plumber

For a colloquial American use, see White House Plumbers; in London, see Worshipful Company of Plumbers.

A plumber is a tradesman who specialises in installing and maintaining systems used for plumbing, heating, drainage, potable (drinking) water or industrial process plant piping.^[1] (In most jurisdictions the piping for heating systems are installed by steam-fitters, pipefitters or gas-fitters.)

Plumbers install and repair pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values:

• Reading blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine layout of plumbing systems, water supply networks and waste and drainage systems
• Installing repairing and maintaining domestic, commercial or industrial plumbing fixtures and systems
• Locating and marking positions for pipe connections, passage holes and fixtures in walls and floors
• Measuring, cutting, bending and threading pipes using hand and power tools or machines
• Testing pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges
• Communicating with co-workers, other trades and contractors
• Planning and performing complex calculations for specialized projects
• Costing and estimating the work to be performed

Trivia

• "If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances." -Albert Einstein, The Reporter, 18 November 1954^{(dubious assertion—see talk page)}

Shortly after making this remark, the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, A.F.L. in Washington, D.C. voted to grant Einstein an honorary membership. Einstein was reportedly well pleased with this honor.^{(dubious assertion—see talk page)}

• The word "plumber" comes from the Latin word plumbum meaning "lead".

• The character of Nintendo's mascot Super Mario is a plumber.

• People who install lead roofing are sometimes called plumbers.^{citation needed]}

See Also

• United Association

References

1. ^ The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

External links

• United Association