What are different plumbing services?

Although the term ‘plumber’ is widely used, it is by no means a one-size-fits-all occupation.

In fact, qualified plumbers can specialise in a variety of specific areas of the plumbing trade. Let’s examine the five main types of plumbers and what types of plumbing jobs they work on.

1. Drainage Companies

Blocked pipes and plumbing systems often raise their ugly heads. Drain flooding, clogs, slowness, and bad odours can all be the result of significant issues that only a trained plumber can resolve. Drainage plumbing services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintenance and repair of drains (residential and commercial).
• Maintenance, inspection, and testing sewer systems.
• Clearing and repairing underground sewers.
• Septic system installations and removals.
• Plumbing in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
• Sink unblocking.

2. Water Supply Services

Water supply issues are common. Backflows, leakages on slabs, and blockages are just some of the more serious problems plumbers encounter. Thankfully, there is a workable solution for every problem, and water supply plumbers are likely to know what that solution is. Water supply experts are typically involved in the following:

• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting hot/cold water supply (kitchen and bathrooms).
• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting hot water systems (both solar and conventional).
• Connecting rainwater tanks for flushing toilets and garden irrigation.

3. Gas Plumbing Services

Plumbers are not limited to installation, repair, and maintenance of water-related supply lines and pipes. Certain plumbers also get involved in other jobs as well, such as gas fitting.

Gas plumbing is a riskier side of plumbing because leaking gas can pose risks to human health. Unlike water-related plumbing problems, gas plumbers cannot postpone the repair schedule of gas-related plumbing, no matter how small the problem is.

Gas plumbers need to be certified and licensed to carry out gas plumbing. The type of work they may engage in is as follows:

• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting BBQs, cookers, hot water heaters, and ovens.
• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting natural gas fitting and LPG lines.
• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting gas fireplaces.

Recommended reading: How to Get a Plumbing Licence in NSW?

4. Mechanical Services

Heating, air ventilation, and cooling systems are integral elements of residential and commercial buildings. These systems need to be regularly inspected by qualified plumbers to ensure they are operating as they should. The mechanical services scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Installation, maintenance, repair, inspection, and testing of heating units – ducted, hydronic, swamp coolers, space heater, and split systems.
• Installation and fabrication of sheet metal ductwork.

5. Emergency Plumbing Services

Since plumbing problems can occur at any time, most can be resolved quickly and easily. However, although most people are aware of the risk of plumbing-related emergencies, many are not prepared for the stress such emergencies can cause. Emergency plumbing services are on call to remedy any issues in the quickest possible time, including

• All plumbing fixtures.
• Sewer and stormwater drains.
• Generators
• Skylights and vents in the roof.

Plumbers can encounter many different problems every single day. Some are easy to troubleshoot and fix, but others require major parts to be replaced or repaired.

Whichever type of plumbing services your business offers, if you’re after a watertight plumbing insurance* policy for your business we have you covered. Our online service model is quick and easy to use, so let us do the shopping around for you. Go online or give us a bell on 1300 920 864 to find out how we can help protect your plumbing business.