FORT MYERS, FLORIDA — Jose Lopez, owner of My Plumbing Friends in southwest Florida, may be new to running his own business, but he’s no stranger to plumbing. He began his career as an apprentice, where he first encountered Oatey products. Over time, Jose gained hands-on experience with Oatey solvent cements and outlet boxes, coming to appreciate their reliability and ease of use.
After earning his license and launching his company in 2024, Jose quickly established himself as a trusted, one-person operation serving residential and commercial clients across Collier County. Sticking with the Oatey products he knew and trusted was an obvious choice.
One of his recent projects involved restoring a home damaged by Hurricane Milton. The house had suffered severe flooding with over 20 inches of water. During the repairs, Jose discovered a brittle polybutylene water line running from the kitchen through the attic into the fridge.
“These lines tend to develop pinhole leaks over time, which can lead to significant water damage,” he explains. To address the issue, he replaced the outdated line with an Oatey Ice Maker Outlet Box.
“Oatey’s Ice Maker Outlet Box provided the perfect solution,” says Jose. “Not only does it offer a clean, professional look behind the fridge, but it also comes with preloaded nails for quick installation.”
The box, which also features a right- or left-hand valve orientation for installation flexibility, complies with NSF 61 standards for water safety. Its compact design is ideal for tight spaces, with optional additions like a built-in hammer arrester and a swivelling valve to prevent kinks in the supply line when moving the refrigerator.
Jose also appreciated how straightforward the installation process was. Although he took extra care to build a plywood frame around the outlet box for additional precision, the entire project—including running the new replacement water line—took less than an hour.
“The Ice Maker Outlet Box saved time and delivered a polished finish that blends seamlessly with the home,” he says. “For me, it’s not just about installation saving time,” he says. “It’s also about how the job looks and performs after it is installed.”
While still growing his business, Jose takes pride in providing high-quality results for his clients, relying on his years of experience and trusted products.
“I’ve used Oatey throughout my career, and they’ve never let me down. They make my job easier and ensure my customers get the best solutions.”
As he looks to the future, Jose is eager to expand My Plumbing Friends and uphold his commitment to quality. He’s also excited to explore more Oatey products, including the innovative MODA Supply Box, which offers advanced features for even greater installation flexibility.
“Using products like these ensures I can keep delivering the best results for my clients.”