plumber

Often in the house, some issues can ruin our staycation experience. The subjects include broken pipes and problems in the bathroom and toilet, which look simple but can make staying difficult.

Consequently, in order to solve these problems, you need a plumber, and for that, a professional plumbing service is a must. More so if you are in Australia, where snakes, spiders, and other animals can clog the pipes of your house.

Do you know? The market size of plumbing services is 123 billion USD. Hence, it showcases that plumbing services around the world are a serious affair. Moreover, in Australia, the market size of plumbing services is 19.8 billion USD.

Subsequently, plumbing services in Australia are fairly new, with the market slowly taking pace by helping houses with serious plumbing issues. Furthermore, it helps legalize the service under the law by allowing people to hire the right individuals for the job.

Plumbing services include fixing broken pipes, clogged drains, and other washroom problems, making it one of the important and integral aspects of every housing in the country.

So, amidst all of these things, there are certain things that one should look for while hiring a professional plumber.

Things To Look For In A Professional Plumber 

As discussed earlier, there are always issues with the toilet and pipes, which are as common as our normal daily activities. Hence, contacting a professional service will help you solve your home’s plumbing issues.

Here is the list of things you should for in a professional plumber.

Always Choose A Licensed Plumber 

One of the things that you should look for in a professional plumber is that they should be licensed. This is important because it will showcase that they have received the right training and have the necessary knowledge of plumbing tools.

Therefore, you should hire a plumber who has insurance, as it will cure you from the legal issues. As plumbing is risky, you never know when one can get injured. This will cost you money and also a chance of getting riddled with legal complaints.

Furthermore, with a license, you can engage them in an intense plumbing job, where the rate of the risk. This is because their insurance policy has got them covered. Conversely, it will show that you will follow the government rules and regulations aligned with professional and non-professional plumbers.

So, when hiring a professional plumber, ensure they have proper insurance and license to give the best user experience.

Experience 

Another key thing you should consider while hiring a professional plumber is their experience. In order to excel in plumbing services, one requires experience ranging from two to five years.

Therefore, when you are looking for a plumber, you should pay for experience. This is because they will know more about the tools and the intricate issues associated with toilet and plumbing pipes.

Often, there are issues that the newbies can’t recognize because they have not followed up with cases. This can cost you more damage and waste of money. So, in order to avoid this, it is better to hire an experienced person who knows about fixing things, mainly plumbing issues.

Further, when you are in Queensland, which is the hub of venomous snakes and spiders, experienced plumbers will ensure they can’t clog the pipes.

Budget 

Monetary value is another indication that you should look for while hiring a professional plumber. Hence, before you hire a professional plumber, you should watch for their prices. This is because you don’t want to pay too much for their services.

Consequently, before hiring the services, you call them and let them review the house and the issues prevailing in the pipes and other parts of the house. This will allow them to set the exact price for the services.

Hence, you always contact a professional service, where the plumbers or the company gives value for their services.

Online Research 

When you start looking for a plumber, you ask your family and friends to suggest a plumber to resolve your issue. Otherwise, what you can do is search for them on Google.

You will get all the necessary information there, following the reviews of please clients. This will be an added bonus because you will know about their services. Hence, it gives a suitable value for money.

Moreover, there is a high chance that you will get references from many plumbing companies on the Internet. They will give you the added knowledge of the high-quality plumbers who know the whereabouts of their job.

Choosing An Established Company 

Another factor to consider while hiring a professional plumber is that you should look for an established company. Hiring a plumber from a reputed company is important, as it will help you select the best guy for the job.

Therefore, you should find a firm that has been in the job for several years and catered to a wide range of customers around the state. This will ensure they are trustworthy and you can expect a better job from them.

Conversely, you should hire plumbers from the startups, as inexperience may cost you a fortune and cause more damage to your property and assets. On the other hand, you should choose a company with brilliant customer care and good professionals who will give the best services.

You can do this by checking online. Larry Page and others have made an organization for you. In other words, you can choose Live Services Group, which provides same-day plumbing services in Australia.

Wrapping Up! Once And For All 

In the end, we can say there is no such strict rule book to hire a professional plumber, but it is better to hire from a company, as it will give more value for money.

The services will be cheaper and with better customer service. Following this, they will provide you with licensed plumbers, ensuring they don’t have to face any legal charges. Lastly, it will ensure that your property is safe to use and reside.

Therefore, following the point discussed in the previous section to get better clarity on the matter.

Global research shows nine in 10 agree more people should enter the trades; 3M commits to advocacy and education to expand the talent pipeline

3M is premiering a new documentary film, “Skilled,” to celebrate the skilled trades and break down stereotypes that may prevent people from pursuing these vital careers. “Skilled” features four trade workers—a plumber, fall protection specialist, welder, and film gaffer—at various stages in their careers and highlights the meaningful opportunities offered within the trades.

The film is debuting at 3M’s officially sanctioned 2023 Sundance Film Festival event—hosted by actress, director, and philanthropist Vivica A. Fox—and will be available for streaming on Apple TV+, Google Play, Kanopy, Prime Video and The Roku Channel on May 3.

