By Kaitlyn Longstaff
Water Rehab, open since 2018, is a family-owned business serving the Phoenix Metro area by offering water treatment, misting systems, and tankless water heater installations, as well as general plumbing repair, remodeling, and repiping. Water Rehab is owned by Constantin Geambasu, who has over 25 years of experience in the plumbing industry. The company’s team of water-treatment specialists are experts in the installation and repair of water purification systems, as well as experts in emergency plumbing.
In response to the opening of Water Rehab, Geambasu said, “It was my favorite Christmas present that year, and a lot of my friends and family could not wait for me to start out on my own and support this new business.” Geambasu’s wife and son work with him full time, and his daughter works with him part time. As owner, Geambasu takes on a lot of responsibility and roles, including being the main fieldworker, the main product educator for his clients, and the main quality control person for his
employees. Geambasu aims to “create an environment where people who access [Water Rehab’s] services are treated fairly and loved by the people that do a job for them.”
“Money is everything to everyone now,” he said, “and I want a business that strives for more than just profit.”
From Romania to Arizona
Geambasu first learned the plumbing trade while in Romania building and installing German-made plumbing fixtures in model showrooms. Only the best installers were hired for this highly skilled position. After immigrating to the U.S., Geambasu immediately put his skills to work serving the residents of Gilbert, Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa, Arizona, with high-quality plumbing services.
Initially, Geambasu worked as a professional plumber at a water-treatment company. “I worked with them for eight years and loved working for that family-oriented business,” he said. When the owner sold the business, Geambasu decided to go out on his own rather than work for a larger company.
When Geambasu told his boss of his plans to work on his own, he explained, “he helped me pay for all the licensing I needed to start my own business.” Geambasu was inspired to work in the water-treatment industry because he was a skilled plumber and believed water treatment and plumbing are the “perfect couple.” Geambasu knows the importance of plumbing and how it can affect the state of water. Working in both plumbing and water treatment allows him to understand all aspects of creating potable water.
According to Geambasu, plumbing work in Europe is vastly different than in Arizona, especially since Arizona does not have four seasons. Geambasu said that when he first came to Arizona, the plumbing was easy, and it was easy to dig a water supply line. The learning curve Geambasu faced was working with houses that are larger than European houses.
“Plumbing in Romania taught me to be an expert in all aspects of plumbing, since they don’t have the same specializations they do here. You can’t just be good at one aspect of plumbing; you have to be good at everything,” Geambasu said. This experience gave him the tools to be a water-treatment expert and a plumbing expert.
Water Rehab Offerings
Water Rehab provides numerous services for its clients in the Phoenix Metro area, including general plumbing services, high-pressure fog systems, misting systems, reverse osmosis, water softening, and whole-house filtration. Water Rehab employees are product specialists, skilled technicians, and master installers, and they will consistently strive to maintain the highest standards.
Since Water Rehab offers products built in Arizona for Arizona water, no one will wait more than 24 hours to get a part. A motto that was developed so that Water Rehab can be a quick, efficient, and local solution for their clients. Geambasu said, “My personal goal with this company is to invest in people—invest in people who work for me and help them feel like they don’t have a job, but a mission.”
Water Rehab also faces challenges. Geambasu revealed that the biggest challenge facing the company is having enough manpower to do the work. Finding the right people to do the job, while also keeping them around long term, is difficult. Water Rehab is addressing this issue by only hiring people by recommendation. Geambasu said he takes advice from trusted people seriously: “They will guide me to hardworking, long-term employees.”
Water Rehab has high hopes for its growth and continued success. Its goal is to stay small and family-oriented, avoid becoming a big corporation, and keep a maximum of 17 employees at all times. Geambasu believes that number is the right number for people to be a close team that can service clients. Water Rehab wants its customers to feel like the business knows them personally.
On the Industry
“Ten years ago, a water softener was a luxury,” said Geambasu. “Now it is a must, but it is not enough. New construction is growing, and our water is getting dirtier. A water softener is only taking out the iron and magnesium, but chlorine, dirt, rust, and industrial solvents can still remain in the water. Water treatment is not a luxury; it is a necessity.”
He added that every house is going to need sediment filters, as well as filters throughout the house with active charcoal to ensure the whole house has clean water. The water-conditioning industry must continue to evolve to adapt to the water challenges homeowners are facing.
“This is my fifth year of business, and I am so proud of that,” said Geambasu. “Many small businesses don’t get that far, and to me, it means we are doing something right.”
The future of Water Rehab is looking bright. Family values play an important role in client satisfaction, and Geambasu and his staff are bringing those values to their customers throughout the Phoenix Metro area.
About the author
Kaitlyn R. Longstaff is associate editor at Water Conditioning & Purification International magazine. She studied English at Southern New Hampshire University and Publishing at The George Washington University. She can be reached at [email protected].