Here are the 10 qualities every plumber should possess

Good plumbers in Australia can earn around AUD 98,000 per year. However, to earn this handsome figure, plumbers need to possess multiple critical qualities. If you want to pursue your career as a plumber in Australia and earn a decent living, read on to know the qualities you need.

1. Physical fitness

Not all plumbing tasks require plumbers to be fit. However, many do. Several plumbing tasks may require plumbers to remain crouched for extended periods. Some may also need plumbers to work on rooftops. Quite simply, a plumber who is not fit cannot perform these tasks over a long time.

So, before anything else, focus on your physical fitness. Maintain a healthy weight and also undergo strength and endurance training. These practices would allow you to not only complete physically intensive tasks, but also approach them with confidence.

2. Adherence to safety standards

Plumbing consists of heavy equipment. When it comes to handling and installing this equipment, plumbers need to strictly adhere to safety standards. Failing to adhere to said standards may not only cause damage to plumbing equipment, but also to plumbers along with their clients.

As you build your experience as a plumber, you should inculcate the habit of incorporating safety into everything you do. Over time, this practice should help you prioritize safety. It’s also important for plumbers in Australia to consider trade insurance. Find out more here.

3. Certification

There are two nationally accredited certifications for aspiring plumbers in Australia:

• Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber)
• Certificate IV in Plumbing And Services (Operations Stream)

The first certification is ideal for those who want to work as registered plumbers. However, it has certain limitations. For starters, registered plumbers cannot work without supervision. Additionally, registered plumbers do not have the authority of issuing compliance certificates.

The second certification would be perfect for you if your priority is to start your own plumbing business. Completing this would make you a licensed plumber who can supervise registered plumbers. You can also pursue both certifications to enhance your skillset.

4. Technical and mechanical inclination

Plumbing involves a variety of techniques and mechanics, which plumbers need to be familiar with. There is a misconception that plumbing is all about hard work. However, the fact is that it needs considerable thought as well.

For instance, you may need to suggest clients water valves based on their existing plumbing infrastructures. You may also have to work on projects with the aim of making plumbing systems more efficient. To do these tasks well, you need to have a grasp of the technical and mechanical side of things.

5. Professionalism and punctuality

A professional plumber typically tackles multiple tasks every day. As a result, being professional and punctual is of great importance. Without these qualities, a plumber is likely to always be in a rush to complete tasks.

You also need to think about the customer service aspect. If you fail to show up on time and behave professionally, you are likely to disappoint your customers. This would lead to a poor reputation and ultimately stop people from approaching you.

6. Physical coordination

Plumbers often have to enter tight spaces and work in them with multiple tools. Hand-eye coordination is important, and so is the ability to stay in uncomfortable positions for a long time.

Without physical coordination, this can get difficult. Typically, plumbers develop their physical coordination skills over time as they go from one project to the next.

7. Polite communication

Modern-day plumbers have no option but to upskill themselves on the communication front. Without communication skills, it can get quite hard for plumbers to understand their clients’ pain points.

Furthermore, plumbers need to communicate with clients in a polite manner. An impolite plumber is likely to engage in conflicts with clients and put them off permanently.

8. Commitment and persistence

The initial stages of a plumber’s career may not be very financially rewarding. However, with time, plumbers who stay committed tend to report an increase in their earnings.

So, if you aspire to be a professional plumber, you have to stay committed. Persistence is the key to making it as a plumber – there are no two ways about it.

9. Experience

You can’t complete your certification and expect to be a good plumber overnight. Every respected plumber in Australia has spent years honing the skills needed to become better at their jobs.

The same goes for you. After you complete your certification, make sure that you look for as much work as possible. This would expose you to different challenges and help you grow as a plumber.

10. Problem-solving attitude

There are some who tend to get overwhelmed by problems. At the same time, there are others who relish the opportunity of solving a problem, irrespective of how simple or complex it is.

If you are the latter kind of person, plumbing would be a great profession for you. Plumbers are regularly faced with intricately challenging situations that they must solve for their clients.