As skilled trade professionals, plumbers can benefit from meeting certain physical, mental, and legal requirements. Each type of plumbing project can require specialised skills (for example, gasfitting), while there are also skills that are essential for almost every job.
Keep reading to discover the skills needed to succeed in the plumbing industry, how you can improve via plumbing training, and how plumbers can benefit from reducing their risks with plumber insurance*.
What are plumbing skills?
As skilled professionals, plumbers will benefit from meeting certain physical, mental, and legal requirements in order to provide professional plumbing services. Plumbers may focus on residential or commercial projects, where they work with repairing existing plumbing systems or installing systems in newly constructed buildings. Each type of plumbing project can require specialised skills, while other plumbing skills are necessary regardless of the type of plumbing job.
Essential plumbing skills
Plumbing skills and traits include specific job-related knowledge, such as types of pipe fittings and how to use them, as well as general skills, such as time management. Here are examples of the basic plumbing skills and plumbing traits that will help you excel in your plumbing career.
1. Mechanical skills
Plumbers will benefit from being knowledgeable and adept at using various machinery and tools. Choosing appropriate tools and machinery ensures projects are completed efficiently and safely.
2. Physical skills
Plumbing can be a physically demanding job. As such, plumbers will need:
- Flexibility: Plumbers will need to be able to reach the appropriate areas, which are often under cabinets, underground, and in other tight
- Strength: Carrying large pipes, keeping equipment and tools steady for long periods, and tightening clamps and fittings requires physical strength.
- Fine motor skills: Plumbers work with small tools and parts and can benefit from having well-developed fine motor skills.
3. Application of plumbing principles
Understanding the basic principles of science and mathematics – such as water pressure and movement, physics, and geometry – can help plumbers prepare and plan for a job, much of which will be covered if you complete a Plumbing Certificate III.
4. Problem-solving
All plumbers should be well-versed in identifying problems, diagnosing the cause, and providing solutions. Plumbers often have to go through the problem-solving process quickly while they are in the middle of a project. This requires swift, logical reasoning, and sometimes creative thinking.
5. Administration
In addition to hands-on work, plumbers should be able to use basic computer programs such as word processing software and spreadsheet programs. This will come in handy when creating invoices for clients and when completing your tax return at the end of the financial year.
6. People skills
Plumbers can work with people from many different walks of life on any given project. They can benefit from honing their interpersonal skills so they can communicate effectively and professionally with clients and suppliers. Plumbers may be required to explain complicated ideas and processes in ways that non-plumbers will understand, while also discussing expected timelines and costs.
Have you secured your business with plumbing insurance?
No hardworking plumber wants to see their business get flushed down the drain – but that can be a real possibility if you haven’t taken steps to reduce your exposure to risk.
While “plumber’s insurance” is an umbrella term to describe the different types of insurance a plumber may find most helpful, BizCover offer a range of insurance products tradies may be interested in. Explore your business insurance options with BizCover today and discover just how fast, simple, and drama-free business insurance can be. Compare competitive business insurance quotes from Australia’s leading insurers online or call the BizCover team on 1300 920 868 and enjoy a better business insurance experience today.
*This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. © 2024 BizCover Pty Limited, all rights reserved. ABN 68 127 707 975; AFSL 501769.
