| Not many of us give a lot of thought to what | | | | are one example. The plumbing specialist can work in |
| plumbers do until we have water running across the | | | | residential and commercial buildings. Anything that has |
| floor or leaking profusely through the ceiling. Even | | | | to do with water coming into the facility, leaving the |
| then, we aren't particularly curious as to their | | | | facility, along with waste disposal, are within their |
| profession. All we care about is getting the leak | | | | knowledge base. They are also experts at installing |
| stopped before it causes anymore damage. | | | | any plumbing fixture. Often an appliance will require a |
| Plumbers are not really given the credit they deserve. | | | | water line, such as an automatic ice maker on a |
| Most of us look at them as simply people we call | | | | refrigerator or a dishwasher hook-up. |
| when we need a drain unplugged or a faucet | | | | Becoming a plumber requires a number of steps. A |
| replaced. These tasks are minimal in light of the | | | | high school diploma is needed to get into an |
| duties a plumber with credentials can perform. They | | | | apprenticeship program of training or a two year |
| will methodically follow blueprints in the installation of | | | | degree from a community college or vocational |
| plumbing in any new facility. The renovation of older | | | | program. They will work alongside a certified plumber |
| buildings will require their expertise in updating and | | | | to practice their trade. If anyone desires to work |
| redesigning an entire system. Along with plumbing | | | | independently, these are mandatory requirements in |
| skills a certain amount of knowledge in carpentry is | | | | acquiring a state license. In some states licenses are |
| necessary as pipes often have to be installed through | | | | not even issued until a person has worked for two |
| walls or studs within the walls. | | | | years as an apprentice. |
| Many plumbers will specialize in certain fields. They | | | | Plumbers and their related trades make up some of |
| could choose to be steamfitters, pipelayers, and | | | | the largest occupations on a construction site. When |
| pipefitters which are different areas of expertise. | | | | well trained in their field, the demand is high. Job |
| The steamfitter works with systems that involve the | | | | growth is expected to remain at about ten percent |
| movement of liquid or gas while it is under very high | | | | through 2016 and as of May 2007 the average |
| pressure. This profession can be somewhat | | | | amount made per hour by these workers was |
| dangerous in that there could be an explosion even | | | | around $23.00. If you happen to fall within the top |
| when everything is done properly. | | | | percentage of your occupation, an annual salary of |
| A pipelayer will set up and do the installing for | | | | $75,000.00 or more can be expected. The lowest |
| systems that need piping. He, and yes even she, will | | | | scale of annual salary would be in the area of |
| work with underground fittings where pipes lay. | | | | $26,000.00 a year. |
| These trenches have to be graded to make for the | | | | If it should become necessary for you to have to |
| flow of water and/or waste disposal efficient. | | | | make an emergency call to a plumber, especially |
| Welding, gluing and setting the pipes together are all | | | | when not during normal working hours, the rate per |
| part of the task. | | | | hour can be quite costly. Now that you have an |
| Pipefitters will work with large buildings in the | | | | understanding of exactly what this trade entails, you |
| installation and maintenance of piping systems used | | | | may be a bit more receptive of the amount of |
| to generate electricity. Heating and cooling systems | | | | knowledge they require to do their job well. |