How to Become A Plumber

As a maintenance plumber, you’ll often react to call-outs and repair, typically the smaller jobs ignored by bigger businesses but incredibly important to homeowners.

From fixing a leaking tap to unblocking pipes, working as a maintenance plumber is an excellent step into the industry, allowing you to perfect essential plumbing skills and knowledge.

As a gas and plumbing engineer, you’ll be experienced in domestic plumbing work and qualified in gas engineering.

You’ll be installing boilers and gas cookers while also laying piping for new radiators. Joining the Gas Safe Register is often the next step for those who’ve been working in the plumbing industry for a few years – enabling them to learn new skills and increase earning potential.

Learn more about our ACS Domestic Gas Training Course.

A Renewables Specialist installs Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps and other equipment forms that utilise renewable energy.

To undertake the course, you must first hold ACS Gas Qualifications. 

Many engineers keen to future-proof themselves realise they must complement other traditional plumbing and gas repairs with renewables.

Learn more about our: Renewables Training Package

A bathroom or kitchen fitter will install and maintain pipework and sanitary ware.

Additionally, they will usually have other skills, including design, knowledge of Building and Water Regulations, Tiling, Carpentry, plus the knowledge and skills of a general builder.

A Drainage Engineer will typically specialise in clearing blockages from drains and repairing or replacing collapsed drains. They are often well equipped and will own costly specialist equipment.

Whilst many plumbers will deal with blocked sinks or toilets internally, quite often, the cause of the blockage is traced to an external drain. Usually, this will then require the engineer to carry expensive, specialist equipment, e.g., High-Pressure Jetting Machines, CCTV cameras or even drain lining repair kits.

For this reason, many plumbers leave this type of work to specialist companies that can investigate and undertake comprehensive investigations, solutions and repairs where necessary. 

A First Fix plumber will typically work with a builder or on a building site. They will work with other trades as a house is being built, normally installing pipework and sanitary ware, before or in conjunction with other trades such as carpenters, plasters etc.

A plumber involved in this type of work is usually experienced and quick. The role does not usually include repairs and maintenance, and typically there is no interaction with customers or the general public. A plumber must carry a CSCS Plumbing card to work on many building sites. 

As a manager, you’ll be in charge of a team within a company. Not only will you need excellent plumbing skills for this role, but you’ll also require management skills.

As you’ll be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day functions of a team, you need to ensure they’re trained and doing their jobs as expected and handle any issues that may arise.

Once you’ve gained the skills and qualifications required to work in plumbing, you may look into self-employment and launch a business of your own.

There are numerous benefits to being a business owner, including complete control of your career and high earning potential.