All posts tagged Plumber

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12Dec2022

5 Reasons to Become a Plumber

Becks plumbing

If you're looking to become a fully-qualified plumber, then now is a great time to start! The UK government currently plans on building around 300,000 houses a year, and with a national shortage of plumbers, it is truly an excellent time to take up the trade. Overall, plumbing is an extremely exciting, invigorating and varied career pathway.

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what does a plumber do?

A plumber installs, repairs, and maintains a building's water systems, from central heating to toilets, baths, and more.

Wondering whether you should become a plumber? There are plenty of reasons to take up this exciting trade. Read on to find out what you could do as a plumber.

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26Jan2023

Jobs in Plumbing: What Does a Plumber Do?

Becks plumbing

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12Dec2022

5 Reasons to Become a Plumber

Becks plumbing

plumber fixing sink

There are a lot of reasons you might call a plumber to your house; maybe you’re planning a large scale bathroom renovation, have a leaky tap that needs fixing, or are looking for an emergency fix to a DIY mishap that has left your bathroom flooded. Either way, you’ll be picking up your phone and searching for “good plumbers near me”.

While there are lots of different scenarios that might require you to call a plumber, have you ever wondered when might be the best time to call? When are plumbers the busiest? Whilst plumbing might not be a profession you’d typically associate with seasonality, research has shown that there actually is a busiest time of year for plumbers.

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22Feb2022

What’s the Busiest Time of Year for Plumbers?

Danielle plumbing

How long is a plumbing course?

How long does a plumbing course take?

Generally, it will take you 1 to 2 years to gain all the plumbing qualifications you need if you are undertaking a NVQ Diploma Level 2. An apprenticeship will typically take anywhere between 2 and 5 years, but there is the option to choose a fast-track plumbing apprenticeship, which aims to get you qualified and earning a lot quicker than the traditional route.

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29Sep2020

How Long Is a Plumbing Course?

Lewis access training courses, plumbing

essential plumbing tools

Every trade has its own set of specialist tools and equipment that's used to complete some very specific jobs. You can guarantee that an electrician's toolbox is going to look different to a plumbers toolbox, but what is all that specialist equipment and what does it do?

Well whether you're just curious or you're keen to start your plumbing training ahead of schedule, we'll talk you through the essential plumbing tools here.

Top 5 Tools Every Plumber Needs

Wrenches

Plumbers would really struggle to do their job without the humble wrench, and you'll find wrenches of all shapes and sizes in a plumber's toolkit.

The wrenches you see above are often called pipe wrenches because they're able to wrap around and grip tightly onto pipes of varying lengths and sizes. Plumbers usually reserve these heavy-duty wrenches for pipes made of metal as they would potentially cause damage to more fragile pipework.

Other common wrench types include basin wrenches (with a long handle for reaching behind sinks), faucet valve-seat wrenches (for old stubborn seals) and allen wrenches (for securing or loosening a range of plumbing fastenings).

Pliers

pliers - what tools do plumbers use

Pliers are a common feature of a lot of toolkits, but they can be particularly useful for plumbers because they're so versatile and can be adjusted to any size! Perfect if you need a good grip on a particular pipe while you unscrew a seized fastening or attach a new fitting.

Rib-joint pliers are also great for getting a grip on small nuts, bolts and pipes because of their small yet strong jaws. Plumbers have to be careful when using pliers not to maw the pipe or fitting they're working on!

Plunger

plunger - what tools do plumbers use

The humble plunger - probably one of the first things that springs to mind when you think of a plumbers toolbox, right? There are very few other professions that are required to use a plunger, so this is really a piece of equipment that's iconic of the plumbing trade! If you've ever used one yourself, you know what they're for!

Applied over a sink or drain hole, plungers can suck up and help you remove any debris that's causing a blockage. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and there's bound to be at least one in every plumber's toolbox.

Hose Cutter

When plumbers are fitting bathrooms or kitchens they're required to use metres and metres of piping. Often, piping comes on large reels like the ones you see above, so of course, plumbers need a pipe cutter to hand!

Having a sharp pair of hose cutters to hand is paramount if plumbers want to ensure a leak-free clean edge. Pipe cutters can also be used to cut perfect shapes into copper hosing when necessary.

