They also install plumbing fixtures, appliances, and heating and refrigerating units. Note that their work has significant relation in preserving good health and a clean environment by fixing those materials and devices being used for day to day living.
The occupation of a plumber goes back to ancient times. The early Egyptians are known to have used lead pipes to carry water and drainage in and out of buildings. The use of plumbing in a citywide system was an achievement of plumbers in Rome in the days of the Empire. In Renaissance times, the techniques of plumbing were revived and used in some of the great castles and monasteries. The greatest advances in plumbing however, were made in the nineteenth century, when towns grew into cities and the need for adequate public sanitation was recognized. Because there is little difference between the work of the plumber and a person who works in pipe fitting, it is often considered to be one trade. Many craft workers do specialize in one field or the other, especially in large cities.
Pipe fitting work is different from plumbing work mainly because of its location and its use of assorted sizes of pipes. Most plumbers focus on residential areas and commercial establishments especially under a contractual arrangement to work for a certain period of time. With their health related and environmental careers, pipe fitters are generally employed by a large industry such as an oil refinery, refrigeration plant, or defense establishment where various piping systems have been applied. Generally, their type of work deals with sensitive environmental jobs. One mistake could create massive destruction to the environment like an oil leakage or other disasters like that.
Plumbers assemble, install, and repair heating, water, and drainage systems, especially those that must be connected to public utility systems. Some of their jobs include mending burst pipes, installing and repairing sinks, bathtubs, water heaters, hot water tanks, garbage disposal units, dishwater, and water softeners. They may also work on septic tanks, cesspool, and sewers. During the final construction stages, plumbers install heating and air-conditioning units, and connect radiators, water heaters, and plumbing fixtures. And so you can see their involvement they have with the community by helping households by connecting all of their plumbing needs.
Plumbers follow procedures in their work like any other profession. After inspecting the installation site to determine the pipe location, they cut and thread pipes, bend them to required angles by hand or with machines, and then join them by means of welded, brazed, caulked, soldered, or threaded joints. To test for leaks in the system, they fill the pipes with water or air and use a variety of tools to check it. When you are a plumber you work with many different tools. Some of them include wrenches, reamers, drills, braces, bits, hammers, chisels, saws. Power machines which cut, bend, and thread pipes, and gas or gasoline torches that weld, solder or braze equipment.
Most employers prefer to hire applicants at least 18 years old, in good physical condition, and with a high degree of mechanical aptitude. Although a high-school education is not required, it is generally preferred. The student’s preparation should include courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, as well as the usual shop courses. To qualify as a plumber, however, a person must complete either a formal apprenticeship or an informal on-the-job training program. To be considered for the apprenticeship program, individuals must pass an examination administered by the state employment agency and have their qualifications approved by the local joint labor-management apprenticeship committee.
The apprenticeship program for plumbers consists of a specified period or years carefully planned activity combining direct training with certain number of hours of formal classroom instruction. The program is designed to give the apprentices diversified training by having them work for several different plumbing or pipe fitting contractors. On-the-job training, on the other hand, usually consists of working for five or more years under the guidance of one kind of experienced craft worker. The trainees begin as helpers until they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for more difficult jobs. Frequently, they must supplement this practical training by taking trade or correspondence school courses.
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