A Day In The Life Of A Plumber

Today is National Plumber’s Day, so we thought it would be fun to take a deeper look at the daily work lives of plumbers! Be sure to thank a plumbing professional today and get to know their job a little better.

Typical jobs a plumber will do

Both commercial and residential plumbers do a variety of tasks throughout the day and no one job is the same. For the purposes of this article, we will talk about the basics. Here’s just a small list of jobs your plumbing professional does.

• Installing parts like pipe fittings, appliances, and fixtures (like toilets and sinks)
• Checking indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for leaks
• Performing maintenance inspections
• Keeping detailed records
• Assembling, inspecting, and replacing pipelines
• Training and managing helpers (if they are licensed)
• Reviewing local and state codes and laws
• Speaking with clients to make sure they understand what may be going wrong with their plumbing system

Work conditions for plumbers

Plumbers typically work around 40 hours a week, but depending on the season, company, and location, they can work more. Many companies offer 24-hour and emergency service, so plumbers must be prepared at all times of the day. They must also have a professional appearance, so most have uniforms.

Plumbing can be dangerous, so professionals must always wear protective gear when appropriate. They may run into bad weather conditions, have to deal with contaminates or hazardous materials, and need to be familiar with their equipment. Minor cuts or burns, as well as bug bites or stings, can be common.

A basic timeline of a plumber’s day

Wondering if there is a timeline for your plumber’s day? The simple answer is no! These professionals do so much! But, an example of a plumber’s day is as follows.

1. Wake up, usually early in the morning. Plumbers must be able to work on time and even be able to answer emergency calls before the normal workday starts.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast. This job can be difficult, so it is best to eat a nutritious breakfast.
3. Prepare for the day. This includes getting ready and going through the schedule of calls. Some plumbers will work on one installation job while others will run multiple maintenance calls.
4. Get to work and prepare tools, equipment, etc…if a plumber has a work vehicle, this would be the time to go through parts and tools and make sure everything is there.
5. Fix a leaky bathroom or kitchen sink or inspect 10 sinks on a commercial property.
6. Take a lunch break.
7. Run an emergency call.
8. Meet with a local inspector.
9. Go through paperwork for the day.

Misconceptions about what plumbers do

There are many myths out there about plumbing professionals. Many people think that the job doesn’t take knowledge, but that is not true! Plumbers must know their trade like the back of their hand and need to keep up with any changes in the industry. They have to pass licensing exams and code inspections too.

Jobs you didn’t know a plumber does

Plumbers don’t just fill their days with simple tasks or those related to the bathroom. Their skills are needed for a large variety of jobs in commercial, residential, and industrial applications. Here are some examples.

• Gas lines
• Dental chairs
• Oxygen lines in hospitals
• Boilers
• Fountains
• Drain cleaning (Sometimes odd things have been found like live animals, jewelry, and even food fat.)
• Education (Plumbers often share their knowledge with co-works and helpers.)
• Driving (sometimes in a lot of traffic)
• Managing the company
• Customer service
• Billing and handling payments
• Ordering parts

Looking for professional plumbers in the Texas Panhandle?

As you can see, these tradespeople do so much! If you need the services of a plumber, contact Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical in Amarillo, Texas. Our professionals take care of commercial and industrial properties throughout the Texas Panhandle and Tri-State area. You can reach us at (806) 376-8345 to learn more!