You may, for example, sign a contract to buy a building but then learn that:

Your bank won’t approve the mortgage loan you were counting on to cover 90 percent of the purchase price.

The seller doesn’t own the next-door parking lot that you thought went with the building.

The local zoning ordinance doesn’t allow your kind of business at that location.

Toxic chemicals have contaminated the ground outside the back door and you, as the buyer, have to pay for the environmental cleanup.

The air-conditioning system will have to be replaced within six months.

The list could go on and on. Obviously, you need to protect your business legally. You don’t want to wind up with a pile of nightmares instead of the building of your dreams.

Two approaches

There are two main ways to get the protection you need. The first is to get an option to buy the building. You pay an option fee – say $5,000 – for the right to buy the building at a specified price during the next 90 days (or whatever time period you and the seller agree to).

During the option period, you carefully check on the possible problems listed below. If you decide not to go ahead, you forfeit your option fee. Tip: Try for a clause in the option agreement stating that if you do buy the building, the option fee will be applied toward the purchase price.

The second and more common way to buy a building is to sign a sales contract, but one that lets you cancel the deal if details don’t work out to your satisfaction. If that happens, you should have the right to get back your earnest money deposit. Your protection here comes in the form of contingency clauses, escape hatches that let you walk away from the deal with no obligation to the seller.

A lawyer can help you craft the precise wording of the contingency clauses. For now, we’ll concentrate on some concepts worth considering. The contract should allow you to cancel the purchase and get back your earnest money deposit if you don’t get the following items within stated time limits:

A mortgage loan for a designated percent of the purchase price, and at no higher an interest rate than you’ve specified.

A satisfactory survey (at the seller’s expense) showing exactly what you’re buying. You want to be sure the building doesn’t encroach on someone else’s land and that the adjoining parking spaces are really within the property boundaries.

A contractor’s inspection (at your expense) resulting in a report that’s acceptable to you. If it turns out the building needs a new roof or major plumbing work, you can cancel the sale or try to negotiate a lower price.

An environmental review so you won’t be faced with an expensive cleanup because of a leaking oil tank or chemical spill.

A certificate of occupancy from the local building department stating that the building meets all city requirements and there are no problems with electrical, plumbing and heating systems, for example. You don’t want to be closed down because some obscure code hasn’t been complied with.

Zoning clearance confirming that your business use will comply with the local zoning ordinance. A retail business may not be allowed in an office zone. A manufacturing operation may not be allowed in a retail zone. You need to know that you can use the building the way you want to.

Assurance that private building and use restrictions – sometimes called covenants, conditions and restrictions – won’t prevent your intended use.

Your lawyer’s approval of the title insurance commitment. You want to be sure you’re getting a clear title to the building with no construction liens, for example.

Other contract terms

So much for contingencies. What else should go in the sales agreement? Consider covering these topics:

Personal property. Generally, the seller has the legal right to remove personal property, which basically is anything that’s not nailed down. To avoid surprises, list the stuff that’s going to stay, display counters in a retail store, for example, or window air-conditioners in an office.

Utility bills. As with taxes, you may have to apportion utility bills, since the closing date may fall in the middle of a billing period. Plan ahead for how to deal with all utility bills: electric, natural gas and water.

Repairs by seller. If the seller is going to repair or renovate the building before closing, list everything the seller will be doing and provide for final approval by an architect or contractor selected by you.

Existing tenants. If there are existing tenants or occupants in the building and you plan to move in right after closing, make clear in the contract that you’ll get an empty building when your purchase closes.

Damage to building. State that any damage before closing (such as damage caused by fire, windstorm or flooding) is the seller’s responsibility.

Condition of building. Specify that the building will be “broom clean” at closing. You don’t want to haul a truckload of debris to the city dump.

It’s been said many times and everyone in this business is well aware, underground utilities are typically out of sight and even further out of mind. Most people get up in the morning, use the bathroom, shower, brush their teeth and never give a thought to their wastewater. It flows down the drain, away from their houses and out of their minds forever. That is, until there’s a problem.

You are typically well aware of the worry and panic your customers are feeling when a sewer lateral backs up into their basement. You respond quickly and go about the task of clearing the line and cleaning up the mess in a business-like fashion, even though this is far from business as usual for your customers. You’re really pulling double duty, filling the role of plumber and first responder; these are, after all, emergency situations.

Still, there’s more you can do. Both of the contractors profiled in this issue of Cleaner know a thing or two about backed-up sewer lines and emergency drain cleaning jobs. I Find Leaks, located in Clearwater, Fla., and profiled on page 12, began with a very tight focus on leak detection. As the business has grown, additional services have been added, all focused on the follow-up to leak detection. Since household leaks often cause interior damage, remediation services were added. Now, I Find Leaks might diagnose a problem, fix it and handle all the peripheral repair work caused by the leak.

Southwood Plumbing & Heating of San Bruno, Calif., is also profiled in this issue. Owner Denis O’Halloran says the company responds to quite a few emergency calls. “When we arrive at a job, we are there to do the job, to take care of a problem,” he says.

As capable contractors, you can resolve most emergency situations relatively quickly. Of course, taking proper care of drain lines can eliminate many emergencies before they arise, and that work is just as important – if undervalued by customers – as the proper handling of emergencies.

Prevention is almost always easier than dealing with emergencies, as I write about in this month’s installment of Safety First, but maintenance and prevention don’t instill the urgency of an emergency situation. I suppose it’s that way in most matters, but you, the contractors of this industry, certainly know better. That’s why the pipe maintenance theme is relevant and important; Understanding, recommending and carrying out quality maintenance procedures will save your customers the panic, financial pain and emotional stress of a plumbing emergency.

When a customer experiences a sewage backup in their basement, they’ll quickly realize the value of proper and regular maintenance, and that’s good for your business. So don’t ignore the opportunity to educate customers on what can be done to prevent future emergencies when you’re on site helping them with their current emergencies.

Likewise, use your experience to educate customers about the value of proper maintenance before they experience their own emergency. Don’t use it as a heavy-handed sales tactic, but rather as an opportunity to educate customers on what’s required to keep their system in good working order. You’ll likely pick up some extra business and save them from some unpleasant situations down the road. You’ll both come out ahead, and your customers will thank you for it.

Hopefully the stories in this month’s issue can help you in that endeavor.

It’s all in a day’s work, as they say.

McCormick left the high-tech sector eight years ago, just before the tech bubble burst.

“I could see that it was crashing and started to look at different trades that would be in high demand regardless of the economic climate,” he says. “I passed on electrical work because I didn’t like the idea of getting shocked and dismissed roofing, because there was no way I wanted to fall off a roof. I finally looked at plumbing and realized that there was a market for forensic plumbing – not run-of-the-mill toilets and pipes, but solving leak detection problems where you need to use your brain to solve tough problems.”

