I'm exploring different trades for after high school, and plumbing keeps coming up. What kinds of tasks do plumbers do daily? Are they mostly on the road, fixing things, or do they have other responsibilities too?
A plumber's day usually involves a variety of tasks, and being on the road is quite common, especially for self-employed plumbers or those working in the service and repair industry. However, working hours and locations certainly vary based on the specific job and sector.
On a typical day, a plumber's tasks might include:
- Reading blueprints and understanding plumbing systems.
- Installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, and toilets.
- Ensuring there are no leaks, and where necessary, repairing or replacing pipes.
- Unclogging drains and fixing broken wastelines.
- Working on larger projects may involve collaborating with other construction professionals.
It's worth noting that plumbing also requires knowledge of and compliance with local and state plumbing codes to ensure safety. Therefore, plumbers also have to spend time keeping up-to-date with changing regulations.
Additionally, plumbers may have non-technical duties to complete. If self-employed or running a small business, this might also include tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing inventory of tools and parts, providing estimates to clients, and even dealing with billing and payment collection.
Overall, it can be a demanding job that requires both physical effort and technical know-how. At the same time, it offers the satisfaction of problem-solving and the ability to work with your hands. Each day can bring new challenges and opportunities to learn, which can be quite rewarding!
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