While most industry trends come and go, the viable technical and technology trends tend to become the new industry standard. This often includes innovative tools and techniques that improve work efficiencies, as well as advanced technologies that often enhance the convenience of both professionals and their clients.
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the latest technologies used in plumbing to better meet customer needs, and also make jobs more efficient for us plumbing professionals.
Touchless Fixtures
Touchless fixtures have been around for quite some time now, and they’re typically used in restaurants, bars, and clubs, mostly due to their convenience and the cost-effectiveness they offer. However, the demand for touchless fixtures in both commercial and residential plumbing is growing each subsequent year.
This plumbing hardware is more advanced compared to typical fixtures and often presents an eco-friendlier solution, as taps will turn the water off if your hands aren’t near; make in the same way you might find some soap dispensers are sensor-triggered and always dispense the appropriate amount of soap. Another big plus about these fixtures is that people don’t have to touch them to trigger actuation, making them cleanlier than a regular tap. Hence the high usage in commercial setups.
Smart-Enabled Toilets
Smart-enabled toilets were previously mostly associated with Japan, as the Japanese manufacturer Toto equipped its products with high-tech capabilities that include bidet functionality, heated seating, deodorizing features, automatic flushing, self-cleaning, air drying, and even smartphone cleaners.
However, these products aren’t exclusive to Japan, and more and more people from the West are making these smart-enabled products integral parts of their smart-enabled homes. In the end, they are quite convenient for several different reasons, including water conservation.
Automatic Leak Detection
Leaks can cause massive damage to your household or property. Minor leaks often remain undetected until they cause structural issues and major problems. Fortunately, smart leak detections can reduce the impact of plumbing problems by setting off the alarm when the leak is detected by sensors.
A few more advanced solutions can also shut off valves to prevent major damage and even notify the owner when there’s a risk of freezing temperatures. The use of these detectors will likely increase in the coming year, especially since they not only prevent damage, but also may indicate where the actual fault is.
Specialty Plumbing Tools
Many issues require invasive action to alleviate, such as leaks caused by damaged pipes, which often implies tearing down one or multiple walls. This can add to the cost and complexity of a repair. Fortunately, numerous technologies now allow plumbers to automatically detect leaks and conduct repairs without having to tear down your kitchen or bathroom.
Advanced Materials
Piping was previously made of lead, cast iron, copper, galvanized steel, and PVC, but modern materials, such as PEX, are very flexible, easy to install, and they’re resistant to scale and chlorine, which also means it doesn’t corrode or develop pinholes. These are mostly used for water supply lines, while materials such as HDPE are mostly used for sewage systems.
Summary
The main driving forces behind the new technology trends in plumbing are the desire to be more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. If you’re in the plumbing business, note these trends and share this short guide with your industry friends.
