Outlet February 2011 - Reece Plumbing · OUTLET The Official Reece Customer Update We welcome your feedback so please send any comments by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax

OUTLETThe Official Reece Customer Update

We welcome your feedback so please send any comments by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to (03) 9274 0131.

ISSUE#111 February2011

Our thoughts are with all the families and communities affected by these devastating floods, including our customers and staff throughout the state.

We spoke to Sonny Ivanovic, one of our region leaders for Sth East Qld.

“I’ve been truly amazed seeing just how these communities rally together to help other people they don’t even know. It has been incredible. To give you a first hand example, my house in Emerald went under, and when I arrived home to see the state of the place two people I’d never met were there pumping out the mud. This is just one example of what I’ve seen. It’s the true Australian spirit at work. It gives you some hope in this crisis. But we’ve got a long way to go and the clean-up will be massive.”

Plumbers will be instrumental in helping these communities get back on their feet. They will play a large role in assisting with the restorationofsanitationandintheoverallrebuildingprocess.Likeso many other Australians, we’ll give what help we can, starting with adonationof$100,000totheRedCrossviathePremier’sDisasterRelief Appeal.

The Queensland flood disasterThe flood crisis in Queensland has touched all of us. It’s a frightening reminder that sometimes nature unleashes forces over which we have no control. But it also tells us a lot about the courage and strength of communities in a crisis, the determination of the human spirit, and uniquely Australian qualities, like helping out a mate.

How you can help.YoucandonatetothePremier’sDisasterReliefAppeal by one of the following easy methods:

Donate online Donations can be made online at www.qld.gov.au/floods.

Donate by phone Call1800219028todonateusingyourcreditcard.

Donate in person Donations can also be made in person at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ, BOQ, Suncorp, St George Bank or BankSA.

Donate by internet banking Visit www.qld.gov.au/floods for information.

At the time of going to print, flooding was also ravaging parts of northern Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Naturally our thoughts are with everyone in this time of crisis.

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60 Secs at the counter

Thismonthwespent60secondswithAdrian Ryan, Refrigeration Manager at Reece’s Burnley branch in Melbourne. He’s been at Reece for twelve years, although there are still people who call him‘Junior’.

Your 60 seconds starts now1. What is the hot refrigeration topic at your Trade Counter?The A/C industry is governed mainly by the weather, most of the guys are busy during the hotter months. This year it hasn’t been that hot to kick the season off, so that’s a big topic.

2. What area of refrigeration do your customers mainly focus on? Our customers are very versatile. They do anything from small domestic, split air cons, bar fridges and display cabinets to large commercial sites, VRV systems, packaged units and cool rooms. What we’ve found is that the guys we deal with have great knowledge of air conditioning systems which is invaluable.

3. Other than refrigeration what are your customers talking about?They want to talk Cricket, but I’ve banned it! Bring on the Footy.

4. What is the most memorable or funniest question you have been asked?The one question we get asked all the time is, “Do you guys fix refrigerators or have a spare part for my Kelvinator fridge?”. I’d love to say yes, but no.

5. In your opinion what is the major issue in refrigeration is 2011?In the next few years, the major issue for us will be the correct phase out of HCFC’s (R22 refrigerant). At this stage, there are so many units running on this gas (mainly a/c) that when mechanics need to do maintenance, or replace the gas, it will be difficult to obtain.

My AccountCreatingaProductList

Taking the piss

This month as part of our regular My Account feature, we’re looking at creating product lists. Very handy things, product lists. They can be used for a variety of purposes including:•Pricingupaquoteforacustomer•Savessearchingforyourfrequentlyordered

products every time you want a price

Human urine has its uses. It seems it’s a good source of phosphate, which is an important ingredient in agricultural fertilizer.

The world’s phosphate reserves are running low. But one thing the world has plenty of is human urine. The average adult human produces between one and two litres of urineaday.Therearearound22.5millionAustralians. That’s a lot of phosphorus going down the toilet.

Which is why urine diverting toilets are being trialled in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, United States and China. And now a home-grown Australian initiative is also in the pipeline. Researchers at the University Of Technology Sydney are trialling urine diverting toilets they’ve installed on the campus. It goes without saying that it’s much simpler to extract phosphate from urine that has been diverted from other sewage.

The urine diverting toilet is also extremely efficient,andcanuseasmuchas80%lesswater than conventional systems.

