Generalities
What characterizes plumbing?
Plumbing is a set of techniques and materials used for the management of drinking water, wastewater, gases and industrial liquids. Some key plumbing features include:
• Safety: Plumbing must be designed and installed to ensure the safety of users and the environment. Plumbers must be trained to follow applicable regulations and safety standards.
• Waterproofing: Plumbing equipment and installations must be waterproof to avoid leaks and water damage. Plumbers use materials such as copper, PVC, PEX, lead and steel to seal pipes, valves, fittings and other components.
• Efficiency: Plumbing must be designed to be efficient in terms of water and energy management. Plumbers can use equipment such as rainwater recovery tanks, heat pumps, solar water heaters, etc., to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Flexibility: Plumbing must be flexible to meet the changing needs of users and the environment. Plumbers must be able to design and install customized plumbing systems to meet the specific requirements of each customer.
The main tasks of a plumber
The main tasks of a plumber can vary depending on his or her area of specialization and the type of work he or she is required to do. However, here are some of the most common tasks that a plumber can perform:
• Install plumbing equipment: A plumber may be responsible for installing plumbing equipment such as sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, sinks, water heaters, taps, pipes, pipes, etc. The contractor must be able to understand plumbing plans and drawings, accurately measure and cut materials, and assemble them to ensure the watertightness and proper operation of the installation.
• Repair plumbing equipment: A plumber may be called to repair plumbing equipment that is broken, defective or leaking.
• Maintain plumbing equipment: A plumber can be responsible for regular maintenance of plumbing equipment to prevent breakdowns and extend the life of the facility
• Install and repair heating systems: A plumber may also be trained to install and repair heating systems such as boilers, radiators, heating floors, etc.
• Diagnose plumbing problems: A plumber should be able to quickly diagnose plumbing problems from the symptoms observed.
• Advise clients: A plumber may also be asked to advise clients on best practices to maintain their plumbing equipment and save water and energy.
Plumbing and maintenance
How does maintenance work at the plumbers?
Plumbers can organize themselves in different ways for their maintenance, depending on the size of their business, their workload, and the needs of their customers. Here are some common organizational methods for plumber maintenance:
• Planning and Scheduling: Plumbers can use Computer Assisted Maintenance Management (GMAO) tools to plan and schedule preventive maintenance, based on manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules or service contracts with customers.
• Curative Maintenance: Plumbers may also be called upon to perform emergency repairs or curative maintenance when equipment or plumbing installations fail or exhibit defects.
• Maintenance contracts: Plumbers can also offer maintenance contracts to their customers to provide regular preventive and curative maintenance service.
• Customer communication: Plumbers can establish regular communication with their customers to understand their maintenance needs and provide advice on how to keep their plumbing equipment in good condition.
By using efficient organizational methods, plumbers can provide high-quality maintenance service to their customers, while maximizing their efficiency and profitability.
Do plumbers have a lot of maintenance tasks?
Plumbers may have different maintenance tasks, depending on the type of equipment or plumbing installation. Common maintenance tasks for plumbers may include:
• Regular maintenance of heating and air conditioning equipment such as boilers, radiators, heat pumps, air conditioning units, etc.
• Emptying and cleaning septic tanks and wastewater pipes to avoid obstructions and overflows.
• Replacement of defective joints and pipes to prevent leakage and water damage.
• Inspecting pipelines with cameras for obstructions or damage.
• Cleaning faucet and shower head filters to maintain water quality.
• Installing and maintaining rainwater recovery systems to save water.
Overall, plumbers can have many maintenance tasks depending on the needs of their customers and the nature of their maintenance contracts.
Is a GMAO useful for plumbers?
A GMAO (Computer Assisted Maintenance Management) can be very useful for plumbers, especially for plumbing companies that have a high workload and long-term maintenance contracts with customers.
A GMAO allows to follow the interventions on the equipment and installations of plumbing, to plan and to program the preventive interventions, to manage the stocks of spare parts, to follow the historical interventions, manage invoices and maintenance contracts, and communicate more effectively with customers.
By using a GMAO, plumbers can improve the quality of their service, reduce equipment downtime, optimize their intervention planning, avoid forgetting and mistakes, and improve customer satisfaction.
