A Woodfin plumber working on a water heater.

Woodfin plumbers say they enjoy problem solving and having the opportunity to work with a great team. | Photo provided by Woodfin - Your Home Team

Let’s hit the ground plumbing, Richmond. Did you know? There are 261,194+ plumbers currently employed in the United States, and March 11 marks World Plumbing Day to celebrate the essential role plumbers play in our communities.

The plumbing industry is in high-demand, and Woodfin - Your Home Team has the details to give us a glimpse into the life of their plumbers:

Day-to-day

A Woodfin plumbing technician’s day starts at 7:45 a.m. The workload is usually steady, but it depends on what side of the department they work on, service or installation.

Service: These are general plumbing calls like faucets, toilets, tank-style water heater repair/replacements, water piping repair, gas line repair, gas log cleaning, troubleshooting, and repair. Often visiting 4-5 sites per day.
Installation: This consists of installing new water services and sewers, whole home re-piping, gas line installation, tankless water heaters, and more. Typically, visiting 1-2 sites per day (depending on the severity of the job).

Common plumbing problems

Water leaks
Hydronic issues (think: heaters and radiators)
Faucet repair/replacement
Toilet issues
Garbage disposals
Clogged drains
And more

Q: What is the wildest thing you have seen on a plumbing call?

A: “I once got a call for a clogged toilet. I tried to remove the toilet that was in a half bath by a first-floor window. When I tried to lift the toilet, it would not come up from the floor. Finally, I was able to get it off the floor. I found an entire root system had grown and attached itself to the bottom of the toilet.” — Gene Hurt, Woodfin Plumbing Supervisor

Q: Is a career in plumbing for me? If so, what are the next steps?

A: Most people that choose to be in the plumbing trade usually enjoy working with their hands. It’s also a good choice if:

You enjoy problem-solving
You are already skilled and well-versed in another trade — this is a trade that is never too late to learn.

Interested? The next step would be to enroll in a trade school and find an apprenticeship (which Woodfin offers).

Benefits of working for Woodfin

“Woodfin is a company that values you as an employee. Whether a technician is new or has been here for 30+ years, we all make sure to take pride in our work and hold all our technicians to the same standard,” says Randy Melton, Woodfin Plumbing Supervisor.

Woodfin offers apprenticeships and employs mid-level and senior technicians in a positive environment with a solid customer base, offering a competitive salary and benefits.*

LEARN MORE

This content was created in partnership with Woodfin - Your Home Team and written by Michaela Leung.*

QUIZ

What are the most common calls plumbers receive in the Richmond area?

A. Water heater repair
B. Toilet repair
C. Clogged drains
D. Burst pipes

See the answer in the Wrap.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, March 10

Leslie Jones: Live | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $33-$58 | The stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and host of “Supermarket Sweep” comes to Richmond.
Twin Drugs Album Release | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7-11 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St., Richmond | $10 | Experience new noise rock, plus Opin and Ett Eko.

Monday, March 13

Beth Lipman Visiting Artist Lecture | Monday, Mar. 13 | 12:30-2 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Hear from the sculptural artist on how her work deals with the concept of Deep Time.
Top Down Comedy | Monday, Mar. 13 | 7 p.m. | Bottoms Up Pizza, 1700 Dock St., Richmond | Free | Grab a slice and get your laughs in with host Mary Jane French.

Tuesday, March 14

VCU Baseball vs. James Madison | Tuesday, Mar. 14 | 3-6 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $5-$10 | It’s Rams against Dukes in this Virginia showdown.

Thursday, March 16

Dancin’ Cat Line Dancing | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Hardywood West Creek, 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr., Richmond | Free | Put on your dancing shoes for this family-friendly event.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

BIZ

Help Richmond Monopoly pass go 🎲

Top Trumps representative John Marano addresses media with Mr. Monopoly. | Photo by RICtoday

What would you put on a Richmond Monopoly board? We’re not just asking for fun — Hasbro is making it a reality.

Top Trumps USA, under license from the global toy company, will produce the game. Top Trumps representative John Marano said Richmond was chosen due to our cultural history and city pride.

Marano emphasized that they need Richmonders’ help to make the board truly local — sounds like our specialty. You can submit your picks for locations you want to see included by sending an email. Ideas will be accepted through Monday, March 20. The game should be available this fall.

We asked our Instagram followers for their thoughts already. What are you thinking for game pieces, properties, or the free space?

RICtoday_MonopolyRichmondBoard — We couldn’t resist making a fantasy board with some reader suggestions.

Your answers

Everyone had thoughts for what deserves a space on the future Richmond Monopoly board.

Before we jump in, here’s how city-specific Monopoly games work.

Judging from the other Top Trumps city editions out there, the customized parts of the game are on the board itself. That said, we loved hearing all the ideas for game pieces and rule changes — so we’re sharing a few of our favorites anyway.

