| Plumbers are a familiar sight to all of us. We often | | | | hallmark of far-sighted plumbing contractors all |
| see them fixing the sink, unplugging a toilet or | | | | over the world. This means that special attention |
| repairing a leak. This looks like fairly mundane | | | | is paid to installing low-flow showers and toilets. |
| work, however, your plumber is a highly skilled | | | | Fixtures and piping are made from sustainable |
| and trained individual with a vast knowledge of | | | | materials that do not impact on the environment |
| pipes, fixtures and building foundations. The origins | | | | or on an individual's health. Lead is no longer in use |
| of plumbing are ancient and astonishing in | | | | for obvious health reasons. |
| complexity and functionality. | | | | A person interested in plumbing should look for a |
| One of the earliest known examples of plumbing | | | | vocational school or apprentice training from a |
| can be found in the ancient ruins of drains, | | | | reputable plumber. Apprenticeships can last from |
| bathhouses and palaces that flourished over 4,000 | | | | four to five years, sponsored by boards made up |
| years ago. The ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos | | | | of unions, representatives and experts in the field. |
| in the isle of Crete had four separate drainage | | | | While not all plumbers are unionized, the unions are |
| systems. These systems all emptied into stone | | | | still a prominent player in today's construction and |
| sewers. It also contained the first flushing toilet | | | | definition of plumbing. Applicants must be 18 years |
| with a wooden seat and a small reservoir of | | | | or older, have a high school diploma, or informal |
| water. | | | | training in the field. |
| As wonderful as this is, one must look to the | | | | A plumber must be able to read blueprints, |
| Roman Empire for plumbing roots in the | | | | retaining knowledge about foundations, fixtures |
| development and creation of pipes carrying water | | | | and frameworks. They are expected to follow |
| provided through aqueducts. It was the | | | | instructions from plumbing contractors or builders, |
| refinement of material from stone and | | | | plan the work and then perform the duties with |
| earthenware to lead that provides the root name | | | | capability and excellence. They must have |
| of the modern day plumber. The word plumber | | | | computer skills as software programs are used to |
| comes from the Latin plumbus or plumbum which | | | | design, implement and detail a plumbing installation. |
| means lead. The newly coined name for these | | | | They must understand building codes, materials |
| workers was plumbumer. The name was later | | | | and techniques to be a successful plumber. |
| shortened to plumber. | | | | Prospects for employment in the field of plumbing |
| Modern plumbers have expanded on the early | | | | is very good and plumbers make an average |
| duties of Roman plumbumers although the core | | | | hourly wage of twenty dollars in most areas of |
| responsibilities remain the same. Today they are | | | | the US. Job growth is expected to be above the |
| responsible for installing and maintaining pipe | | | | national average and long-term prospects are |
| systems carrying air, gases, steam and water. | | | | excellent. A career in plumbing is a noble |
| They also are versed in installing plumbing fixtures | | | | profession with a rich and extensive background. |
| for kitchens and baths. The main contrast | | | | The nobility of the profession is echoed in the |
| between ancient and modern day plumbers is the | | | | words of an ancient king when he said if he |
| attention to the environment. | | | | couldn't be king, he would want to be a plumber. |
| Sustainable energy projects have become the | | | | |