An Essential Career: Plumber
Becoming a plumber is an important and always needed career. There are different career paths that plumbers can choose from, such as residential or commercial plumbing, and also the skill level that they want to achieve, such as becoming a master plumber or a plumbing inspector.
Job Specifications
There are many different skills that a plumber must know in order to do an effective job. First of all, a plumber must have good industrial math skills, as well as chemistry and design. He uses these skills every day on jobs, measuring and figuring out the problems involved in a specific job, laying pipes in a new construction, or designing the plumbing work in a downtown skyscraper. In addition, a plumber has to know how to make calculations so that materials and time are not wasted on any project.
A plumber also has to know how to study building plans and wiring so that each job can be done safely and effectively, getting to the root of the problem as quickly as possible. He has to know how to detect leaks by using air or liquid, or even using leak detecting equipment if the pipe happens to be buried, so that time is not wasted digging up the entire length of pipe searching for the leak.
In addition, a plumber needs to know how to handle pipes, tubing and the fittings that go with them, being able to cut and form pipes to fit any situation. He also needs to know how to work with valves and to use both hand and power tools. These tools are not only used on pipes, but there is also a basic knowledge of drywall, since sometimes the job will require that holes be cut into walls in order to get the problem solved. He will also have to hang supports at times, to hold up the intricate pipe work, especially in large buildings.
In addition, depending on the level of plumbing experience he has, a plumber will also help to install oxygen and gas in hospital situations. This can be very dangerous work, so a higher rating as a plumber as well as certification in working with dangerous gases is required. Besides these skills, a plumber's job requires him to be skilled in customer service, directing workers, trouble shooting, and visualization in order to complete each job with excellence. Plumber training through apprenticeship programs help to develop these skills in novices, so that they are adequately prepared with enough knowledge and hours on the job to take the test and become a licensed plumber.
Job Specifications
There are many different skills that a plumber must know in order to do an effective job. First of all, a plumber must have good industrial math skills, as well as chemistry and design. He uses these skills every day on jobs, measuring and figuring out the problems involved in a specific job, laying pipes in a new construction, or designing the plumbing work in a downtown skyscraper. In addition, a plumber has to know how to make calculations so that materials and time are not wasted on any project.
A plumber also has to know how to study building plans and wiring so that each job can be done safely and effectively, getting to the root of the problem as quickly as possible. He has to know how to detect leaks by using air or liquid, or even using leak detecting equipment if the pipe happens to be buried, so that time is not wasted digging up the entire length of pipe searching for the leak.
In addition, a plumber needs to know how to handle pipes, tubing and the fittings that go with them, being able to cut and form pipes to fit any situation. He also needs to know how to work with valves and to use both hand and power tools. These tools are not only used on pipes, but there is also a basic knowledge of drywall, since sometimes the job will require that holes be cut into walls in order to get the problem solved. He will also have to hang supports at times, to hold up the intricate pipe work, especially in large buildings.
In addition, depending on the level of plumbing experience he has, a plumber will also help to install oxygen and gas in hospital situations. This can be very dangerous work, so a higher rating as a plumber as well as certification in working with dangerous gases is required. Besides these skills, a plumber's job requires him to be skilled in customer service, directing workers, trouble shooting, and visualization in order to complete each job with excellence. Plumber training through apprenticeship programs help to develop these skills in novices, so that they are adequately prepared with enough knowledge and hours on the job to take the test and become a licensed plumber.
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