The concept is simple: a toilet with two bowls instead of one. However, nothing is ever really simple, and there are problems to overcome. Urine has quite a high salt content, so a precipitate can form if it sits around, which makes having a separate S-bend something of a technical challenge. There are other tricky practical considerations, not the least of which is getting the people who use it (well, the men who use it) to improve their aim.

While the project has its lighter side, it’s a reminder that coming up with ways to sustain the environment through innovative plumbing is something we all need to take seriously, and using ingenious methods to find new sources of phosphate is a good place to start.

For help or more information on My Account speak to your local branch manager.

Once you’ve found the product you’re after, this product can be added to a list in two ways:

1.Byclickingonthe‘Add’symbolattherightoftheproductprice,and/or

2.Byclickinganddraggingtheproducttotheproductlistboxontherighthandside

Clickingon‘ManageList’fromtheproductsearchpageallowsyouto:

•viewpricingforthewholelist

•changequantities

•addorremoveproducts

• togglebetweenyourpriceandtheCompetitiveMarketPrice

All pricing on your lists is live. Therefore this means your list will be automatically updated with any price changes.

Oncecomplete,yourpricelistcanthenbeemailedasaPDFtoyourlocalbranchtoorder.

How to create a Product List

Footyseasonisjustaroundthecornerandthevery best way to get a kick out of it all is by being a part of the

2011 Reece Footy Tipping CompetitionSo drop into your Reece Home Branch and sign up today.

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Plumbing’s satisfying work. You’re on your own, your own boss, making decisions, tackling different problems all the time, helping people out, breathing the fresh air.

But plumbing’s not without its hazards. Building sites can be dangerous places - you can be working high above the ground, things can fall down, trenches can collapse. And when you’re working with potentially dangerous chemicals and gases and something goes wrong, it’s vital to know exactly what you’re dealing with, what to do and, most importantly, what’s the best and most effective treatment.

A good example is this recent story about a plumber who got priming fluid in his eye. In the end what saved his sight was a quick thinking GP who called a Reece branch and was referred to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on the Reece website, where he found all the details on the substance and suggested treatment method.

So remember that data sheets are on the web www.reece.com.au/plumbing/products/material_safety_data_sheets, with important information about the safe use of products and first aid information in the event of exposure.

Hugh Dougherty has been competing in the Nutri Grain Iron Man series for ten years. He started out in the Nippers and he’s been training and competing ever since. Right now he’s racing for Tugun Surf Lifesaving Club, where he’s head coach. He’s in the spotlight after winning at Coolum, but Monday to Friday he comes down to earth, literally, in his job as apprentice plumber.

“There isn’t too much I dislike about plumbing, except maybe being on the shovel on a hot summer day when the surf’s good.

I got into it through two mates who are plumbers. One of them runs his own business and offered me an apprenticeship.

I like the variety – there are so many areas of plumbing, you’re never doing the same thing. I like starting a job from scratch and seeing how everything relates and works together. Most of our work is domestic, for a couple of Gold Coast builders.

It’s not easy juggling work and training, but my boss is good – he makes sure we knock off in time most afternoons. I try to get some training done before work. I have to manage my time fairly well.

My most memorable moment in the Ironman Series was winning at Coolum. I’ve had lots of seconds and thirds, so to finally get a win was awesome. My goals are to hopefully one day win the overall series and just try to compete to my full potential.”

SAFETYIf you get priming fluid in your eye, would you know what to do?

The innovative REHAU RAUTITAN PX fittings are coming

Remember to take care and have a safe 2011

Iron Plumber

REHAU is a worldwide leader and innovator in the construction industry, and the new RAUTITAN PX fittings are the next big thing in sleeves/fittings.

They’re easier to use, simpler, faster and more secure.

With the new RAUTITAN PX easy-slide reversible sleeve there’s no need to check the sleeve before making a joint.

The new characteristics of REHAU RAUTITAN PX compression sleeve are:

• ArecompatiblewithbothPX and brass fittings

• 100%corrosionresistant• Chamferedonbothsides• Flexibleandelastic• Goodslidingbehaviour• Lessentrainmentofpipematerial

during compressionNew advantages include:• Reversible,canbefittedfrombothsides• Longerbatterylifeaslesscompression

force is used• Nopre-stopisrequiredfor

RAUTITAN PX fittings• Perfectandneatcompressionjoint

The REHAU RAUTITAN PX compression sleeveswillbeavailablefromFebruary and the RAUTITAN PX fittings will be in our branches from May.