McCormick founded I Find Leaks in 2006 as a one-man operation, concentrating solely on property and premises water leaks for homeowners, business owners and property managers in the Clearwater area, on Florida’s west central coast.

“My friends thought the name was kind of stupid, but it’s worked out really well for marketing purposes,” he says. “It tells the customer exactly what the company does, without ambiguity.”

McCormick outfitted himself with a Fisher XLT series leak detector and a Gen-Ear water leak detection system from General Pipe Cleaners.

“About 90 percent of Florida leaks are in copper piping, primarily running under the concrete floor slab,” says McCormick, “The soil is acidic and the water is fairly hard so the lines are being worn down on the inside as well as the outside.”

While some companies use line tracers before leaks are pinpointed, McCormick insists on doing the reverse. The company finds leaks acoustically, then traces the lines to ensure they intersect with the leak location.

Defining the business

The company embarked on the venture with a strict definition of the services it would offer.

“That meant no plumbing repairs ever,” says McCormick. “We would recommend a reputable plumber but we would never want to be the company applying a jackhammer to the floor slab. Sticking to the core business was our recipe from the start.”

After the first year of operation, the company received requests for sewer camera inspections and purchased a Gen-Eye push camera from General Pipe Cleaners to scope lines.

“I also bought a RIDGID SeeSnake and, coming from the tech sector, I was quick to offer inspection recordings on DVD, burned from my laptop,” says McCormick.

In 2007, the company hired a second employee and added a jetter from Harben Inc.

The slate of offerings grew logically from the leak detection service. Typically, however, once the company had detected a leak and jetted out sewer lines, McCormick would be asked to recommend a contractor who could dry out the area to prevent mold formation, a major headache in Florida’s tropical climate. If the damage was severe, customers might also ask for a recommendation on a company that could rebuild the home after water-damaged building materials were removed.

“I had a lot of water-damage contractors offering me money to refer them, but I was having a hard time finding contractors I could trust,” says McCormick. “Some of them were taking a small job and turning it into a big job, removing too much drywall or taking out building components that didn’t need to be removed. In some cases, the insurance adjusters wouldn’t even examine the extent of the damage before authorizing the work.”

From leaks to drying

A lucky run at a local casino in 2008 changed the nature of the business. McCormick won $950 playing Texas hold ’em and decided to risk $50 of his winnings on a slot machine. His net winnings: $128,000.

“I invested the entire windfall in drying equipment so that I could get the premises of a water-logged building ready for the construction contractors, drying up the carpets and the floors,” he says. “That way I could make sure that the customer understood the actual extent of the damage before getting a water-damage remediation contractor to come in.”

The company’s drying arsenal includes a series of massive exhaust fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers.

To promote the new activity, the company added a second brand, I Dry Leaks, to its public face. That same year, McCormick hired a full-time office employee and three more field workers.

However, even after drying out a job site, McCormick says that he was still finding it difficult to recommend contractors to clients.

“A lot of them simply would never arrive, or worse, take a deposit and never show up again,” he says. “At the beginning of 2009, I brought in an employee with a general contractor’s license who could handle construction as well. He brought two employees with him and they specialized in installing flooring and drywall, painting and installing cabinetry. By the summer I had nine people on staff. Each step of the expansion was based on a legitimate business interest that built logically on the others. I wasn’t going to expand into an area that didn’t fit the business model, even if it looked lucrative at that moment. ”

Temporary setback

In July of that year, a Jet Ski accident sidelined McCormick’s expansion plans. “I fractured my sternum and was down for the count,” he recalls. “I was on pain meds and out of reality for about three months. When I was well enough to leave the hospital, I drove out to the office and found a padlock on the door. Every piece of equipment I owned was gone. It seems that some of the people I’d hired hadn’t looked out for the best interests of the business.”

Just as bad, former clients were being courted by a copycat business. McCormick simply gritted his teeth and started over, employing his fiancée in the office and starting again with two other employees.

“Surprisingly, with just a few employees, the business was running more efficiently than it had before,” says McCormick. “It’s hard to overstate how much more you can accomplish when you hire the right people. We were also more careful with accounting, so that money that was once disappearing down a rabbit hole was now being kept in the business. I took a pay cut, kept overhead to the bare minimum and re-invested all of the profits back into the business to rebuild our equipment stocks, and we did it relatively quickly.”

By 2010, the company had rebooted the dry-out side of the business and hired another five workers. McCormick also hired another employee with a contractor’s license, ushering in a new brand name: IDL Construction.

“Again, the core business model determines what kind of construction work we perform,” says McCormick. “It’s strictly streamlined – just cabinets, flooring, drywall, painting, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets. If we were asked to put a structural addition on a home we would turn that project down.”

Taking on mold

The company next embarked on another business venture that built on the success of the others: I Destroy Mold.

“Mold remediation is a job that involves high risks and high rewards,” says McCormick. “If you don’t do the job right and someone gets sick, you’re putting your reputation on the line and facing a possible lawsuit. Workers need to be licensed by the state of Florida to do the work and you need to hire workers who are committed to doing the job right.”

Mold spores exist in the atmosphere around us, just waiting for the right conditions to grow. The spores can grow in Florida homes under normal conditions even if the relative humidity exceeds 60 percent. A flooded Florida property provides enough moisture, humidity, darkness and warmth to spur accelerated growth. The most common spore found in the area is stachybotrys, a variety of black mold.

“The notion of contractors ‘killing mold’ is a bit misleading,” says McCormick. “Even if you kill a mold spore, the toxins left by the dead spore can create health problems, particularly in people who are allergic to them.”

A project begins with finding the source of the moisture and mold using infrared cameras by FLIR. Once the source of the mold has been established, the area is placed under containment using a plastic sheeting enclosure under negative air pressure. A HEPA filter fitted on the enclosure exhaust traps particles down to three microns in size. Dedicated dehumidifiers used only on mold jobs are placed inside the enclosure and likewise fitted with removable HEPA filters to trap mold spores.

Workers don specially designed mold suits – white coveralls with supplied air respirators. They also use handheld HEPA vacuums to remove mold.

“Going in, they look a lot like the Ghostbusters,” says McCormick. “They remove drywall, flooring, cabinets and any other mold-affected material. Of course, you can’t take the studs out of the house, so we sand down the surfaces. Once all of the material is removed we kill the remaining mold and clean the remaining surface area. People think you need to use harsh chemicals or bleach to kill mold, but we find it effective to use a mild detergent and a damp rag.”

By that year’s end, McCormick employed nine workers. By the end of 2011, the company employed 25.

