Tag: plumber

Check Out the First Black Female To Become a Master Plumber

Meet the African-American Plumbing Pioneer- Adrienne Bennett

Many people see plumbing as a male’s work. More and more, women in the industry are changing that perception. Adrienne Bennett is one of the trailblazers of the industry. She became the first black woman to become a master plumber, shattering several glass ceilings along the way.

Throughout her career, Bennett believed in herself and maintained a passion for excelling. She did not stop at becoming the first black female master plumber; she also became a CEO.

The Story of a Black Master Plumber

adrienne bennettAdrienne Bennett is the fourth of eight siblings who love to put together the Apollo spacecraft module. She was taught to always do a good job at a young age and ensure she finished whatever she started. This ideology and her interest in how things work made her take a bold step in the positive direction. She enrolled in an entry-level training program with an engineering firm in Detroit.

There, she had a revolutionary encounter with a worker. This encounter made her discard the idea of attending college to become a mechanical Engineer. She did some odd jobs for a few years working as an advocate for people on public assistance programs. The 1976 election rally for Jimmy Carter allowed her to meet Gus Dowels from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit.

Dowels were out to recruit minority women, as he was working with a federally-sponsored apprenticeship program for skilled trades. The young Bennett took the admission test into the five-year apprenticeship program with the Plumbers’ Union, Local 98, at 22years. She met backlash, bullying, and hostility from her male peers as she started excelling and earning praise from their instructors.

Her Past and Present Positions

With determination and hard work, Adrienne worked her way through different ranks of the plumbing industry. As a woman plumber, she has held several jobs ranging from an apprentice to journeyman plumber and then to master plumber. She also worked as a project manager, plumbing inspector, and code enforcement officer for the City of Detroit for a decade.

Adrienne Bennett, an Independent Contractor

team of contractorsWith the various experience and knowledge gathered from these positions, Adrienne thought of taking the next step in her career. Irrespective of the challenges and barriers, she decided to become an independent contractor.

At the age of 30, the master plumber opened a company in Detroit, Benkari LLC, with her son-A.K Bennett. She became the first black female master plumber and CEO in the United States, running an independent contracting business.

About Platinum Plumbing Inc.

Platinum Plumbing Inc. is a 5-star rated residential plumbing company in Bloomington, IL, with licensed technicians. They offer high-quality plumbing services regardless of whether the job is small or big with competitive pricing. Their services range from maintenance, installation, repairs, and replacements.

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Do You Need a Plumber To Get Ready for your Summer Parties?

Do You Need a Plumber To Get Ready for your Summer Parties?

Have a Raging Block Party Without Fear of (Pipe) Blocks!

Every neighbor is looking forward to the party of the summer! While they’re making their famous potato salad, the host is busy arranging entertainment, decor, and the fireworks display as put on by the five college guys who volunteered to create something “totally sick.” One of the planning pieces that should not fall to the wayside is prepping the house’s plumbing.

The Necessity of a Garbage Disposal

Person installing garbage disposalThe food waste disposal unit that accompanies many a kitchen sink is perhaps one of the most neglected and underrated appliances in the entire house. Homeowners rarely think of it unless something malfunctions. The garbage disposal, when used properly, breaks up any food particles that might cause clogs in the drain. This makes less food mess to clean up and can help with odors from the trash.

There are several things to consider when getting or replacing a garbage disposal, but it is not difficult to find the right one for a particular need.

  • Continuous Feed: This type of disposal can have items fed into it in one long stream.
  • Batch Feed: This disposal only grinds in parcels and typically requires that a stopper be placed in order to run. This is a good safety precaution if there are children in a home.

Check Gas Lines: Only Fireworks Should Explode

A natural gas leak can lead to a costly gas bill and be detrimental to physical health and property. Early detection of a gas leak can prevent any of these issues. An easy test for gas line leaks is spraying joints with a soapy water mixture. Bubbles forming at the connection indicate that there is a leak. Below are a few other signs of gas leaks.

  • The Rotten Egg Smell: The smell of methane is the first sign of a leak in a gas line.
  • Hissing Sound: Hearing a seemingly sourceless hissing may come from the gas lines.
  • Flames Flickering or Wrong Color: If the gas stove has flames that flicker or are orange instead of blue, there is likely oxygen in the lines that should not be there.

If a gas leak is suspected, the best solution is to call a plumber or the gas company to investigate.

Is the Bathroom Ready for Heavy Traffic?

Folded towels sitting on a bathroom counterOne of the issues that accompanies a gettogether is lots of people using the bathroom. Any party with food and drinks is bound to produce heavy traffic to that area of the house. A malfunctioning toilet is sure to cause embarrassment for both the homeowner and their visitors. If a homeowner is having trouble with their current commode, it might be a good time to switch to a more powerful and more eco-friendly version such as the dual flush or pressure-assisted toilet.

About Platinum Plumbing

Platinum Plumbing, serving the greater Bloomington/Normal area of Illinois, prides itself on highly personalized service and technical know-how. Their up-front pricing and friendly service will keep their customers returning with every plumbing problem. Give them a call today for top-notch plumbing services in Bloomington and Normal!

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