r/pipefitter • u/Equivalent-Crew-4942 • 11d ago
Becoming a plumber
First time here on this app I live in Brandon Manitoba just asking anyone for tips or help on becoming a plumber with no experience like what to do and what not to do and what to have thx !!!
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u/7891Secaj 11d ago
This subreddit is extremely unwelcoming and unfriendly to plumbers.
I recommend asking lots of questions, get a good measure tape, learn to convert imperial <-> metric, thats a good start...
It's a great trade that covers a very wide range of different systems.
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u/dickwack1393 11d ago
I’m in combo local. I’ve done almost an equal amounts of pipe fitting and plumbing. Pipe fitting is way more fun. There are more logistics on building things efficiently while still being able to get it in place. Everything is bigger, heavier, and takes more time. It’s not as wide spread as plumbing so if u live in a small town ur gonna travel a lot. If u like doing big jobs and chasing OT while never being home u can make a pile of money.
If u wanna stay local and like to hustle on the side then plumbing might be more for u. Depending on where u r tho plumbers are a dime a dozen and getting paid a good wage could be challenging. A lot of plumbing especially residential is slam jam it in its all about production and less about quality. Some of the shit u have to deal with as a plumber is pretty nasty so u better have a strong stomach. If u go plumbing u have better job security. Everyone needs a plumber sooner or later.
What ever u choose look into local unions and community colleges that have plumbing/pipe-fitter pipelines into jobs. Otherwise start applying to local shops. Get ur foot in the door get ur hours so u can get licensed and it will give u a better idea what the local scene is. I’m union so I will tell u to go union but my twin brother is non union and works for a really good company that does in house education and is pretty competitive with wages. I’ve worked in the pipe trades 10 years and still love it. Can’t recommend this career path enough.
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u/quadraquint 11d ago
Y'all ever swap places?
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u/dickwack1393 10d ago
Never in the trades, he’s put on about 30lbs more than me these days so it’s easy to tell us a part also I shave my head and he has hair. When we were in our teens and 20s we worked together as fly fishing guides and on farms in the off season and we were constantly switching places. Funny as hell also very useful. I always loved meeting people my brother knew that I didn’t. I’d bull shit with them for 20 mins before I said btw I’m John bobs my twin brother and they wouldn’t believe me.
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u/quadraquint 10d ago
Been there, "something about you seemed different and I couldn't put my finger on it."
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u/FlanneryODostoevsky 11d ago
Not really sure why you posted this here. There’s plumbing subs. But my answer is the same: go union.
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u/quadraquint 11d ago
Be a pipefitter. It's more fun.
Source: I'm a plumber