Opportunities in Plumbing

An article reveals the wide opportunities awaiting for plumbers in coming years.

When choosing a business you want to start or pursue, the opportunities are huge and there are a wide variety of business models that you should consider before deciding on one.

Discussed below you will find statistics and analysis of the plumbing training as a business opportunity for you. Government economists expect average job growth for plumbers, compared to growth in other careers, through 2014. You should find plenty of work if you choose plumbing, because there won?t be enough job hunters to take all of the open positions.

The average yearly salary for plumbers is about 27K GBP. Keep in mind that apprentices start work at half the salary earned by experienced workers. You can expect to receive raises throughout your training though, often every six months. Interestingly both men and women are suited for the plumbing profession and as the above shows it pays more than various other professions.

The above makes it clear that the plumbing industry and the requirement for plumbers is growing and will grow in the near future. The plumber?s need to be trained for the above and hence plumbing training opens a host of opportunities for you.

Prince Mathew is a freelance writer of Fast Plumb, offers you plumbing training with plumbing franchisee business options. The Fastplumb package has been designed and will enable you to start your own plumbing business with the well-known brand of Fast Plumb. The Fast Plumb franchisees are offered with training from professionals and after the successful completion of the training you are allocated a territory not allocated to anyone else

Cleaning or Plumbing: You Make the Call

Most men feel that they cannot escape spring cleaning. It shouldn't be like that though. We have rights too!
As we gradually become accustomed to the fact that the spring season is upon us, we men are getting that twitch. It is the same twitch that plagues us every year when the women start mentioning spring cleaning and we start making excuses. More often than not, however, our excuses dont work and we get sucked into the frenzy like a torpedo in a giant toilet.

Now, when I say we, I am of course referring to those men that are bound to a woman. Being that I live alone, spring cleaning consists of washing my sheets. And I don't event do that myself. The people at the Laundromat are happy enough to do it in exchange for a few dollars. But that is not the point. We (again, not me) dont use Laundromats. We have our (same implication) sheets cleaned at home.

Anyways, a torpedo in a toilet is bad news. Id call a plumber. But you shouldnt! This is your chance to evade spring cleaning! You will become a plumber this spring! While everyone is making things nice and pretty, you will learn about sewage and pipes. Lead pipes! Which poison your water! Boy, isnt this exciting?

Ok, the first thing you need to know about plumbing is how water works. Water is usually a clear, odorless substance, primarily a liquid, which flows freely. However, as a plumber, this is not the water you will see. The water we will learn about is plumbing water, a dark, dirty, smelly goo, that must be forced through pipes by means of plungers and snakes (mechanical plumbers snakes, that is well deal with the other kind soon).

When dealing with water, you always want to wear gloves. I suggest strong rubber gloves with a good grip. These make it easier to remove the larger, solid pieces of water. A good beginners' plumbing exercise is to take a large bucket of plumbing water, then with your gloves remove as many solid pieces as you can. If you are good enough, you will be able to suck this water through a drinking straw. Personally, I wouldn't, though. It's just not my taste.

The next thing you must learn about is pipes. Pipes are what get clogged in order to prevent water from reaching its destination. But before you start ripping out all the pipes in your house, let me remind you that pipes also prevent water from reaching unwanted destinations, such as your brand new sofa. There is no need to practice any exercises with pipes, as the drinking straw in the previous exercise should have taught you all you need to know.

Now we come to the most crucial part of our crash-course on plumbing: Stuffed toilets. This is an area of great mystery, mainly because there is no way to know what the toilet is stuffed with. There are two types of stuffed toilets, your slow-flusher and your no-flusher. The latter one is also known as the up-chucker. In the case of a slow-flusher, all thats required is a temporary fix. This can be accomplished quite simply by plunging the toilet with a plunger (rubber end down) several times.

After several fixes of a slow-flusher ($149 per incident), the toilet will most likely regress to a no-flusher. This is probably one of the most traumatic experiences for a toilet owner, and as a professional plumber, you should calm everyone down by bending over the toilet and allowing the back of your pants to drop several inches. A no-flusher can have two stages. The first stage, known as Flush One is when the water level in the toilet reaches the top of the bowl and does not fall. Not all no-flushers enter this stage; some go straight to the next stage, known as The Over-Abundance. This is when all the water in the bowl spills out over the bathroom floor, creating quite a mess (if your wife or girlfriend is still doing spring cleaning, invite them in to take care of this). In any case, your job is now to get the water back where it belongs, namely, in the pipes. This is where the plumbers snake comes in handy. Lower the coil into the toilet, turn the handle several times, and pull it out. What happens? Send me an email letting me know I have never tried this.

