Plumbers install and maintain plumbing fixtures, fittings, and equipment, ranging from work on household pipes and drains, heating appliances, bathroom and toilet fixtures, and venting systems. Emergency repair work like unclogging drains, or repairing water main ruptures, represents a significant part of their knowledge and experience.

They may have to alter structures to accommodate the pipes by roughing in after the frame and roof of a new building are in place. They study the building plans to determine the layout for plumbing and related materials, locate and mark positions for connections and fixtures, cut holes through walls and floors, select the type and size of pipe required and measure, cut, thread, bend, clamp, solvent cement or solder pipe assembly and install valves and fittings securely in position. Once this is completed they test the pipe systems for leaks. Plumbers will then return to the construction site after plasterers or dry wall installers, tile setters and floor covering installers have completed their work to do finishing work such as installing sinks, tubs and toilets.

As an experienced plumber, you might specialize in sheet metal work on industrial, commercial or historical buildings. Some Plumbers also braze and weld metal. A Plumber's specialization is based on his or her knowledge of the substance being carried. Plumbers often work in the construction industry, laying new pipe for buildings or doing extensive renovations to large buildings. Plumbers also sometimes make use of other related skill sets, such as a familiarity with basic welding and electrical work and a limited amount of gas fitting work.

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Industry Changes

While a plumber is the first occupation associated with the industry, pipe layers, pipe fitters and steamfitters represent a large portion of the job market. Over the next ten years, the employment outlook is considered to be excellent. The lack of trained and qualified servicemen and the expected increased retirement rate in these trades over the next decade highlight the opportunities within the industry for potential jobs.

The government has recently set targets for greater energy efficiency to combat climate change. With further training, you may be able to install and maintain renewable energy technologies like solar powered heating systems.

A surge in water consumption legislation in the previous decade has prompted manufacturers to create more efficient and environmentally friendly products from low-flow and waterless to dual-flush and macerating fixtures. Consumers are increasingly educated regarding construction products and materials, resulting in a demand for more sophisticated and multi-functional products. Sustainable and eco-friendly design is a major focus of the building and construction industry.

In the next decade smart home and bath products will be in demand, such as the 'Intelligent Toilet' system made in Japan which can measure sugar levels in urine, blood pressure, body fat and weight. In the ideal environmentally-correct home of tomorrow, toilets will flush water recycled from the washing-machine or dish-washer.

 

Safety

Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

• Air-conditioning and Heating equipment (except window type units)

• Baseboard heaters, electric, non-portable

• Bath tubs and sinks

• Boilers (e.g., heating, hot water, power, steam)

• Compressors

• Condensing units and air-conditioning

• Drinking fountains, non-refrigerated

• Dust collecting equipment

• Electric furnaces

• Exhaust and air-moving equipment

• Fireplaces, metal

• Fixtures, plumbing

• Furnaces and heaters

• Gas and oil heating equipment

• Gas appliances and supplies

• Heat pumps

• Heating and cooking equipment, non-electric

• Hot water heaters, oil and gas

• Humidifiers and dehumidifiers 

• Laundry tubs

• Lawn sprinkler systems

• Oil and gas heating equipment

• Plumbers' brass goods, fittings and valves

• Plumbing supplies

• Pumps

• Radiators

• Ranges (except electric), wholesale

• Ranges, stoves and furnaces (except electric)

• Refrigerators, gas and domestic

• Sanitary 

• Sauna equipment

• Septic tank installation

• Solar heating panels and equipment

• Sprinkler systems

• Steam fittings

• Tanks and bowls and toilet

• Valves and fittings

• Water heaters and electric

• Water meters

• Water softeners

 

Tools

• Adjustable wrench

• Allen keys

• Ball peen hammer

• Caulking gun

• Cordless drill

• Crow bar

• Electrical multi-meter

• Faucet handle puller

• Fitting brush

• Flash light

• Flux

• Hack saw

• Hammer

• Internal pipe cutter

• Internal pipe wrench

• Lead free solder

• Mini pipe cutters

• Needle nose pliers

• Off set pipe wrench

• Pipe dope

• Pipe extractors

• Pipe reamer

• Pipe wrench

• Plastic tube cutter

• Plumbers putty

• Plunger

• PO wrench

• Reciprocating saw

• Ring crimper

• Screw driver set

• Sparking igniter

• Steel pipe cutter

• Step ladder

• Strap wrench

• Tape measure

• Teflon tape

• Tin snips

• Threading taps

• Torch head and propane tank

• Torpedo level

• Vice grips

• Wire strippers

• 50/50 solder

 

Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average -   $22.50

• Minimum -  $15.00

• Maximum - $31.00

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Sample Q&A

1. When installing glass piping, if one end needs to be field cut, the ends should be joined?

a. bead to plain

b. bead to hub

c. plain to plain

d. bead to bead

Ans. A

 

2. A pipe that connects at its downstream end to two or more vent pipes and at its upper end to a vent stack or stack vent, is a?

a. branch vent

b. common vent

c. header

d. circuit vent

Ans. A

 

3. A twin tank water softener will house the brine in one tank and the other tank will house the?

a. green sand

b. activated carbon

c. zeolite

d. soda ash

Ans. C

 

4. A gear pump is a positive displacement pump and must be installed with which of the following?

a. pressure switch

b. pressure relief valve

c. pressure reducing valve

d. pressure tank

Ans. B

 

5. The discharge from a sump pump shall have the following fittings installed in order in the direction of flow?

a. check valve, shut-off valve, union

b. union, check valve, shut-off valve

c. check valve, union, shut-off valve

d. shut-off, coupling, check valve

Ans. B

 

6. Valves used on domestic hot water supply tanks and heaters includes?

a. gate, check and safety

b. globe, plug pressure, relief

c. pressure, temperature, vacuum relief

d. swing check, butterfly, temperature relief

Ans. C

 

7. A hydronic heating and cooling convector share the same coil. How many heating/cooling pipes will enter the convector?

 a. One for heating and two for cooling.

b. Two for heating and one for cooling.

c. One for heating and one for cooling.

d. Two for both the heating and cooling.

Ans. D