Plumbers install water, gas and waste disposal systems in homes, factories and other buildings.
When installing new systems or modernising old ones, plumbers take measurements and make drawings to show where pipes will connect with outside lines and where fixtures will be placed. They then measure, bend, cut and thread pipes according to the drawings. Pipes are joined by bolting, brazing, gluing, screwing or soldering them together.
In some cases, plumbers also repair roof gutters. When doing repair or maintenance work, plumbers must locate the cause of problems and replace broken or worn out valves and clear pipes and waste traps. Qualified plumbers may own their own businesses and employ and supervise other plumbers.
Plumbers may work at considerable heights on the upper floors of office buildings under construction, or in old, dark and damp basements in need of drain repairs. The actual setting depends on the type of work, the type of employer and the skill and experience of the plumber. Overtime and night emergency work are sometimes required.