The current business mix is about 85 percent residential, with the rest of the projects coming from the commercial sector. Jobs range from simple leak detection or jetting alone, to a full suite of drying, mold remediation and construction.

Much of the business is generated by word of mouth, but the company also uses sources such as Angie’s List to generate leads.

Web presence critical

The company operates four websites, one for each brand. Each site first offers information on the subject associated with its name, then expands to highlight the offerings of the other three brands.

“The websites are fun and professionally produced and probably inspire about 30 percent of our business,” says McCormick. “We know they’re effective because we get at least one call a day from people as far away as California, Utah or Michigan.”

That’s a good sign. McCormick has copyrighted all of the individual names and logos with an eye to franchising the business. For now, however, the company continues to expand throughout west central Florida, operating in Tampa and St. Petersburg and through the adjoining Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk and Manatee counties along the state’s west coast. This year, the company will open an office further south in Sarasota County. Next year, McCormick hopes to expand north.

“We’ve started and expanded so many divisions, that we need to be disciplined,” he says. “The important thing is that they all need to operate at 100 percent all of the time and we can only do that by sticking to the core business with no distractions. Leak detection is water damage is mold removal is interior remodeling. You can’t take your eyes off the core business.”

The BORESTORE tooling and accessories warehouse from Vermeer Corp. (www.borestore.com) makes the company’s horizontal drill tooling and accessories available to contractors 24/7.

Sioux Corp. redesigns website

Sioux Corp., manufacturer of pressure washers, steam cleaners and steam generators, redesigned its website, www.sioux.com, adding videos, slide shows and related content.

StoneAge expands dealer model

StoneAge Tools expanded its dealer model, offering products for sale only through its distribution network. The tools division includes waterblast tools and mechanized systems, Warthog sewer cleaning tools and Spincat downhole cleaning tools.

IPR managers elected to NUCA board

Ben Goodall, Texas business development manager for IPR, and Reed Rohrbaugh, Mid-Atlantic area business manager, were elected to their respective National Utility Contractor Association chapter board of directors. Both helped form new chapters as part of NUCA’s Chapter-In-Development program initiative.

Reliable Pumps names Woodward senior sales consultant

Reliable Pumps Consultants Inc. has named Mike Woodward senior sales consultant. He has over 30 years of experience in engineering, management and sales and is an expert in the field of high-pressure water jetting.

Why? Company co-owner Sandi Hassell credits what she calls the multiplier effect. It’s created by stamping each vehicle with the same strong brand identity through a smart-looking vinyl wrap that prominently features the company’s name – a clever, playful take on the Hassell name.

“People think we have 10 or 15 trucks on the road because they all look the same,” explains Sandi, who owns the company with her husband, David. “I get that all the time … people say, ‘I see your trucks everywhere.’ You don’t get that if you have two trucks that look completely different.”

In economic terms, a multiplier effect is defined as an increase in spending that spurs a boost in income greater than the initial investment. That definition fits the bill at Hassell Free, where an initial investment of about $20,000 for the four vinyl wraps has created a tidy return on investment.

“They’ve more than paid for themselves,” Sandi says of the wraps, which were designed by her son, Benjamin, and produced by Florida-based SignZoo. “I’ll do it for every truck we ever buy – they really get people to notice our vehicles. I’d estimate that 20 percent of our service calls come from people who say they know about us because they’ve noticed our trucks.”

Hassell Free owns a 2009 and 2011 Isuzu NPR HD, featuring sleek, cab-over design and spacious Hackney bodies. The other two vehicles are 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks that each tow a cargo trailer: one a 16-footer made by Contract Manufacturer LLC and an 18-footer made by H&H Trailers LLC. The trailers carry equipment for residential plumbing installations.

The trucks’ eye-catching design testifies to the power of effective branding. First of all, there’s the clever name, the brainchild of Sandi and David. “We couldn’t use Hassell Plumbing, right?” she quips. “And to use a first name – say, David’s Plumbing –just sounded too ‘Bubba’ to us. We wanted something more professional and catchy.

“Consistency was important to us, too,” she continues. “If you see a company with business cards, letterheads, (refrigerator) magnets and trucks that all look the same –everything is consistent – people recognize your company more easily.

“Major corporations do it so people associate their product with their name, so why should plumbing be any different?” she asks. “It’s a good way to set yourself apart. Plus, people are more likely to call someone who looks like they have it all together.”

Because “hassle-free” is such a popular catch phrase, the Hassells took the extra step of obtaining registered trademarks for the company name and wrap design to protect against unauthorized copycat use.

“Even the little man on the trucks is registered, because everyone was using it after we put it on our old vehicles,” Sandi notes. “If something works, everyone wants to ride on your coattails.”

The two service vehicles also help the company increase productivity and profitability by keeping parts and equipment well organized and easy to access. Before, the company owned traditional cargo vans that couldn’t hold as much equipment and restricted access.

“We couldn’t carry a 50- or 60-gallon water heater tank upright, and we could only carry one, and we had to slide it in on the floor,” Sandi notes. “The Hackney storage system is made specifically for plumbing … all the drawers have dividers so every little fitting and parts aren’t just thrown together.

“There are specific places to store our sewer machine and video camera,” she adds. “And with the self-storing, slide-out ramp in back, one man can unload all of our equipment with just a dolly.”

Sandi also points out that the ability to carry a full array of repair parts has increased the company’s net profitability by about 40 percent. That’s because sprawling Cedar Creek Lake – a 32,623-acre, 18-mile-long body of water that’s the fourth-largest lake in Texas, with 320 miles of shoreline – makes back-and-forth trips to a supply house a daunting, time-consuming proposition.

“I’d say we’re 90 percent more efficient than before,” she says. “If you’re on one side of the lake and the supply house is on the other side, you’re looking at an hour to an hour-and-a-half round trip to go get parts and then come back and do a job.

“Having everything right there saves a lot of gas and a lot of drive time – and time in general,” she notes. “We might get in one or two more service calls per day in the time we otherwise would’ve spent running for parts.”

More service calls in the same amount of time: It all adds up to another nice, Hassell Free multiplier effect.

With some tweaks in how they’re designed, loyalty programs can benefit service contractors like drain cleaners and septic pumpers as well.

Simply put, a loyalty program rewards the customer for coming back. It creates an incentive that translates into a certain base of customers – and their dollars.

That’s nothing to dismiss. Unless you’re in the rare situation of having no competitors, any time a customer rings your phone, you’ve effectively won a lottery. The caller could just as easily have dialed the number of your rival across town or across the county.

Discounts, specials and points

Some loyalty programs are free to the customer and give discounts or specials based on the number of purchases. That makes sense in fields like retailing, where traffic is frequent. And it could work in some service businesses. For instance, a septic pumper might set up a program in which a customer gets a free inspection with, say, every fourth or fifth visit.

