Both the March 23 and May 11 sessions were fully booked with local Boy Scout troops, who receive “Plumbing Merit Badge” certificates at day’s end, and their families.

Just like our own apprentices, the Scouts receive both classroom and “hands-on” experiences throughout the day’s events. Training starts at the Plumbers Local 55 UA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee after breakfast with a series of informational presentations. After lunch, the Scouts learn about various plumbing concepts, including pipe cutting and threading, soldering copper joins, and service repair work on faucets, water heaters and toilets, through interactive demonstrations.

Since its inception in June 2012, the Plumbing Merit Badge Training Program has proven to be one of the most successful outlets for ASSE and CPI to promote our vital work in keeping the community of Northeast Ohio safe and healthy.

“The appreciation that the Scouts and parents have shown and expressed for what we do every day for the society is really evident,” says Jason Shank, Local 55 JATC Training Director and President of the Northern Ohio Chapter of ASSE. “[The program] opens up a whole new world to the young Scouts in regards to ‘other’ opportunities for their lives and future endeavors.”

There are currently two more sessions scheduled for this fall; please contact Jason Shank for more information on scheduling your Boy Scout troop for a session.

Each year, our apprentices complete 1,700 to 2,000 hours of hands-on, on-the-job training and a minimum of 246 hours of related classroom instruction at the Plumbers Local 55 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, where they receive  a strong general education in the plumbing and mechanical trade.

The contest consisted of a 50-question written test focused on codes, training curriculum and ASSE standards, as compiled by Training Director Jason Shank and his fellow trainers. The annual contest is used to promote the plumbing industry in Cleveland and to encourage graduating apprentices to join the ASSE to further their knowledge and networking efforts in the industry. The top three winners were presented their awards at the April meeting of the NOH Chapter of the ASSE, of which they also received a free one-year membership.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

$300 First Place Winner:

Tom Rymarczyk, 4th Year Apprentice, Ridge Plumbing 

$200 Second Place Winner:

Christopher Thaxton, 4th Year Apprentice, E.B. Katz Co.

$100 Third Place Winner:

Jeff Surella, 5th Year Apprentice, Soenhlen Piping

CPI is dedicated to providing our workforce with only the very best and most modern training so that our apprentices, journeymen and contractors are the very best and most qualified plumbing installation and maintenance professionals in the industry. If you would like to earn while you learn the ins and outs of a rewarding industry, please visit the Plumbers Local 55 Apprenticeship page.

With the following easy tips from Green Plumbers USA, you could save thousands of gallons of water a month, not to mention the money you could save on your water bill throughout the spring and summer:

1. Water your yard only before 8 am to reduce evaporation and interference from wind and save 25 gallons per day.
2. Install a smart sprinkler controller to save 40 gallons per day.
3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks and you could save 150 gallons each time.
4. Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken sprinkler heads and you can save 500 gallons per month.
5. Save hundreds of gallons a year by using organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation.
6. Plant flowers/trees/bushes that require less watering. Select plants that are appropriate for local climate conditions.
7. Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose.
8. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
9. Collect water from your roof to water your garden.

Cleveland Plumbing Industry strongly supports environmentally friendly plumbing applications and uses. Our contractors are uniquely capable of handling LEED projects for Storm Water Design, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Contact us for more information. 

Making the right choices to reduce your water footprint will not only save energy, but will save you money on your water bills as well. Follow these simple tips from Green Plumbers USA to conserve water and energy around your home:

1. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth – you could save 8 gallons per day.
2. Shorten your showers by one or two minutes – you can save 5 gallons per day, per shower.
3. Fix leaky faucets and save 20 gallons per day.
4. Wash only full loads of laundry to save 15-50 gallons per load.
5. Replace old toilets with High Efficiency Toilets (HET).
6. Replace your old clothes washer with an Energy Star approved clothes washer.
7. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks.
8. Do not use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
9. Insulate your water pipes.
10. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators.
11. Only wash full dishwasher loads.
12. Do not leave the water running when washing dishes by hand.
13. Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank and waiting to see if the coloring appears in the toilet bowl. Flush to make sure the tank is not stained.
14. Do not let the water run while shaving.
15. Store drinking water in the refrigerator so you do not have to run the tap until it gets cold.
16. Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
17. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
18. Do not use running water to thaw food.
19. If your toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.

