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The skilled trades are hot. These professionals are increasingly in demand, and there are no signs of this letting up anytime soon. Entering into the trades is an excellent way to start earning income more quickly, reducing or even eliminating student debt, and embarking on a rewarding career with unlimited potential for growth and advancement. Plumbers are highly sought after, and this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. What are the plumbing skills needed to succeed in this trade? Plumber Skills List Now let’s lay this to rest. Plumbers do much more than wield a plunger or run Drano through clogged pipes. This field is highly technical and a great deal of training and apprenticeship is necessary. Among the plumbing skills needed:   Technical Knowledge. Plumbing systems can be highly complex, and plumbers need to be able to apply their training and learning to the situations they run into in the field. From knowing the ins and outs of different systems to being able to install, troubleshoot, and repair components is essential. Problem-Solving. Plumbers work in a variety of settings, and not everything always goes to plan on a construction site. They may encounter surprises hidden behind walls or underground. Regardless, they need to be able to stop, assess the situation, and develop a viable plan to move forward in a way that ensures the client/customer achieves their goals. Math. Again, this is a technical field. Plumbers have to complete often complex calculations on the fly to ensure that components and systems work properly together. Continual Learning. The plumbing industry is changing rapidly, and new technology is continually introduced. Good plumbers stay on top of the latest advancements in their field so they can apply the best solutions to the job at hand. Proficiency with Tools. From snakes and wrenches to power threaders and blowtorches, plumbers work with a variety of tools. Knowing how to use them, and when, is critical. Communication. Good plumbers are good communicators. Because this is a complex, technical field, they need to be able to explain their work and plans to contractors, other tradespeople, and customers who do not necessarily speak their language. Customer Service. You are the face of your company when you visit a jobsite. Your ability to answer questions, listen to concerns, and provide timely and professional service is of the utmost importance. Honesty and Integrity. In this business, your earnings depend on your reputation. People are trusting you with a vital part of their …

There are many things that we humans take for granted and plumbing is right at the top of the list. We grew up thinking it’s a basic necessity. However, we didn’t realize there was a time where people would throw their waste on the streets, or just about anywhere. We don’t realize that there was a time when bathing was considered dangerous and people would go on years without bathing. We don’t really pay much attention to the system of plumbing in Katy, TX, that is running underneath and around our homes. The closest we come to thinking about it is when we face water problems, or when the water heater is malfunctioning, or when the drain refuses to work. Truth is, the system of plumbing in Katy, TX, and all around the world is doing wonders for us. Our lives would have been a lot more difficult and demanding if not for the ease provided to us by the plumbing systems. Allow us to enlighten you how plumbing in Katy, TX is taking care of a lot more than just our overflowing drains and busted water lines. Plumbing Allows us to Control Water With the invention of plumbing system, the human race was able to control and direct water for their use. That’s not all, plumbing allowed us to make sure that the clean and dirty water stays separated for the sake of our health, hygiene and wellbeing. It is only because of the intricate wand well-maintained system of plumbing in Katy, TX, we get clean water conveniently and comfortably in our homes. Plumbing Saves Us from Epidemic Diseases Water is the source of various infectious diseases and history proves that. Many epidemics in the past have been caused because of water. The Black Death that took away almost half of the European population with it was a result of poor unsanitary conditions. That’s where plumbing comes in. By harnessing water, plumbing allows the government of every country to keep the drinking water sanitary by adding disinfectants in it. Matter of fact, even if an epidemic begins to spread, one of the control measures is taken by adding the antidotes in the water. As we sit in our homes, oblivious to the dangers lurking outside, the system of plumbing in Katy, TX is keeping us safe. Plumbing Prevents Water Wastage There are many ways in which plumbing prevents water wastage. One way it does so is through hot …

If you’re wondering how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet, you’ll be glad to know it’s a pretty easy job. It only takes a couple hours of your time and it will bring big savings to your wallet. The bad news? The longer you wait to repair it, the more money you’re letting go down the drain. The first step is taking a look at your bathtub faucet and determining what type you have. Most bathtub faucets have the little knob at the top that you pull to turn to the shower position. That’s called the compression valve. If you have a compression-valve type faucet, here’s how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet quickly and easily. TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO FIX A LEAKY BATHTUB FAUCET   Replacement bathtub faucet stem Replacement bathtub faucet handle Washers, screws, and bolts Adjustable wrench and socket wrench Screwdriver with multiple bits Cleaning cloth or sponge HOW TO FIX A LEAKY BATHTUB FAUCET: Begin by turning off the water. If you can reach the water valve for the bathroom, turn off the water there. If you can’t, then turn off the water at the main water supply — which is usually located in your basement. Be sure to open the faucet in the bathtub and let all the water run out before you get started. Take off the faucet handle and the decorative mount. Loosen up the screws on the center faucet cap and after loosening, remove the screws. Take faucet out of the wall. Replace the faucet handle and then test your new bathtub faucet. Is the leak gone? If the answer is yes, you’re done! Otherwise, if the leak still persists, then you’ll have to move next to the faucet stem. HOW TO FIX THE FAUCET STEM: The rubber washer at the top of your faucet stem? It’s called the seat washer and it’s designed to stop any water flow. Over time, it can get hard and ineffective. If it looks hardened or worn out, you should replace the washer — or replace the entire faucet stem. Pro tip: You can remove the faucet stem and take it to your local hardware store when you’re buying the replacement to make sure you’re purchasing the right one. You’ll want to be sure to clear away any old corrosion, dried caulk, or rust before you put the new faucet stem in. The faucet stem is what’s …

