Plumber

Plumbers maintain and install water, gas and sewage systems. They inspect pipes and fixtures on a regular basis or make repairs as needed. They bend, cut, and install pipes. They test systems and make adjustments safely and following regulations. They place sanitary equipment.

Plumbers typically perform the following tasks:

• Install pipes and plumbing fixtures
• Visually inspect equipment and operate test equipment such as pressure and vacuum gauges to determine the cause and location of trouble
• Clear obstructions from sink drains and toilets
• Troubleshoot problems and decide how to fix them
• Repair pipes and plumbing fixtures
• Estimate costs of installations and repairs
• Present recommendations and related pricing to customers

Plumbers usually travel to different work sites each day, performing their jobs in homes, office buildings, and factories. They work in tight spaces, typically indoors, but some may work outside, even in poor weather. Plumbers frequently sustain injuries, including burns, cuts, and falls.

Most plumbers have full-time jobs. Evenings and weekends are often part of their regular schedule, and overtime (more than eight hours a day or more than 40 hours per week) is common. Plumbers, in order to respond to emergencies, must be on call regularly.

The following job titles also refer to plumber:

plummer
pipe worker
gas fitter
plumbber
commercial plumber
plumbeer
gasfitter
domestic plumber
pipeworker

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a plumber. Vocational-technical schools offer courses in pipe system design, safety, and tool use.

Most plumbers receive their training by doing an apprenticeship, which combines classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Plumber is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to plumber.

water conservation technician
sprinkler fitter
plasterer
carpet fitter
irrigation system installer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of plumber. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of plumber with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

plumbing supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor
plastering supervisor
insulation supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of plumber.

• Plumbing tools: A variety of common plumbing tools and their usage cases, limitations and risks.
• Types of piping: A variety of types of piping and piping materials. PVC, CPVC, PEX, copper, and the advantages, usage cases, risks, and costs of each.

These skills are necessary for the role of plumber.

• Replace faucets: Remove taps using the appropriate tool, such as a tap wrench, a monkey wrench or a ratcheting wrench. Perform the same operations to replace the tap with a repaired or new one.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Prepare copper pipes for use as gas lines: Use the appropriate copper pipes to serve as gas lines. Cut the pipes to size and remove any sharp ridges after cutting. Flare the ends with the right size flare to facilitate the attachment of connectors. Avoid kinking the pipe and discard any kinked piping.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Use welding equipment: Operate welding equipment in a safe manner; use welding techniques such as shielded metal arc welding or flux-cored arc welding.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Check water pressure: Check the water pressure in a water circulation system, using a built-in gauge or by attaching a water pressure gauge onto a pipe. In the case of a stand-alone gauge, be sure to depressurise the system before attaching the gauge.
• Install pvc piping: Lay different types and sizes of PVC piping in prepared spaces. Cut the piping to size and attach it by using glue or other systems. Make sure the piping has a clean edge, is free of strains and has the right tilt for fluids to run through.
• Install metal gas piping: Safely install gas pipes and tubes made of steel or copper. Install all necessary connectors and modern ball valves. Test the pipe to make sure there are no leaks.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install plumbing systems: Install systems of pipes, drains, fittings, valves, and fixtures designed for the distribution of potable water for drinking, heating, washing and waste removal.
• Clear out drains: Remove organic materials and other debris from pipes, usually using a snake, a long device that is pushed down the pipes.
• Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Attach pex pipe: Make attachments between PEX pipes and between PEX and other materials. Put a copper crimp ring around both ends. Insert a connector piece between the cable ends and use the appropriate size crimp tool to crimp the rings. Check the crimp operation using a go-no-go tool.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Interpret 2d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Place sanitary equipment: Place sanitary equipment, such as toilets and sinks. Attach the equipment securely to walls and floors. Install taps and water disposal pipes.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plumber. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Water pressure: Physical laws, qualities and applications of liquid or water pressure.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plumber. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Apply proofing membranes: Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Set up water filtration system: Place the appropriate filtration units for water filtration and connect them to the source and destination pipes. Make sure the filtration units are accessible for maintenance and to replace filters if necessary.
• Install solar water heater: Place solar water heaters, which use sunlight to heat water. Find a good location for the heaters, often on the roof of a structure, place them, and connect them to the water supply. Set up the water heater for use.
• Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
• Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Apply a protective layer: Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Cut metal products: Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
• Cut wall chases: Cut a narrow channel in a wall or other partition in order to run cables through it. Cut the channel straight and without causing unnecessary damage. Be sure to avoid existent wires. Lead the cables through the chase and fill it up with the appropriate material.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Use metal bending techniques: Perform bending techniques in order to shape metal sheets into parts used in the manufacture of objects.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

7126 – Plumbers and pipe fitters

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References

1. Plumber – ESCO
2. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: By photo taken by flickr user rick – flickr, CC BY 2.0