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• A Journeyman plumber is a

plumber who successfully


completes an apprenticeship
or training program, and is
thus qualified to work under a
master plumber’s employ.
• A Master plumber is a plumber who passes an
exam administered by the state or city in which
he works and is subsequently awarded a
master plumber license. A master plumber is
authorized to hold the position of employer or
contractor, and has the capacity to teach and
employ journeyman plumbers.
Type of Work
• Plumbers are individuals who make a living by
installing, assembling, and repairing pipe systems
that are used to carry water, air, steam, fuel, and
other types of liquids and gasses. Plumbers may also
install bathroom and kitchen fixtures such as toilets
and faucets. There are a variety of specialties one
can have as a plumber, and many individuals of the
trade specialize in multiple areas of work.
• Individuals who work on plumbing systems tend to
specialize in one of five areas.
These five distinctive
career paths can be
defined as followed:
• Plumbers install and repair
water, drainage, waste
disposal, and gas systems in
buildings, as well as appliances
(dishwashers, water heaters)
and plumbing fixtures
(showers, sinks, toilets, baths).
• Pipelayers lay pipes of varying materials
such as concrete, plastic, or cast-iron
that connect to sewers, drains, water
mains, and oil/ natural gas lines.
Pipelayers construct trenches prior to
laying their pipes, and weld pipe pieces
together after positioning them in such
trenches.
Pipefitters install and repair pipe
systems that use both high and low
pressure. These pipes are used for
generating electricity, manufacturing,
as well as in the heating and cooling of
a building. Pipefitters may also install
automatic controls to regulate these
piping systems.
•Steamfitters install pipe
systems through which
high pressure liquids or
gasses move.
•Sprinkler fitters have
the very specific task of
installing automatic fire
sprinklers into
buildings.
• Individuals who choose to follow each
of these five career paths are expected
to be able to read blue prints or
building plans and work aptly with all
the tools necessary to the trade.
Plumbers must also be familiar with
their local and state codes when
installing equipment into a building.
What is the difference between an air
conditioner and a heat pump?
• Some people rely on air conditioners to keep their
homes cool. Others use a heat pump. Although these
machines sound like they perform totally different
functions, they actually work similarly to cool your
home effectively. These three questions help you to
understand how they compare, and when you might
use a heat pump instead of an air conditioner.
What Does A/C and Heat Pumps Have in
Common?
• If you have an HVAC system with ductwork, you could conceivably
use either air conditioning or heat pumps. Both systems use a
unit that sits on the exterior of your property, usually located very
close to your home. The air conditioner or heat pump uses
thermal energy to keep your home appropriately warm or cool. To
cool your home, both machines remove heated air from your
home and replace it with air that has been cooled by the air
conditioner or heat pump. Air conditioners and heat pumps are
both useful in hotter climates, where you might need a lot of
cooling but not as much heating
Common Plumbing
Terms
• Absorption System – system designed to
increase the efficiency of septic tanks by
catching the solid waste
• Aerator (baggle) – used in a faucet spout to
mix air and flowing water, helps reduce
splashing
• Apron – the visible side of a bathtub that
usually goes from the floor to the top rim of the
tub
• Backflow – condition which causes water from one system to
contaminate another part of the main distribution system
• Backflow Preventer – device that prevents water from
transferring from one system to another, especially potable
water sources
• Balancing Valve – valve in your water heater that controls
water flow and balances heat to different parts of your house
• Bathroom Fixtures – bathroom devices that supply or dispose
of water, including faucets, sinks, toilets and tubs
• Bidet – bathroom fixture that resembles a toilet but serves the
purpose of bodily cleansing for hygiene by using a water
sprayer
• Catch Basin – grated container that catches storm
water run-off to prevent debris from reaching rivers,
lakes and streams
• Cistern – large storage tank, usually underground, to
collect rain water
• Corroded Pipes – condition usually caused by water with
a low pH in which the metal pipes begin deteriorating
• Cross-Connection – any type of connection that allows
water to enter other systems
• Cross-Connection Control System – protects the supply
system by preventing wastewater from contaminating
water sources
• Face Plate – Decorative or functional trim piece
used on bathroom fixtures and sink faucets/taps to
cover screws and other inner workings
• Fiberglass – glass ground into a fiber product
primarily used for tubs and shower stalls
• Flapper (Flush Ball) – the rubber disc or ball in the
toilet tank that allows water to flush through the
toilet then automatically seals off again allowing
toilet tank to refill
• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• HDPE Pipes – high-density polyethylene piping
used in trenchless sewer technology for high
performance
• Hydro-Jetting – device that clears blockages from
pipes by using high-pressure water
• Low-Flow Toilets – bathroom fixture designed to
save water with every flush by using less than 1.6
gallons; also known as low-consumption or water-
saving toilets
• Pipe Inspection – video system used to record footage of
drains and pipes to determine the problem and form the
best solution
• Potable Water – water which is safe for drinking
• PVC – Poly Vinyl Chloride: A water-resistant white plastic
material, most often used as pipe for drains and plumbing
• Risers – vertical plastic or metal tubes that connect to a
water supply’s stop valve
• Septic Tank – tank used to hold waste and allow solids to
settle. Used when sewer lines and distribution to a
treatment facility are not available, often in rural
environments.
• Slab Leaks – conditions in which water leaks underneath the floor
or slab foundation and are caused by either sewer leaks or water
line leaks
• Snaking – method used to clear blocked plumbing devices using
metal wires or coils
• Tankless Water Heater – heats water directly as it passes through
the pipes; an efficient heating system that does not require a
storage tank
• Trenchless Sewer – technology that replaces existing water or
sewer lines without digging up the foundation or landscape
• Vitreous China – Ceramic material that has been specially glazed
and baked at high temperatures to become non-porous.
Commonly used in bathroom fixtures and tile.
• Water Leak – condition in which water leaks from one or more
pipes in the building’s plumbing system
PLUMBING MATERIALS

