Updated May 2019
If you have been looking for a new career and have been looking for a job that is in high demand, you may have realized that being a plumber fits into that area. Department of Labor statistics project that this will be a high growth field from 2010 through 2020.
So you may be asking yourself, is being a plumber for me? Will I like the job? Do I have what it takes to make a good plumber?
Obviously, you need to get training, but what qualities should you have?
Are You a Mechanically Inclined?
Do you like to know how things work physically? Do you like to tinker with stuff? Have you ever changed your own oil or even looked under the hood of your car to troubleshoot anything?
Plumbers on a daily basis work not only with their analytical mind to try to understand problems and figure out solutions, but they must also understand the mechanics of the system they are troubleshooting. An understanding or desire to learn about the basic mechanics of what makes a water valve work, what type of tubing is best for a certain application, and such are a few of the many aspects of the mechanics and technical concepts involved in the plumbing trades.
Do You Have Common Sense?
Plumbers must also be practical and apply common sense to their daily work. Did you shut off the water supply prior to tearing out the sink or valve? Is this the only leak I’m dealing with? Did you test your solution to ensure the problem was properly corrected? A plumber that does not take all factors of the situation into hand can put out shoddy work and not even realize it. As with any profession, your work is your reputation and the best advertising you can buy is good word of mouth.
Are You in Good Shape?
It is necessary for a plumber to be in good shape. Plumbers often find themselves in situations where he/she must exert themselves physically. Whether it’s crouching uncomfortably under a sink, crawling under a house, working atop a roof, plumbers often need to use body parts that many others do not on a regular basis. To minimize the chance of injury plumbers should be in good shape..
Do You Have Good Communications Skills?
Plumbers need to not only listen well so as to understand the problem and make the customer feel comfortable about your abilities, but you must also be able to communicate to the customer what the nature of the problem is, the available fixes, and what your recommended options are.
Good communication from the beginning sets the proper expectations and reduces the chances of misunderstandings and potential conflicts. Good verbal and written communication skills are necessary.
Are You Dedicated to Your Work?
Plumbers must be dedicated individuals. If you say you will be there at 9AM you must arrive by 9AM. A minor job to you can be a major problem to your customer. You must be dedicated to your customer and to the quality of the work you perform. Repeat business and referrals are the lifeblood of all professions.
Real dedication to your work and dependability on your part is the only way to achieve success!
If after reading this you think you have the apptitude to become a plumbrer, you may be interested in how much a plumber can make. Read our plumber salary article to find out how much you can possibly make in the plumbing trades.
