Plumber

Description

A plumber will specialise in different aspects of plumbing work on a range of projects both internally and externally.

Projects can either be domestic or commercial.

The main duties of a plumber are as follows:

• • Installing water, drainage and heating systems
  • Finding and fixing faults
  • Servicing gas and oil-fired central heating systems and radiators
  • Installing and fixing domestic appliances like showers, cookers, gas fires and washing machines
  • Servicing air-conditioning and ventilation units
  • Dealing with emergency call-outs like boiler breakdowns or blocked drains
  • Fitting weather-proof materials, joints and flashings to roofs, chimneys and walls
  • Installing and servicing solar-powered heating systems

Hours 

The average working week for a Plumber is between 30 and 40 hours.

Typical Hourly Rate

The average hourly pay rate for a Plumber is between £13 and £20.

Required Qualifications

To work as a Plumber you will need to be either fully qualified or time served.

Qualifications include:

• • NVQs in plumbing work
  • Apprentice trained
  • Time served
  • City and Guilds qualified

References must be provided. You will also be required to hold a valid CSCS card. Skilled cards are required on most sites, however you may be permitted on site at the Contractor's discretion with a General Operatives green card.

Required Tools

The very basic tools that will be required by a plumber are:

• Pipe cutters
• Telescopic tube cutter
• Adjustable spanner (Large, medium and small)
• Adjustable pipe wrench
• Slip joint pliers
• Mole grips
• Blowlamp and gas
• Pipe bender

FAQs

• Do I need a CSCS card?

  Yes. To work as a Plumber you will need to hold a valid CSCS card.

• Do I need a gas safe card?

  Yes. To work as a Plumber you will need to hold a valid gas safe card if you’re working on heating systems.

• Do I have to provide my own tools?

  Yes. As a self-employed Plumber you are required to provide all your own tools. Materials will be provided by the hirer.

• Do I need experience?

  Yes. You will need to be competent and have a high quality of work to be engaged as a Plumber. You must be able to work equally well alone without guidance or as part of a team. You will also be asked to supply a minimum of two recent construction / plumbing related work references.