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

Deuce · Sep 19, 2018

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!

static zap · Sep 19, 2018

May have something to do with getting the best route through a new property! ( unless a well thought out one has already been provided !)
Two opposing teams .. (Now I'm talking football - of which I know Less)

Deleted member 26818 · Sep 19, 2018

I only take the mick out of plumbers, because it’s the expected thing.
Also it’s fun.

dmxtothemax · Sep 19, 2018

way way back in the olden days, when domestic electical systems arrived electrical wiring was installed in metal conduits, so in reality plumbers where the first electricians. Thats why we pick on the plumbers, cause we go way back, brothers in arms.

The Ghost · Sep 19, 2018

I have no such animosity/humour with regards to Plumbers. I am surprised and bemused when I see such. I think trades tend to get aggravated at each other when on site for instance the electrician finds the plumber has notched out all the joists he was planning to route his cables through or indeed already has and the plumber puts his pipes right by the cables! Or the plasterers who don't follow the plan on cabling and leave them in the wall and plaster in all the sockets so we have to go around and hammer out all the plaster and remove it from all the cables x 50 by which time you are muttering under your breath at the very least.

Nigel · Sep 19, 2018

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.

Wilko · Sep 19, 2018

Just another outcome of stereotyping, I reckon.
Without getting tooo deep - we have met the enemy of equality, and the enemy is us.

telectrix · Sep 19, 2018

that's a bit profound, so far before beer o'clock.

Andy78 · Sep 19, 2018

essex said:
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.

Bingo ! There you go, that's why they don't like us. Arrogance and superiority complexes.

Nigel · Sep 19, 2018

Andy78 said:
Bingo ! There you go, that's why they don't like us. Arrogance and superiority complexes.

It is true though isn't it?

Andy78 · Sep 19, 2018

essex said:
It is true though isn't it?

Honestly I don't think I can agree with that generalisation in an industry where many electricians are not at the knowledge level of electricians.

snowhead · Sep 19, 2018

I don't do Domestic,( in fact I dont' do anything now, I've just retired)

But it seems to me that the main issue as stated above is wanting to be in the same location with Cables, pipes and accessories in houses as determined onsite.
That's down to no project management in Domestics.

(Ignoring Plasterers who have always wanted to fill every hole, and chippys who have always wanted to put screws and nails through cables whether in the wall or floor.)

This isn't an issue in Non domestic as services routes are usually planned and agreed before work starts.

Imagine the arguements onsite when H&V ductwork, Air con pipework, sprinkler systems, Fire alarms, Intruder alarms, Electrical, Plumbing, Data wiring all want to run the same route.

Deuce · Sep 19, 2018

essex said:
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.

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.

Nigel · Sep 19, 2018

Deuce said:
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.

You maybe underestimate Essex's ability to troll.

FatAlan · Sep 19, 2018

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.

Andy78 · Sep 19, 2018

FatAlan said:
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 · Sep 19, 2018

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 · Sep 19, 2018

Billsays said:
they work with excrement.

Custards can be like that.

LankyWill · Sep 19, 2018

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 · Sep 19, 2018

Deuce said:
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.

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