Want to become a faster and more efficient plumber

[Mranon1989]

hey guys

Looking for any pointers/advice in becoming a better tradesman. Lately I'm doubting myself. I'm a level 3 plumber with OFTEC only just passed my level 3 and want to know if anyone has any advice for me so I can perform well. Kills me to think that I'm not good enough or that I'm not up to par in comparison to other boys. Just want any pointers that you boys have for me. Whether it's organisation or tips and tricks.

Cheers!

 

[king of pipes]

don't put yourself down mate there's plenty out there that will do that for you just bear in mind you cannot please everyone all the time seems to me your lacking confidence a bit you have got your qualifications so your no fool , it takes years to become fully skilled 3 tips I would give you work clean and tidy dust sheet up where you work and clean up after yourself , communicate well , turn out quality work recommendations from customers is what you want to achieve. take pride in your work and your confidence will grow. I have been doing this nearly 40 years and I am still learning things every week chin up bud post a couple of picture up of a install you have completed lets have a look all the best kop.

 

[Mranon1989]

Just a few I've done. I'm getting Afro off this builder we do work for and he's also someone who contributed to me being sacked from my previous employer. (Previous employer was a tool but still' I do lack confidence but o suppose that's down to what happened with my apprenticeship

 

[ShaunCorbs]

think about layout and plan your route

looks good tho bet the sparky liked you on the last pic

no mag filter on return ?

pipe work looks great

nice bends / passovers

 

[king of pipes]

you got no worries bud nice clean tidy work there its their loss theres always someone who will take the Sod we all have knocks in life keep turning out work like that you will be just fine only one comment maybe space the pipework a bit so you can get the insulation on all the best kop.

 

[townfanjon]

Level 3 , you aint no mug pal .
Years ago when I retrained as a plumber approx 22 of us enrolled on the old C&G foundation course ( dont run it now ) , 2 off us finished as level 3 plumbers .....
Draw your own conclusions from that pal , but I say well done .

 

[Mranon1989]

Thanks lads.

Haha the sparky messed up on the plan from what I remember. No mag on the return because the customer didn't want one (extra cost) if it was up to me I'd put them in on every install, class things.

I was thinking more along the lines of organisation and little things like distances when first fixing etc... I got note on my phone with the pipe distances for the radiators we use so I know exactly where to position my pipes for whatever might be going there eg double, single etc..

I know I need to sort my van out because it's rammed at the moment. Just getting the will to do it lately.

 

[MOSSEP]

what has the builder moaned about?

 

[Mranon1989]

Just things like pipes being in places where they shouldn't but I put that down to lack of communication. Says one thing and does another sort of thing, really annoys me that I have to go and alter pipework after being on another job all day.

I want to be more organised because I find myself going back n forth to the suppliers. My work is to a good standard but other things let me down. In my mind anyway.

 

[king of pipes]

Dont beat yourself up about it bud we all have them jobs working for builders it is always a problem they often work in a muddle themselves and expect you to attend their job as soon as they call , i have had a nightmare job myself this past 10 days a compleate bathroom revamp multi paneled walls for the shower all the other walls and floor. are fully tiled with porcelain tiles and a limestone boarder , which weigh a absolute ton these tiles need to be supported and the adhesives to fully dry before you can grout up , new shower mixer and fittings tray and sliding doors, new toilet and basin fancy towel rail pipework chopped in the wall and made good , soil stack boxed, pipework boxed all takes time the customer expected it done in 7 days when i had said 2 weeks , nearly walked on tuesday after a few snide comments they made and a slagging off text but got it sorted and am now back on track so we all get em mate , i tend to plan my days work and pick up materials am for that day but often have to go get bits grrrr all the bests kop.

 

[Dilalio]

It's a part of the job that sometimes things catch you out and can be a PITA!
I'm just coming to the end of installaing a wet room and separate ensuite to first floor in a beautifully finished occupied home... can't move outside the spaces for risk of damaging something! The tiles are 600x600 polished flats on walls and floor with 1mm grout joints... they are the toughest porcelain I've had to drill through and the Aqua Lisa outlets and controls all require 4 fixing points very close to the pipe stubs - what a nightmare 35 holes in the wet room and 20 in the ensuite all taking about 10-15 mins each and numerous bits... aaaggghhh!

 

[king of pipes]

Feel for you bud i have the same problem invested in some marcrist drill bits , and the bosch blue bits to start em off keep wetting the bit and you gradually get there good luck kop .

 

[Dilalio]

The best ones I've found to date- believe it or not, are the wickes triple pack of glass tile bits for £5.99 they are arrow-headed and can deal with a wide range of materials. Great VFM too - but it's still a pain. Cheers d.

Edit: which marcrist bits and Bosch blues do you use?

 

[Dilalio]

60 holes later , all finished apart from special order screen for ensuite which is being delivered in 12 weeks

 

[kasser]

How do you access the toilet cistern if something goes wrong in there?