Plumber (Loodgieter)

Information on this skill...

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‎A plumber is an installer who works in installation technology. A plumber must be regarded as an all-round installer, who can be responsible for various activities. Think of installing heating installations, installing central heating boilers, installing gutters, processing zinc and installing drains and water pipes. The field of a plumber can be called broad and involves more than just being able to install and connect central heating systems. In general, a plumber is familiar with all forms of installation technology, because, for example, older installations can still be built from steel pipes. It is also important that a plumber understands how certain systems, such as a central heating system, drains and water pipes should be installed, so that no problems arise with the installation. A good installation, such as a central heating system and associated supply and discharges, can only function properly if it is installed in the right way. In most cases, a plumber will perform various jobs. Think, for example, of installing air conditioning systems, unclogging drains, installing taps and sinks and installing cogeneration installations. The name plumber in most cases means that it is an all-round professional within installation technology. A plumber takes his name from the past by casting lead and lead pipes. The strips were used to waterproof pipes. Nowadays, a plumber no longer works with lead water pipes, because this is prohibited. Water pipes nowadays consist of copper or plastic and not lead. Obviously, a plumber can have to deal with old lead water pipes. A plumber will also regularly have to deal with old cast iron drains.‎

‎A plumber is therefore an ‎‎installer‎‎, who in most cases must be regarded as an all-round professional. An important addition to this is that a plumber generally does not have to deal with electronic installations. However, a plumber can replace electronics such as ‎‎printed circuit boards‎‎, which are in a central heating boiler. A plumber is specialized in installations that have to do with water and gas. The profession of plumber is a beautiful and broad profession, because a plumber does more than just install and maintain ‎‎heating installations‎‎. A plumber also has a lot of knowledge with regard to installing ‎‎gas pipes‎‎, ‎‎water pipes‎‎ and ‎‎sewers‎‎. The correct and safe installation of gas pipes, water pipes and sewers concerns specialist work. Installing ‎‎plumbing‎‎ is also part of the work of a plumber. Other work performed by a plumber is making zinc gutters as a ‎‎zinc worker‎‎. As a plumber, you don't just have to deal with modern installations. For example, a plumber will regularly encounter water pipes, which are made of lead. Lead water pipes are no longer allowed, because lead is harmful to health. A plumber should replace lead water pipes with copper or plastic. Lead water pipes are not only harmful to health, but also have other problems. Because lead water pipes usually lie through a ‎‎beam layer‎‎ with a free span, they will eventually sag, which can cause cracks in the lead with leakage as a result. A repair to lead water pipes is difficult to make. It is therefore better to replace lead water pipes preventively. In the event of a leak with lead pipes‎‎, insurance can‎‎ also be difficult.‎

‎WHAT DOES A PLUMBER DO‎

‎In general, a plumber works for private individuals and a plumber has to deal with various activities. Think, for example, of installing ‎‎combined heat and power‎‎ installations, installing ‎‎air conditioning systems‎‎ and ‎‎unclogging sewers‎‎. Obviously, a plumber will also regularly have to deal with soldering water pipes or pipe fitting work. Pipe fitting work at private individuals in most cases relates to old gas pipes or water pipes, which are part of the heating system. In private individuals‎‎, pipe fitting is‎‎ almost non-existent. Within the industry, pipe fitting is common. In that case, it usually concerns thick-walled pipes, which are used to transport liquids or gases. Pipe fitting will also be used for large buildings. A plumber can be considered a ‎‎craftsman‎‎.‎

‎SOLDERING WATER PIPE‎

‎Soldering water pipes is not difficult, but requires a good approach. First, one will have to collect the right connectors and roughen them to get better adhesion. This means that the outside of the water pipe and the inside of the couplings must be sanded. Also, make sure that any burrs on the inside of the copper tube are gone. These can make noise when water flows or releases for a long time. Lubricate all parts with soldering grease and put the parts together. Then with a gas burner the pipe is called firing and adding the tin. It is not the intention to make the pipe red hot, because otherwise the tin will run away. If the tin has flowed out, it is important to stop heating the pipe, because otherwise the tin can run away. After soldering, it is important to cool the pipe with a damp cloth. In all cases, it is important to test soldered water pipes or gas pipes before they are concealed. If you want to know one hundred percent that a system is water or gas tight, you can also pressurize the system with air and a barometer. When soldering water pipes, it is important that there is no water present at the place where soldering is to be done. If this is the case, it is almost impossible to heat the pipe sufficiently hot, and the tin will not flow.‎

‎GENERAL TIPS FOR PIPES‎

‎When soldering water pipes or gas pipes, it is important to pay attention to ‎‎fire safety‎‎. This mainly relates to soldering between old beam layers. The fabric, old newspapers or other materials are often bone dry and catch fire quickly. If water pipes are going to be connected, it is important that work is done from large to small and not the other way around, such as from twelve millimeters to twenty-two millimeters. This is to prevent blockages (this also has rejuvenation). Make sure that a hot water pipe does not go tightly through a floor. If it is too tight, the pipe can start to tick annoyingly. It is best to keep a space of one centimeter around the pipe. If a hot water pipe is concealed in a wall, it is best to use a spacious jacket pipe.‎

