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The crew of The Plumbing Guys includes (l-r): Charlie Goff, part-time help Jan Rahn and owner Harlan Rahn.

Lawn sprinkler services added to existing area plumbing business

After 25 years of successfully operating strictly as a plumbing business, The Plumbing Guys of Grant, owned by Harlan Rahn, is now taking on a new endeavor– underground sprinklers. 

Rahn and his employee (and son-in-law) Charlie Goff, who joined The Plumbing Guys in August of 2014, are looking forward to continuing to provide quality plumbing work to the area, and have added sprinkler services into their operation as well.

“I love to fix things and make them work. I love a challenge that makes me think. I love to smile and laugh with people and I love to tease,” Rahn said about his passion for his work. 

Since purchasing The Plumbing Guys in 1993, Rahn has been tackling commercial and residential plumbing jobs in southwest Nebraska and sometimes even into northeastern Colorado. 

“It’s a family business, and adding the sprinklers also provides an opportunity to include more family members,” Rahn said. Jan Rahn, Harlan’s wife and Charlie’s mother, has jumped in and provides additional “man” power and assists the otherwise two-man crew.

“We have a backhoe to do underground work on water lines, sewer lines and septic systems, and we have machines to clean drain and sewer lines,” Rahn said, with Goff adding, 

“We are equipped to upkeep and repair your existing elements, but are also prepared to take on new construction and remodels.” 

Goff is licensed with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) as a “master installer” and repairman of septic systems. 

Rahn expressed how The Plumbing Guys prioritize staying current on modern ideas and the latest technology to benefit their customers. 

“We were looking for a way to expand the business and lawn sprinklers was the obvious choice since the businesses overlap each other, and there was a need for this service in the area,” Rahn said. 

So the duo took some classes, did some research and started this spring working on underground sprinkler systems alongside their plumbing business. 

Goff said he has enjoyed working with and learning from Rahn over the last four years, and that the addition of the sprinkler side of the business has really been enjoyable for him.

“I love to be working outside,” he said, and added that learning the sprinkler systems has come easily to him and he has had a lot of fun with it. 

With current technology, The Plumbing Guys can design a sprinkler system that runs efficiently and economically to save their customers money, as well as the effort of dragging around the garden hose to water their lawn or garden. 

“Our newest equipment addition is a vibrating plow machine that slices through grass and pulls a sprinkler pipe underground, we’ve named her Polly the Pipe-Puller,” Rahn said. 

Regardless of the task at hand, Rahn and Goff agreed they are committed to providing reliable and quality work they are able to then stand behind. 

Goff said he strives to be friendly and have a positive outlook on any given situation, while Rahn mentioned that for the Plumbing Guys, “failure is not an option, there is always a solution, no matter how difficult the challenge.” 

Rahn also said he prides himself on always returning phone calls, regardless of whether or not he can accommodate a customer’s needs and ALWAYS cleaning up after the completion of a job. 

The ultimate plan for The Plumbing Guys will be for Goff to eventually take over the business as Rahn looks ahead to retirement, however the goals and priorities of The Plumbing Guys won’t change, according to Goff.

“I have really enjoyed my on-the-job training with Harlan the last four years, and learning from somebody who does things right. 

“Moving forward, we will continue to provide the same quality work we always have and hope to see both the plumbing and sprinkler sides of the business flourish as we continue serving the community we love,” Goff said.

The Plumbing Guys shop is located at 74 S. Central Avenue in Grant.

They can be reached at 308-352-4854. 

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

308-352-4311 (Phone)

PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140