Hail to the Plumbers.
So how can you recognise a plumber when you see one?
A plumber went to a maths professors’ home and took a minute to fix a leaky tap. When the mathematician saw the bill he exclaimed, “it takes me a whole day to earn this much”. The plumber replied sympathetically that he too had only earned such money when he was a professor.
A plumber is a tradesperson who works with his hands his brain and his specialist tools to install and maintain systems used for drinking water, sewage, drainage, ventilation, heating and ir-conditioning, or industrial pipe work. A plumber is one of the most of skilled and vital of trades for modern living.
A master plumber is one who has shown consistent skill and expertise in their trade of plumbing, over a long time and is qualified in different areas of plumbing. Typically the master trains new plumbers in the trade, and supervises large pipe work projects.
Plumbing codes of practice are, of necessity very rigid, and the demand for quality plumbing work is high because grave health and safety problems multiply where poor water supply and sewage removal are left ‘unplumbed’.
Plumbing work is all about assembling pipe sections, tubing and fittings. The nature of the assemblies will vary according to the particular job but can include soldering, brazing and use of welding equipment of various types.
Once assembled pipes and will be tested by filling with water or air and pressurizing, observing and measuring for pressure leakage. Plumbers are required to read building plans, codes and specifications to select the appropriate pipe work and methods.
Customer liaison skills are part of every tradesman’s kit bag and plumbers are no exception. They will need to prepare documented quotes, estimates and negotiate individual contracts.
Because plumbing is fundamental to all homes and buildings plumbers have to design their pipe work systems, based on architectural plans always bearing in mind the timing and juxtaposition of their work with builders and electricians.
Plumbers must have the underpinning knowledge to do intricate calculations on material planning and capacity especially for larger projects. The positioning and threading of pipe work installations calls for accurate measurement and detail handling.
The actual hands-on pipe work calls for measurement, cutting, threading, and bending into infinite shapes by using manual and electrical tools. Machines such as pipe cutters, threaders and benders require certified proficiency and lots of practice.
Plumbers are multi skilled because they need to use drain or pipe cleaning equipment. They use pipe or tube cutters and all kinds of specialist wrenches as well as pressure gauges for air water and gas. Really effective plumbers have the organizational skills of a housewife.
And even when the project is complete plumbers are required keep records of assignments and produce detailed work reports because it’s all part of the service.
So how do you know a plumber when you see one? Well they are the ones with the huge toolbox and they never chew their nails.
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