A very simple approach would be to give repeat customers a small discount, perhaps 5 percent or 10 percent. In a similar vein – although it’s not strictly a loyalty reward – many contractors discount the bill by 5 percent or so if the customer pays at the time of service.

Typically, though, such contractors aren’t going to see the same customers all that frequently. That makes it hard for customers to rack up “points” toward some kind of free or discounted service.

That doesn’t mean you have to scrap the idea entirely. You could consider a loyalty program that your customer buys into – in the form of a fixed annual fee.

For example, my car mechanic sells a yearly program that costs about the same as four oil changes. The customer gets a punch card that offers four free oil changes, plus discounts on other specific service items.

Cleaner industry model

One approach is used by Ashton Service Group in Vancouver, B.C., a service contractor covering plumbing, heating, air conditioning and gas in the residential and commercial market.

For $89 a year, homeowners can join the firm’s Ashton Value Plan program. With membership, they get an annual plumbing and drain safety inspection. Shutoff valves for incoming water service and water heaters are tagged to make it easier for homeowners to find them in an emergency. In addition, members get priority scheduling and a 15 percent discount on service work. Diagnostic fees and overtime charges are waived as well, and members get access to special discounts advertised on the Ashton Service website. They also get two $25 gift certificates for the company’s services that they can share with friends or relatives.

Customers can sign up through the company’s website, and the sales department offers it as a service when calling customers. A customer can even sign up when Ashton comes to their home for a major piece of service work, such as replacing a hot water heater, so they can get the discount right away.

The program has been in place for a couple years. Ashton’s controller, David Fung, said the price was set to help make it affordable in light of the benefits and discounts involved.

The program “gets our foot in the door, and other work will spin off from it,” says Fung. Once a person has signed up, “they’ll call us instead of flipping through the Yellow Pages or their iPhone looking for a contractor.”

Making it work

That might be a good template for others, but remember: every business is a little different, and there’s not going to be a “one size fits all” solution. Still, if you want to set up a program for your own business, you can take the same general steps.

1) Review all the services you offer and determine which ones are frequent enough to anchor your loyalty program.

2) Calculate what sort of discount you can afford to offer and still make a profit on the other services you provide.

3) Consider some alternative designs, and run some projections to see which ones will work best for your bottom line.

4) Once you decide to offer the program, market it aggressively. If your customers don’t know about it, it won’t be worth the time to set it up in the first place.

There’s a not-so-hidden message in these four steps. If it’s going to benefit your business, a loyalty program has to be sustainable. It has to help you make money in the long run – not cost you money.

A loyalty program that collapses not only defeats the purpose, it’s worse than no loyalty program at all. But if properly designed and monitored, a customer loyalty program can help you build a stable of repeat business that flows directly to your bottom line.

Or, to put a twist on an old saying, it can make loyalty its own reward – for your customers and for you.

Problem

Grease clogs in the three major wet wells of Culver City, Calif., backed up the sanitary sewers. Officials needed a way to resolve the issue without demanding more manpower or budget.

Solution

Representatives from Gamajet Cleaning Systems demonstrated the Gamajet VIII rotary impingement tank cleaner to authorities. A standard city jetter powered the fluid-driven machine at 65 gpm/300 psi. After lowering it into a lift station, two high-impact jets blasted grease from the walls and bottom in a 360-degree pattern. The emulsified grease then flowed downstream to a waiting cleaning crew.

Result

The station was grease-free in 12 minutes. The facility supervisor says it was the cleanest he has ever seen it. The city bought a machine, scheduled the stations for regular cleaning and eliminated the clogging problem. 877/426-2538; www.gamajet.com.

Waterjetter cuts roots

Problem

Root-clogged laterals caused innumerable problems for property managers in the Baltimore, Md., area. The residential equipment used by local plumber Samuel Perlman of TUFFGUY Plumbing lacked sufficient power to be effective.

Solution

A product demonstration at a property Perlman services introduced him to the KJ-3100 waterjetter from RIDGID. Operating at 5.5 gpm/3,000 psi, the unit cleared blockages in 2- to 10-inch drains. Perlman says the line probably remained open for a month.

Result

Perlman purchased the jetter with a Root Ranger 3000 nozzle. “I’m a firm believer in RIDGID,” he says. “As far as trade tools, RIDGID is by far the way to go.” 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com.

Bioremediation dissolves grease

Problem

The high cost of removing grease from 79 lift stations in Charlotte, N.C., prompted Stuart Rosenberger, station manager at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, to search for another approach.

Solution

In 2011, Rosenberger agreed to a pilot study using BioPlug from Vaporooter. The 100 percent bacterial formula converts grease into carbon dioxide and water. Crews changed the plugs monthly and noticed how the product reduced the time they spent cleaning the structures. At the end of the study, the utilities purchased BioPlug for problematic stations.

Result

“This is the first product I’ve seen that actually slowed grease accumulation and reduced costs,” says Rosenberger. 800/841-1444; www.vaporooter.com.

The Quick View camera system from Amazing Machinery is equipped with commercial grade camera head and cable. The unit has a 7-inch flat-screen LCD in an ABS case, and records to an SD card. The high-quality color camera head is 1 3/8-inch in diameter and has a built-in 512 Hz sonde transmitter. The stainless steel camera body with sapphire lens makes the head durable. The camera head is waterproof to 500 feet, and equipped with 10 white LEDs, a dimmer control and an 11-inch steel spring loader.

The system has a 130-foot-long, 3/8-inch super slick push cable, with a 20-inch layflat storage reel. The component-based system allows the user to change the camera head, recorder or monitor if it is damaged. 800/504-7435; www.amazingmachinery.com.

Mid-range trailer jetter

The 58 series trailer-mounted jetter from American Jetter includes user-friendly controls and Kohler power up to 40 hp, allowing it to cover a wide range of cleaning jobs. Available flow ranges from 7 to 20 gpm allow flushing from large pipes, and pressures to 5,000 psi allow root and scale removal. The main powered reel holds up to 500 feet of 3/8- or 1/2-inch jetting hose. A portable jet reel holds up to 200 feet of 3/8-inch or smaller hose and can be used indoors with included foot valve.

Optional antifreeze and recirculation systems allow for use in cold climates, and an oversized toolbox offers ample tool or camera storage. Low oil and water shutoff prevent engine and pump damage. The mid-range jetter has a 2,900-pound full-tank tow weight and a 1,300-pound empty weight, and standard 2-inch hitch. 866/944-3569; www.americanjetter.com.

