TCL Episode #33 - Plumbing - A whole lot of plumbing with Rob from Galaxy Plumbing Inc.

Apr 19, 2022

Most people think that plumbing is the work for dummies and anyone can do it. Those DIY blogs, videos, and posts will misguide you, but trust me, plumbing is as professional work like any other trade.

Episode #33 of “The Construction Life” features Rob (from Galaxy Plumbing Inc.) as the special guest. With more than two decades of experience in plumbing, Rob started his work at a really young age. He can talk on any topic, tool, and material you name because he has gone through the journey from copper to PVC, he has seen it all.

The Beginning

Rob got into plumbing after high school, and he chose this trade because he was always interested in doing something in construction. He took co-op courses from school, he started in a commercial plumbing company. He had to wake up at 5 am and had to work hard to fulfill his ambitions.

Though he was discouraged by his first boss who told him, this is not a job for him, he stayed persistent and knew this is the right path for him. He then started in residential plumbing, doing mass production subdivision homes. Though his first week was not how he expected it will be but he kept moving on. He was unhappy with the union work, so he started Galaxy Plumbing a few years ago. He says that the union work kind of prepared him for shorter deadlines, talking pressure, and doing work fast.

Rob shares why you need to hire a professional plumber for your plumbing needs, and why you should not take it lightly. Here are some of the key takeaways of the episode.

Communication is essential in any trade

Rob has excellent communication skills; he has explained every point amazingly and had amazing chemistry with Manny and Carlito. Rob explained how he grabbed his initial tasks. He used to call contractors, talk to them nicely, and asked them to give him a shot. The way you present yourself matters a lot. He told how contractors want to keep experienced and skilled tradesmen in their inner core circle.

Rob says nothing is ever perfect but you have to aim for 99% perfection, and for this consultation and communication are the key. Asking questions, doing discussions, and communicating can help you achieve perfection.

Choose and Manage your Team intelligently!

Rob says that you must remember from where you came, and you have no reason to treat anyone badly. Never insult your people in front of everyone, because once you call out names, it will be like a stain for them forever. If you want to say something to someone, take them aside and explain to them what they did wrong, and how they should have done it.

Rob says when he plans to hire someone, he asks them to bring their tools. Their tools tell much about them, and it is also a reflection of whether they take their work seriously or not!

Big Shower Heads

Rob says he sees people failing with this aspect all the time. People will have an older home with half an inch-lines typically, but most people buy a big showerhead and consider it a big rain shower head. They think they're going to get this beautiful rain effect that what they don't know is you have to have a one or three-quarter-inch line to those showerheads.

Choosing a Manufacturer

Rob says that if you don’t have enough budget you should go for MOEN or Delta. But if you can afford you have many options e.g., Toto, American Standards, Kohler. Every manufacturer has his own lacking and advantages. However, the bathroom that cost $10,000 is worth it.

Rob says that when buying toilet supplies, homeowners should think before making a decision. You cannot buy everything; you need to discuss it with your contractor or plumber to make the right decision. Also, small details while finishing matter a lot. Chrome packages will change the look of your bathroom completely.

Rob’s Rule of Thumbs

Rob’s rule of thumb is when they're dealing with a custom home, they're doing high ceilings, he keeps the waterline at above four and three quarters, five inches off the rough floor, so that way he likes it coming out of the flat portion of the baseboard. So it sits flat against the flat portion because every trim has got a flat portion before it goes wavy. If you're doing a shorter ceiling, like an older house or basement, then you go high, and keep it at eight or nine. Because you're going to be in the drywall, you're going to miss the trim.

Hot Water Tank vs Tankless

Rob is a hot water tank guy. He believes in tanks, but he also says that it is for a standard home with, let’s say, three washroom houses, so a tank will give hot water all day. A tankless can work in a small townhouse or a cottage. Tankless systems always have a cold spot, and Rob says that in North America he would prefer a hot water tank over tankless hot water on demand. It’s because the water here is so freaking cold in the winter, and the tankless system needs a lot of heat and energy to work, and imagine thefire at that rate to heat up that cold water. So how much energy are you really saving?

Which is Better Wax or Rubber Rings?

Rob says you should never ever use wax, especially in new homes. The only time you would catch him using wax, it would be for a reason. There's a time there's a place for wax. For example, if you go into a Toronto home, that is old, and if pulling off the toilet is kicking your anxiety. It's like what's underneath the copper, brass cast iron, the ply Woods rotted and you’re thinking, what are we going to do here. That's when you're going to want to use wax because you're going to want to place that toilet down, otherwise he uses a black rubber gasket everywhere.

Other Takeaways

· Rob loves copper and is not a big fan of phyn (leak protection device).

· Don’t be afraid to charge for your work. You are not stealing money from people. You should know your worth.

· Learn to use the tools and techniques out there.

· Respect the honest people in the field, and take a stand for each other.

· If you are not tapping in opportunities and contacts through social media, you are missing out.

· Love your work, and try to keep improving your work. Come back better the next day, and always say I don’t know anything, keep learning.

· Be passionate about your work.

· He loves Master Translucent and thinks it is amazing.

· Money makes money, and look at the bottom line of where your money is going. Save for your future, and save for your bad times. Time flies very fast and construction is not a piece of cake, you never know when you can get hurt, and when you won’t be able to continue.

· Keep your company good, you are the reflection of the five people that are nearest to you.

· Believe in yourself, and always have pure intentions.

· Its great to work hard, a lot of the work and growth of the business is off-work. So widen your vision.

· Self-employed is self-development. You take responsibility for your actions and don’t blame anyone.

· Don’t ever be afraid to start all over, no matter at what point you are in your life.

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