Apologies for the long delay in project updates, we've been busy! 

So much has happened across a myriad of projects, both big and small, so as opposed to laying it all out its just easier to share some photos from the last few months. These are all from different projects but highlight some of the quality work done by the Trace team across the DMV

Also snuck a photo of our first company van in there!

Lots of projects have been ongoing, but none which allow us to post photos. Instead, lets focus on some troubleshooting out at our very first install. To start though, this was not on us and the root cause was due to water intrusion via another contractor.

In short, the customer called on a Wednesday afternoon and said the heat trace was dead. As it was our first install, we were a bit concerned and embarrassed, so we showed up Thursday morning. We performed some meg tests to confirm the dead circuits and then did a visual inspection. Thats when we found the water...and a lot of it!

Even though it was another contractor we took the lead on planning the repairs and had the other crew, and a few of our guys, onsite that next day. Within 48 hours our customer had a complete re-install and a fully working system. Customers and integrity matter!

In our largest job to date, we were contracted to apply heat tape to numerous steam and water pipes on the roof of a large renovation project. 

As the projects get larger, the need for communication increases exponentially. In this case we worked hard to build a solid relationship with the contractor and ensured that our schedules aligned properly. This led to the need for multiple mobilizations as they worked their way through various scope items; but we were all on the same page from day one.  Also, check out that ladder to access the roof!

This one was a fun one! Up in the penthouse, in the summer, 20' in the air, with no AC. While some may say that sounds miserable, its all in a days work for our team. After talking safety (safety first, safety always) we took to our ladders to apply the tape to their sprinkler piping. We even had enough tape left over to perform an extra run on site free of charge. 

It's about the people and the trust, not the money. 

Occasionally you win a job and breath a sign of relief that you wont be crawling on all fours, installing 137 splice kits, and dealing with the elements; it doesn't mean you sacrifice workmanship though!

This was a 400' run of straight tape on sprinkler supply piping inside a parking garage. Everything was brand new as the previous line had frozen and burst during the harsh winter. We worked closely with owner to make sure they received the right solution for their application. This meant providing them saving as its inside and they didn't need the gold plated option. 

This was a fun one! Beautiful weather and a rooftop with a gorgeous view. The Trace team was called in to perform a complete remove and replace for two new rooftop chillers. In the photos you can get a good look at how we took those bare pipes and ensured proper heat tape coverage for long term freeze protection. 

And I do need to mention that this was a job performed as an "all-in-one" with our preferred insulation partner, Insul-Tech. Going this route allows owners to simply contracting, execution, and communication without compromising quality. 

This project is an excellent example of the difference ensuring high quality can make. The previous installer placed the power connection box on the top of the pipe (which is fine), but did not coordinate the install with the electrician. This led to the them needing to modify the power box and as you can see...water wreaked havoc.

Scope: 25' of cable on chiller piping and overflow.

What I Learned: The power of before and after photos. Here you can see the difference. Things like us removing old cable placed within the pipe straps (pinch points anyone?) to ensuring adequate tape and coverage on the heat sinks is so much easier to see with before and after photos.

Fun Fact: I debated including the before photos but they hammer home the difference Trace ETI brings to a  job site. So if you see a photo in this carousel that looks like a half hearted install....that was the other guy!

Well, three installs down and all three were completely different applications. Who says start slow? Not us! From chillers to fire sprinklers to now....hot water piping. Think thats hard enough? I didn't even mention the tight timeline the customer was on. Good thing they came to us!

Scope: 250' of hot water maintenance piping for a newly renovated fitness center with 16 different splice connections.

What I Learned: The right tools for the right jobs. Seems obvious but it was never so true than with this install. Every once in awhile there is a tool you never knew existed that makes life soooooo much easier. Find that tool and buy it immediately. Without it we would still be there!

Fun Fact: I'm installing this in my house. Imagine the second you turn the shower handle the water is piping hot. If I dont install it at home I'm moving to this fitness center.

Install #2 was a brand new solution for us...sprinkler piping. The cable is different, the application is different, the code is different; so obviously it makes sense to do it right away. At least thats what I told myself! 

Scope: 125' of sprinkler piping spread across 6 unique runs.

What I Learned: Invest in a good ladder and keep an experienced installer on speed dial. The ladder is self explanatory, but the experienced installer is a must. You can read every manual and IEEE documentation you'd like, but nothing substitutes the life lessons from someone who has done it before. Thats the beauty of Trace ETI, we may be new, but we tap on a wealth of experience from folks with decades of experience to ensure our customers are happy.

Fun Fact: On this one we got final product photos after the insulation went in. Its awesome to see!

Its happened, we have officially completed our first install! Not only that, we got to engineer a unique solution based on both the short and long term needs of the occupants. We leveraged our strategic vendor and contractor partnerships to make this  a quick-turn, and seamless, interaction for the owners. 

Scope: Replace about 100' of self regulating heat trace on chiller piping. Nothing fancy but it needs to be done correctly as the previous install failed quickly. 

What I Learned: Tape, tape, tape. Ensuring the heat tape stays on the right portion of the pipe is paramount, and impossible without copious amounts of tape. Getting the elbows and heat sinks adequately covered, while maintaining those razor straight lines, is key to the entire system operating properly. When in doubt....tape until you run out!

Fun Fact: By partnering with the insulator we were able to ensure all scope items could be done in three consecutive days; meaning NO DELAYS!