About the Author

Aaron currently works as a software/web developer and writes in his free time. He also runs a growing web-based discussion forum at http://www.chitchatforums.com. His personal work is on display at http://www.spetnik.com.

Thawing Frozen Pipes Without a Plumber

After a hard long day, isn't it nice to wind down with a nice hot bath or shower? What happens in the winter though, when you go to turn on that water, only to find out that your pipes are frozen? Below are some tips on how to thaw those pipes and some tips on how to prevent them from freezing, without having to call a plumber.

Your first concern should whether or not pipes have or will crack or burst. As water freezes it expands, which could mean trouble for your pipes. Be sure to turn all faucets that are affected on. This will help to relieve pressure and also let you know as pipes become unfrozen. This may also help with the thawing process as moving water can help break up the ice - especially the hot water.

The next thing you need to do is locate that frozen pipe or pipes. Start by searching for any exposed piping, especially next to any uninsulated foundation walls or exterior walls. Also look under sink and vanity cabinets as they can be shut off from room heat. To limit potential damage (if the pipe has cracked), cut off the water supply to that pipe, either at a local valve or the main water supply.

Now to the act of thawing those pipes. Use of tools that require an electrical outlet can be used but exercise extreme caution - water and electricity is a dangerous combination. But such tools that can be employed are: hair dryers, heat lamps, electrical heat tapes and space heaters. What is most recommended is wrapping the pipes in towels soaked with hot water. Re-submerge the towels into hot water every few minutes or pour hot water over them every few minutes. Tools such as torches or heating guns are not recommended. They are a high fire hazard and can create an excess of steam in the pipe, causing it to burst.

To help prevent your pipes from freezing you can do a few things. You can go to your local hardware store and purchase electric-heating tape or insulation for your pipes. Also make sure all areas with exposed pipe are protected from freezing whether. This may entail sealing off any crawl spaces, making sure windows are not cracked or using a space heater in some areas which do not get good protection.

Best Plumbing Resource is your guide for plumbing tips and finding a plumber within your area.

Plumbing Schools Train for Lifelong Careers

Plumbers are not only those people who fit pipes and unclog drains in private homes, plumbers also are pipelayers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Plumbing Schools train to install, maintain, and repair various types of pipe systems for various needs.

Plumbing Schools train in laying pipe systems that dispose of waste products; provide gas to stoves, heaters, and furnaces; and pipelines for cooling systems. Plumbing Schools also train in metal fabrication for applications in power plants, for pipes that convey steam that power turbines to produce electricity or heat. Plumbers apply their trade in manufacturing plants, laying pipes to move materials along production lines. Pharmaceutical and computer-chip manufacturing industries also provide occupations for plumbers.

Plumbing Schools prepare graduates with the theory and knowledge of plumbing for entry-level position in the plumbing industries. Plumbing Schools train for lifelong careers with practical skills, education, and real-world experience.

Pipefitting and Plumbing School programs prepare students with courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, safety, and industrial and plumbing codes. Students also learn to interpret blueprints, and get hands-on experience using components of various types of pipes and fittings. The tools used in the trade are also studied and applied in laboratory settings.

Graduates often enter into apprenticeship programs for approximately four years, though Plumbing Schools can provide skills that allow for obtaining a license, and entrance into employment in some areas of the plumbing field.

Plumbers may work in different areas of the field, such as gas installation, refrigeration, water supply, or pipe welding. Most programs focus on residential or commercial buildings, but some Plumbing Schools prepare students with competencies in sheet metal fabrication and soldering, as well as installation of hot water and heating systems.

Plumbers generally work in commercial and residential settings, installing and maintaining water and waste systems. Pipelayers with knowledge and expertise in fabrication build pipelines that transport gas, oil, and chemicals to supply stations. Pipefitters and steamfitters work in industrial and power plants environments.

Plumbing fields may sound like an unpleasant occupation, but they can be very lucrative. Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters can be very well paid. Entry-level positions can net $30,000. Experience, education, and expertise in some fields of plumbing will earn several times that amount.

If you are interested in learning more about Plumbing Schools and other types of schools, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

DIY Heating and Plumbing: The Best Ways to Learn

If you are interested in doing DIY heating and plumbing, you first have to learn how to do the heating and plumbing yourself. There are many ways that you can teach yourself how to do this so that you will not have to hire contractors to do it for you, or you can go to school and learn how to do this the right way as well. Maybe a community college in your are will teach you how to do heating and plumbing for your home, and then you could also do it for other people as well if this were a career that you were interested in pursuing. However, not everyone has the time or the money to go to school to learn how to keep up their own home. There are other ways to learn to do these things yourself, and they are listed below.