Accessories Appliance
Drains Gas Supply
Pipe Pipe Fittings
Pipe Repair Pipe Insulation
Pumps Softener Salt
Tools Soldering
Valves Traps
Washer & Dryer
Water Heaters
Plumbing Home Remedies
In your lifetime, you will face at least
one plugged drain, clogged toilet, frozen
pipe or another common malfunction.
However, with home remedies for
plumbing problems, you might have a
better chance fixing the issue on your
own. Convenient approaches include:
a) Food Coloring:
If you suspect a leaky toilet, you can use food
coloring to test out your theory. Make sure you
have clear water in your in-tank bowl (this means
remove any sanitizing tabs you may have – like
the blue ones). Add food coloring to where there
is a rich color inside the tank. Wait 30 minutes
and if you see some of the coloring in the bowl,
then you know that your toilet is leaking.
b) Red Powdered Drink Mix:
Powdered drink mix can be used to test whether
or not you have a leaky toilet on your hands. First,
remove anything with color from your in-tank bowl
(such as Tidy Bowl blue tablets). Add powdered
drink mix with a red color to your tank – enough
to produce a rich color. Wait ½ hours and if you
detect any coloring in the bowl, then your toilet is
leaking.
c) Stinky Toilet Smell:
If you smell a funky odor coming from your toilet bowl
every time you flush, then you may have a bacterial
overload. Usually, this type of thing happens in hot,
humid conditions. To kill the bacteria, pour several cups
of household bleach into the toilet tank’s overflow tube.
This is the tube that is sticking up about ½ inch above
the water. The bleach will flow through the rim holes and
into the toilet bowl – killing any odor-causing bacteria
that are hiding. Flush the toilet to send away the bleach.
d) Straighten Sink Hose:
If your kitchen sprayer just dribbles and seems
sluggish, it could be a sign that the hose that
feeds water to the sprayer is kinked. Check under
the sink to see if the hose is straight. Untwist or
unpinch any visible issues. Sometimes, you may
have to disconnect the hose in order to straighten
it out. You will find the hose connected to the
faucet by a hex nut (has six sides). You can loosen
this with a pair of locking pliers.
e) Tighten Hot Water Valve:
If there is water coming from under your
dishwasher – take a deep breath. The remedy to
this problem could be as simple as tightened the
hot water valve. Remove the screw holding the
handle and take off the slip-on covering. Tighten
the packing nut with the wrench if you see any
signs of a leak. You may have to refer to your
manual to pinpoint the appropriate parts of the
dishwater.
f) Soda Bottle:
When you don’t have a plunger on hand
for a clogged toilet, cut an empty 1.5 liter
plastic soda bottle in half. Jam a broom
handle into the spout and secure it in
place with duct tape. This plunger will only
help for a couple of tries and is not meant
as a total replacement for a regular
plunger.
g) Towels:
To stop the potential damage that an overflowing tub
may cause – run for the linen closet and sop up the
water with your oldest towels. Wring out saturated towels
over the sink or in the toilet. Follow up by using a fan or
dehumidifier to dry the room faster.

