Plumbers and heating engineers have many similar skills, but the main difference is the work they do. Plumbers usually deal with water systems and drainage, while plumbers oftern work on heating systems and boilers.
Domestic plumbers, heating engineers, and gas engineers are skilled tradespeople who play vital roles in keeping our homes safe and functional, but how do you know who to call when your appliances break down? We've put together this blog to highlight each role's area of expertise and day-to-day responsibilities so that you can be sure you call the right person for the job. Keep reading to learn more.
The Difference Between Plumbers and Heating Engineers
What is a plumber?
Plumbers primarily deal with water systems and drainage in homes.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing and repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines, and other water-using appliances
- Working on water pipes and drainage systems
- Fixing leaks and blockages in pipes, drains, toilets, and faucets
- Maintaining hot water systems, including boilers, water heaters, and unvented cylinders.
- Installing and repairing water softeners and filtration systems
Interested in training as a plumber? Read our blog on How To Become a Plumber in the UK.
What is a heating engineer?
Heating engineers primarily deal with heating systems and boilers in homes. This does not include working with gas. A heating engineer would need to qualify to become Gas Safe Registered in order to do this.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing and repairing boilers, radiators, thermostats, and other heating system components
- Servicing and maintaining boilers and heating systems
- Diagnosing and fixing heating system problems
- Providing advice on energy efficiency and system upgrades
Are you interested in training as a heating engineer? Check out our blog "What Is a Heating Engineer" for more information.
The Difference Between Plumbers and Gas Engineers
What is a gas engineer?
Gas engineers work solely with gas and gas appliances. A gas engineer must be Gas Safe Registered.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing, servicing, and repairing gas cookers, fires, and other gas appliances
- Perform routine safety inspections
- Issue gas safety certificates
If you want to learn more about the diverse role of a gas engineer and how you can train to be one, check out our blog: What Does A Gas Engineer Do?
Overlapping Skills
While their primary areas of expertise differ, domestic plumbers, heating engineers, and gas engineers often possess overlapping skills and may be able to handle some tasks outside their core focus. For example, some plumbers are Gas Safe registered, allowing them to work on boilers and gas appliances. Similarly, some heating engineers may have experience with basic plumbing tasks like fixing leaky faucets.
When to Call a Plumber vs. Heating Engineer vs. Gas Engineer
Call a plumber for:
- Leaky pipes, faucets, or appliances
- Clogged drains or toilets
- Problems with hot water systems (except boilers)
Call a heating engineer for:
- Faulty radiators or thermostats
- Problems with the central heating system
Call a gas engineer for:
- Gas appliance issues, e.g., boiler breakdowns or servicing
- Gas meter issues
It's always best to check the specific qualifications and areas of expertise of any tradesperson you hire to ensure they are the right person for the job. If you are looking to become one of these skilled tradespeople yourself, take a look at the wide range of courses we offer here at Access Training.
Thinking of becoming a plumber? Here's a preview of what an average working day might look like once you're qualified...
Plumbers tend to rise early in the morning, often completing the first job of the day before the nation's office workers have even switched on their computers. But while those office workers will be chained to their desks for the next eight hours, a professional plumber gets to spend the day travelling around, tackling a variety of tasks in all sorts of different workplaces.
What jobs do plumbers do?
The jobs that make up a plumber's average working day depend (to an extent) on whether that plumber is self employed or employed by someone else.
Self-employed plumbers
If you've decided to set up your own business and be your own boss, you're free to pick and choose what jobs you take on. In all likelihood, domestic plumbing repairs and installations will form the majority of the work you do.
Common jobs include:
- Stopping leaks and drips
- Unclogging drains
- Improving water pressure
- Installing new pipework
- Fitting bathrooms
- Repairing boilers*
*Note that plumbers must be Gas Safe registered in order to work on gas boilers.
Plumbers employed by somebody else
If you are employed by a commercial plumbing company, your typical working day will probably look a little different from that of a self-employed domestic plumber.
Yes, there will still be plenty of leaks to fix and drains to unblock, but you may also find yourself...
- Installing plumbing systems in new buildings
- Maintaining large-scale water supply / waste removal systems
- Carrying out work on public water mains
If you're not keen on the idea of spending lots of time in the van, zipping from one job to the next, then you might prefer a 'static' job that allows you to do all your work in one place. Many large businesses employ resident plumbers to carry out regular inspections and maintenance on the company's premises.
What hours do plumbers work?
Some plumbers work a standard nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday week like everyone else. But there's a lot of extra money to be made if you're happy to work evenings and weekends. If your average customer is at work during the day, they'll probably want a plumber who is willing to pop by later on, when they're at home...or maybe on Saturday, when they've got the day off. And of course, some plumbing emergencies can't wait until the next weekday!
Self-employed plumbers have the freedom and the flexibility to choose their own timetable and work as many (or as few) hours as they wish. Plumbers in traditional employment usually - though not always - operate on a more rigid schedule. Both career paths have their benefits; once you've completed your training and got some professional plumbing qualifications under your belt, it will be up to you to decide which lifestyle suits you best.
Browse Our Plumbing Courses >
Further reading:
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.
Learn the basics needed to become a domestic plumber (no experience required).
A comprehensive course to help you become a fully-qualified plumber (no experience required).
Combined course allowing you to earn plumbing and gas qualifications simultaneously (no experience required).
This course will equip you with all the skills and knowledge needed to install bathrooms (no experience required).
If you're already a plumber or heating engineer, this course will teach you how to install and maintain unvented hot water storage systems
Completion of this course enables you to apply for 'approved contractor' status with your local water authority - a prerequisite for many employers.
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.
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Last updated 5th July 2022