup for high-volume municipal water and wastewater applications.
    Sept. 11, 2026
    Larson brings more than 15 years of building-industry experience to the company’s Southwest Region, covering California, Arizona and Nevada.
    Sept. 10, 2026
    17th annual drive benefits Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and brings total donations since 2010 to $628,000.
    Sept. 10, 2026
    ID 2990730 © Darknightsky | Dreamstime.com
    wastewater treatment facility
    Trust in Water says expanding CWSRF eligibility could help accelerate infrastructure upgrades, improve resilience and control customer costs.
    Sept. 10, 2026
    ID 17501162 © Vladimir Zhuravlev | Dreamstime.com
    workers on a construction site
    BLS reports a 1.2% increase in construction input prices in August, potentially squeezing contractor margins amid ongoing trade tensions.
    Sept. 10, 2026
    ID 301016722 © Daria Voronchuk | Dreamstime.com
    plumber with satisfied customer
    Practical habits like regular follow-ups and personalized responses can turn customer feedback into opportunities for service improvement.
    Sept. 9, 2026
    ID 416186131 | Ai © Hugo Kurk | Dreamstime.com
    Aerial view of a data center under construction.
    Employers and workforce organizations are joining Interplay Learning to expand job-ready training for mission-critical construction, operations and maintenance roles.
    Sept. 9, 2026
    ID 99510069 © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com
    City skyline of New Orleans, LA.
    Four-day conference will cover global trade, water policy, workforce development, cybersecurity and market forces affecting plumbing manufacturers.
    Sept. 9, 2026
    ID 295975744 | Ai © Zolak Zolak | Dreamstime.com
    AI intelligence vs human intelligence concept art
    Successful AI adoption in contracting involves starting small, automating routine tasks, and maintaining control over critical decisions.
    Sept. 8, 2026
    ID 21426298 | Industrial © Corepics Vof | Dreamstime.com
    MEP contractors making a deal
    MEP firms often struggle with cash flow despite profitable projects due to the timing mismatch between heavy upfront costs and delayed collections.
    Sept. 8, 2026
    New initiative connects contractors, skilled tradespeople, engineers, companies and others interested in copper’s role in US infrastructure and manufacturing.
    Sept. 8, 2026
    New Hampshire contractor upgrades aging system with Simplicity™ boiler, gaining easier venting, commissioning and serviceability.
    Sept. 8, 2026
    The museum installed two Lochinvar Crest boilers with Hellcat technology to handle an 80,000-square-foot facility and its complex heating layout.
    Sept. 8, 2026
    ID 191318755 © Howtogoto | Dreamstime.com
    hard hat business owner with problems
    No single expense usually creates a profitability problem. It's the combination of dozens of small decisions that slowly increases the cost of simply opening the doors every morning...
    Sept. 4, 2026
    This product gallery features a condensing water heater with a dimpled fire-tube heat exchanger, lead-free transition ball valves, a heavyweight flannel shirt, an inverter heat...
    Sept. 4, 2026
    ID 41260166 © Spettacolare | Dreamstime.com
    subcontractors working a plumbing job
    New survey finds 92% of subcontractors floated payroll while waiting for payment, with nearly one in five waiting six months or more for retainage.
    Sept. 4, 2026
    High-efficiency pump bowl assemblies with stainless steel impellers support well construction and municipal water system maintenance across four regions.
    Sept. 4, 2026
    ID 173632628 © HAKINMHAN | Dreamstime.com
    online review concept art
    An effective review automation workflow should focus on accuracy, neutrality, and consistent follow-up.
    Sept. 4, 2026
    ID 3232145 | Building © Dwight Smith | Dreamstime.com
    dreamstime_s_3232145
    The US construction industry added 22,000 jobs in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth despite a decline in homebuilding.
    Sept. 4, 2026
    ID 403453168 © Tongsupatman | Dreamstime.com
    AI call scoring concept art
    The best use of AI call scoring is to narrow the haystack. The best use of leadership is to interpret the needles it finds, coach the right behavior and repair the system behind...
    Sept. 3, 2026
    ID 35423399 | Control © Cornelius20 | Dreamstime.com
    email inbox
    The forwarded PDF is not the real problem. The problem is what happens after it reaches the office.
    Sept. 3, 2026
    ID 468228688 © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com
    schedulding software
    Selecting a scheduling platform that handles emergencies, overruns, and capacity planning can improve dispatch efficiency, and foster better customer relationships.
    Sept. 3, 2026
    Georgia-based UniTorq supplies pneumatic and electric actuators, accessories and controls for commercial and industrial applications.
    Sept. 3, 2026
    ID 20437204 | Building © Milos Tasic | Dreamstime.com
    construction worker with toolbelt
    Research across 36 projects shows workers using multiple verified trade skills can reduce waiting time and help contractors accomplish more with existing crews.
    Sept. 3, 2026
    ID 124179613 | Control © Auremar | Dreamstime.com
    Sr. technician explaining a boiler to apprentices
    AI can strengthen the training model because it can strip out repetitive preparation and give apprentices more chances to practice the decisions that matter.
    Sept. 3, 2026
    ID 281573369 | Building © Alexkane1977vi | Dreamstime.com
    The skyline of downtown Birmingham, UK, site of the 14th World Plumbing Conference.
