Whether you’re looking for advice on a specific project, business tips about how to market your small business, looking to vent, sell equipment, or something else, there are tons of online resources for residential and small commercial plumbers. We’ve gathered up a list of 26 online resources to get you started.
In order to use your time wisely, you want to be somewhat selective when choosing which online plumbing communities you join. Check out the most recent posts and search forums for topics you’re most interested in.
Groups and communities that are active daily, growing in size, and sources of super useful content are the best places to start.
Why Joining Online Plumbing Forums Is Great for Your Business
You might be wondering,
“How can an online plumbing community help grow my business? Is it really worth my time to network online? Will I learn or gain anything by participating?
The short answer to all of these questions is yes, definitely. There are many benefits that your business can gain from building your brand presence through online communities, blogs, and forums.
However, the longer answer involves knowing why you should get involved and figuring out which sites make the most sense for your business. So, today we’ll talk a bit more about why you should participate in online communities as well as which plumbing groups are the most active and valuable options for you.
Let’s start with an overview of the top reasons you should get involved ASAP.
Online Forums for Plumbers
Many of these have advanced search functionality, as well, to find exactly what you’re looking for.
1. Plumbing Forums – Professional & DIY Plumbing Forum
13.6K Members | 16K Threads (as of November, 2020)
Plumbingforums.com is split into all sorts of useful categories like plumbing code, drain and sewer cleaning, tools and equipment. You’ll find help on specific projects, as well as advice on what kind of new plumbing tools you should invest in, and more.
2. Terry Love’s Forums
63.6K Members | 83K Threads
This is one of the few forums used by pros and DIY-amateurs alike. One of the perks is the vast number of sub-forums where you’ll find things like “Tankless Water Heater Forum” or “Irrigation/Sprinkler Forum.” If you don’t mind filtering through DIYers asking basic plumbing questions, you’ll also find a community of other pros to draw from.
3. Plumbing Zone – Professional Plumbers Forum
15.6K Members | 609K posts
To give you an idea of what you’ll find, besides their general plumbing discussion, Plumbing Zone’s other top forums include “Business, Marketing, and Sales” “Residential Plumbing,” and “Off Topic (Non Trade).”
4. ContractorTalk – Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
123.8K Members | 3M posts
For plumbers who work with general contractors or who do remodel work, this is a good community for you.
5. PlumersForums.net
17.8K Members | 93.9K Threads
This is a slightly less used site, potentially because it’s less user-friendly. But you’ll still find many active threads from professionals and DIYers. It’s also a good place to find equipment for sale.
Facebook Groups for Plumbers
Social media is the perfect platform for making connections and gaining traction for your brand online. Here are a few of the most active, helpful plumbing groups on Facebook that you should join to swap tips with other pros and build up your reputation in the industry.
We recommend you start with the most active groups (the ones with the highest average number of new posts each day).
6. Plumbing Hacks And Plumbing Professional Discussions
36K Members | Avg 60 posts a day
7. Plumbers Alert
15.5K | Avg 6-10 posts a day
8. Plumbers Chat
4.5K Members | Avg 3 posts a day
9. Plumbers Talk Group
8K Members | Avg 3 posts a day
10. Plumbers Nation
2.1K Members | Avg 1 post a day
11. UK Plumbers & Builders Group
4.8K Members | Avg 5 posts a month
Facebook Groups for Home Service Businesses
Unlike the groups specifically for plumbers above, in Facebook groups targeting home service businesses you’re more likely to find practical business advice around insurance, marketing, sales, etc. You’ll also find home service marketing and accounting experts who are happy to give you tips on how to market your plumbing business, figure out payroll and end-of-year taxes, and more.
12. Pro Talks for the Trades
3K Members | Avg 4 posts a day | Ran by Housecallpro.com
13. Service Business Growth for HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and more
3K Members | Avg 3 posts a day | Ran by servicebusinesslive.com
14. Home Service Super Summit
1.8K Members | Avg 1 post a day | Ran by AutomateGrowSell.com.
Other Places Online for Plumbing Communities and Q&As
15. Plumbing Subreddit
66.4K Members
This subreddit is mixed with professional plumbers talking to each other, as well as DIYers asking questions about their plumbing projects. If you have a specific question for the group, you can search to see if it’s already been answered in an earlier post. And if you see a question or problem that you can help with, leave a comment to help out a fellow plumber.
16. Quora
Quora is a popular Q&A site where anyone can ask and answer questions about just about anything. By creating a Quora account and following relevant topics (like Plumbing, Home Improvement, and Hot Water Heaters, to name a few), you’ll get notified when someone asks a question that you can answer.
Blogs and Trade Journals for Plumbers
Gain knowledge about your trade by following these blogs.
17. Housecall Pro’s Blog
With regular updates and posts on everything related to running a home services business as well as how to use our plumbing software, our very own Housecall Pro blog is a reliable source of industry news and advice for plumbing professionals, such as:
- Step-By-Step Guide on Local SEO for Plumbers
- Plumber Salary in Every State: Full 2022 Data [Infographic]
18. Grow Plumbing
With a focus on plumbing marketing and advertising, this blog is a great resource for those who want to learn about promoting a business online – and pick up a few plumbing tips along the way.
19. Plumbing & HVAC SEO Blog
This blog is managed by an SEO company that targets plumbing and HVAC companies. Josh Nelson gives away a lot of knowledge for free between this blog, his Youtube channel, and podcasts. Find it all on his site.
20. Strictly Plumber’s Blog
Strictly Plumbers in the brand of marketer Tony Gee. On his blog, you’ll find information about how to market your business.
21. Plumber Magazine
An industry standard for commercial and residential plumbers.
22. Plumbing Perspective
Plumbing Perspective is managed by Mechanical Hub, an independent media group created by industry veterans to help contractors.
Plumbing Blogs for Homeowners and DIYers
We’ve round up blogs from plumbing businesses designed for their customers.
Why look at blogs designed for non-professionals? For one, it can help you train techs on how to talk to customers in an approachable way. It may also give you ideas for your own blog or other educational resources. Just remember, giving plumbing advice away for free can be a great way to show you’re an expert and keep you top-of-mind when they’re ready for professional help.
23. The Mr. Rooter Plumbing Blog
As one of the most well-known names in the industry, Mr. Rooter has been in the plumbing business since 1970. Today, they’re also a trusted source of plumbing tips thanks to their well-organized blog. They post articles about plumbing trends, how-to videos, and news about what’s happening in the world of plumbing.
24. Len the Plumber Blog
Len the Plumber is a plumbing company with locations in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
25. Mike Diamond Services Blog
Based in California, Mike Diamond offers plumbing, drain cleaning, and water heater sales, as well as HVAC and electrical services.
26. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Blog
Benjamin Franklin is a franchise with locations across the U.S.
Join Our Community of Plumbing Pros
Not only is Housecall Pro the all-in-one tool you need to take your plumbing business to the next level, but it’s also home to one of the fastest-growing plumbing communities online. By joining our community of plumbing pros, you gain access to private groups and events for plumbing professionals.
So, what are you waiting for? Register for Housecall Pro today, so you can join the conversation online, start networking, and grow your business with help from our community of plumbers and plumbing marketing experts.