Economy trailer jetters

EJT series economy trailer jetters from Cam Spray come with a 28 hp Honda engine with 7 gpm flow at 4,000 psi or 11.5 gpm at 2,700 psi. Both models feature a manual reel with 250 feet of 3/8- or 1/2-inch hose. The units allow for jetting 6- to 10-inch lines. Standard features include a 5-gallon fuel tank, industrial three-plunger pump with stainless valves and ceramic plungers, power pulse valve, air purge, and recirculation for freeze protection.

The heavy-duty trailer includes close-tube frame and full metal deck on a 3,500-pound axle, and includes road-ready wiring and lights with 2-inch ball hitch. A 150-gallon water tank includes auto shutoff if the tank runs dry. Also included is a set of four nozzles, storage box, tip cleaner, tiger tail, safety face shield, rubber gloves and high-vision safety vest. 800/648-5011; www.camspray.com.

CCTV inspection system

The CUES K2 series portable CCTV inspection system can be used to inspect waterlines from 4 inches and larger. The unit can be mounted in ATVs, vans and trailers, or used as a stand-alone system. It includes ergonomic wireless handheld control that can operate all CUES transporters and pan-and-tilt/zoom cameras. The unit features built-in diagnostics for the entire system, including the video cable.

The portable video cable reel includes automatic payout to minimize cable drag and maximize pull distance while inspecting 4- to 120-inch-diameter pipes. Increased video cable reel capacity (1,200 feet) maximizes distance for runs. The base station can be mounted on the built-in docking port of the K2 reel, staged independently, or in a weatherproof enclosure. The system can be used with the Granite XP Asset Inspection/Decision Support software to integrate data with enterprise asset management systems. 800/327-7791; www.cuesinc.com.

Drain treatment cleaner

Drainbo drain treatment and cleaner is an all-natural alternative to toxic drain products. It is a biological drain opener and cleaner formulated for use in home drains. Naturally grown bacillus digest household waste such as grease, soap film, oils, proteins and fats found in the waste stream. The product will maintain and clean drains, and it is safe to use with septic systems. It will enhance septic system performance by increasing digestion in the tank through its seven-strain formulation and by digesting and removing sludge deposited in the leach system. The cleaner is a USDA-certified biobased product. 877/372-4626; www.drainbo.com.

Double wound cable

Double wound cable from Draincables Direct is available in 0.55 and 0.66 diameters. The cable is manufactured with two strands of oil-tempered wire and is designed for tough blockages. Both size cables offer flexibility and rigidity to maneuver up to the blockage and power through it. Cable is available in 25- and 50-foot lengths. Anchor cables and a flexible leader are also available. 800/421-4580; www.draincables.com.

Compact cleaner

The DM125 drain cleaning machine from Duracable Mfg. is designed for small residential lines, sink drains, bathtubs, and shower drains. It is equipped with a 1/6 hp motor, which operates at 230 rpm and features a heavy-duty 20-amp switch. The frame is made from high-strength aluminum alloy, making the unit lightweight and durable. The machine comes with a heavy-duty, casted, self-aligning head bearing, and the reel maintains proper alignment while in operation. The head bearing also holds the reel in place and allows a quick-change reel.

The easy-to-maneuver machine can be operated in horizontal and vertical positions. It is equipped with non-marring rubber pads to protect the work surface, and a standard guide tube is included to help eliminate surface damage to bathtubs and countertops from the rotating cable. 877/244-0556; www.duracable.com.

Modular inspection

The EasyCAM inspection camera uses a modular design to allow for fast and easy owner reparability. The unit comes with a steerable color camera head, 512 Hz transmitter, onboard monitor with recordable DVR, on-screen footage counter, powder-coated aluminum modular frame and onboard lighting for night operation. It is offered with 150 or 200 feet of Hytrel push cable. 239/260-2056; www.plumbersbestcamera.com.

Drain cleaning machine

The model Z5-P drain cleaning machine from Electric Eel cleans 1 1/4-inch- to 3-inch-diameter lines up to 100 feet while running galvanized aircraft wire inner core (IC) cable. Features include built-in drum shaft slip clutch and an upright frame on large 10-inch wheels with folding handle. The rear bar shields the motor and allows for two-position operation.

The Z5-P-K-3/8IC50 kit comes with the Z5-P-DU drain cleaning machine with 1/3 hp motor, 3/8IC50 aircraft IC cable, DH-TS three-piece tool set, EK-TB tool bag, THW18 1/8-inch T-wrench, and leather gloves. The Z5-P-K-3/8IC75 kit comes with the same components as the previous kit with optional 3/8IC75 IC cable. The Z5-P-K-3/8IC100 comes with the standard components and optional 3/8IC100 IC cable. The Z5-P-K-1/2IC50 comes with the Z5-P-DU drain cleaning machine with 1/3 hp motor, 1/2IC50 IC cable, DN-TS5 five-piece tool set, EK-TB tool bag, THW18 1/8-inch T-wrench and leather gloves. The Z5-P-K-1/2IC75 comes with the same components as the previous kit with optional 1/2IC75 IC cable. The Z5-P-K-1/2IC100 comes with the same components as the 1/2IC50 with optional 1/2IC100 IC cable. 800/833-1212; www.electriceel.com.

Rotating nozzle

The golden jet Bulldog rotating nozzle from Enz USA is designed for operation with recycling water and freshwater. An integrated oil-free braking system results in low wear and tear, and in controlled numbers of rotation. The nozzle cleans root intrusions, grease, solids and heavy debris. It is available in 1/2- to 1 1/4-inch connecting threads. The cleaning pipe diameter ranges from 2.5 to 24 inches. 877/369-8721; www.enzusainc.com.

Wireless inspection system

Wireless video inspection cameras from Forbest can transmit images up to 500 feet to control stations or laptop computers for viewing over the Internet, enabling multiple users at various locations to simultaneously view video from a single camera. 650/757-4786; www.forbestusa.net.

Wet-only vac truck

The GapVax MC Series unit for hydroexcavation, jetting, waterblasting, flushing out sewer lines, and maintenance is made of 3/16-inch ASTM A572 Grade 50 Exten steel. Debris bodies range from 5 to 12 cubic yards. The wet-only vacuum truck has a unitized stainless steel 2,000-gallon water and debris tank with a double subframe. A heavy-duty, double-acting, single-lift cylinder provides a 50-degree dump angle. Vacuum pump options range from 3,500 to 5,000 cfm and up to 27 inches Hg.

The truck comes equipped with an 8-foot, front-mounted, telescopic boom with dual lift cylinders, reaching 26 feet with a 270-degree rotation. The front-mounted hose reel has an 800-foot by 1-inch hose capacity. The standard water pump is rated at 80 gpm/2,000 psi. Options include a washdown system; hydroexcavation package; extra storage space; heated boxes; liquid-level load indicators; remote pendants and wireless remotes for boom, vacuum break, and water controls; additional work lights and tube racks. 888/442-7829; www.gapvax.com.

