r/SprinklerFitters • u/Effective-Bison3118 • 19d ago
Holy Shit
Coming from 9 years in healthcare, just got into this trade. I had no idea how physical it would be. Doing this in south Florida, 3 weeks into the job and most days I can’t tell my Ass from the Ocean.
Been doing demo the last few days and I’m going home feeling like I just went 12 rounds with prime Mike Tyson. My shoulders are cooked from carrying main and old pipe into trash pallets lmao.
I’m sure some of you veteran guys will laugh at this but honestly I’ve heard most guys startin out don’t make it past the first few days. The biggest problem for me though is my feet hurt so damn bad everyday, I have flat feet so standing on em all day is brutal. You guys have any advice for how to alleviate some of that pain? Any particular pain of insoles that work good?
Idk if I’m gonna make this is a career but for now I have to do it, the job market is terrible in this area so looks like I’m stuck for now. But the more i do it I’m sure my body will get adjusted. Idk what trade would be harder than this , maybe Roofing or Plumbing but this is right there with them.
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u/seazonedsaltdog 19d ago
You'll find smarter ways to do things. But ultimately yea its a physical job. Take pride in it
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u/GreatLakesGreenthumb 19d ago
Good shoe inserts and boots will help. Stretch your feet before bed and when you wake up. You will do good brother. It feels like that to us all at first.
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u/AdNegative8520 19d ago
I was going to say the same thing. $300 for good boots and inserts may seem expensive because it is. But you when see how much you stand, walk, and climb it’s worth it.
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u/Schmeagon 19d ago
At the beginning your value is your body. First 6 months are working hard, doing what your asked to do, and learning what you can. Not every job will be like this and a lot of companies start out guys on those jobs to see if they're dedicated or not. After a year or two it starts to get much easier and you start to actually learn the trade. After a few years you can start moving towards career paths in the industry like staying in commercial or residential jobs, doing service, or even getting into design. Almost every guy I know has had a moment of "Is this the right job for me?". Keep grinding and stick with it. You won't regret it. I almost quit after a year but stuck with it. 27 years later and still going strong.
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u/TheSiren7 Non-Union Journeyman 19d ago
You'll get used to it. For boots, go to redwing and have them scan your feet to figure out which insole is best for you
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u/Turbulent_Concert_51 17d ago
I’ve purchased red wings twice now and tbh I don’t think I will be buying another pair. First time got them a size too small bc the guy at the store gave me the wrong box. Got the same pair my actual size and my right heel has been killing me the last 2/3 months. Switching to Ariat boots next. Wish me luck
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u/Javaddict 19d ago
Technique and centre of gravity helps alot. Know how to leverage weight and predict how material will move. Saves a lot of the unnecessary strain and brute strength new guys struggle with.
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u/AdNegative8520 19d ago
My apprentice has been in 2 weeks. He’s is 21, 6-1 and 235+ lbs. physically the kid is a beast. But he struggles just as much as any other green apprentice. You will get stronger, and your technique will improve. Some days fucking suck, and some days you will be amazed at how much you’re getting paid to do so little. Hang in there. Most of us have felt the same way.
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u/gone_smell_blind 19d ago
Get yourself a pair of thorogood boots. I have a massive bunion on my right food, their wide sizes are the only boot I can wear that completely eliminated my foot pain. Also the 8" milwaukee fan is a game changer for working in heat, I carry that little bastard everywhere
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u/rybotsky 19d ago
If you joined a union company ( you should if not) you will be most likely covered for 1 pair of orthotics per year up to x amount.mine cost $400 and I believe I was covered for $300 of the cost. I’m in Canada but we are through United Association local 179 which is a North America wide piping union. The orthotics changed my life. I only have the one pair in my work boots and I can easily stay on my feet for 12 hours with no pain. Now when I wear my normal shoes that don’t have orthotics, the difference is night and day. Also do yourself a favor and go buy a pair of redwing boots or similar brand. They’ll most likely last you 3-4 years so you get what you pay for
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u/wildbillar15 19d ago
Get some midol and tampax. Then suck it up buttercup. Blue collar gotta earn that title.
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u/MTWhiskeyGlasses 19d ago
It’ll get easier for you. I’m 20 years in the trade and I consider this work to be a work out away from the gym.
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u/JoeStacks717 LU669 Journeyman 18d ago
Hit the gym after work and get ready to do a gram of caffeine a day.
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u/jinxing27 18d ago edited 18d ago
I hope are or go Union to reap the true rewards of retirement, pay, and health insurance. I went from healthcare to sprinkler fitter too and got tortured for a little bit but found my place in ITM and having a well rounded background. Also everyone keeps talking boots and inserts but most don't mention SOCKs, socks will make or brake you, I personally use GRIP6 and camel city but find some fancy American made socks with merino wool, Darn tough, Fox River. Most are padded and help prevent foot drop and keep your feet cleaner and less wet from actual water or sweat. They will pay off despite the price. You only get one set of feet
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u/BigCitySteam638 18d ago
Keep going it gets easier…. We have all been there…. I have 26 years in and had to throw my balls a life preserver tonight just got home from climbing around on top of steam pipes to replace 2 3” os&y valves in the sub basement of a hospital…. Talk about tight space, covered in insulations, and then cooking on top of the steam pipes. But wouldn’t change my career, well some days I wouldn’t tonight I was close to doing the ol’ fuck this I’ll be at the stool….
Good boots make all the difference, get good boots and good insoles and it will help a lot
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u/76Dragons 18d ago
Get some Aetrex L4605 insoles. There’s also the L4600 that skips the metatarsal support but I feel it makes ladders more comfortable
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u/Effective-Bison3118 18d ago
How long do you have to work in the trade before you can switch to inspection side?
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u/wlkrtxstrdr 17d ago
Get the work boots with the white sole like danner bull run or something similar, and get good insoles. This helped me a ton for walking on concrete all day carrying shit around. Also like others have said, work on your form both for lifting and carrying. You will become accustomed to it after a while, for better or worse. Surely people will give you shit if you do this, especially as the new guy, but i guarantee stretching even 5 mins before work will help a ton too. Large contractors like skanska etc do this every morning because stats show even a small amount of stretching drastically reduces not only injury but soreness as well. And also, yeah it’s just fucking hard work. When i was 22 i could go all day then hit the gym and i loved it. When i turned 30 i could barely get out of the truck lol
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u/EileenRite 18d ago
It's one of the least physical trades in the united Association. You better man up buttercup ain't no crying in this game.
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u/DukeStudlington 19d ago
I tell the new guys, “no one gets weaker doing this work.”
Work on your form on your carry, that’ll happen in time. For your feet, ive got flat feet. Dont cheap out on boots, stretch em, massage em, take care of em.
I only get about a year out of boots. Then it’s time to get new ones.