After someone dedicates a good amount of time and experience to plumbing, they’ll inevitably learn a few things. Here are some of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way.
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It’s a dirty job.
One of the things about plumbing is it always seems like it’s in a dirtier type of place. A lot of times the plumbing is located in a crawlspace, behind a wall, or under a sink. These are usually difficult places to get to, which might be too small to work freely. It ends up making the plumbing job rather complex. Since we’re often dealing with sewage or sewage pipes, it can definitely end up being a very dirty job.
Staying comfortable is a challenge.
There’s usually water involved in the job, and whenever you’re dealing with water it can be very challenging to maintain a comfortable environment. It’s easier during the summer when it’s nice and hot, but not in the winter (especially in the outdoors).
It can be hard on your body.
You have to be careful to protect your respiratory system from solvents and other chemicals. You’re also on your knees while performing a lot of plumbing work, so your knees and back can give out.
You have to work smart and read instructions.
There are lots of different types of products and components in the plumbing system. Even though you might have been plumbing for years, you’ll still regularly run into something new. Before you just go tearing into something and making a mess, you’ll have to use your head and work smarter. I often tell my guys to work smart, and then work hard. Using your head is probably the biggest thing I’ve taken away during my experience in plumbing.
There’s an old adage that men never read the instructions. That’s definitely something you have do do in the plumbing world because of all the different faucets, toilets, and fixtures made from various manufacturers. Reading the instructions is the best way to make sure that you don’t miss anything important. Because it can be very hard to get a replacement if you scratch a fixture or shower door, sometimes just reading the instructions can save you from making a costly mistake.
Plumbing is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. If you want to work with a team that learns lessons like these each and every day, reach out to us by contacting us online or giving us a call at 540-483-9382.