Pleasenote:olddual16mmand20mmexpanderheads will need to be exchanged for the new expander heads and this can be done at any Reece branch.

For more information on REHAU RAUTITAN PX speak to your local Reece branch.

Reece is on Facebook Facebook is all about sharing and this is your site to talk about all things plumbing.www.facebook.com/ReecePlumbing

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OutletisapublicationbyReecePtyLtd(ACN004097090)CopyrightThesematerialsarecopyright.Nopartofthemmaybereproduced,adapted,translatedortransmittedwithoutthepriorpermissionofthecopyrightowner,ReecePtyLtd,exceptunderanypermittedcircumstancessetoutintheCopyrightAct1968.LiabilityReecemakesnowarrantieswithrespecttoanyofthematerialscontainedinthispublication and Reece does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of, or reliance on, any information contained in this publication.

OutletisprintedonMonzaRecycledwhichcontains55%recycledfibre(25%postconsumerand30%preconsumer)and45%elementalchlorinefreepulp.AllvirginpulpisderivedfromwellmanagedforestsanditismanufacturedbyanISO14001certifiedmill.

Main Price Changes.For the full list of price changes or if you have any queries, please see your Reece Branch Manager or visit www.reece.com.au/outlet for further updates.

Supplier Products % Increase Date Effective

BLUESCOPELYSAGHT Roofingproducts 4.8% 31January11

STRAMIT Roofingproducts 5% 31January11

SELLEYS Sealants 2% 31January11

REPELEC Tools & Hardware 0–25% 01February11

OMVIVO Bathroom ware VAR% 01February11

ACE GUTTERS Roofingproducts 5% 01March11

CSRBUILDING (BRADFORDINSULATION)

Insulation products 3-5% 01March11

In The Pipeline Products for smarter plumbingPlumbing is changing, and there’s a lot more to it than pipes, trenches and taps. In The Pipeline keeps you up-to-date on a wide range of products.

The world is changing fast and plumbing products are no exception. There is a need to develop systems that are more effective, uselessenergyandaresafer,cleanerandmoreenvironmentallyfriendly.TheRothenbergerPlumbFreezeEcoisagoodexampleof technology that’ll assist your customers to increase safety and help the environment. And the Posh Solus MKII Mixer range is another great product that just keeps getting better and better.

Rothenberger Plumb Freeze Eco Posh Solus MKII MixersTheRothenbergerPlumbFreezeEcoisa‘worldfirst’revolutionary pipe freezing device that completely eliminates the need for all refrigerant gas. Able to both freeze and thaw ½”and¾”copperandplasticpipe,thePlumbFreezeEcohas visual and audible indicators, and is programmable to the pipe size being worked on.

Features• Aworldfirstinnovation

• Norefrigerantgasrequired

• Abilitytobothfreezeand ‘thaw’iceplugs

• For½”and¾”copper and plastic pipe

• Audiblewarningwhenjob complete, or if accidental thaw

Posh has become a name you can trust for quality, good looking mixers that are perfect for renovations or new bathrooms. The new Solus MKII range is no exception. It has a new improved appearance and functionality, with the same quality standards.

Features•New,improvedlookwithEuropeanstyling

• Improvedfunctionalitywiththick, paddle handles

• Availableasafullrangeofmixers including basin, extended basin mixer, shower/bath mixer, shower/bath mixer with diverter, sink mixer with swivel outlet and gooseneck sink mixer

• 4StarWELSrated,usingonly 7.5litresperminute

EXPANDING THE NETWORK New Branch

North Melbourne 302-304MacaulayRoadNorthMelbourneVic3051

Phone: (03)93294241 Manager: Matt Springer

Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.™

Reece.Supportingtheplumbingindustryforover90years.

Murphy’s Law (whenever something can go wrong, it will) has a special application to those home handymen (and occasionally women) who bite off more than they can chew.

It’s not so bad when it’s a wobbly bookshelf, or a bit of rough plastering. But when it comes to DIY plumbing, sometimes it can be no laughing matter, such as incorrect pipe work connections which could lead to serious sanitation problems.

