Description
This is an ideal career for logical thinkers. As a plumber you install, lay out, test and maintain pipes, fixtures, fittings, and gas meters in line with plumbing regulations on domestic housing, businesses, or commercial properties.
Career Advice - Plumber Career
In your work you will be required to address environmental issues, and will have the appropriate education to enable you to do so.
What you do every day
After looking at plans and specifications for a particular job, you need to be able to work out the layout for plumbing systems, as well as calculating appropriate quantities of each of the materials required.
Once the positions for the connections is found and marked, you will cut holes in walls/floors for the accommodation of pipes. The pipes are then measured and the cutting or bending lines marked. Once you cut, thread and bend pipes, you will assemble and install piping, valves and fittings, join pipe sections and secure pipes.
Finally you will install any required fixtures such as toilets, wash basins, solar water heating systems, heating or cooling systems and gas appliances. Some work is also carried out on commercial buildings while working on a high rise multi level building sites. Some task can mean working on mobile scaffolds or scissor lifts.
Other plumbing tasks can include digging trenches for the installation of underground water or gas pipes, drains or sewers. Roof plumbing involves installing or maintaining ceiling- or roof-mounted heating, cooling or air–conditioning.
Personality that best fits this career
As your career advances you will need to develop good interpersonal skills for use in meeting with clients. Having a genuine interest in practical work, you are able to work independently, able to interpret plans and specifications, and to think in a logical manner. Some jobs will require you to work at heights as well as in various weather conditions.
Best thing about this career
Plumbers are in an industry with high demand. There is not as much downturn in activity as in other trade positions since by law certain work may only be carried out and certified by a qualified plumber.
As a plumber you get to work outdoors and meet a variety of different people.
Worst thing about this career
Unfortunately plumbers do have to work in all weather conditions, whether it is very hot or extremely cold. During winter months you may get a downturn in productivity because of wet weather. The hours you may be required to work may be long depending on job requirements and deadlines. Generally you have early starts to your working day.
About the Author
Master Plumbers Association
The Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) is a registered national employer organisation providing representation and extensive services for a broad base of members in the plumbing and mechanical services sectors. The main activities of the Association are to provide business services, industry representation, training and advice on industrial relations and employment to the membership.
Did you know that when a raisin is dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top?