Project 8: Introduction to Plumbing

Our Introduction to Plumbing provides you the foundation for entering into a career in the plumbing industry. Over the course of 8-12 weeks you will gain both knowledge and skills in a plumbing lab environment, working with real tools and equipment, led by plumbing professionals from various parts of the industry.

 

We'll start with an overview of the plumbing industry explaining multiple career paths that provide future growth and opportunity. As expected, and required, we'll address the plumbing safety standards that will keep you and future customers from unnecessary injury.

 

Then you'll really get going with learning how to use the tools of the plumbing trade, both hand tools – like a pipe wrench – and power tools – like a Pro-press gun. From there you'll start to gain the foundational knowledge of plumbing materials – like PVC, PEX, pipe dope – how to keep your materials organized – whether on a work truck or in a warehouse – and the basics of plumbing system layout.

 

With that knowledge, you will then learn how to cut and join pipe in preparation for working with fittings, valves and devices. Once all of that groundwork is laid, you'll learn the basics of installing and repairing bathroom, kitchen and laundry fixtures, as well as water heaters – both tank type and tankless.

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Once you are familiar with all those components, you'll learn how they all work together in the two main systems in plumbing – water service distribution system and drain, waste & vent system. You'll wrap up Introduction to Plumbing with a basic overview of blueprints and drafting so you have an idea of what contractors have to know whether they are working on new construction or troubleshooting an existing structure.