Sparks vs Plumbers... What's the score?

[Deuce]

What's the beef?

Unusually, I'm a member of both electricians forums and plumbers forums, I work across both areas, in fact I frequently combine water and electricity in many varied and fun ways!

This leads me to ask why sparks and plumbers are forever complaining about each other in their own circles? I wonder if it's something to do with one feeling the other has the easier job? A spark might feel that whilst they need qualification, anyone can plumb in most instances. Whereas a plumber might feel that a spark has the luxury of knowing a good job when they complete it will remain a good job for a very long time, but a plumber can do everything right and leak check, pressure test etc and then a day later, there is a leak - because they effectively work blind (in plumbing you rely upon method, you can rarely visually check the seal you create).

Or is it just because it's fun? I'm fine about it either way, just curious!

 

[Andy78]

Respect to both trades. Big differences between basic domestic installers and experienced sparks who design and install complex installations. Likewise with plumbers and complex heating engineers plus the obvious overlap between the two.

I remember upsetting a guy once calling him a plumber. "I'm not a plumber I'm a heating engineer." I asked him what the difference was. "I don't do f***ing bogs !" he yelled.

 

[Billsays]

Its simple.........We have to control and manipulate an invisible force so dangerous that touching it can kill you and they work with excrement.

 

[solarsavings]

they work with excrement.

Custards can be like that.

 

[LankyWill]

A lot of the really good plumbers I’ve worked with are extremely knowledgable and very forward thinking. Pipe fitters (commercial plumbers) are another highly skilled trade at the same level as electricians.

I think we’re equal, I can’t do what they can and they can’t do what I can. It’s the arrogant and ignorant electricians that annoy me more, I can see why everyone thinks we’re ----s at times.

 

[telectrix]

Not true! You line up a bunch of Joe blogs and we can challenge each to rewire 10 plugs, and also fit 10 compression fittings. I reckon when the results are tested more of the plugs would pass than the compression joints.

You maybe underestimate a plumbers tactile ability to feel a joint and know if it's sound or not, along with a general sixth sense for how water is seeking to undermine them at any opportunity.

Another example: Most connections made by seasoned sparks are good, but few are 100% perfect. Let's say most are 99.9% as perfect as they could ever be though, and more than good enough. In a plumbers world a 99.9% perfect connection is an abject failure. 99.999% is still a tiny drip every 10 minutes and still a failure. It's 100% or failure.

maybe so, but how many plumbers pressure test all their pipework for potential leaks before introducing water? we have to. it's called IR testing. wet-pants gets it wrong, someone gets wet. we get it wrong, someone may die.

 

[Deuce]

maybe so, but how many plumbers pressure test all their pipework for potential leaks before introducing water? we have to. it's called IR testing. wet-pants gets it wrong, someone gets wet. we get it wrong, someone may die.

Most do, I certainly do. Leaks cause dangerous and/or expensive problems too. Perhaps not as deadly as electricity for the most part, but I would say the potential of a well installed plumbing system to cause problem far exceeds that of a well installed electrical system. A plumber can do everything right and still get a suprise and unfortunate result.

 

[telectrix]

A plumber can do everything right and still get a suprise and unfortunate result.

so can an electricinn when plumber fits a radiator in front of his already fixed socket back box, or runs pipes in front of a CU. or when wood butcher/boarder nails /screws through a cable, knowing full well that said cable is in a prescribed zone. not many cases of electricians screwing stuff to water pipes.

 

[Deuce]

A plumber can do everything right and still get a suprise and unfortunate result.

so can an electricinn when plumber fits a radiator in front of his already fixed socket back box, or runs pipes in front of a CU. or when wood butcher/boarder nails /screws through a cable, knowing full well that said cable is in a prescribed zone. not many cases of electricians screwing stuff to water pipes.

Hard to argue with that. I would say there are less than considerate people in all trades but I have to admit I have never known a spark rupture a pipe, but certainly been plunged into the dark several times by various other tradespeople acting blindly.

 

[Octopus]

I really do not get it to be honest. Plumbers will never be at a knowledge level of electricians - never. Plumbing is a DIY job.

I've given you a "dislike" because the highlighted sentence above is so ignorant.

 

[Nigel]

I've given you a "dislike" because the highlighted sentence above is so ignorant.

You actually gave me a dumb.

 

[ipf]

You actually gave me a dumb.

That's a bit pointless…….take a runaway train slam to shut you up, Neil......

 

[Nigel]

That's a bit pointless…….take a runaway train slam to shut you up, Neil......

Or a sandwich.

 

[ipf]

Or a sandwich.

It'd have to be an old British Rail one......

 

[Deuce]

I knew when I started this thread it would be troll bait

But anyhow, seems that actually most people replying are fairly respectful of the other trades, and that it's mostly down to good humour - which of course, we all need.

As a side note, I spent the afternoon changing the downstairs bog for a nice new wall mounted throne. I can report that the pants remained dry throughout.

 

[Rosco]

I knew when I started this thread it would be troll bait

But anyhow, seems that actually most people replying are fairly respectful of the other trades, and that it's mostly down to good humour - which of course, we all need.

As a side note, I spent the afternoon changing the downstairs bog for a nice new wall mounted throne. I can report that the pants remained dry throughout.

Don’t worry mate they will have you back because of a leak they find in a different part of the house absolutely nowhere near where you have worked but will blame you anyway, no matter what sparks and plumbers think of each other customers will try the same tricks to both of us