Ferguson.com no longer supports Internet Explorer. If you continue using IE, your experience will be degraded and you will not be able to check out. To use Ferguson.com, please use one of the following browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

Skip to main content Skip to footer content

Trade Talk

Discover plumbing, HVAC and construction trends and advice on the tools contractors use every day.

Tackle your toughest jobs with innovative worksite solutions and helpful tips related to your industry. Discover new ways to impress your customers more than you already do and life hacks for making work tasks easier.

Two workers in safety vests and blue hardhats lift piping from palette.

Hard Hat Buying Guide for Pros

Side-by-side image of technician with black gloves on using pipe dope and Teflon tape in residential home.

Pipe Dope vs Teflon Tape

Technician wearing blue disposable shoe covers holds two white PVC pipes that lead into a sump pit in the concrete floor.

Battery vs Water Backup Sump Pumps

Capacitor, multimeter and wrench sit on top of HVAC condenser unit.

The Ultimate AC Capacitor Guide

Technician installs Bradford White residential water heater in garage.

Water Heater Sizing Methods & Tips

Condensate pump plugged into HVAC unit inside of residential building.

Condensate Pump Installation Guide

A contractor assembles a new toilet in a residential bathroom.

How WaterSense low-flow toilets aid pros

HVAC technician tool bag with tools and Ferguson bucket in residential home.

Best HVAC Tools That Save Time & Money

Two plumbers preparing to install water heaters in home.

Heat Pump Water Heater vs. Gas

A contractor uses a press tool to connect overhead pipe fittings.

Top 5 Reasons to Use Press Fittings

HVAC Technician uses a manifold to measure HVAC pressure on outdoor unit.

HVAC Superheat & Subcooling: Pro Guide

Vacuum pump unit is placed beside the outdoor air conditioner unit and manifold gauge.

Vacuum Pump Selection Criteria for Pros

Closeup of red fire extinguisher with soft-focus and overhead lighting in the background

Types of Fire Extinguishers

A grinder pump with four pipes in a warehouse.

Sewage Pump vs. Grinder Pump

Brass water heater valves sit on top of a water heater

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Hands wearing blue nitrile gloves hold a scraper against a below-grade toilet flange.

Supplies to Install a Toilet Flange

A plumber works on a toilet outside of his work van.

How to Advise on Toilet Heights

tbd

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Contractor’s Guide Heat Pump vs. Furnace

Contractor’s Guide Heat Pump vs. Furnace

A plumber cuts PVC pipe in a laundry room in a new build.

Top 10 Essential Plumbing Tools

Public restroom with ADA compliant sink, grab bar, and toilet.

ADA Bathroom Requirements for 2026

Counter mounted sensor faucets in a commercial setting.

5 Tips to Choose an ADA Compliant Faucet

Geothermal HVAC Systems Guide

Two Ferguson associates stocking HVAC repair parts on shelves.

MERV Rating Recommendations

On a snowy city street, a worker wearing an orange reflective hard hat and vest attaches a hook to a beam.

Cold Weather Facility Supplies

A professional plumber installs an ENERGY STAR water heater in a basement in this photo courtesy of Hot Water Solutions.

What Is an ENERGY STAR Water Heater?

A contractor finishes installing a tankless water heater in a residential home.

Top 5 Benefits of Switching to Tankless

A contractor adjusts the temperature on a water heater.

How to Improve Water Heater Efficiency

A woman uses a black pull-down kitchen faucet to rinse a plate in her home.

7 Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet Features

A plumber installs a gas water heater in a residential garage.

How to Install a Tank Booster

A facilities worker wrings out a flat mop in a yellow bucket.

How to Choose Green Cleaning Products

A white one-piece elongated toilet is installed next to a glass shower in a residential bathroom.

Guide to MaP Toilet Testing

A residential ceiling fan with an LED light bowl hangs in a living room.

How to Increase HVAC Energy Efficiency

At a Ferguson Counter location, an associate discusses connected home products with a contractor.

How to Choose the Best Smart Thermostat

A mini-split air conditioner cooling cassette is installed on a wooden ceiling.

Advantages of Ductless Technology

Close up image of brazing rod and torch used on copper pipe to braze two metals together.

Brazing vs Soldering vs Welding

Two HVAC technicians use a dolly to haul a condenser on a rooftop.

2023 DOE Dictionary

A Ferguson associate shakes hands with a property manager in a parking lot. Boxes of supplies and a Ferguson delivery truck are in the background.

Move-in Checklist for Property Managers

Cut-out view of a sump pump next to a home.

Do All Houses Need Sump Pumps?

An HVAC technician uses his phone to scan barcodes of parts in a price book.

OEM vs. ARP: The HVAC Parts Debate

3 side-by-side images of drain snake used in sink, plumber working underneath sink and 2 workers cleaning outdoor drain.

Professional Drain Cleaner Tool Guide

Close up image of installed water softener in commercial setting.

Advanced Water Softener Installation

Silo image of dryer vent on the side of residential home.

Dryer Vent Install & Maintenance Guide

Hands wearing blue nitrile gloves hold a scraper against a below-grade toilet flange.

Supplies to Install a Toilet Flange

An HVAC contractor discusses an air treatment system with two homeowners in their kitchen.

How to Answer Air Quality Questions

A woman wearing orange rubber gloves holds a spray bottle of sterilizing solution and wipes elevator buttons with a green microfiber cleaning cloth.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Explained

A woman in an office squirts hand sanitizer onto her left palm.

Does Hand Sanitizer Actually Work?

Automist fire suppression system activates during stove fire in residential kitchen.

Smart Property Protection with Automist

A2L tools and parts are connected to a residential AC condenser.

A2L Tools & Compatibility

An HVAC technician carries a toolbag and cables from his work van toward a suburban two-story home.

The Future of HFC Refrigerants

TBD

How to Choose an ADA Compliant Toilet

Close up image of plumber cutting a copper pipe.

Type L vs. Type M vs. Type K Copper Pipe

Closeup of a locking door handle on a wooden door.

How to Choose the Best Door Locks

A modern office space for a creative business with overhead LED lighting.

Top 5 Benefits of LED Lighting

Technician installs residential water heater in home.

Gas vs. Electric Water Heater Guide

Five different-colored trash bags full of paper waste are gathered against a gray background.

Low vs. High Density Trash Can Liners

Ice covers concrete steps outside.

How to Choose the Best Ice Melt

A facilities worker cleans the floor in a commercial building lobby with a floor buffer.

How to Clean Different Types of Floor