In the US, plumbing leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water annually. That’s equivalent to 40 million swimming pools. Most of these leaks don’t even need the attention of a professional. Armed with a wrench and a few plumbing basics, you can fix some of the most persistent leak problems. Fixing leaks yourself is obviously economical, but you also need to know when to call in the plumbers. In this article, we’ll dissect the complex mesh of pipes to its most basic. You’ll learn when to go DIY, when to call a plumber, and how to differentiate the two. Let’s dive right in. How Does Plumbing Work: Plumbing Basics Home plumbing is pretty straightforward. A casual gaze at the interwoven mesh of pipes and valves may seem overwhelming but bear with me. Understanding a few plumbing basics will see you navigate the mesh like a pro. House plumbing consists of two systems: Water supply system Drain-water vent system (DWV) House Plumbing Basics: Water Supply System Water supply is a system of pipes that brings fresh water into the home. The system is highly-dependent of pressure. Water in these pipes come from one of two sources: City water Wells City water enters your house from a humongous pipe ‘the main pipe’ that’s usually parallel to your street. If your connection to the main has a problem, call a professional. Damage to the main can result in civil lawsuits and hefty fines. People who don’t have access to city water usually get their fresh water supply from wells. Water must then be pumped into the home at high pressures. Reduced pressure keeps water from reaching the furthest and highest parts of your house. Running showers and faucets are usually the first victims of low pressure. Factors affecting pressure range from leaks to blockages. If the leak is caused by a loose connection, it’s easily handled in-house. If, on the other hand, the leak necessitates re-piping, you best call for a professional plumber. You can read more plumbing problems you should leave to a plumber, here. The main pipe is connected to your water meter. There’s a shutoff valve before or after your meter. The valve cuts off the water supply system making it useful when doing repairs. Let’s look at the common problems facing the water supply system. Basic Plumbing Tips: Maintaining the Water Supply System Correctly installed piping is leak-proof. The system, however, disintegrates with …

With the right irrigation plumbing system in place, your lawn should be getting uniform watering on a regular basis. A properly installed system is incredibly helpful when it comes to keeping your yard healthy. The best part of an effective irrigation system is that you don’t need to drag your hose around and water your grass by hand or constantly adjust your sprinkler attachments. However, as with any plumbing and irrigation system, your yard could be costing you a lot of money by inflating your water bill. Plus, a faulty system can diminish the health of your lawn and hurt its appearance. This is why you need to be proactive in detecting and addressing common plumbing problems you can spot in your yard.   5 Irrigation Plumbing Issues in Your Yard You Need to Address A major cause for concern when it comes to irrigation problems, aside from your high water bill and poor lawn health, is the impact it can have on the structure of your home itself. Residential plumbing requires consistent monitoring and maintenance to prevent serious damages to your home. For example, let’s say you sprung an irrigation leak near the foundation of your home. This leak, when left unchecked, can cause serious structural damage to your property. To address a rising water bill and prevent long-term damage to your home, look out for these five irrigation plumbing issues: 1. A Leaking Hose Your hose is obviously an essential tool you need to keep your lawn hydrated, as well as manage all kinds of yard maintenance, like clearing debris, cleaning out gutters, and more. Unfortunately, as wear and tear build up over time, your hose is at risk of ripping and tearing. This can cause leaks that can disrupt your outdoor chores while also causing significant water waste. Over time, even small punctures that cause minor leaks can really compound and increase your water bill dramatically. Fortunately, fixing a leaking hose is pretty easy. Depending on the severity of the damage, you can embrace the following DIY solutions: Fix small pinholes, which can be caused by sharp objects puncturing the hose, by turning off the water, then applying electrical tape to the hole. Overlap the tape several times around the hose to ensure it is properly sealed for the long term. When larger tears occur (e.g., your hose is snagged by a bush or the hot summer days cause cracking), …