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heating, gas, and drainage systems. They install fixtures such as bathtubs, toilets, sinks, showers, washing machines, and boilers, and, of course, maintain them as well (as anyone who’s ever had a clogged toilet will know). Plumbers may also need to cut holes in walls and floors; cut, bend, and solder lengths of pipe; or connect sections of plastic pipe with adhesive. They need to know how to read blueprints in order to know where to install these things, and building codes to make sure that everything is up to spec in the course of their work. After installing the plumbing system, plumbers need to be able to connect it to the municipal water and gas supplies and test the system to make sure that it works. Pipe fitters tend towork on larger-scale projects, such as the high- and low-pressure pipes used in manufacturing, municipal sewer systems, and power plants. They may also install and maintain the electronic controls for these systems. There are also subspecialties of pipe fitting,

p  Installation of an under-floor heating system.

Plumber or Pipe Fitter  •

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