“At 3M, we’re working to increase awareness around the variety of opportunities available in the trades and support students who choose these exciting career paths,” said James Momon, chief equity officer, 3M. “Skilled workers are vital to our global communities and economies. Because access to education and opportunity remains inequitable, we are focused on sharing ‘Skilled’ in classrooms and advancing our global commitment to create 5 million unique skilled trades and STEM learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025.”

In addition to this enterprise-level goal at 3M, the company’s Safety & Industrial Business Group (SIBG) will leverage its people, products, and community partnerships to advance equity in the skilled trades. To increase awareness of the skilled trades as a viable career, the business group is engaging underrepresented students and young adults interested in vocational training for jobs. SIBG is also actively identifying community partnerships that support skilled trade occupations their customers are working to fill, while connecting students and young adults to hands-on training and certification opportunities.

“Within SIBG, we’re on a mission to transform the way work gets done,” said Mike Vale, group president, 3M Safety and Industrial Business Group. “Our innovative products and solutions are an important part of that, but we also need to foster a transformative mindset in our people and the industries we serve. Supporting skilled trades will shape the future of work, grow the talent pool for critical jobs, and fulfill the pressing demands of the global economy.”

“Skilled” is designed to spark a conversation about the realities of the skilled trades and address stereotypes that may discourage people from pursuing them. It was inspired by 3M State of Science Index, a global original research study that confirms while skilled trade workers are widely respected, a majority believe there is a negative stigma around the trade professions. The study found nine in ten people believe more individuals would pursue a trade career if perceptions of the field improved. Additionally, 93% believe the skilled trade workforce needs more people and 92% see consequences if their country cannot find a solution to the shortage of workers, from declines in overall quality of life, to negative economic impact, neglected public infrastructure, and safety risks.

Misperceptions may arise from limited understanding of what careers are included in this field and the benefits these professions offer. By highlighting four tradespeople, “Skilled” showcases the diversity and breadth of trade jobs, and how workers can find personal fulfillment and professional success. The talented workers highlighted in the film include:

• Paige Knowles, a 20-year-old plumber and author of the children’s book “Plumber Paige,” who hosts an all-girls construction camp during the summer.
• Cedric Smith, a welder who attended technical school thanks in part to a 3M grant, who is driven, committed and passionate about his profession.
• Anni Martinez, a gaffer at Amazonas Electricas, an all-female grip and electrical team bringing diversity to Mexico’s film industry.
• Andrea Martin, a fall protection specialist at 3M, who was named one of the 2022 Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety.

3M is also partnering with Teach For America, an organization committed to educational equity and excellence, to promote and screen “Skilled” in 2023. The film will be shown in classrooms led by Teach For America educators—reaching up to 30,000 students—and supported by discussion guides to facilitate open conversation about the skilled trades and the opportunities available.

“Skilled” was directed by documentary filmmaker Julio Palacio and produced by Christine Arena (“Let Science Speak,” “Not the Science Type”) of Generous Films and 3M. To learn more about “Skilled” visit 3M.com/Skilled. “Skilled” is not an official selection of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, though 3M is a proud supporter of Sundance Institute.

Dating back to the early 1900s with his great grandfather, you could say that plumbing runs in the Plumberlorian’s blood. He,  (@theplumberlorian on IG), alongside his brother, has run a family-owned and operated plumbing service and repair company since 2005.

He started in the plumbing trade as a part-time apprentice while he was attending college, and once he graduated, he decided against pursuing a career with the Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications he obtained, and became a full-time, licensed journeyman plumber, eventually getting his Master Plumbing license. “I learned most of my skills from working alongside my father as an apprentice; from there it was a matter of repetition and different experiences on the job that eventually led to me getting my journeyman’s and feeling 100% comfortable running a service truck on my own. I later got my master’s and here we are over 16 years later.”

Family is a big part of who he is, and it’s also what keeps him grounded. “I have a loving wife, and two beautiful boys whom I hope to pass down my skills to when they are old enough. I enjoy what I do every day, but for me, it’s not just about the work I do, but also the people I get to meet and help along the way,” says The Plumberlorian.

He says it’s always tough to keep a good work/family life balance. “If there’s work related stuff I need to discuss at home, I’ll get that out of the way usually once I get home, but for the rest of the evening I focus on my family, while trying to stay engaged with my wife and kids. I’m all for working late from time to time to get the job done, but you definitely have to find balance. The kids are only young once, and I intend on being there for them and my wife as much as I can,” says The Plumberlorian.

And it’s that family unit that has helped him throughout his plumbing career. The Plumberlorian owes a lot to his father and his brother, both of whom have guided and helped him. “My father would be my biggest mentor in and out of the trade for sure, being a licensed master plumber himself,” he says. “My brother, too and that’s weird to say because he’s my younger brother, but we grew up learning the plumber trade together, and we bounce ideas/tips off each all the time, which is always helpful.”

Does The Plumberlorian consider himself a mentor for others? He does now. “I started the Instagram account to blog my journey, but over just a matter of months, I’ve had a dozen or so reach out to me saying they love what I’m doing on social media and that it’s inspiring. It always catches me off guard when I hear that and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. I want to reach more people on here, not just those in the trade already.”

