Plumbers....I want to be one

bakes0310 · 28 Mar 2010 at 21:25

Starting in september i will be doing a Level 1 Plumbing Course at my local college. But september is along way off so i wouldnt mind doing some reading on plumbing so i know some basics. I already go on a plumbers forum which is very helpful.
So is there any books that are worth a read or have any of you got any advice.

Efour · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:18

When you qualify can you come fix my toilet please.

Efour · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:19

Infact if you want to practice on my toilet ill pay for the parts.

Efour · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:19

i get so lonely at night if i paid a bit more would you stay the night?

Cyanide · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:19

Gas fittings where it's at, plumbers get lumped with the smelly stuff that you really don't want to be doing.

Long hours, hard work, fierce competition etc etc

Mobius 1 · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:23

Efour2 said:
i get so lonely at night if i paid a bit more would you stay the night?

and kidnap him, misery style

Tom0 · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:24

Danm54 · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:46

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

'want to be a plumber' :rolleyes:

No, seriously, gas work is fine except is boring as hell, do you seriously want to be servicing/repairing 7-8 boilers 5 days a week? You get asked the same questions in every house and despite working in lots of houses, its a very lonely job.

Plumbing and heating is your bread and butter, its always there to fall back on and you'll always be needed.

I don't care what people say, work for someone else, then its not your problem if work dries up or people dont pay their bill etc. You work 8-5 and thats it, no worrying about if you've got enough work to pay yourself.

Then theres the gas safe certificate and the seperate modules for different appliances, unvented hot water etc etc, the list of courses to be able to fit things is endless, work for yourself and you foot the bill for them, plus loss of earnings. You wont leave college with qualifications to do everything.

Ive been plumbing for 8 years now and i cant say id want to do anything else and i do quite like my job, but i have variety, everything from servicing to bathrooms, rads, full central heating, new builds, Range cookers (Rayburns, Aga's etc) boiler changes, wiring heating systems, we make good everything when we've finished so a bit of brick laying, plastering etc.

As for books, R.D Treloar, Plumbing and gas installations, my bible when i was at college. If you can get a Viper Gas book that'll be a good read for you as well.

Good luck

Cosimo · 28 Mar 2010 at 22:50

Efour2 said:
Infact if you want to practice on my toilet ill pay for the parts.

I’ll practice in your loo but you will need more than spare parts.

bakes0310 · 29 Mar 2010 at 11:02

Danm54 said:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

'want to be a plumber'

No, seriously, gas work is fine except is boring as hell, do you seriously want to be servicing/repairing 7-8 boilers 5 days a week? You get asked the same questions in every house and despite working in lots of houses, its a very lonely job.

Plumbing and heating is your bread and butter, its always there to fall back on and you'll always be needed.

I don't care what people say, work for someone else, then its not your problem if work dries up or people dont pay their bill etc. You work 8-5 and thats it, no worrying about if you've got enough work to pay yourself.

Then theres the gas safe certificate and the seperate modules for different appliances, unvented hot water etc etc, the list of courses to be able to fit things is endless, work for yourself and you foot the bill for them, plus loss of earnings. You wont leave college with qualifications to do everything.

Ive been plumbing for 8 years now and i cant say id want to do anything else and i do quite like my job, but i have variety, everything from servicing to bathrooms, rads, full central heating, new builds, Range cookers (Rayburns, Aga's etc) boiler changes, wiring heating systems, we make good everything when we've finished so a bit of brick laying, plastering etc.

As for books, R.D Treloar, Plumbing and gas installations, my bible when i was at college. If you can get a Viper Gas book that'll be a good read for you as well.

Good luck

Cheers for a very good post. Thats what i had in mind to work for someone else, maybe until i had some years experience then go off on my own but ill see how i get on. And as for a being a lonely job i can cope with that being a bit of loner myself

Ill take a look at that book, ive also found one myself thats been recommended so ill get them aswell called plumbing encyclopedia.