Trailer jet

The Typhoon trailer jet from General Pipe Cleaners delivers 12 gpm at 2,500 psi to clean grease, sediment and debris. A 200-gallon holding tank carries enough water to handle remote applications where access to water is limited. Two rear-mounted hose reels (a jet hose reel with 400 feet of 1/2-inch capacity featuring variable-speed electric rewind, and a water supply hose reel carrying 150 feet of 3/4-inch hose) are located next to the pressure gauge and output valve. Engine controls, including an hour meter, are mounted within easy reach in the lockable toolbox with slide action doors just below the reels.

The unit includes electric brakes, safety strobe light, three safety cones with holder, rear fold-down stabilizer jacks, retractable hose guide arm, and antifreeze system. A 24 hp Honda engine with electric start powers the durable triplex pump with Vibra-pulse to help slide the nozzle around tight bends and propel the hose down long lines. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com/jets.

Heavy-duty reels

Hannay 6000 series reels are designed for a variety of pumping and cleaning applications including spray operations, water supply, and suction and transfer. The heavy-duty construction provides efficient handling of long lengths of hose and features either a manual gear-driven crank rewind or a chain and sprocket drive powered by an electric, hydraulic or compressed air motor. Reels can be customized to meet specific needs. 877/467-3357; www.hannay.com.

Van jetter

The Van Pack waterjetter from Harben allows operators to put a full-size jetter into an enclosed and heated van. Users can mount a 4,000 psi/18 gpm unit in a powder-coated, lightweight folded steel skid/frame measuring 75 inches long by 53 inches wide by 61 inches high. It has a dry weight of 1,600 pounds. The system comes standard with the Harben P Pump; a 108-gallon water tank (additional tanks available based on van payload); a 48 hp Kubota water-cooled diesel engine; 500-foot capacity hydraulic hose reel; and a hinged, telescoping manual garden hose reel.

Available options include the jump jet pulsation system, antifreeze system, MK II dump washdown gun, 1/4-inch mini jet kit, strobe, manhole and workstation lights, and a range of nozzles and accessories. A complete setup will allow cleaning of drains from 2 to 8 inches in diameter. 800/327-5387; www.harben.com.

DVR module

The Magnum DVR command module from Hathorn Corporation features USB recording and a navigation menu that is simple to use and easy to learn. Images can be seen clearly in bright sunlight with the 10.4-inch daylight readable monitor. The system features a full-size keyboard, 16 pages of text writing, 8X zoom, microphone and speaker, and two-hour built-in battery with smart charger. Several reel options and three camera head sizes are available. 905/886-2835; www.hathorncorp.com.

Cart jetters

O’Brien cart jetters (available in three models) from Hi-Vac Corp. clean up to 8-inch residential and commercial sewer lines. An optional lateral cleaning kit allows users to leave the engine outside the building while cleaning an inside line. The automatic throttle valve enables the engine to respond to water usage, revving up to increase flow and idling down to reduce noise, pump and engine wear. The 1220-J electric jetter cleans 4-inch or smaller lines, while the 2511-J has an 11 hp, electric-start gasoline engine and triplex pump that delivers 4 gpm at 3,000 psi. The 13 hp 2513-J jetter has a manual-start gasoline engine and triplex pump that delivers 4.8 gpm at 3,000 psi. 800/752-2400; www.obrienmfg.com.

Midsize camera

The MS11 midsize push camera from MyTana features self-leveling and is suitable for 3- to 4-inch lines. The unit comes with 150 feet of midsized pushrod, and has a built-in 512 Hz transmitter. The one-piece system contains the reel, camera head, monitor and control box in a single package. The inspection camera also features a daylight readable monitor, which is scratch and shatter resistant. Power is supplied by a standard 110V battery or by an onboard rechargeable battery with two-hour life.

The control box provides output in two formats: RCA jacks provide the analog signal and the USB port provides a digital video signal for transfer to a customer’s laptop. The Slim Ball is also included, providing protection and reduced friction navigation. Available accessories include a mini DVD recorder, AccuStic 512 receiver locator, and mainline and sink line inspection systems. 800/328-8170; www.mytana.com.

Thrusting nozzle

The BL Swiper nozzle from NozzTeq is available in a large version that cleans 12- to 30-inch pipes and a small version that cleans 8- to 18-inch pipes. The unit uses water flow from the jets and airflow in the pipe. The water flow, through the pressure in the jets, creates a jet stream that creates thrust through air channels. The number of air channels is equal to the number of water jets. The channels are placed in the center of the nozzle, meaning the total force generated by the nozzle, both air and water force, are used to clean the pipe. By increasing water pressure, the thrust power will also accelerate, decreasing total cleaning time. 866/620-5915; www.nozzteq.com.

Pneumatic cutter

The Micro-Cutter from Nu Flow Technologies is a pneumatic cutter used to clean and remove calcite and roots from the inside of a variety of pipes including steel, cast iron and Orangeburg. The system rotates at 1,500 rpm in 1 1/2- to 6-inch pipes in lengths up to 100 feet, and will negotiate turns of 90 degrees in pipes down to 2 inches in diameter.

The cutter runs at 40 cfm and allows for multiple cutting heads. The heads can cut through dense corrosion and root intrusion. The drill tip has an adjustable spline available in various sizes to match different pipe diameters. 800/834-9597; www.nuflowtech.com.

Sewer cleaning hose

The 1 1/2-inch 2,500 psi sewer cleaning hose from Piranha Hose Products consists of a yellow, polyolefin tube, a double layer of high tensile synthetic braid reinforcement, and an abrasion-resistant orange cover. The temperature range is from -40 degrees to more than 150 degrees F. The ultra slick Slither cover is available for tough sewer bends. 800/250-5132; www.piranhahose.com.

Push cameras

The DELTA and DELTA-Pro push systems from Rausch Electronics feature a forward-facing SAT42 camera with an auto-upright function. The systems work in pipes as small as 2 inches. The DELTA-Pro system features the full pan-and-tilt KS60CL camera, which can examine and focus on any part of the pipe. The systems include up to 250 feet of cable and an integrated sonde used to locate the camera. An integrated monitor allows users to see the pipe immediately, and integrated controls provide no exterior interference. Both systems are rugged and portable, and include a lightweight carrying case and wheels. PC and software are optional. 717/709-1005; www.rauschtv-usa.com.

Portable inspection

The Pan n’ Tilt push camera from Ratech Electronics is a portable inspection system for pipes and drains as small as 3 inches in diameter. Users can choose the type of camera to use with the push system: black and white, color, self-leveling, micro, or pan n’ tilt. The camera can be retrofitted to the company’s existing systems or as a stand-alone unit. It rotates 330 degrees vertically and 220 degrees horizontally. The cost-efficient unit is adaptable to the company’s Jet Cam.