Learning DIY heating and plumbing can be as easy as searching on the internet to find instructions to do what you need to do. You will find that there are several website that offer DIY information and instructions, and you will have to make sure that you are getting accurate information to be sure that you are doing the job correct. The best way to be sure of this is to go to a website that you know and trust for this information, and you will not go wrong. Be sure to print out the instructions, as well as any pictures that might be crucial to your getting the job done as well.

You can also go to the library to learn DIY heating and plumbing. You will find that there are many books available on this subject, and you will be able to pick and choose the ones that apply to your job that you need to get done. Be sure that you check them out or make photocopies of the instructions that you will need so that you can refer back to them while you are in the middle of the job.

You can ask someone that does this for a living the best to get a DIY heating and plumbing job done yourself. Make sure that you ask someone that is good at what they do, so that you get accurate advice and to ensure that you get the job done yourself the right way in the first place. Or otherwise, you might be calling back the professional to get the job done for you.

There are several ways that you can learn the techniques to DIY heating and plumbing. You will find that everything that you learn will be valuable to you at one time or another, and you will be so glad that you took the time to do this job yourself.

Carl has been a professional plumber in a company he owns for more than 10 years not only is he experience in unclogging just about anything but also an expert in installing plumbing fixtures and installing new water lines. Carl will give you some helpful tips on plumbing installation when you visit http://www.alliedesolutions.com

Plumbing Basics – Installing a Bathtub

Installing a bathtub isn't exactly rocket science, but it does require solid plumbing, carpentry, and sometimes, tiling skills. Replacing an old bathtub with a new one is also a moderately difficult project. If the old tub is readily accessible, the project can move speedily; if you have to open a wall to remove the old tub and position the new bathtub, the task is much harder. In either case, the project is within a home handyman's skills, although you will need a helper to move out the old tub and set in the new one. Make sure you have qualified yourself for the job and are comfortable attempting it. Rather than hiring a contractor to take over a halfway-completed project, it is better to consider employing one before you begin. Chances are you may need a professional plumber to make tube connections.

This article will help you install a new bathtub in your bathroom if you have already bought a new tub and don’t need to change the arrangement of your previous water supply pipes.

Your tools and material checklist should comprise the following:

New Bathtub
Hammer
Pipe Wrenches
Prybar
Safety Glasses
Level
Pliers
Adjustable Wrench
Putty Knife
Screwdriver
Cold Chisel
Tape Measure
Pipe Caps
 

Preparing for the Installation

Firstly, the supporting frame supplied with the bath should be fitted (if required) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Next, fit the taps or mixer to the bathtub. When fitting the tap block, it is important to make sure that if the tap comes with a plastic washer, it is fitted between the bath and the taps. On a plastic bath, it is also sensible to fit a supporting plate under the taps unit to prevent strain on the bathtub.

Fit the flexible tap connectors to the bottom of the two taps using 2 nuts and olives (sometimes supplied with the tub).

Fit the plug-hole outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet hole, and then pass the outlet through the hole in the bath. Use the nut supplied by the manufacturer to fit the plug-hole. Examine the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipe.

Next, fit the end of the flexible overflow pipe to the overflow outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which should be fitted inside the bath. Make sure you use all of the supplied washers.

Connect the trap to the bottom of the waste outlet on the bathtub by winding the thread of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the outlet. Connect the bottom of the overflow tube in a similar manner.

The bath should now be ready to be fitted in its final position.

Removing Old Taps

If you need to replace old taps with new ones as a part of your installation, then the first thing you should do is disconnect the water supply. After doing so, turn on the taps to drain any water remaining in the system. The process of removing the existing taps can be quite problematic due to the restricted access that is often the case.

Use a basin wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to undo the nut that connects the supply pipes to the taps. Have a cloth ready for the remaining water that will come from the pipes. Once the supply pipes have been removed, use the same tool to loosen the nut that holds the taps onto the bath/basin. You will need to stop the single taps from turning during this process. Once the taps have been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be cleaned of any old sealing compound.

Before moving on to fit the new taps, compare the pipe connections on the old taps to the new taps. If the old taps are longer than the new taps, then a shank adapter is required for the new taps to fit.

Installing the Bathtub

Using the two wooden boards under its feet, place the bathtub in the required position. The wooden boards are helpful in evenly spreading the weight of the bathtub over the area of the boards instead of focusing all the weight onto four small points.