Soldering Tools

soldering - what tools do plumbers use

Often plumbers will need to join copper pipes to fix your sink or fit your new bathroom. With that in mind, it's possible that you'll see a portable soldering kit in and amongst the plumbing toolbox.

This could include a range of things such as a soldering torch, a fire-resistant cloth, solder, flux, and a striker. Having this equipment handy and being able to use it safely can be incredibly beneficial, particularly if you run your own plumbing business and are required to travel frequently for work.

And there we have it – five of the most essential pieces of equipment every plumber should have in their toolbox. We hope this blog gives you some insight into the kinds of tools plumbers use.

If you’re learning about plumbing in the hopes of training to become a professional plumber, why not consider signing up for one of our plumbing training courses here at Access Training?

Become a Plumber >

02Mar2020

What Tools Do Plumbers Use?

Lauren

A recent study by Which? has revealed that dodgy DIY is a primary cause for plumber call-outs across the UK.

In a survey that covered over 3800 Brits, the variety of home maintenance jobs tackled by the untrained, unequipped and unqualified ranged from unblocking a toilet to fitting an entire bathroom suite.

Somewhat predictably, these DIY plumbing jobs often end in a damp squib, leaving many homeowners in hot water.

As a result, this translates to a lot of extra work for UK plumbers.

diy disasters,diy plumbing courses

The Numbers

The results of the study highlighted some interesting trends, particularly when it comes to the common DIY tasks we attempt at home.

According to the Which? study, 53% of those that took part had attempted to replace a set of taps themselves.

Theoretically, assuming this survey is indicative of the nation as a whole, that means over half of Britain has dabbled in home plumbing in pursuit of saving a few quid.

Meanwhile, a further 41% had attempted to plumb in an appliance themselves and 35% have attempted to fix a leak.

DI-Why?

On the flip side of these figures, traders are commonly hired to help solve these issues created by over-enthusiastic DIYers.

In fact, over 60% of the traders surveyed had been called in to finish the aforementioned tasks, proving that there really is no substitute for first-hand knowledge and professional experience.

Worse still, these DIY disasters often lead to even worse problems occurring, from small leaks developing into larger issues to poor installation completely ruining kitchens.

DIY Plumbing Courses

One thing that’s abundantly clear from the study is that DIY plumbing jobs are a sure-fire way to get yourself in deep water – quite literally at times!

That being said, here at Access Training UK, we have a variety of entry-level plumbing courses available, designed to help you not only become a DIY VIP but also a veritable plumbing pro in no time at all.

Ideal for anyone looking to learn a new skill, perfect their DIY skills or change their career path entirely, these plumbing related courses have the ability to change your life as well as your home.

Essential Plumbing Course

Designed for absolute beginners, this course provides you with a firm understanding of the basics and sets you up for a potential new career in the trade.

Professional Plumbing Course

This all-level course provides a variety of useful qualifications, designed to equip you with the knowledge to confidently enter the world of professional plumbing.

Advanced Plumbing Course

Ideal for beginners or those looking to update their existing skills, this course allows you to learn the ins and outs of plumbing and gas fitting.

Bathroom Installation Course

Specifically designed for those that want to design and install bathroom suites to a professional standard, this course is open to all skill levels.

For more information on our plumbing courses, call now on 0800 345 7492 or hit the button below to get in touch online.

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03Jul2019

DIY Disasters a Common Complaint for Plumbers

Lewis access training courses, bathroom fitting, plumbing

Female plumber

Pictured: Leah Carney, a woman who started her own plumbing business after completing a course with Access Training. Read Leah's story here.

30-year-old Carly Gayle from Crewe recently made headlines after being dubbed 'The UK's Sexiest Plumber'. Her story (which was picked up by The Sun, the Daily Star and the Daily Mail, among others) highlighted some of the challenges that female plumbers tend to face in this male-dominated trade.

"Where's the man?"

Gayle, a fifteen-year veteran of the plumbing trade, is often asked "where's the man?" when she arrives on-site for a job. Sadly, it's a line that lots of tradeswomen are familiar with, and it goes to show that many members of the public still hold very stereotypical views about what a plumber should be.

While Gayle did go on to mention that she has used that dismissive comment as fuel to help her success, her story does bring to light the prejudices commonly encountered by women in plumbing.