Combining the camera with the company’s control unit, such as the Elite SD, gives recording capability using SD/USB drive and allows MPEG video capture and JPEG image capture. Also included is an on-screen display overlay system providing electronic distance counter, time, date and eight pages of memory for listing problems and displaying of company information. Standard 200-foot gel-rod cable is included. 800/461-9200; www.ratech-electronics.com.

Jetter reel system

The custom-engineered and built jetter reel turnkey system from Reelcraft offers the complete solution for jetter applications. Systems are designed in-house and built to customer specification. The system is designed to fit inside a standard truck bed. It includes a hydraulic power pack with 8 hp motor, special hose for well cleaning applications, directional control valves and air pressure manifold. 800/444-3134; www.reelcraft.com.

Electric jetter

The SJPE-1500 electric jetter from Shark Pressure Washers is portable, compact and includes a detachable hose reel. Rated at 1.7 gpm at 1,500 psi, the unit operates on 115-volt electricity and comes standard with a 35-foot power cord with GFCI. The slide-in handle accommodates loading and unloading, while providing easy maneuverability around work sites. The detachable hose reel allows for convenient operation. The unit also features the company’s Pulse Technology on demand, which propels the hose through the line and around tight curves to break through clogs. 800/771-1881; www.sharkpw.com.

Root saws

Super-duty large-diameter root saws for hydraulic root cutters from Southland Tool Mfg. are available in 12- to 24-inch diameters. The extra-thick concave saws are reinforced with three rigid spokes and a center-long hub that attaches to the root cutter. The saw stays centered in the line and does not get caught on offsets because there is no opening. The saws are circumferentially correct to maximize cutting in the middle of the pipe. Large root cutter skids are also available. 714/632-8198; www.southlandtool.com.

Mini pushrod

The Snake Eye mini pushrod camera system from TV Ferret features a stainless steel frame and low-friction multiconductor push cable. The system comes standard with a 10.4-inch color LCD monitor, DVR, footage counter and built-in microphone housed in a hard portable case. The mobile push camera comes with its own self-charging power source, allowing it to operate when no electrical power source is available. The unit comes with a self-leveling head and variable LED lights. A sonde for locating is optional. 518/399-2211; www.tvferret.com.

One-piece nozzles

One-piece cleaning nozzles from USB-Sewer Equipment Corporation are not bonded or screwed together. The latest technology enhances strength and reduces chances of failure under pressure for safety and optimum performance. Advanced, Optimized 3D HydroMechanics, located in the lower part of the chamber, eliminate pressure in the upper portion of the nozzle and prevent explosion in a sewer line or manhole.

The water coming from a pressurized hose is immediately guided directly into channels and into ceramic nozzle inserts, which do not require winglets or flow-straighteners. The result is a highly efficient jet pattern. The nozzles are precision-engineered and manufactured according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. They include the Antiblaster Nozzle 3D, the Flying Nozzle 3D, the Cleaning Nozzle 3D, and the FJ Penetrator Nozzle 3D. 866/408-2814; www.usbsec.com.

Inspection camera

The Inspector Cam from Vac-Con expands the application for the company’s combination sewer cleaners. The camera illuminates and uncovers the following from inside the pipe: broken pipes, protruding laterals, off-grade pipes, offset joints, leaking joints, recessed taps, cracked pipes, blockages, corrosion, grease buildup, root infiltration, collapsed pipes, cleanouts, drain lines, service laterals, vent stacks, waterlines, internal plumbing systems and utility ducts.

The display features a high-definition LCD color monitor mounted on a pivot-style assembly, enabling the operator to adjust to various applications. The self-leveling camera head is propelled by the high-pressure water system and hose on the combination sewer cleaner. The white LED cluster lights provide a 160-degree angle of illumination with variable settings. The hose reel-mounted video cable reel has a capacity of 600 feet. The video reel is hydraulically operated in sequence with the sewer hose reel. 888/491-5762; www.vac-con.com/inspector_cam.html.

Combo cleaner

The AJV R series combination sewer cleaner from Vacall Industries is powered by a single chassis engine and has a rear-mounted hose reel, reducing noise and contact with engine heat and allowing for an unobstructed view of the job site. The hose reel delivers jetting action in any direction and can be locked into any position with the flip of a switch.

The standard 8-foot, 6-inch telescoping boom is located at the rear of the chassis and is able to front-load debris, producing even load distribution and eliminating material from piling up against the tailgate decant port or optional sump-pump port. The unit has a low-profile design, reducing overhead clearance to 11 1/2 feet. High-quality, aluminum water tanks have capacities of 1,000, 1,200 and 1,500 gallons. The rugged debris body’s oval shape with cylindrical sides creates extra strength and efficient dumping. An optional flush system is available. 800/382-8302; www.vacallindustries.com.

Truck-mounted jetter

The truck-mounted Ramjet jetter from Vactor Manufacturing breaks up blockages in sanitary lines and flushes out debris. The unit comes with a 2,500-gallon stainless steel water tank and delivers flows of 60 to 100 gpm at 2,000 or 2,500 psi. The jet rodder is a single-piston, hydraulically driven, dual-acting water pump that delivers a jack hammer action water flow. A single operator can quickly drive to each job site with the unit. It can be configured with a front- or rear-mounted hose reel. The auto-wind hose guide allows hands-free operation from the control panel for a clean, tight wrap. 800/627-3171; www.vactor.com.

Modular inspection camera

The vCam inspection system from Vivax-Metrotech includes a modular control module with an 8-inch color LCD, dual-frequency transmitting sonde, digital recording to an internal hard drive or SD card, full function keyboard, internal microphone, AC/DC power, rechargeable batteries, USB interface, RCA jacks for video and audio, distance counter, and camera LED brightness control. The modular design makes it field-serviceable. A range of reels allows for inspection of diameters ranging from 3 to 12 inches and distances from 60 to 400 feet. The reels are fitted with field-serviceable camera terminations as standard equipment. 800/446-3392; www.vxmt.com.

Complete jetter

The complete XT jetter from Water Cannon cross-functions as a drain cleaner and high-power pressure washer. The unit is available with power up to 5.5 gpm and pressure up to 4,200 psi. A Honda GX 630 engine and choice of Annovi Reverberi or General Pump brand pump drive the jetter. Standard features include a selective hydropulse feature for pulsation on demand; an adjustable throttle to control operating pressures from 100 psi upward; and a ball valve shutoff component for protection.

