plumber
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /plˈʌmə/
US
- /ˈpləmər/
Description
- Fixes pipes
- Water systems
- Drains
Imagine your kitchen sink suddenly springs a leak, or worse, a pipe bursts. That's when you call a plumber. A plumber is a skilled worker who installs and repairs the pipes and fixtures that carry water and remove waste. They deal with everyday problems like dripping taps, blocked drains, broken toilets, and faulty water heaters, and they also help put full systems into homes and other buildings.
The word comes from the Latin word plumbum, meaning lead, because lead was once used in pipes. Today, plumbers usually work with safer modern materials such as copper, PVC, and PEX. A good plumber does more than stop leaks. They can install sinks, showers, and toilets, find hidden problems in a system, and make sure the work follows local building rules. They are important for keeping homes and businesses clean, safe, and working properly.
A plumber is a skilled worker who installs, repairs, and maintains the pipes, drains, and fixtures that bring clean water into a building and carry waste water away. Many people think of a plumber as the person who fixes a leaking tap or unclogs a drain, but the job is much broader than that. Plumbers help keep water systems safe, reliable, and clean, which makes them important to both comfort and public health.
The term "plumber" comes from the Latin word plumbum, meaning lead—a material historically used for water pipes. Early plumbers were responsible for installing intricate lead water systems in Roman bathhouses and aqueducts!
Today's plumbers are trained professionals who understand building codes, plans, and many kinds of materials, including copper, PVC, CPVC, and PEX. They may install complete systems in new buildings, replace old pipes, fit bathrooms and kitchens, repair water heaters, or fix small problems such as a running toilet. Some work mainly in homes, while others work in offices, factories, schools, hospitals, or large public projects.
A plumber's job is not always easy. It can mean working in tight spaces, handling dirty or damaged pipes, and answering emergency calls when something suddenly goes wrong. Even so, their work is essential to daily life. When water flows safely from a tap and waste water leaves a building the right way, a plumber has helped make that possible.
Examples
- 1
Household leak
We called a plumber when water started leaking under the sink.
- 2
Rental repair
The landlord sent a plumber to fix the shower.
- 3
Licensed work
You should hire a licensed plumber for gas or major pipe work.
- 4
Emergency service
An emergency plumber came out on Sunday, so the bill was higher.
- 5
Occupation
My uncle is a plumber by trade, but he also does small building jobs.
Phrase
by trade
as someone's usual job
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- plumbernoun
Forms
- plumberspluralnoun