4 Technologies Changing the Plumbing Industry

When we think of technological advancement, the plumbing industry isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. But things like smart pipes, water temperature monitors and other advancements are driving the plumbing industry forward – while reducing its environmental impact.

These four technologies are changing the plumbing industry.

1. Smartphone Sensors that Can See Through Walls

Stud sensors may soon become a thing of the past. A new smartphone sensor, called WalabotDIY, allows you to peer right through your walls to see everything, from wiringto piping and unwanted pests.

Right now, the sensor is only available for Android devices.

The great thing about this device is that it’s designed for consumer use and requires no training to use it. That makes it even easier for plumbers to adopt the technology.

Simply download the companion app, plug the sensor accessory into your phone’s USB port and hold the sensor against the wall.

The WalabotDIY app gives the user a visual representation of what’s behind the wall as well as its orientation, distance and material.

2. Copper Development Association (CDA) App

To make life easier for plumbers, the Copper Development Association (CDA) has converted its Copper Tube Handbook into a handy app available on both Android and iOS devices.

The app makes it easier and quicker to obtain information about copper piping, tubing, fitting, and different joining methods and applications.

The app also provides educational how-to videos that demonstrate copper joining techniques and help the viewer understand how to distinguish different sizing and designations for copper pipes, tubes and fittings.

3. Trenchless Technology

Trenchless technology has completely changed the way plumbers repair and replace piping.

“Generally, traditional methods of excavation damage landscaping and even the house or commercial building on-site,” says TRIC Tools. “This leaves the customer with expensive repairs and a lengthy process to get their lawn or other landscaping back to its original state. Trenchless repairs, on the other hand, only require one access point,”

Instead of digging up a yard or commercial parking lot to locate and inspect a pipe, trenchless technology allows for pipes to be inspected using cameras and repaired using pipe bursting or cured-in-place pipe.

Eliminating the need to dig trenches makes jobs quicker, less invasive and typically less expensive.

4. Greywater Recycling

Greywater recycling is a practical and simple way to recycle and save resources. Greywater is the water from bathroom sinks, tubs, showers and washing machines. This water is gently used, meaning that it may contain traces of food, dirt and cleaning products.

Greywater typically flows into natural water systems, like lakes, rivers and estuaries, but those little bits of food and cleaning products can become pollutants. New technology is allowing us to use greywater as an irrigation source. The water is transferred from a pipe in the home to the yard, where it can fertilize the soil and water the grass.

Instead of sending that water down the drain – never to be used again – we can put it to good use to keep grass and plants healthy.