The next goal is to ensure that the bathtub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by checking the spirit level and adjusting the feet on the bathtub until the spirit level reads level.

To install taps, fit the bottom of the furthest flexible tap connector to the appropriate supply pipe by making a compression join; then do the same for the other tap.

Switch on the water supply and check all joints and new pipework for leaks and tighten them if necessary. Fill the bathtub and also check the overflow outlet and the normal outlet for leaks.

Finally, fix the bath paneling as described in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Tiling and sealing around the bathtub should wait until the bathtub has been used at least once as this will settle it into its final position.

Fitting New Taps

If the tails of the new taps are plastic, then you will need a plastic connector to prevent damage to the thread. One end of the connector fits on the plastic tail of the tap and the other end provides a connection to the existent supply pipes.

If you need to fit a monobloc, then you will require reducing couplers, which connects the 10mm pipe of the monobloc to the standard 15mm supply pipe.

Next, position the tap in the mounting hole in the bath/basin ensuring that the washers are in place between the tap and the sink. Secure the tap in place with the manufacturer provided backnut. Once the tap is securely in place, the supply pipes can be connected to the tails of the taps. The taps can either be connected by using corrugated copper piping or with normal tap connectors. The former type should be connected to the tap ends first, tightening only by hand. The supply pipes can later be connected to the other end. Tighten both ends with a spanner after both ends have been connected.

Tiling Around the Bathtub

In the area where the bath meets the tile, it is necessary to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is important as the fitting can move enough to crack a rigid seal, causing the water to penetrate the wall between the bath and the tiling, leading to complications with dampness and possible leaks to the ceiling below.

You can choose from a variety of coloured sealants to blend in your fixtures and fittings. They are sold in tubes and cartridges, and are capable of sealing gaps up to a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a larger gap to fill, you can fill it with twists of soaked newspaper or soft rope. Remember to always fill the bathtub with water before sealing, to allow for the movement experienced when the tub is in use. The sealant can crack fairly early if you do not take into account this movement before sealing.

Alternatively, ceramic coving or quadrant tiles can be used to edge the bath or shower tray. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and cut to size, are also easily available on the market. It is advisable to fit the tiles using water-resistant or waterproof adhesive and grout.

Ray Dobson is the managing Director of WD Bathrooms based in Sheffield. For a wide range of bathroom supplies visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Bathroom_Suites.html or alternatively for our full range of products and more useful articles visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk

Is your Plumbing Business Leaking Money?

Any Plumbing business Website not linked into other websites of Industry specialists is leaking money. Any plumbing business not using an Email address in their advertising campaigns is suffering a major money break.

To date, there has not been any organization to show Plumbers how to link together with other trades and their websites. Plumbers need to advertise and market their services better and to understand how linking their websites provides the strength that the World Wide Web now demands.

All the Search Engines on the ‘net have changed their search criteria and if you aren’t linked, you simply don’t get ranked beyond the 100,000,000’nth place. And precious few people look beyond the first 10 to 20 names. People simply haven’t got the time or patience required to search so far.

Constructing Profits shows Plumbers how to advertise their services better through their website and seminars.

Because each Trade in the Building Industry has its own professional Associations, the desire to link with each other simply hasn’t been required. This requirement probably hasn’t been realized yet because everyone is too busy looking after their own people and that is as it should be.

The WWW is now a very demanding monster that is based on content and relevancy. The deciding fact for relevancy is now very much dependent on who links to whom. And this is where constructing profits can provide the relevant ‘glue’ to all the different trade associations, or to independent websites, so that relevancy is established.

We need to construct our own industry network web within the WWW.

Something else that I have found in my recent research is that many (far too many!) Plumbers in Australia don’t even list an Email address in their Yellow Pages advertisements. In today’s world this could almost be called “Business suicide”.

If you are unfamiliar with the ‘net, that is still not a reason for not having an E-mail address to take requests in a written format for a job. You don’t have to have a website to have an E-mail address but you do have to have an E-mail address if you want your business to grow.

The other advantage is to being able to take job requests in writing to protect you legally. If something goes horribly wrong with a job, and you have the job request in writing, you then have legal proof of what the job request entailed.

Many people will write an E-mail but they won’t write a letter. In fact, I would recommend every acceptance of a quote for a job is confirmed by E-mail.

Constructing profits is showing Plumbing and construction contractors how to “link up” to make more profit and spend less hours doing it.