Our contractors are currently upgrading over 420,000 water meters throughout Cleveland and 70 surrounding communities to automatically read and report water consumption, eliminating the need for meter readers to come to a home or business to manually read the water meter.

As a result, water bills will be based on actual consumption rather than estimates, allowing Cleveland citizens a detailed history of their water usage and then be able to manage their own water consumption as necessary.

The new AMR technology will also give the Water Department tools to more closely monitor water usage and diagnose problems, such as leaky faucets and running toilets, before they lead to higher-than-normal bills that incense customers.

The Clear Reads project is expected to be completed by the end of 2013; for more information, please contact CPI or visit the Clear Reads website.

The mission of the ASSE, a nonprofit organization representative of all disciplines of the Plumbing Industry for over 100 years, is to continually improve the performance, reliability and safety of plumbing systems by:

• Developing and maintaining consensus product performance and professional qualification standards whose sole purpose is to protect the health of the public.
• Developing and maintaining active product seal control, and professional qualification credentialing, programs.
• Providing interactive platforms on the local, state, national and international levels to receive, understand, solve and provide guidance regarding legislative, engineering, installation/workmanship and manufacturing challenges as they are related to enhancing the health and safety aspect of plumbing.
• Promoting public awareness about the importance of safe and correct plumbing installations.

Chapter candidates must believe in the ASSE motto – “Prevention Rather than Cure” – and be  a qualified member of some phase of the plumbing industry: plumber, contractor, inspector, plumbing design engineer, manufacturer, journeyman, apprentice, manufacturer’s representative.

Members must also be willing to give freely of their talents to promote the ASSE and its principles by actively participate in Chapter functions, organizational duties and assignments given to them by the Chapter or International ASSE.

To receive an application, please contact Membership Coordinator Elaine Mathieson (elaine@asse-plumbing.org) or visit the International Office of ASSE in Westlake, Ohio.

While last week marked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s “Fix a Leak Week,” homeowners should be aware of any plumbing fixtures that could use a repair or replacement all year long. You could not only save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year, but also as much as 10 percent on your utility bills!

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:

• Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
• Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
• For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
• Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.

This contest is a great way to talk to the apprentices about the important role ASSE plays in the plumbing industry while testing their knowledge on the latest plumbing standards.  The top three scorers will receive prizes between $100-$300 furnished by the Cleveland Plumbing Industry Fund, which will be awarded to the apprentices along with a certificate, free dinner, and one-year membership in the NOH ASSE at the Chapter meeting on April 10.

The closed book test will begin at 5 pm at the Local 55 Training Center in Brooklyn Heights following pizza and refreshments. Proctors are needed to conduct and monitor the testing; to volunteer, please contact Jason Shank, Training Director at jshank@plumbers55.com. We hope to see you there!

As soon as the weather begins to cooperate, be sure to take advantage by examining the exterior of your home to identify any potential plumbing problems, as identified by these quick “spring cleaning” tips by Neptune Plumbing, a Cleveland Plumbing Industry-affiliated contractor:

• Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.
• Check for bird nests in plumbing vent pipes.
• Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

Neptune Plumbing, a Cleveland Plumbing Industry-affiliated contractor,  offers Northeast Ohio residents some vital tips to protect your home against various plumbing problems this season in some places you may not expect:

• Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
• Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater.
• Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
• Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
• Check dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years.
• Clean out washing machine lint trap, if equipped, and place a wire trap or a piece of pantyhose over the end of the hose that drains the washer.