Plumber Employment | Pipefitter Jobs | Plumbing Jobs
Plumber Jobs - What is the Job of Pipe Fitters? What does a Pipefitter Job Involve?
Pipe layers, pipefitters, steam fitters, and plumbers are responsible for installing and repairing a number of pipe systems. The most common type of pipe repairer that most people are familiar with are plumbers, who are responsible for unclogging drains and installing residential plumbing.
There are a wide variety of different systems that move water and other fluids throughout residential, public, and commercial buildings. Some pipes get rid of waste while others provide gas power to stoves, while others still are used to provide heating and cooling to large commercial and industrial facilities. Power plant pipes carry steam in order to turn the huge turbines but that will produce power for the nation. Pipes may also be used in manufacturing in order to move materials whether they are liquid or gaseous.
Most pipe workers will specialize in one of five areas. Pipe layers are responsible for laying concrete, iron, and plastic pipe for drains, sewers, and oil and gas lines, in addition to water mains. Before they can lay this pipe, a pipe layer must grade the trenches to make sure that the pipes sit evenly and that the trench itself is deep enough. After a pipe layer places the pipe, they will then cement or weld the pieces together.
Plumber jobs are responsible for installing and repairing water systems, waste disposal systems, and drainage systems, in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Plumbers jobs are also responsible for installing fixtures such as bathtubs, showers, toilets, in addition to the plumbing for dishwashers and hot water heaters.
Pipefitter jobs have the responsibility of installing pipe systems that are used in manufacturing processes, in addition to power plants and the heating and duct systems of large commercial and public buildings.
Sprinkler fitters are responsible for installing fire sprinkler systems and buildings, while steam fitters are responsible for dealing with boiler piping systems.
Pipefitters, plumbers, and steam fitters will use a variety of materials in order to complete their projects. Water systems will use copper and plastic pipe that can be handled by a single plumber, while city sewage systems will require crews of pipe fitters to install or to repair large piping systems. Pipelayers and plumbers will follow blueprints in order to perform a professional job.
Construction plumbers are responsible for installing the piping of a residential house, and a residential plumber will usually use blueprints or drawings that show the locations of pipes. Construction plumbers may read from the plans themselves or they may use their knowledge of local codes in order to draw the plumbing in themselves when remodeling or working on a new home.
Plumbers may also have the responsibility of cutting holes in ceilings and floors in order to make room for pipes. The tools of a plumber job will include saws, pipe bending machines, and fittings, which will connect links of pipe together. Plumbers may use adhesives to join pipe, especially if they’re dealing with polyvinyl carbonate. When dealing with copper pipes, a plumber will usually apply metal solder with a acetylene torch.
After installing the plumbing in a home, a plumber job may then be to install fixtures and various appliances, checking the plumbing system to make sure that it is functioning properly.
Working Conditions for Plumber Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Plumbing Jobs?
Pipelayers, plumbers, steam fitters, and sprinklerfitters must often work in cramped and uncomfortable positions, which will require a great deal of strength and stamina. Pipe layers may have to work outside in a wet or extremely hot weather, and there is the risk of falls from ladders or burns from soldering equipment.
Pipefitters and steam fitters will usually work in industrial locations, while plumbers will work in commercial and residential areas maintaining and installing septic systems and water mains. Sprinkler fitters will usually work in commercial buildings which require fire sprinkler systems.
Most work of pipe working professionals will involve a 40 hour workweek, and some positions may require a worker to be on call in order to repair damaged piping systems.
Plumber Education - How to Become a Plumber - How to Receive Your Plumber Training
Residential plumbing training is usually learned at a vocational or community college, in addition to on the job training. Pipelayers and plumbers are usually trained through apprenticeship programs, which may be offered by nonunion or union contractors.
Organizations which offer apprenticeships to pipefitters and steam fitters include the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and the Home Builders Institute of the National Association of Homebuilders.
Most plumber apprenticeships will require four or five years of on the job training and at least 144 hours of classroom instruction every year. Pipefitting classes can include drafting, mathematics, chemistry, plumbing codes, and plumbing regulations. Most plumbing apprentices will first learn basic skills on the job such as different types of pipes, eventually learning how to use the tools of the trade.
As a pipefitting apprentice gains experience they will take on more challenging tasks and begin installing piping systems and plumbing fixtures on their own.
Plumber License Training Requirements - How to Become a Pipefitter
The majority of states in America require plumber jobs and other pipe working professionals to be licensed. Plumber licensing usually requires passing an exam that tests plumbing knowledge and local plumbing codes. Working on natural gas lines may require additional certification due to the danger of explosion and gas leaks.
Plumbers should be 18 years old and in good physical condition, and with additional training a plumber or a steam fitter can eventually become a supervisor for a plumbing contracting company. And eventually, a plumber or a pipe fitter may decide to open up their own pipe contracting business and become self employed.
Pipefitter Employment - What is a Plumber Job?
Over the next decade, pipelayer, plumber, and pipefitter jobs should grow by about 10% and employment opportunities are good as many plumbers are retiring and few are entering the field. Repairing residential plumbing systems will help keep plumbers employed, and wastewater and water treatment plants will keep pipe fitters and steam fitters employed.
Sprinkler fitters will also have positive employment opportunities due to stringent rules for fire protection in homes and businesses.
Pipe Fitters Work Pay Scale - How Much Do Pipe Fitters Jobs Earn?
In 2006, pipe fitters, plumbers, and steam fitter jobs had median hourly earnings of $20.56, with those working on natural gas pipes earning the highest rate of pay at $24.91 an hour.
Over the same time period, pipe layer jobs had median earnings of $14.58 an hour, and those working for unions started out at about 40% of full plumbing rate. Wages increase over a period of four years until a pipelayer becomes a full union journeyman.
Almost a third of pipelayers, plumbers, steam fitters, and pipe fitters belonged to the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.