By constructing our own network web within the WWW we gain industry relevancy in the Search Engine algorithms which translates into more jobs from our Email and Websites and more profit for our various businesses.

Constructing profits in a business is the foundation of a sustainable business.

http://www.constructingprofits.com Showing contractors how to make more money ~ working less hours!

Hiring A Plumber - What You Should Know

If there’s a water leak, repairing faucets, fixtures and pipes can be quite urgent – and may require a plumber’s immediate attention. If you discover a leak, it is best to shut the water while waiting for a plumber to arrive, to prevent further water damage. The quickest way to stop water leaking from the pipes is to shut off the water supply from the main valve, then go to the lowest point in the house and open a faucet. Gravity will force the remaining water to drain out the faucet, minimizing the water that can escape through the leak.

Ask how to prevent recurring problems

For basic plumbing services, such as leak repair or installing new fixtures or traps, you’ll pay $45 to $65 per hour, plus parts, if necessary. For weekend or night calls, you can expect to pay as much as $100 just for the call and then $75 per hour. Even at these rates it is a good idea to ask what the options are for repairs and parts, and how to prevent any problems from recurring.

Calling a plumber for an emergency job will cost you more. But remember that you’re paying for their time to drive to and from your home, picking up parts and for them being on call. For a plumber specializing in drain-clearing services, you will pay at least $70 per hour for drain lines and $125 per hour for sewer lines. For weekend or night calls, add $30 per hour. But before you take out a second mortgage, you should know that most problems can be fixed in about an hour.

Hourly rates are often calculated differently

When hiring a plumber, it seems reasonable to hire a reputable, licensed plumber with the best hourly rate. The problem arises because plumbers count hours in different ways. For example, some plumbers will have lower hourly rates but charge for their driving time, while others charge what seems like an exorbitant hourly rate, but only start the clock once they arrive at your home. Others may charge an additional fee just for showing up. These are important differences to clear up before making your decision.

Have a plumber handy

When hiring a plumber, make sure they have a valid license, if required in your state. There is usually a phone number you can call to verify that the license is current and that there are no complaints against it. Any plumber you hire should have a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance and a current worker’s compensation policy. Once you find a plumber you’re satisfied with, keep his number handy for emergencies. In an emergency, it’s better to call someone who already knows you than a complete stranger.

Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer for http://www.Contractors.com and http://www.ContractorGuide.com You can find his articles and many others in the Utilities/HVAC/Fireplace category of ContractorGuide.com

Hiring A Plumber - What You Should Know

If there’s a water leak, repairing faucets, fixtures and pipes can be quite urgent – and may require a plumber’s immediate attention. If you discover a leak, it is best to shut the water while waiting for a plumber to arrive, to prevent further water damage. The quickest way to stop water leaking from the pipes is to shut off the water supply from the main valve, then go to the lowest point in the house and open a faucet. Gravity will force the remaining water to drain out the faucet, minimizing the water that can escape through the leak.

Ask how to prevent recurring problems

For basic plumbing services, such as leak repair or installing new fixtures or traps, you’ll pay $45 to $65 per hour, plus parts, if necessary. For weekend or night calls, you can expect to pay as much as $100 just for the call and then $75 per hour. Even at these rates it is a good idea to ask what the options are for repairs and parts, and how to prevent any problems from recurring.

Calling a plumber for an emergency job will cost you more. But remember that you’re paying for their time to drive to and from your home, picking up parts and for them being on call. For a plumber specializing in drain-clearing services, you will pay at least $70 per hour for drain lines and $125 per hour for sewer lines. For weekend or night calls, add $30 per hour. But before you take out a second mortgage, you should know that most problems can be fixed in about an hour.

Hourly rates are often calculated differently

When hiring a plumber, it seems reasonable to hire a reputable, licensed plumber with the best hourly rate. The problem arises because plumbers count hours in different ways. For example, some plumbers will have lower hourly rates but charge for their driving time, while others charge what seems like an exorbitant hourly rate, but only start the clock once they arrive at your home. Others may charge an additional fee just for showing up. These are important differences to clear up before making your decision.

Have a plumber handy

When hiring a plumber, make sure they have a valid license, if required in your state. There is usually a phone number you can call to verify that the license is current and that there are no complaints against it. Any plumber you hire should have a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance and a current worker’s compensation policy. Once you find a plumber you’re satisfied with, keep his number handy for emergencies. In an emergency, it’s better to call someone who already knows you than a complete stranger.

Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer for http://www.Contractors.com and http://www.ContractorGuide.com You can find his articles and many others in the Utilities/HVAC/Fireplace category of ContractorGuide.com