🏟 Properties

We heard a lot of love for museums (favorites included the VMFA, VMHC, and Science Museum), hotels (The Jefferson, Quirk), theaters (Carpenter, Altria, Hippodrome), and outdoor hot spots (Belle Isle, Pony Pasture, Maymont, Lewis Ginter).

VCU, UR, and VUU were mentioned frequently as a higher education trio. Architectural gems like Main Street Station, the CSX A-Line Bridge, the Byrd Theatre, and the WTVR TV Tower all got mentions.

🚌 Game pieces

Who wouldn’t want to play as a sidewalk chicken bone? If that wouldn’t be your first pick, we also heard suggestions for a Pulse bus, tennis racket, canal boat, flying squirrel, electric scooter, clawfoot bathtub, and beagle (to honor Bagel).

🎲 Other changes

What if the free parking space were a free community fridge instead? A few people also threw out Hollywood Cemetery as a jail alternative — sounds like a spooky stay.

Instagram user @captain_infinitron suggested a familiar headache for a card: “Nickel bridge toll ate all your change and didn’t register when you went through. Lose $500.”

Reminder: Send your location ideas to Top Trumps by Monday, March 20 so that they can include the best of Richmond in the new game.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

49º | Rain | 71% chance of rain

Civic

If you want the city to vacuum up your leaves, you have until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 13 to put in a request and pay the $30 fee. The seasonal program is ending and will return in the fall. Make a request online.

Festival

Shamrock the Block kicks off the outdoor festival season tomorrow from 12-6 p.m. The street festival is moving from its longtime home on Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Leigh Street between Movieland and the Bon Secours Training Facility. ☘️
This year’s ¿Qué Pasa? Festival will be held on Saturday, May 6 on Brown’s Island. The free celebration of Latin American and Hispanic culture features art, performances, food vendors, and artisans. Check out our coverage from last year to get excited.

Sports

VCU Men’s Basketball dominated Davidson in the Rams’ first game of the A-10 Tournament, winning 71-53. The Rams face Saint Louis in the semifinals tomorrow at 1 p.m. Watch the game on CBS Sports Network. 🏀

Edu

Fairfield Court Elementary School has been approved to extend its school year from 180 to 200 days for the 2023-24 school year. It is the first school to join the RPS200 pilot program, which is designed to address learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (VPM)

Biz

The streets of Richmond now have even more electric scooters. San Francisco-born company Spin has dispersed a fleet after gaining permission to operate from the city last month. Get the details on micromobility options in the area. (Richmond BizSense)

Cause

RVA Community Fridges is moving its pink fridge to a new location. Join the group tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at Sankofa Community Orchard (309 Covington Rd.) to help stock the fridge and pantry. Pro tip: Bring gloves and seedlings for the garden work day going on at the same time. 🍎

Outdoors

It’s now even easier to bike around the James River. There are four new bike pumps around the park system, courtesy of Sports Backers and Venture Richmond. Funding for the new amenities came from donations raised at Riverrock last year.

Job

Do you eat, breathe, and dream about editorial content? We’re hiring a Managing Editor to support the strategic growth and development of 6AM City’s editorial team, specifically as it relates to content management, creation, and strategy. See details + apply.

Watch

Have you prepared your speech? The 95th Academy Awards takes place this Sunday, March 12 at 8 p.m. Not sure where to watch? Stream it with a free five-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM. Bonus: Invite your fellow film buffs over for a watch party. *

Seasonal

Looking for a spring wardrobe update (or maybe just an excuse to shop)? We love looking for the best deals on Zulily’s current obsessions list, like these flattering wide-leg pants or this textured pink blouse.* 👚

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

NEWS

Spring forward ⏱️

An analogue clock with several timezones (Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, etc.)

At least our phones and computers set their clocks for us. | Photo by Iana Pugachova via Pexels

It’s time to set the clock forward — daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. local time this Sunday, March 12.

So far, only two states opt out of daylight saving time (or DST) — Arizona and Hawaii — but changes could be on the horizon for our local clocks as well. Many states have made moves towards “year-round daylight saving time” which would mean no longer changing the clocks twice a year (each spring and each fall) by permanently adjusting everyone’s time zone forward by one hour.

Want to learn more? You can read up on which states have introduced DST laws, bills, and resolutions, and see where permanent DST bills have failed. (Our state is on the list.)

So why are we still moving the clock? Well, federal law doesn’t yet allow permanent DST. So, even if the state approves, it’s up to Congress to set the clocks… so the DST debate is something we’ll have to sleep on.

For now, if you can’t remember which direction to set the clock, remember: Spring forward and fall back. Or, maybe we should make like the astronauts and tell time by the moon.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: Here’s your reminder that Richmond Black Restaurant Experience continues through Sunday, March 12. Check the participating restaurants to plan your weekend meals. 🍽

Answered: The most common calls plumbers receive are for toilet repair.

Missed our last newsletter? We’re breaking down Mayor Stoney’s budget FY24 proposal.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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