plumber (2024)

plumber (1)A plumber is responsible for the system of pipes within a building. This system transports water to faucets and appliances and also removes wastes. Plumbers also work with pipes that transport natural gas.

Plumbers install and maintain plumbing systems. These systems include storm water systems, sewer drainage, and fixture installation (such as sinks, bathtubs, and toilets). Plumbers must have great mechanical skills, be physically strong, and be comfortable working in small spaces. The plumbing trade also requires a firm understanding of basic math and geometry.

Plumbers must be certified in order to practice their trade. In the United States the training to earn a plumbing certificate is quite lengthy and varies from state to state. All states require an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is when a student is taught a trade with hands-on experience by a master. Apprenticeships are highly competitive, so it is recommended that plumbing candidates first take courses at a trade school. Apprenticeships usually last about 4–5 years and also require hundreds of hours of classroom time.

After the apprenticeship, plumbers must pass an exam to become a journeyman plumber. Journeyman plumbers can work freely as a plumber. Plumbing is related to the trades of pipe fitting and steam fitting.

Canadian plumbers must also go through an apprenticeship. Certification is highly recommended even though only eight provinces require it. In addition to the separate provincial certification, Canada offers the Red Seal exam. The Red Seal exam allows plumbers to work anywhere in Canada without having to take additional tests.

plumber (2024)

FAQs

What does the plumber do? ›

What does a Plumber do? Plumbers install and repair pipes and fixtures that carry water, gas, or other fluids in homes and businesses. They also maintain plumbing fixtures like bathtubs and toilets and appliances such as dishwashers or heating systems.

What do most plumbers charge per hour? ›

What do most plumbers charge per hour? Many factors contribute to a plumber's hourly charge. This includes experience, local cost of living, the complexity of the job and more. However, most plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour.

What does "plumber" mean in slang? ›

Slang. an undercover operative or spy hired to detect or stop leaks of news or secret information, often using questionable or illegal methods, as illegal entry or wiretapping.

What is the definition of a plumber? ›

: one who installs, repairs, and maintains piping, fittings, and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in a building. 3. : a person whose job is to prevent or put an end to leaks of sensitive information.

How much does the highest paid plumber make? ›

The best Plumbing jobs can pay up to $107,000 per year.

These are typically for industrial operations, such as at manufacturing or power plants or gas pipelines.

Why do plumbers make so much? ›

Plumbers are Highly Skilled

Not everyone has what it takes to be a plumber. These professionals need a specific set of skills and extensive knowledge on many ways to solve issues. So, in essence, you are paying for their expertise.

How much to install a toilet? ›

Table of Contents
Average Cost to Install a Toilet
Average Cost$375
Highest Cost$225
Lowest Cost$700

How much does it cost to unclog a toilet? ›

The average cost to unclog a toilet bowl is about $100 to $300, provided the clog is contained in the bowl and does not require additional drain clearing. In some cases, the toilet bowl becomes clogged with feces, toilet paper, or foreign objects that fall or are dropped in the toilet.

How much does it cost to fix low water pressure in a house? ›

They may also recommend additional repairs to resolve your water pressure issues. Prices vary depending on the type of repair, but most homeowners pay between $360 and $600 (CAD 493 and CAD 821) to fix low water pressure.

What do plumbers call a toilet? ›

Because it had water, it became known as the water closet. Somehow the name stuck, and plumbers continue to refer to a toilet as a water closet. That's what the “WC” imprinted on most toilets stands for.

What is a funny word for plumber? ›

One popular slang term for a plumber is "pipe jockey." This playful moniker pays homage to the plumber's expertise in navigating the intricate web of pipes that snake through buildings, homes, and infrastructure.

What is silent in plumber? ›

Letter 'b' is generally not pronounced if letters 'm' and 'b' occur together in a word. Examples: plumb, comb, tomb, plumber etc.

What is the old name for a plumber? ›

From plumbum came plumbarius “a worker in lead,” a meaning that held up through Old French plomier, which became, in the 15th century, the English word plumber. Original plumbers were not experts in the flow of water and waste; they were simply people who worked in lead.

What is a better word for plumber? ›

synonyms: pipe fitter. type of: artificer, artisan, craftsman, journeyman.

What does a plumber do to pipes? ›

Plumbers do much more than unclog drains and install new faucets. Plumbers install and maintain numerous types of piping systems found in residential and commercial properties, power plants, water treatment facilities, waste disposal plants, and factories.

What do plumbers handle? ›

Plumbers carry out a diverse range of tasks regularly to ensure the proper functioning of plumbing systems. They install, repair, and maintain water supply lines, drainage systems, and fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and faucets.

What is the most common job for a plumber? ›

What are the Most Common Jobs That Need a Plumber?
  • Leaking pipes. After fitting a new bathroom in Norwich, this is one of the most common reasons we are called out to people's homes. ...
  • Running toilet. ...
  • Blocked drains. ...
  • Heating problems. ...
  • Get the right help quickly.

Do plumbers work in sewers? ›

It's usually recommended that a plumbing company perform a main sewer line repair because of the heavy work involved.

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