‎INSTALLING A GAS PIPELINE‎

‎According to the ‎‎building decree‎‎, a new gas pipeline in houses must be provided with a ‎‎mantle pipe‎‎ in the event of an adjustment (renovation), which runs from the meter cupboard in one piece to the end of the gas pipeline. If there is a leak somewhere in the pipe, it can be smelled at the end of the mantle tube. In this way, it is impossible for gas to accumulate between the floor or ceiling, which in severe cases can lead to an explosion. Natural gas is odourless, but ‎‎natural gas‎‎ is supplied with tetrahydrothiophene, so that natural gas can be smelled. Most people know the smell of natural gas as rotten ‎‎eggs‎‎. This is done so that any gas leak can be noticed quickly. Utilities also check when installing new ‎‎gas meters‎‎ whether there is a gas leak.‎

‎REFILLING THE CENTRAL HEATING BOILER‎

‎Refilling a central heating system is not difficult and can be done by anyone provided that a number of things are monitored. If the pressure is too low, the boiler will fall into a malfunction program. In these types of cases, refilling the central heating system is sufficient to allow the central heating boiler to function again. A boiler must be refilled to 1.5 bar and no more. Make sure that the central heating boiler is not refilled higher, because the pressure can still increase during firing. If a central heating boiler has too much pressure, the pressure relief valve will pop open to automatically reduce the pressure in the system. Most modern central heating boilers are provided by a plumber with a filling tap and a water tap. There is often a short hose connected between them. In this case, one only needs to open the filling tap and open the water tap to fill the system. If the pressure is good, both taps can be closed. Most boilers will work on their own if the pressure is right. If there is no fixed connection to the boiler and one has to refill via a heater, it is important to let as much air as possible out of the hose before filling. The loss of pressure should not occur more often than once a year. If the system needs to be filled more often, there is usually something going on. Consider, for example, the expansion vessel that is leaking, or a coupling that is leaking. In the worst case, the central heating boiler needs to be replaced.‎

‎AIR IN THE HEATING SYSTEM‎

‎If a bubbling sound can be heard in the heating system, there is air in the pipes. To remove this air, it is best to turn the thermostat high and vent all radiators with the vent key. Do this until water comes out of the radiator. Sometimes it may be necessary to close other radiators, because the air lingers in a certain place. As a result, in many cases the air can still be removed in a forced way. To prevent these problems, one can also choose to place automatic vents in the system. These vents are then placed at the highest possible point between the supply and discharge pipes. If a heating system is ‎‎inexpertly‎‎ placed, removing air can be difficult. This is especially true if radiators and pipes are installed unnaturally. In case of serious venting problems, it is usually necessary to adjust the system. After venting, it may be necessary to refill the installation.‎

‎A PLUMBER CAN HELP WITH:‎

  • ‎Repair clogged or broken drains‎
  • ‎Replacing or repairing gutters‎
  • ‎Plumbing replacement or repair‎
  • ‎Maintenance of boilers or boilers‎
  • ‎Laying of pipes‎

‎WHAT DOES A PLUMBER DO:‎

‎PLUMBING TRAINING‎

‎In order to be able to work as a plumber, a training in ‎‎installation technology‎‎ will have to be followed. The training can take two to four years, depending on the level. During the training, the student plumber goes to school for one day and the plumber will work in practice for four days under the guidance of a ‎‎teacher‎‎. During the training, all parts of the course come to the fore, such as working on water pipes, gas pipes, climate systems and nowadays also modern techniques such as solar water heaters. In addition, there are also plenty ‎‎of external training institutes‎‎ where you can follow a course. Accounting is ‎‎also‎‎ important as an independent plumber.‎

‎COMPANIES WHERE A PLUMBER CAN BE EMPLOYED‎

‎In general, a plumber will work for a plumbing company within the installation industry. In addition, a plumber can work as an ‎‎entrepreneur‎‎. Nowadays there are relatively many plumbers working as independent entrepreneurs. A plumber is in many cases working for private individuals, but can also be hired by other installation companies. As an independent working plumber, it is important that you can be regarded as an all-round professional. As a plumber, it will also regularly happen that you work as ‎‎a breakdown mechanic‎‎.‎

‎COMPETENCES PLUMBER‎

‎The most important competence of a plumber is the all-round professional knowledge of the installation industry. In addition, it is important to work according to the regulations with regard to installations, so that installations can be used in a safe way. Another important competence is that a plumber must be regarded as an all-round ‎‎mechanic‎‎ and ‎‎technician‎‎, because a plumber has a lot to do with assembly work and technology. In general, a plumber will work a lot with different colleagues and deal with customers. It is therefore important that a plumber has good ‎‎communication‎‎ skills. Generally important words are ‎‎further training‎‎, sense of responsibility, reliability, ‎‎planning‎‎, organizing, independence, solution-oriented and advising. If a plumber works as an entrepreneur, ‎‎networking‎‎ can also be regarded as an important competence.‎

‎LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A PLUMBER‎

‎The labour market perspective of a plumber is good. Most companies within the installation industry are eager for well-trained plumbers and other installers. A plumber will therefore have no difficulty in obtaining ‎‎work‎‎. The career opportunities of a plumber should be seen in further specializing by obtaining additional training. Starting your ‎‎own plumbing business‎‎ can also be seen as growing within your career.‎

‎TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY PLUMBER‎

‎A plumber will in most cases fall under the collective labour agreement technical installation company, in which the employment conditions are regulated depending on the employer. An independently working lead vulture will have to determine his own terms of employment. A plumber will in most cases ‎‎earn‎‎ a salary between 2000 and 2600 gross per month, depending on age, experience and further responsibilities. An independently working plumber can generally earn more if you can get enough assignments. Of course, the income also depends on the expenses. Think, for example, of a workshop, office and ‎‎company bus‎‎.‎

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