Plumbing Service Technician

Job Summary

The Plumbing Service Technician diagnoses and repairs residential plumbing systems and leads customers to informed and confident buying decisions.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assemble pipe sections, tubing and fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing and welding equipment.
• Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
• Review building codes and specifications to determine work details and procedures.
• Prepare written work cost estimates and negotiate contracts.
• Study building plans and inspect structures to assess material and equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, and to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring.
• Keep records of assignments and produce detailed work reports.
• Strive to learn complex calculations and planning for special or very large jobs.
• Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, and fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers and levels.
• Measure, cut, thread, and bend pipe to required angle, using hand and power tools or machines such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, and pipe-bending machines.
• Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters, and fixtures such as sinks and toilets, using hand and power tools.
• Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools.
• Hang supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
• Repair and maintain plumbing, replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, and opening clogged drains.
• Use electrical demolition hammers, excavators, trenching equipment for underground plumbing installation and repair.
• Install underground storm, sanitary and water piping systems and extend piping to connect fixtures and plumbing to th...