Plumber
Plumbers repair, install and maintain plumbing systems. Plumbers do not need any formal education and can be paid rather well, but they may work with hazardous materials in dirty or extreme environments. Experience in the field is required.
Duties and tasks
- Do preventative maintenance work as necessary
- Inspects pumps, boilers, valves, toilets, sinks, heaters, valves, tanks, and other plumbing systems to discover and locate problems and replaces or repairs components as necessary
- Operates sewer tapes, reamers, snakes, pipe cutters, threading discs, and various other plumbing tools and equipment
- Repairs, maintains, and installs gas, heat, water, sewage, steam, and various other plumbing systems
- Studies specifications, illustrations, work orders, and plans to determine work requirements and the sequence of installations/repairs that need to be done
Skills required
- Knowledge of how to install, maintain, and repair all types of plumbing systems
- No formal education is required, but several years of experience is preferred
- Understanding of applicable plumbing codes
- Understanding of how boilers, pumps, heaters, and other plumbing components work
Working conditions
Plumbers get paid fairly well. Their working hours vary depending on the jobs they receive, though they are often during normal business hours. Plumbers may need to work in conditions with extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, air contamination's, hazardous materials, or loud noise.Professional associations / Industry information
Master Builders AustraliaMaster Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia
Plumbers Licensing Board (WA)
Plumbing Industry Commission
Queensland Government Department of Infrastructure and Planning
The Plumbers Union
Related jobs and job titles
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- Gas-fitter
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- Trades person
- Water Plumber