A 15-gallon fuel tank, electric key start and portable wheel kit are included. The system also includes a Hosetract hose reel to house an included 300-foot-long 3/8-inch Piranha brand hose; an additional 125-foot, 1/4-inch Piranha hose; four stainless steel nozzles; and a 50-foot super kit that offers the option to pressure wash and expands the jobs where the jetter can be used. 800/333-9274; www.watercannon.com.

Aluminum machined levels and locking steel tape measures from RIDGID are the latest additions to its line of hand tools. The four levels (4-Vial Aluminum Machined Torpedo, model 400UM; 5-Vial Aluminum Machined Torpedo Level, model 500UM; 5-Vial Aluminum Machined Laser Level, model 800LMI; and U-Shape, V-Grove 10-Function Aluminum Machined Level, model F-10) are built from a solid block of aluminum and come with v-grooved Earth magnets for stability on pipe or magnetic surfaces. The laser level is tested to last up to 10,000 hours and provides accuracy of ¼ inch at 100 feet. The tape measures are available in 16-foot (model 616) or 25-foot (model 325) versions. 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com.

General Pipe Waterjet Drain Cleaner

The JM-3055 Jet Set waterjet drain cleaning machine from General Pipe Cleaners delivers 3,000 psi and 5.5 gpm for cleaning stubborn stoppages, including grease, sand and ice. The unit has a 300-foot capacity hose reel, tubular frame, four pneumatic tires and wheel brake. Other features include 16 hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard electric-start engine, 2:1 gear reducer and triplex pump. Vibra-pulse on demand helps the hose slide down long runs and around tight bends. Safety features include thermal relief valve, backflow check valve and inlet filter. A toolbox, spray wand and chemical injector are included. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com.

GP HydraFlow Drop Boxes

Standard and Space Saver drop boxes from GP HydraFlow LLC are available for 8- to 24-inch outlets with custom sizes available. Configured to discharge wastewater along the interior wall of the lift station, the drop boxes move solids, while reducing their tendency to separate from the water and collect at the surface. Built with T304 stainless steel, the boxes fit any lift station or manhole. 317/403-2700; www.gphydraflow.com.

Presto Lifts Hand Pallet Trucks

Rol-Lift hand pallet trucks from Presto Lifts Inc. have a lift capacity of 4,500 to 6,500 pounds and fork length from 48 to 72 inches. Standard and heavy duty models are available in 20.5- and 27-inch widths. 800/343-9322; www.prestolifts.com.

Subsurface Supply Industrial Vacuum System

The IVAC PV500 sand, sump, rock, slurry and water handling industrial vacuum system from Subsurface Supply Inc. is capable of moving materials in industrial and environmental cleanups. The skid-mounted unit weighs 1,800 pounds, is 72 inches long, 36 inches wide and 74 inches high. The system delivers up to 100 psi, 500 cfm and 24 inches Hg. Discharge pressure is fully adjustable (1-100 psi). It has a vertical vacuum lift up to 150 feet, vertical discharge up to 500 feet and horizontal discharge up to 10,000 feet. The control panel can be powered by a 12-volt DC or 120-volt AC source. An intrinsically SAFE option is available for hazardous environments. 605/838-8384; www.subsurfacesupply.com.

Knaack Weather Guard Ladder Rack System

The Weather Guard Quick Clamp Ladder Rack and Nissan NV Ladder Rack from Knaack LLC are designed for commercial vans and minivans. Quick Clamp features include extended and outward angled ladder hooks on the front end of the side rails for easier loading in tight spaces, 3/16-inch extruded aluminum rails, stainless steel gutter clamps, anti-wear protection and adjustable sway braces for easy ladder change out. The NV ladder rack features the EZ-Glide system that enables one person to load or unload ladders through the use of an ergonomic drive arm. 800/456-7865; www.knaack.com.

Honda Industrial Series Generator

The EB1000 industrial series generator from Honda has a maximum output of 10,000 watts, narrow-shaped design and centralized exhaust. The generator operates at 72 decibels at 23 feet. The digital auto voltage regulator (DAVR) holds voltage stable within one percent during standard operation. The i-Monitor digital operation system offers at a glance total used hours, generating voltage (when error detected), battery condition, Oil Alert and AVR (auto voltage regulator) error code. 770/497-6400; www.hondapowerequipment.com.

Reed Manufacturing Rapid Cut, Bevel Machine

The rapid cut and bevel machine from Reed Manufacturing Co. cut and bevel up to 24-inch PVC or PE pipe in one pass. The pneumatic-powered machines are portable to the jobsite and are designed for use above ground, in water or in trenches. 800/66-3691; www.reedmfgco.com.

Clear Computing Cloud-Based TAC

Cloud-based TAC online operations management system from Clear Computing enables users to choose the number of accounts needed, with pricing on a per-user basis and month-to-month subscriptions. The system is designed for businesses with multiple locations, owner operators who run their business from home, office and vehicle, seasonal variations and outside sales. 888/332-5327; www.clearcomputing.com.

Hannay PW-2 series reels

PW-2 series reels from Hannay Reels are designed to mount to most pressure washers. Made of 12- and 14-gauge steel with black powder-coat finish, the reels have a pressure rating of up to 4,000 psi. Features include adjustable split bearing brake assembly and permanent attached direct crank rewind. 877/467-3357; www.hannay.com.

The extended shelf life widens the window for pipelining repairs, says Carl Marc-Aurele, process engineer for Formadrain. “Most of the steam-cured resins available now, once you mix both parts of the chemical, have a pot life of one to four hours,” he says. “What that means is once you mix the chemicals, you only have one to four hours to prepare the liner, put it over the batter, put it over the bladder, put it in the ground and cure it. That’s a rough process, and sometimes it can harden on you before it’s in the pipe. In some ambient cure processes you have even less than an hour to do all this work.”

The longer shelf life enables the contractor to have linings prepared up to a week in advance. “We’re able to mix it, put it in a pail and ship it. There’s no more weight ratio, thus less chance of mistakes,” Marc-Aurele says.

While some ultraviolet lining systems might match or exceed Formadrain’s two-month shelf life, these systems can be more expensive and/or emit volatile chemicals and odors that might not be suitable for various applications, Marc-Aurele says. “Epoxy resins do not have volatile compounds in them; they’re odorless.”

Being able to order fully prepared assemblies of any length of liner in advance also enables contractors to make repairs that might not have been previously possible for smaller contractors.

“Let’s say you need to do a 100-foot repair,” Marc-Aurele says. “You need 100 feet of liner to lay flat. Not every contractor has that much space, be we’re set up for that at the shop.”

The pre-wetted liner can be used in the repair of both laterals and mains from 4 to 48 inches in diameter. It also can be used to repair tees and wyes. 888/337-6764; www.formadrain.com.