How many female plumbers are there in the UK?

According to industry experts, only 1-2% of all UK plumbers are female. When Carly Gayle was learning her trade, she was one of only two women on a plumbing course of 200.

In an effort to address this vast gender gap, WaterSafe launched their 'Get Girls Plumbing' campaign back in 2014, aiming to promote the trade to female school leavers and women looking for a career change.

While the campaign has barely moved the needle in terms of overall figures, there is undoubtedly a market for female plumbers in the UK. In fact, WaterSafe also reported that 31% of women would prefer a female plumber to carry out work in their homes.

A number of all-female plumbing companies have begun to spring up in recent years; in fact, for many of these businesses, it's become a unique and lucrative selling point.

Gender equality is a hot topic in 21st-century Britain, and there's never been a better time for women to dive into the world of plumbing.

Becoming a Female Plumber - Our Plumbing Courses

Regardless of your gender, plumbing is a great skill to have and an even better career to jump into. Careers in plumbing are well-paid, challenging and always in demand.

If you’re a woman looking to join the ever-growing force of highly-skilled female plumbers in the UK, or are any other gender looking to become a qualified plumber, Access Training has a wide range of plumbing courses available at different levels.

No matter what level of qualification you’re looking to achieve, we’ve got a course perfectly suited to you.

Essential Plumbing Course

Learn the basics needed to become a domestic plumber (no experience required).

Professional Plumbing Course

A comprehensive course to help you become a fully-qualified plumber (no experience required).

Premier Plumbing Course

Combined course allowing you to earn plumbing and gas qualifications simultaneously (no experience required).

Bathroom Fitting Course

This course will equip you with all the skills and knowledge needed to install bathrooms (no experience required).

Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems

If you're already a plumber or heating engineer, this course will teach you how to install and maintain unvented hot water storage systems

WRAS - Water Regulations Advisory Scheme

Completion of this course enables you to apply for 'approved contractor' status with your local water authority - a prerequisite for many employers.

NVQ Level 2 Certification – For Experienced Site Plumbers

This fast-track NVQ programme is designed for experienced plumbers looking to gain the NVQ Level 2 Diploma quickly and with minimal fuss.

Whether you're male or female, why not consider training to become a plumber with the help of Access Training UK? Our courses offer qualifications for a range of skill levels, allowing you to achieve your career aspirations within a relatively short time frame.

View Our Plumbing Courses >>

Last updated 5th July 2022

20May2019

Women in Plumbing: What Problems Do Female Plumbers Face?

Lewis plumbing

Plumbing tools

So you've decided that you would like to be a plumber, you've taken a quick look at the courses that we have to offer, and you've decided on the course that's most suited to you and the level of qualification you think you may require. But let us take a moment and explain to you in more detail what qualifications you need to fulfil your ambition and become a fully qualified plumber.

The minimum qualification that you need to become a plumber is the City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Diploma in Domestic Plumbing. This qualification allows you carry out various domestic jobs, such as fixing taps, unclogging pipes, etc. If you complete our Essential Plumbing Course then you will gain this qualification. The City & Guilds 6035 is ideal if you are just entering the plumbing industry and would like to work alongside or become a domestic plumber.

If you would like to work on a large building site, or for a larger plumbing firm (e.g. British Gas or AA), you will first need to earn your NVQ Level 2. If you have no prior experience in the plumbing industry, don’t worry. Here at Access Training, we have developed two courses that are designed specifically for the absolute beginner - we'll train you up to become a fully qualified plumber in next to no time!

Professional Plumbing Course

Our Professional Plumbing Course will help you gain 4 industry-recognised qualifications:

City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Plumbing
City & Guilds 6189-57 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Certificate
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) Certificate

These qualifications will allow you to enter the plumbing industry with a varied skill set, allowing you take on a variety of work. In addition to completing jobs for domestic clients, you will also be qualified to work on larger sites and for large plumbing companies, such as British Gas.

View Professional Course >

Premier Plumbing Course

Our Premier Plumbing Course is Access Training's most comprehensive course for aspiring plumbers. If you wish to become a fully-qualified plumber, we advise you to enrol in this course.