    MOUs signed at the World Plumbing Conference create a framework for collaboration on training, water management, research and technical expertise.
    Sept. 2, 2026
    New annual event will bring plumbing, HVAC and other home-service professionals together Oct. 1 for peer education, networking and business insights.
    Sept. 2, 2026
    ID 469231480 | Building © Victor Van Der Griendt | Dreamstime.com
    A large prefabricated module ready for transport to the construction site.
    Modular construction poses unique challenges for mechanical contractors, making it critical that they engage early in the design process to ensure system reliability.
    Sept. 2, 2026
    ID 448686197 © Kv Kv | Dreamstime.com
    vans in a commercial fleet.
    Linxup survey of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other field-service professionals finds drivers value accident prevention and protection when incidents occur.
    Sept. 2, 2026
    R.F. MacDonald will retain its name, leadership and territory while gaining additional engineering, factory and operational resources.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    ID 2028852 | Building © Himiko2023909 | Dreamstime.com
    workers on a construction site
    The construction industry reported 326,000 job openings in July, marking a significant increase driven by high demand for data centers and power-related projects.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    ID 21830048 © Rambleon | Dreamstime.com
    the famous welcome to las vegas sign
    IBS returns to Las Vegas Feb. 2-4 with more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibits, 120-plus education sessions and access to KBIS.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition brings more than 75 educators, employers and workforce organizations together to expand training and career pathways by 2035.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    ID 457994414 | Ai Machine © Snehitdesign | Dreamstime.com
    Aerial view of large industrial Data center construction site.
    Excluding data centers and power generation, nonresidential spending declined for the second consecutive month, reaching its lowest level since September 2023.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    The cheapest lead is rarely the cheapest customer. Thirty seconds will tell you which of your channels is overcharging you.
    Sept. 1, 2026
    ID 71519861 © Anthony Aneese Totah Jr | Dreamstime.com
    Dome of the New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton.
    Updated NSPC adds revised wet venting, water-efficiency provisions, fixture standards and other changes affecting plumbing contractors and code officials.
    Aug. 31, 2026
    ID 469510127 | Ai © BiancoBlue | Dreamstime.com
    collaboration, artificial intelligence and technology concept
    As AI tools increasingly source information from trusted trade outlets, companies in the skilled trades must focus on capturing and sharing their expertise through credible coverage...
    Aug. 31, 2026
    ID 173456663 © Tascha Rassadornyindee | Dreamstime.com
    Hand turning a plumber's wrench in a mechanical room
    How establishing habits like daily logs and clear invoicing practices can help contractors maintain profitability.
    Aug. 31, 2026
    New guidance examines HDPE, PEX and PE-RT piping and the variables that affect ground heat exchanger performance and longevity.
    Aug. 31, 2026
    Tiffany Robinson brings experience in skills-based hiring, apprenticeship policy, infrastructure and workforce development to the construction industry’s largest trade association...
    Aug. 31, 2026
    ID 59878685 © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
    Signature on a tablet at a job site.
    Automated systems are able to streamline and verify service records without over-burdening technicians.
    Aug. 31, 2026
    Nationwide Boiler
    An industrial boiler room.
    Planning temporary boiler capacity before an outage gives industrial operators more flexibility during maintenance, modernization and capacity changes.
    Aug. 28, 2026
    Eight case studies show how sustained investment in aging collection and treatment systems can reduce overflows, improve compliance and protect waterways.
    Aug. 28, 2026
    New industrial space will support large-diameter pipe fabrication, prefabrication and complex mechanical projects across high-demand markets.
    Aug. 28, 2026
    New program rewards individual contractors for registering eligible Rinnai products, with perks that follow them even when they change employers.
    Aug. 28, 2026
    The fixture usually isn't the culprit. Something around it went wrong, and once you know where to look, the diagnosis gets a lot faster.
    Aug. 27, 2026
    Spring Road Plumbing & Septic Repairs saves installation time and simplifies service with SFA Saniflo’s Sanipit 24 GR CB.
    Aug. 27, 2026
    New 150,000 BTU/Hr. models offer flexible installation, low-NOx operation and, with the GR, integrated hot water recirculation.
    Aug. 27, 2026
    ID 46859368 © Robert Schlie | Dreamstime.com
    California State Capitol in Sacramento.
    Heat Pump Access Act would create a statewide permitting process designed to reduce paperwork, fees and delays for contractors and homeowners.
    Aug. 26, 2026
    More than 1,000 students are already registered for the Oct. 29 event, which will give young people hands-on experience with plumbing, HVAC, electrical and other trades.
    Aug. 26, 2026
    ID 452519350 © BiancoBlue | Dreamstime.com
    artificial intelligence tools on a desktop computer
    The window to adopt AI is closing, making early action crucial for future success.
    Aug. 26, 2026
    ID 15469773 © Hongqi Zhang (aka Michael Zhang) | Dreamstime.com
    stressed office worker answering too many phones
    Fewer skilled workers puts operational strain on field workers and the back office—support, automation, and empathetic communication is key to navigating the challenge.
    Aug. 26, 2026
    The project involved installing approximately 180 customized stainless steel drains with extended tailpieces to accommodate resin floors in patient rooms.
    Aug. 25, 2026