The Global Supply Chain of Plumbing Components - Wisler Plumbing & Air

Most of the parts in your home’s plumbing system are imported from other countries. Why is that the case, and what does that mean for you as a homeowner?

If you were to take a look at your faucet, you’d see that it’s made from several different parts. Most plumbing products are actually made up of commodities like copper, brass, and plastic. It’s usually the case that items made from these commodities are imported from other countries. Regardless of where the product came from, we’re sure to pay careful attention to its quality and track record.

I’ve been installing plumbing fixtures for many years. The experience that I’ve accumulated allows me to make an informed decision about whether a product actually meets our standards of quality. We look for metal components in our products if it will be the best material for the application. We also give priority to American made materials simply because of the shipping that’s involved. Items shipped from other countries may experience damage due to the shipping and handling process.

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible for us to find American-made products. That’s why the products we use come from a diverse mix of countries all around the globe. We do source items from Mexico, and a few of the smaller items come from China. Our water heaters are Bradford White, an American manufacturer that assembles their products domestically. Our tankless water heaters are made by Navien, which imports their parts from South Korea and assembles them here in the US.

Plumbing technology has also been affected greatly by other regions of the world. For instance, Europe has historically had fewer options than the US when it comes to water and gas resources. For that reason, a lot of the conservation efforts in plumbing products have been led in Europe for many years. The tankless water heater is a good example: it’s been available in Europe for over 30 years, but we’ve only seen it here in the US for the last 10 years. They’ve also had modulating gas valves and water-efficient toilets and faucets for many years now.

These efficient plumbing products are being brought into our area so we can also save on gas and water. It’s all thanks to the global innovation and diversity of products that we have available to us. Resources are becoming more valuable as time goes on, so we have to give serious thought to the types of plumbing products we’re using in our homes.

At the end of the day, the plumbing products that we use are a direct reflection of us here at Wisler Plumbing. We’ve got to stand behind our choices, so it’s very important to us to use high quality components no matter what part of the world they come from.

To learn more about the thought we put into choosing the best components for your home’s plumbing, contact us online or give us a call at (540) 483-9382.