The Plumberlorian has met a lot of amazing people on social media, and he admits he was a “babe in the woods” starting off, yet he was fortunate to have a few people who supported what I was doing right in the beginning. “I have made some solid friends for sure. A few that I talk to on a daily basis, which is so awesome. I have also picked up a few tips and tricks as well from other plumbers on here. I think that’s one of the coolest things from a trades’ standpoint is that we can share with others so easily things we have learned.”

And while the Plumberlorian’s most trusted tools on the truck are his torch, pliers and tape measure, “it’s great that some of these tool brands and others I have used for years are so engaged with their audience. That’s another positive of social media, that it gives them a way to interact with their users, whether it’s just purely for entertainment purposes or their trying to shed some light on a new tool or product. I’ve had the opportunity of having some of my videos shared, which is always great.”

Speaking of social media, the handle @theplumberlorian is such a cool name. “Well, I am a plumber, and a big fan of The Mandalorian. I also can relate a lot to the main character Din or “Mando” in the show. It’s twofold for me: here you have this guy who goes on missions each episode and somehow the mission goes sideways at some point. Being a service plumber, I can definitely relate to that. I’m sure other trades can as well. Some jobs go smoothly from start to finish, but then there’s others that aren’t that way at all,” he says.

“The important thing is to have the knowledge for when they aren’t straightforward missions, and you can adapt to the changes in front of you. Mando also becomes sort of a father figure to Grogu, this child-like creature he stumbles upon, and being a father myself, there are some scenes that choke me up because in the end, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to keep our kids safe. He’s a relatable character for a lot of people, and I think that’s why the show is as popular as it is. This is the way.”

In the end, he says the plumbing industry needs to do a better job attracting people to the trade; there’s a negative picture painted of blue-collar work by a lot of people who pass it down to their children. “It starts in the home really and it’s a tough nut to crack for some. I’ve met plenty of people who have a positive viewpoint of the trades, but I’ve met others that acted as if it’s beneath them,” says the Plumberlorian.

He says that social media is one outlet for individuals to show blue collar work can be cool, and show a different side of things. “I’ve had so many people reach out to me that I inspire them. Which is crazy to hear, and never gets old. Some have been in their trade for years, others just starting out. That’s what keeps me going, just knowing that maybe I’m making a difference on there. We need more people out there investing in our youth and keeping a positive spin on the job,” he says.

But it starts in the home. What picture are the parents painting, asks the Plumberlorian? “College isn’t the only option, and it may not even be the best option for some so why keep pushing it on your kids? Because that’s what they have stamped in their brain. We have to reach them somehow and change that line of thinking.”

He went the college route because that’s what society was pushing on him, but it’s not for everyone. “You can have a successful life going into the trades, and I will always be an advocate of that,” says the Plumberlorian.

You have passed your plumbing qualification and it’s time to find a job. Or, you have decided to start your own company. Either way, amazing news. When you are starting out as a plumber, there are some obvious things you need like uniforms, tools, and more than knowledge on how plumbers unclog drains. But, we bet there are items you might forget about other business essentials that can maximize your work and results. 

Headwear

As a plumber, you will need protective wear for health and safety reasons. Aside from a hard hat, a face covering is a good idea. 

You can wear a Choob to protect you from dust and bacteria while on the job. These are multi-functional, so you can wear them for other purposes. However, they are ideal for plumbers. They cause no fuss and they are tight to the face and won’t fall down while you are mid-task.

Business cards

Having business cards is a great way to get repeat customers. When you have finished the job, you can leave them your business card with your details on so that they can get back in touch with you for future projects. 

If you leave behind a few spare business cards, then they can hand them out to their friends and family so that you can attain more customers. 

Website

Speaking of attaining customers, a website is an ideal marketing tool to attract new customers. Having your name online will grow brand awareness and allow more customers to discover your plumbing business. 

On the website, you can include contact information and prices. You could also offer a booking system so that customers can book a consultation easily without waiting for you to pick up the phone. 

Having a website will also put you higher up on the search rankings. Although your plumbing business and contact details might be in an online directory, it can be lost in the sea of other businesses. Ensure to use good keywords so that customers can find you for specific projects. Furthermore, make sure that it is easy to navigate and a user-friendly website so that customers won’t get frustrated and lose interest. 

Safety gloves

When you are handling tools, it is essential to wear safety gloves. These will protect you in the case of an incident. You may often handle saws, drills, and chemicals, which can harm the skin. 

Rubberized gloves are great to protect you against electricity. Having gloves at hand will ensure that you can always be safe, no matter what job you are doing. 

A mode of transportation

It’s all well and good having the uniform and tools, but it would help to easily be able to get to and from jobs. Having your own mode of transport gives you the freedom to drive around from job to job. You can maximize your business by having a van or car, as you will be able to meet the needs of further away customers. 

If the vehicle is just for business, it can help to add personal branding and contact details. It will act like a moving mode of marketing, which many will notice and remember.