DEDICATED SERVICE: “We work very hard to train our technicians to provide the best service and do their job properly. Our customers know they can count on us for reliable and prompt help.” Kevin Tindall, owner and CEO of Tindall & Ranson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Company, is proud of his company’s long history and commitment to its customers.

By Jean Stratton

Reliability, prompt and courteous service, correct completion of the job — all this and more are provided by Tindall & Ranson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Company.

When you need a plumber, it is often for an emergency — such as a broken pipe, flooded basement, or inoperative toilet. These problems need immediate attention, and you want to know that you can rely on the plumber’s experience and expertise.

Tindall & Ranson, located at 880 Alexander Road, has established a first-class reputation for quality service.

“We have highly-skilled workers,” notes owner and CEO Kevin Tindall. “We are available 24/7 for emergencies, and when you call us, you speak to a live person.

“Sometimes, because we do such a good job and have such a good reputation, people take plumbers for granted. But when they need us, we will be there.”

Stringent Preparation

It is hard work to become a plumber, he points out: 8,000 hours in the field, 400 hours in the classroom, and stringent preparation.

As a licensed plumber himself, Tindall knows all about it. Born and raised in West Windsor, he worked part-time for a plumbing company when he was 16, and then later apprenticed to a plumber in the area.

“I always enjoyed being out in the field and fixing something,” he explains. “This is important, and today, my employees know that I’ve had the hands-on experience — been there and done that!”

With a partner and four employees, Tindall established the firm in 1993. It has now grown into a company with a staff of 30 and a client base of more than 5,000 all over the Princeton area and beyond.

The company’s work is primarily residential, with some light commercial.

“With plumbing, there is a lot of repair work, traditionally including water heaters, toilets, drips and leaks, etc.,” he explains. “We also get a lot of situations where someone says, ‘I dropped my diamond ring in the sink!’ And kids throw things in the toilet. Makeup caps can also be a big problem if they fall into the toilet. Hair in the sink and bathtub is another big issue.”

Valuable Items

Tindall also recalls unexpectedly finding valuable items. “One time, doing repair work, we found a safe hidden behind a wall, and it was filled with cash and jewelry.”

An important way for customers to reduce the prospect of disaster is to establish a regular maintenance plan with the company, he adds. This can include service for the furnace and air conditioning, which should always be properly maintained.

“We look in regularly and can see evidence of a problem, something leaking and so on, before it becomes an emergency. Don’t ignore a leak or drip. If you let it go, there can be more damage, and it could come suddenly at night or on the weekend. We can offer enhanced service for those who have a maintenance plan with us.”

In the 26 years since Tindall & Ranson opened, many changes have taken place, including, of course, the prevalence of technology throughout the business.

“Another big change is high efficiency, low flush toilets,” reports Tindall. “In 1992, Congress mandated that toilets with a 3.2 gallon per flush capacity must change to 1.6 gallons per flush. That technology is very good today, and it offers both energy and water conservation. Shower heads have also become more energy efficient, going from 2.5 gallons per minute to 1.75 per minute. If you save water, you save electricity.

“Energy efficient products can use less power, and you can save 30 percent on your energy bills. We try to give customers the energy efficient product within their budget.”

Energy Conservation

Energy conservation is very important to Tindall, and he belongs to various organizations furthering energy programs. “My wife and I have been involved in the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association. It is the oldest trade association in the country. I am chairman of the energy committee and vice chairman of the education foundation.”

Providing a variety of opportunities to the Tindall & Ranson employees is another major priority, he adds. “We offer a lot of possibilities here. You can focus on plumbing, and you can also have a career in construction and other opportunities the future, if you want. You can get an associate degree in engineering or architecture over time.

“We also have opportunities for apprenticeships. For example, you can work here for six months and then get a four-year apprenticeship. It’s a good life. We offer medical benefits, a pension — lots of good plans and opportunities.”

In addition to the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services, Tindall & Ranson offers kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

As Tindall notes, “Even if you are thinking of selling your house later — in the next five or six years — it’s good to do some remodeling now, so you can enjoy it before you sell.”

Dedicated Teamwork

Giving back to the community has always been important to Tindall & Ranson, he points out. “I want to give back. I am very active in the heating industry. We work to raise money for scholarships for students to get into the plumbing, heating, and cooling business. This is a great industry to be in, and we have a great staff at Tindall & Ranson. Many have been with us for a long time.

“We have structured the company based on teamwork and a continuous commitment to strive for excellence in service. We are known for our industry involvement, supportive relationships with suppliers, dedication, and honesty.”

His friend of long-standing, Princeton resident Mark Freda, who is a former member of Princeton Borough Council and very active in the community, comments on Tindall’s willingness to spend time and effort to help people in the area.

“I have known Kevin for decades. He is an honest guy, who isn’t in business just to make money. After one of our large storms in recent years, I was involved in trying to help a family that was facing many difficulties, one of which was financial, and another concerning one of the family members who was homebound with health problems. Due to basement flooding, their furnace was ruined, and we needed to provide a solution to this immediately. I called Kevin, explained the situation, and told him I had no idea how or when he would get paid for this.

“Knowing that, he still agreed to help; he sent two of his crew to go and remove an almost new furnace from another property, and get it to this home within a few hours. They worked until they completed the removal of the old furnace, and installed the replacement furnace, resolving this situation — a very long day for them. But that is the kind of guy Kevin is.”

Tindall is proud of his company’s commitment to the community, and he looks forward to continuing to provide the most efficient, high quality service for his customers.

“I started working in the business at 16, and I still like it. I enjoy all the people and interacting with them. We have many customers of long-standing and new ones too. They all know they can count on our emphasis on dedicated, quality, and honest service. We always keep our customers’ comfort as our number one priority.”

Helpful Hints

To that point, he offers some helpful tips to help keep people as cool as possible this summer, as well as for conserving energy during hot weather:

Keep drapes, blinds, and shades closed during the day to block out the sun; clear furniture away from air conditioning vents; install an attic fan — it can cool the attic by nearly 30 degrees; and install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from the house.

Also, plant shade trees to shade the house from the sun during the summer — it could save up to 8 percent on cooling costs; use ceiling fans to cool the house — moving air feels cooler; open windows on cool summer days and nights. A good rule of thumb is not to open windows when the outside temperature is warmer than the inside of the house; and keep the coils of the central or window air conditioner free of dust and dirt.

Tindall & Ranson’s regular hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (609) 924-3434. Website: www.tindallranson.com.