Plumbers are responsible for installing and maintaining sanitation, heating, and hot and cold water systems. Some plumbers may also work on sheet lead weathering systems used on the roofs of buildings.
The work may include:
- fitting pipework to baths, toilets, sinks, central heating boilers, water pumps, hot water storage cylinders and cold water storage cisterns
- emergency repair work
- fitting and jointing rainwater, soil and drainage pipes
- maintenance work, for example routine servicing on boilers and other appliances
- sheet leadwork, which involves making and fitting flashings or roof weatherings, to make joints between roof tiles or slates, chimneys and dormer windows.
Plumbers’ working hours are normally around 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. However, they have to be flexible and hours worked will depend on the project, priorities and deadlines. Self-employed plumbers, in particular, may have to work additional hours. Plumbers work both inside and outside, often in cramped and uncomfortable positions.
Salaries may range from around €12,000 for first-year apprentices to over €45,000 a year for experienced plumbers.
Plumbers should be:
- interested in practical work and possess good hand skills
- able to follow technical drawings, building plans, and other instructions
- careful, methodical and work safely at all times
- good at problem solving
- reasonably fit and have normal colour vision (for some work).
The main employers are general building contractors with large contracts for housing estates and office buildings, and smaller contractors who undertake work for building contractors and private clients. Many plumbers are self-employed.
To be considered for an Apprenticeship, individuals ordinarily need at to have completed the Leaving Cert including Maths (with at least a grade O5 (grade C3 pre-2017) in Ordinary Level Maths) and preferably Physics. Applicants also have to pass a colour vision test and a selection test.
Apprentices train on the job, spending time working alongside an experienced plumber. This is combined with off-the-job training, in the form of a day- or block-release course at college. Apprenticeships typically take four years to complete. On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Plumbing.
Plumbers can progress to technician- or supervisory-level jobs, or specialise in a specific area of work such as heating, ventilation, refrigeration or air conditioning. Some plumbers progress into design consultancy, teaching and management. Self-employed plumbers may run their own firms.
What is the work like?
Plumbing is a responsive and continually developing industry. In recent years environmental technologies have been integrated within the industry, and the modern plumber now undertakes a huge variety of jobs.
Plumbers work on sanitation, heating, and hot and cold water systems. They are responsible for installing and maintaining these systems. Some plumbers may also work on sheet lead weathering systems used on the roofs of buildings.
Plumbing work may include:
- fitting pipework to baths, toilets, sinks, central heating boilers, water pumps, hot water storage cylinders and cold water storage cisterns
- emergency repair work
- fitting and jointing rainwater, soil and drainage pipes
- maintenance work
- sheet leadwork, which involves making and fitting flashings or roof weatherings, to make joints between roof tiles or slates, chimneys and dormer windows.
Plumbers use a variety of hand and power tools to cut, bend, join and fix materials such as lead, copper, plastic, and iron/steel. They have to make sure their work is carried out safely and accurately, and that it complies with regulations.
Hours and environment
Working hours are normally around 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. However, plumbers have to be flexible and the hours worked will depend on the project, priorities and deadlines. They may sometimes have to work at weekends and at night. Many plumbers are self-employed and, as a result, working hours can vary from one week to another.
The job can involve working inside and outside, sometimes in cramped and uncomfortable positions. For some projects, ladders and scaffolding may be required.
Plumbers usually work locally, travelling from one project to the next. However, some firms may require plumbers to stay away from home for short or long periods.
Skills and personal qualities
Plumbers should be:
- practical and possess good hand skills
- able to follow technical drawings, building plans, and other instructions
- careful, methodical and work safely at all times
- able to measure accurately
- comfortable working at heights and prepared to work in all sorts of weather
- willing to work in confined spaces
- presentable with a pleasant manner
- good at written and verbal communication
- a good team player but also able to work on own initiative
- good at adapting to change
- good at analysing faults and solving problems.
Getting on
There are plenty of opportunities for progression in the plumbing industry. Plumbers can work towards technician- or supervisory-level jobs.
Some plumbers progress into design consultancy, teaching and management.
Self-employed plumbers may run their own specialist firms.
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