Author: Steve Olp
Why Late‑Summer Plumbing Maintenance Services Prevent Winter Emergencies in Montana
A late-summer plumbing tune-up reduces winter pipe failures in Montana. Follow this checklist for outdoor shutoffs, insulation, water heaters, and commercial system checks to avoid costly freeze damage.
Why Fast Response Matters for After-Hours Plumbing and Heating Service in Montana
When a pipe suddenly bursts or a water heater fails in the middle of a freezing Montana night, panic sets in immediately. In those critical moments, you aren’t just looking for someone with a wrench—you need an immediate, highly coordinated emergency plumbing and heating service to protect your property from catastrophic water damage. At Williams, more »
6 Lessons I Learned as a Plumbing Apprentice
Plumbing: it’s an amazing career. But for an apprentice just starting out in this trade, there’s a lot to learn. It’s easy to make mistakes. As a journeyman plumber with 17 years in the trade, I’ve definitely taken my lumps. Don’t worry: if you’re looking to carve out a plumbing career, I’m here to help. more »
Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking: How to Clear Different Kinds of Clogs
Clogs. Nobody likes them. But it can be real satisfying to clear them if you’ve got the right tools. So let’s take a look at three different types of clogs, the best ways to remove them, and whether hydro jetting or snaking is the best option for you. This how-to will be helpful to plumbing apprentices, more »
Plumbing Apprenticeship: A Win-Win
The Apprentice Model Apprenticeship is one of the oldest and most effective occupational training methods. Today, over a thousand occupations have apprentice programs, including the one most prized to Williams: plumbing. With the largest plumbing apprenticeship program in Montana, we’re training the next generation of plumbers. There are nearly 800 companies that support an apprenticeship more »
How to Size a Home Drainage System
Learning how to size a home drainage system, and how to calculate drainage fixture units (DFUs) in a residential setting, can be invaluable skill for up-and-coming plumbers and DIYers. A DFU, or drainage fixture unit, is a numerical value assigned to each fixture that determines how much load that fixture is putting on the drainage system. more »