h) Moist Rag:
To pinpoint where your pipes are freezing before they
burst, take a moist rag and swab along the pipes. When
you locate the frozen spot, frost will form.
i) Hair Dryer:
Once you have found a frozen spot in your pipes, you can use a hair
dryer to thaw out the liquid. Using a slow approach is better. Set the
hair dryer on high to elevate the temperature. Start by thawing the
ice in your frozen pipe on the side that is closer to a faucet. This
means that the melting ice will have somewhere to drain. Gradually
work the hair dryer from the faucet side back towards the frozen
area.

j) Allen Wrench:
This little L-shaped tool can save you tons on money when you think
you need to call a plumber to come take a look at your jammed
garbage disposal. Keep one under the skin and when you
experience problems – follow the directions in your manual to fix it
yourself.
k) Plunger:
Keep in mind that using a plunger is far safer for
your pipes than using the chemicals in liquid drain
cleaners, which actually eat away at your pipes.

l) Say ‘No’ to Flushing Baby Wipes:


The baby wipes that claim to be ‘flushable’ are
also one of the main reasons pipes get clogged.
They just don’t break down in the system like toilet
paper does.
m) Pliers:
How many people have dropped their ring down the sink and thought it
was gone forever? Before calling a plumber, you could solve the issue
yourself. To retrieve a valuable that is stuck in your drain pipe – first turn
off the water immediately to prevent any water washing the item out of
reach. Open the cabinet located underneath the sink and find the P-trap –
it is the U-shaped piece of pipe that connects the vertical pipe that runs
from the sink to the horizontal pipe that goes into the wall.
Put a bucket under the trap. Loosen the large threaded nuts that attach
the trap to the other pipes. Some people can do this with their hands,
while others will need a pair of channel lock plier. Pull the trap off with a
forceful tug and let it fall into the bucket if needed. The trap will be full of
dirty water. With gloved hands, empty the trap into your hand (over the
bucket) and find your ring or other item. Reassemble the P-trap, and make
sure that you do not over-tighten the nuts.
n) Boiling Water:
To unclog a kitchen drain, use boiling hot water to dislodge and
dissolve grease, bits of food and other gunk. Boil a kettle of
water and pour it down the sink to cure sluggish drains and
clogs. This remedy will also work to free up a clogged bathroom
sink or tub.
o) Baking Soda:
Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain and follow with a
flush of three cups of hot water. The water will activate the
baking soda, which creates a more slippery (yet slightly
alkaline) substance that has a better chance of dissolving and
moving a clog along.
p) Baking Soda and Vinegar:
The combination of baking soda and vinegar creates a
reaction that frees a kitchen drain. Put ½ cup of baking
soda in the drain, and then add ½ cup of plain white or
cider vinegar. Cover the drain and let the two chemicals
work their magic. After several hours have passed, flush
with hot water.

q) Hot Salt Water:


Add salt to a boiling pot of water to clear drains of
unwanted substances that cause clogs.
r) Metal Hanger:
Sometimes, taking apart a metal hanger
will create a wiry tool that can fish out
pieces of cloth and clumps of hair that can
be clogging a sink or tub drain. Flush the
pipes with hot water after pulling out
unwanted materials from your drain.

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