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Plumbers

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Summary Description


	Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Commercial Plumber

2.	Drain Cleaner, Plumber

3.	Drain Technician

4.	Fire Control System Installer

5.	Green Plumber

6.	Heating Unit Installer

7.	Hot Water Heater Installer

8.	Journeyman Plumber

9.	Maintenance Plumber

10.	Master Plumber

11.	Plumber

12.	Plumber Apprentice

13.	Plumber Gasfitter

14.	Plumbing and Heating Mechanic

15.	Plumbing Mechanic

16.	Plumbing Technician

17.	Residential Plumber

18.	Service Plumber

19.	Service Technician

20.	Soft Water Mechanic

21.	Water Softener Installer

22.	Water Softener Servicer

23.	Water Softener Servicer and Installer

Job Tasks

	Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. Weld metal components. Install plumbing or piping.

	Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools. Install plumbing or piping.

	Keep records of work assignments. Record operational or environmental data.

	Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.

	Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components. Direct construction or extraction personnel.

	Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains. Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.

	Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels. Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly. Mark reference points on construction materials.

	Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe to required angle, using hand or power tools or machines such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, or pipe-bending machines. Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly. Cut metal components for installation.

	Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures. Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.

	Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. Install plumbing or piping.

	Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans. Estimate construction project costs. Estimate construction project labor requirements.

	Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing. Install plumbing or piping.

	Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring. Inspect work sites to determine condition or necessary repairs.

	Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters. Install green plumbing or water handling systems.

	Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication. Weld metal components.

	Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools. Cut openings in existing structures.

	Install alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting systems or graywater reuse systems. Install green plumbing or water handling systems.

	Recommend energy or water saving products, such as low-flow faucets or shower heads, water-saving toilets, or high-efficiency hot water heaters. Communicate with clients about products, procedures, and policies.

	Determine sizing requirements for solar hot water heating systems, taking into account factors such as site orientation, load calculations, or storage capacity requirements. Estimate materials requirements for projects.

	Perform domestic plumbing audits to identify ways in which customers might reduce consumption of water or energy. Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.

	Calculate costs or savings for water- or energy-efficient appliances or systems. Estimate construction project costs.

	Install, test, or commission solar thermal or solar photovoltaic hot water heating systems. Test green technology installations to verify performance. Install solar energy systems.

	Compile information on governmental incentive programs related to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in factories, homes, businesses, and other places where there are pipes or septic systems. They have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.

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Interesting Fact

Robert Redford's father was a milkman.

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