It may have been inconceivable to think about 20 years ago, but these days, most of us are carrying our smartphones at all times, and they’ve become one of the most valuable tools for almost any trade or profession. Whether you’re in the field or in the office, your smartphone can be enormously useful. To help you get the most from your smartphone, we’ve put together a handy list of plumbing apps you might find useful.
Plumbing App #1: White Light Flashlight (Android) or Flashlight (Apple)
If your phone didn’t come with a pre-installed flashlight app, it’s an excellent addition. Even if you carry a flashlight, there are times when it’s more convenient to use your phone. Other times, it’s handy to use one flashlight for general illumination and another for close-up views of a small area. It never hurts to have an extra flashlight.
Both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store have ad-free flashlight apps you can get for free.
Plumbing App #2: Bubble Level (Android) or Bubble Level for iPhone (Apple)
Sometimes, it’s easier to grab your phone than to look for a level – and for those times, there’s Bubble Level. Bubble Level lets you turn your phone or tablet into a functioning level. You can check angles, determine the alignment of a surface, and generally save yourself a bit of time when you’re in a rush.
Bear in mind, you may need to recalibrate your app to get the most accurate performance. Phones vary, and we recommend checking it against a real level before trusting it in the field.
Plumbing App #3: Join.me (Android & Apple)
If you find it’s hard to get together with your staff for the occasional meeting, Join.me might be the answer. It allows you to set up staff meetings via your phone, computer, tablet, or even Apple Watch – even if you’re all in different places. As meeting leader (admin), you can share your screen as needed, getting everybody filled in without the need to get everybody in the office at the same time.
Plumbing App #4: LinkedIn Pulse (Android & Apple)
Staying on top of industry news can be a challenge, especially if you’re busy. Trade magazines are useful, but LinkedIn Pulse takes industry news a step further, creating curated news based on your industry and connections. You can even get notifications when your connections are mentioned in the news – alerting you to potential trouble or opportunities if you do a lot of commercial plumbing work.
If you use an Apple Watch, there’s even a version of the app to give you your top 10 headlines and articles via your watch.
Plumbing App #5: Plumbing Formulator (Apple)
Though Plumbing Formulator doesn’t seem to have an Android version, it’s very handy for Apple users. The app is designed to help with calculations for pump formulas, piping formulas, and waterflow formulas, making it easy to handle calculations on the go without.
The app contains more than 120 different formulas useful to plumbing and HVAC installers. Best of all, it’s free.
Plumbing App #6: Copper Tube Handbook (Apple) or Lawton Copper Tube Calculators (Android)
These handy apps are designed to help you quickly and accurately perform on-site calculations for various copper tube situations. The Copper Tube Handbook app was created by the Copper Development Association, while Lawton Copper Tube Calculators was created by Lawton Copper Tubes, a leading UK-based copper tube supplier.
Plumbing App #7: QuickBooks (Android & Apple)
While comprehensive business solutions like SAWIN Pro can handle all your accounting needs, SAWIN does have solutions for those who don’t want to give up QuickBooks – and regardless of how you’re using QuickBooks, it makes sense to have the mobile app on your phone. It gives you on-to-go access to any important financial information you might need.
Plumbing App #8: Plumbing Systems Design Tables (Android)
Created by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), this app is designed to be a comprehensive on-the-go reference to plumbing tables and equations. You’ll need to be an ASPE member to get the full benefits of the app, but they’ve consolidated the information from a 2,500-page handbook into one app to save you time and effort, so it’s definitely worth a look.
Plumbing App #9: Easy Measure (Android)
This handy app uses basic trigonometric principles to give quick measurements of real spaces, allowing you to easily determine whether something’s going to fit into a space or through a door – without pulling out a tape measure. Though it’s not quite as accurate as a tape measure, it offers an estimate of its own accuracy with each measurement, giving you some idea of whether you need to pull out the tap measure for a second and more accurate opinion.
One Final Recommendation When it Comes to Plumbing Apps…
And of course, we can’t end this post without talking about the vast capabilities of SAWIN’s own mobile solutions. Our comprehensive service business solutions can manage virtually every aspect of your business, giving you access to everything you need, whether you’re in the office or out in the field. To learn more, visit the SAWIN website or contact one of our sales reps at 800-774-7230.