If you complete this course, you will not only become a skilled plumber, you will also become a qualified gas engineer. Our Premier course includes the following qualifications:

City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Plumbing
City & Guilds 6189-57 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Certificate
WRAS Certificate
Part P Domestic Electrical Installer
ACS Gas Certificate

View Premier Course >

Entering the plumbing industry with these qualifications will set you apart from the competition, either in a job interview or if you decide to embark on a career as a self-employed plumber.

If you are already working as a plumber (maybe you have taken our Essential Plumbing Course or completed some work experience with an employer) then you can also undertake you NVQ Level 2 through Access Training.

If you are interested in becoming a fully qualified plumber, get in touch now to discuss your options with Access Training.

View All Plumbing Courses >

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21Mar2016

Do I Need an NVQ to Be a Plumber?

Ian plumbing

Having fully completed his professional electrician course, ex-rugby player and Access Academies student Xavier Rush has now turned his attention towards retraining in a second trade and begun a plumbing training course with us. We caught up with him during the fourth week of his six week course to find out how he's getting on and how the plumbing training has differed from his previous experience with the electrical training course. One thing's for sure, it's a very different experience to playing rugby for both the All Blacks and Cardiff Blues...

How are you finding the change from electrical work to a plumbing course?

It’s definitely the most practical I’ve done so far! There was a lot of theory with the electric but theory there is here is probably a lot easier to grasp. But then it’s also far more hands on too. It’s very busy – we’ve been working with low carbon steel and a lot of copper as well. I fitted a bathroom last week which was enjoyable – it’s nice to step back and see the results sometimes.

But a lot like the electric these are intense course and you pick up a lot of information and skills quickly. It helps that you’re learning from people who’ve been in the industry a long time.

Had you done any plumbing before starting the course?

No, before this I didn’t have a thing – I couldn’t even stop a leak. You’ve got to pick it up quite quickly as there’s no one there holding your hand. Once you’ve got an understanding of it all it gets a lot easier. It’s just knowing what fittings do what and what products you’re working with, that sort of thing.

Have you found anything especially difficult over the last four weeks?

I suppose it just takes you a while before you get competent with everything really. Nothing is truly mind boggling. There were a few issues fitting a bath, but it’s the kind of stuff you can get your head around.

How have the tutors been?

They’ve been great and a really big help this week especially. They don’t baby you at all, but make sure to tell you exactly where you’ve gone wrong – which is exactly what they need to do. If you were working in someone’s house and you spring a leak and their lounge ceiling falls in you’re going to be in trouble. So you’ve just got to know. It’s just like anything – the more you practice you have, the better you get. Its good being here because if you’re going to make mistakes make them here, that way I can waste your copper rather than mine!

How have you found the studying at home element of the course?

Like I said, you are picking up a lot of information in a short time so while you’re here you’ve really got to apply yourself for the six weeks. There’s a lot of going home, revising, getting ready for exams because if you don’t do the homework you don’t get the passes. You have got to read the book and retain that information. I’ve had many a late night drinking coffees at Starbucks looking like a bit of a geek.

And finally, how much time do you have left here before you’re all done?

I’ve got two more weeks after Christmas. It’s been an intense four weeks so it’ll be nice to have a bit of a break and then come back and hit it again. Because we’ve done so much over the last few weeks and put so many fittings together you should be able to retain a lot of the information. And then after that that’ll be it for me…for now! I might come back and do the one week electrical testing course just to freshen up on that. But it’s just brilliant to come here and reskill so quickly as an older person. I did carpentry when I left school but to think now I’ve got plumbing and electric qualifications backing that up. And to feel confident with that within ten weeks is berserk really – they’re skills you’ve obviously got for life.

I can look at stuff in houses now and understand it. Obviously it doesn’t give you all the experience – you’re still going to go out there and make mistakes but it’s given me a really good grasp of both industries, both the electric and the plumbing.

As Xavier approaches the end of his Access Academies training, we'll be talking to him again in the new year to discuss his overall experiences and his plans for the future. In the meantime if you have any questions you'd like to ask him about changing careers and retraining in a new trade, please let us know over on Twitter or Facebook. If you yourself would like more information on Access' extensive range of trades training courses (also including gas engineering, carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, tiling and painting/decorating), please get in contact with one of our course advisers on 0800 345 7492.

16Dec2013