I hate people. Someone I kind of know needed some work done. I had no idea. Apparently they have been trying to get this work done since April and no one will come out, call them back, or give them a price. She was very greatful to have me come out.
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We wanted to put in a combi-boiler this summer. It would free up space in the basement for a bathroom. The hydronic side of the heating system was already in place, lines just had to be run to the other side of the basement to reach the new boiler location. I called a DOZEN, no exaggeration there, a DOZEN HVAC companies; including one that had done work for me before. Nobody would call back. I couldn't even get an estimate.
Thank you SO much for the offer. I might take you up on that although I am in the latter stages of the project so things are going well. My friend offered to let me borrow his pro press tool until I realized that the fittings are more expensive than Sharkbite and don't come apart as easy! I like the idea that the shark bites swivel too in case I need to remove a zone valve or air vent. My friend who's a plumber is going to sweat on the few fittings I could not find in pro press or shark bite. I can solder pretty good with 1/2" or 3/4" but 1 1/2", no cigar.
For sure this is a problem. I hear this all the time from my customers. I call everyone back that calls me. If I tell them I can’t do the job for a reason they are truly disappointed because I’m the only one that has called back. I have increased my prices this year and I don’t think I lost a single job I bid on. I do feel a bit bad since the one guy I charge $400 for a job and it only took about 2.5-3 hours. Oh well that’s life. He had the money since he had $70,000 in cars and bikes in his garage.
Don't ever feel bad about taking someone's money after they agreed to the price! I learned that lesson to late when I had my own business.
It's called inflation.
We specify a lot of Pro-Press at work. The pipe fitters can lay pipe 4x faster and we don't have to apply for burn permits. Joints are solid. We don't use Sharkbite on commercial work. They're okay if you can always see them. We've never had issues with Pro-Press. The value of Pro-Press is in the time savings. The only bad thing is you can't heat the joint ever or you'll destroy the proprietary o-ring type seal.Thank you SO much for the offer. I might take you up on that although I am in the latter stages of the project so things are going well. My friend offered to let me borrow his pro press tool until I realized that the fittings are more expensive than Sharkbite and don't come apart as easy! I like the idea that the shark bites swivel too in case I need to remove a zone valve or air vent. My friend who's a plumber is going to sweat on the few fittings I could not find in pro press or shark bite. I can solder pretty good with 1/2" or 3/4" but 1 1/2", no cigar.
Oh I bought a book on boiler system theory and design and I still have no idea WTF I'm doing.
I remember sweating my first copper joint back in 1985 when we bought our first house in Rochester. Built the laundry for my wife. She discovered I was handy and kept me.
I made the decision to go with Sharkbite at the last minute, as they updated their certifications to reflect approval for hydronic heating sytems. Sharkbite wasn't approved for hydronic systems when I started design. My insurance agent said Sharkbite is covered whether it's exposed, behind a wall, or even underground (with the proper moisture barriers)! Plus the design of sharkbite fittings is not a new thing. It's exactly the same technology used to connect brake air lines on heavy trucks. I figured if DOT trusts them on big rigs, they'll probably be good enough for my house.We specify a lot of Pro-Press at work. The pipe fitters can lay pipe 4x faster and we don't have to apply for burn permits. Joints are solid. We don't use Sharkbite on commercial work. They're okay if you can always see them. We've never had issues with Pro-Press. The value of Pro-Press is in the time savings. The only bad thing is you can't heat the joint ever or you'll destroy the proprietary o-ring type seal.
I use Zoro for my house projects. Sometimes I use the local suppliers but Zoro solves the in stock on hand problem.
They do have Pro-Press to threaded adapters and I think flanges for removable parts.
I didn't do too shabby on the stuff I soldered, but it was all a max of 3/4" dia. The misses has been pretty pleased with my work so far as well and as an added bonus, we're not paying for a contractor to come in.
BTW, I had an engineer size the boiler for me. but that layout is all me, it looks confusing, but its not when you have to jam a bunch of shit in a small space
Looks good. Hopefully my setup turns out nice and clean. I am also doing the expansion tank off the bottom of the spirovent but I am teeing in my PRV there as well. This seems to be the norm now. I am putting air bleeders everywhere (the manual ones). I probably have too many but I don't want any issues.
