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A day in the life of a plumber

In honor of World Plumbing Day, we’re giving you a glimpse at a plumber’s day-to-day.

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A Woodfin plumber working on a water heater.

Woodfin plumbers say they enjoy problem solving and having the opportunity to work with a great team.

Photo provided by Woodfin - Your Home Team

Table of Contents

Let’s hit the ground plumbing, Richmond. Did you know? There are 261,194+ plumbers currently employed in the United States, and March 11 marks World Plumbing Day to celebrate the essential role plumbers play in our communities.

The plumbing industry is in high-demand, and Woodfin - Your Home Team has the details to give us a glimpse into the life of their plumbers:

Day-to-day

A Woodfin plumbing technician’s day starts at 7:45 a.m. The workload is usually steady, but it depends on what side of the department they work on, service or installation.

  • Service: These are general plumbing calls like faucets, toilets, tank-style water heater repair/replacements, water piping repair, gas line repair, gas log cleaning, troubleshooting, and repair. Often visiting 4-5 sites per day.
  • Installation: This consists of installing new water services and sewers, whole home re-piping, gas line installation, tankless water heaters, and more. Typically, visiting 1-2 sites per day (depending on the severity of the job).

Common plumbing problems

  • Water leaks
  • Hydronic issues (think: heaters and radiators)
  • Faucet repair/replacement
  • Toilet issues
  • Garbage disposals
  • Clogged drains
  • And more

Q: What is the wildest thing you have seen on a plumbing call?

A: “I once got a call for a clogged toilet. I tried to remove the toilet that was in a half bath by a first-floor window. When I tried to lift the toilet, it would not come up from the floor. Finally, I was able to get it off the floor. I found an entire root system had grown and attached itself to the bottom of the toilet.” - Gene Hurt, Woodfin Plumbing Supervisor

Q: Is a career in plumbing for me? If so, what are the next steps?

A: Most people that choose to be in the plumbing trade usually enjoy working with their hands. It’s also a good choice if:

  • You enjoy problem-solving
  • You are already skilled and well-versed in another trade — this is a trade that is never too late to learn.

Interested? The next step would be to enroll in a trade school and find an apprenticeship (which Woodfin offers).

Benefits of working for Woodfin

“Woodfin is a company that values you as an employee. Whether a technician is new or has been here for 30+ years, we all make sure to take pride in our work and hold all our technicians to the same standard,” says Randy Melton, Woodfin Plumbing Supervisor.

Woodfin offers apprenticeships and employs mid-level and senior technicians in a positive environment with a solid customer base, offering a competitive salary and benefits. Learn more.

Quiz

What are the most common calls plumbers receive in the Richmond area? Tell us what you think.*

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