However as our DIY Disaster Competition showed there are still many enthusiastic amateurs out there creating those DIY disasters, that plumbers like to chuckle about when they get together.

The DIY Disasters Competition ran from 1 October to 30 November last year. We

were impressed not only with the quality of the entries (universally appalling), but also with quantity. With the highest number of entries to date, this competition obviously caught the attention of plumbers. Which was the idea – to look at what plumbers encounter everyday, and reinforce the message:

‘Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.’

There were the usual culprits, (some funny, some scary), of shoddy pipe work, guttering, tanks, hot water, horrifying attempts to silicone up gas leaks or run the incorrect pipe for gas lines, and nasty toilet work (and we’re not talking about issues surrounding the lifting/not lifting of toilet seats).

Selecting a winner wasn’t easy, but the judging panel (that included, John Bines,

Plumbing Legend, Vin Ebejer, General Manager of PICAC and Jeff Patchell, Founder and Publisher of the Connection magazines) all agreed the winner, Stephen Wood’s Bright Spark entry, was one of the most spectacular DIY plumbing disasters they had ever seen.

We congratulate Stephen, not only for his entry, but also for his impressive calm in the face of a DIY disaster of truly epic proportions. Read his entry and find out what he plans to do with his $5,000 prize.

All the winning entries with judges comments are at www.reece.com.au/diydisasters

It seems to be a combination of misguided ingenuity and reckless faith in man’s ability to muddle through, mixed with a talent for self-destruction, together with a reluctance to pay for a licensed plumber.

The DIY Disasters Competition is like the Oscars: while there can only be one winner, the other performances are still very impressive. Each of the 10 runners up won a Milwaukee 12V Radio. And frankly they earned it, as these two stories show. (All the runners up entries can be seen at www.reece.com.au/diydisasters)

A Real Bottler Colin Bell from NSW

This landlord was extremely tight. When his tenants complained about a roof leak he constructed this ‘guttering’ for them made out of drink bottles, string, sticky tape and garden hose!

Recipe for a DIY plumbing disaster What makes a really good DIY plumbing disaster?

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOMEThe2010DIYDisastersCompetition

Hanging out Luke Cristiano from VIC

I was working on a pergola roof next door to this little ripper. I like the fact that they have at least used hoop iron to strap it down to the timber beams. It could do with some roof penetration flashings though, so I dropped off a card.

Recipe for a DIY plumbing disaster What makes a really good DIY plumbing disaster?

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOMEThe2010DIYDisastersCompetition

Stephen Wood has been in the plumbing business for nearly 40 years. Like any plumber who has been around that long, he’s been called in to sort out plenty of stuff ups. And, he tells us, he had plenty to choose from when he decided to take a crack at the 2010 DIY Disasters Competition. But one stood out.

The KABOOM Job.

Here’s Stephen’s winning entry, one of the most disturbing we’ve ever had.

BRIGHT SPARK

A male in his thirties, called me to a home. His problem was a hot water heater. It was making noises and the water was way too hot, as well as steam and high pressure coming from the tap.

On inspection I found his storage hot water service on an outside wall, ready to blow up. The reason - a spark plug had been fitted into the thermal blow off, there was no cold blow off, and it had a faulty stop cock which then became the non-return valve. The water supply for the HWU was 20 metres of garden hose, to turn off the water supply to the heater, you just turned off the garden tap 20 metres away plus there was no gas cock or handle on the water meter. His only comment was: it worked great until now.

Stephen, from Cherry Gardens, SA was truly shocked when he saw this DIY plumbing hack job. We talked to him about his win.

It was the worst I’ve ever seen. It was really ready to go. We called it the KABOOM Job. The guy had no idea of the danger. He just focused on the fact the unit wasn’t working properly.

By the end of my time there he saw the error of his ways. I arranged for the correct valve to be picked up from Reece and we installed it. By the time I left the hot water unit met the required standards and the homeowner and his neighbours were safe.

We’ve come across heaps of DIY handyman efforts. It’s scary. There’s definitely a need of the “Don’t risk it” message.

I’ve never won anything in my life. I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to tell me I was the winner. I’m going to use the prize to buy myself an aluminium dinghy and try my luck fishing.

Bright Spark ignites judges’ imagination.

THE WINNER

Keep your eyes open and phones at the ready to capture a DIY disaster to enter in our next DIY Disasters Competition.

And keep reminding your customers:‘Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.’

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