We May Not Have Master Plumbers in Alberta, But We Have Plumbing Masters!

You may have heard the term "master plumber" before, but that designation isn't a title here in Alberta. In Canada, "master plumber" is a brand of plumbing replacement parts. But just because "master plumber" isn't a term used in Alberta doesn't mean there aren't plumbing masters! Each individual that goes through the plumber journeyman program could become a plumbing master.

Becoming a licensed plumber in Alberta is a journey that covers four years of both on-the-job and in-class, technical training. You'll have the hands-on skills needed to start working in this province. You'll also be an official journeyman in Alberta at the end of the four years. But that's not all. Plumbing is a broad topic, and there are different areas plumbing companies specialize in. This means you'll have your choice of specialization in plumbing, from residential to industrial and construction to service.

Let's dive into those specializations and learn more about what people call “master plumbers.” Read on to learn more from our professional Edmonton plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton.

Master Plumber: Plumbing Specializations

In the plumbing industry, companies choose specializations to ensure that there is a company for every type of plumbing need. There are provincial and federal plumbing codes that need to be adhered to in all types of plumbing structures. However, there may be some overlap between companies and the specializations might feel similar, and yet, different. The specializations are:

• Residential construction
• Residential service
• Commercial construction
• Commercial service
• Industrial

You can choose a specialization as well when you decide to pursue being a professional plumber. Each will bring you down a different career path. Some of these might seem self-explanatory, but let's look at each of these more closely.

Residential Construction

This is the part of building a home that requires plumbing. Plumbing companies will provide their services when the house is ready for the necessary plumbing installations. After framing is complete, plumbers will begin the rough-in work, which involves laying out the main plumbing lines. Then, other stages of construction follow before final plumbing installations and connections are fully completed.

Residential Service

This is when a plumbing company, like Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton, offers its plumbing services to those who live in residential buildings. This is different from above because it happens after the residential building has been built and someone has lived there. Companies that specialize in residential services provide services ranging from kitchen faucet repairs to clogged drains and sewer line replacements. Installing plumbing fixtures and systems in a new build is very different from servicing those systems in a finished home.

Commercial Construction

Similar to residential construction, this is when a plumbing company will come in during the construction of a commercial building to do the installation of plumbing. This also includes places like swimming pools, restaurants, laundromats, shopping malls, and public restrooms. Plumbing is more than just toilets; after all, public spaces use a lot more water than a residential homeowner does. Therefore, during construction, larger water lines, drain lines, valves, and fixtures are used to accommodate the higher capacity.

Commercial Service

This is similar to residential service but for commercial buildings and spaces. From commercial washrooms to swimming pools and restaurant kitchens, companies that specialize in commercial services receive commercial plumbing services for their types of buildings. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton, we provide both residential and commercial plumbing repair, installation, and maintenance services.

Industrial

This is similar to commercial plumbing, however, on a much bigger scale. Being an industrial plumber involves working with a network of pipes that has many complex parts woven into the pipe system, and isn’t always related to plumbing, but often other industrial processes. Often the people working in these settings holds both a Pipefitting and Plumbing ticket.

Becoming a Journeyman Plumber in Alberta—The Highly Sought After Plumbing Master

We won't go into the technical aspects or fully cover everything that goes into the apprenticeship and industry training program, but we'll give a broad overview. As we said above, you go into a four-year program that includes in-class and on-the-job training. It's focused more on time in the field with hands-on training versus in class; however, the technical training is still just as important. The program will give you the essential skills needed to become a certified plumber. This training is also known as your apprenticeship, where you'll be an apprentice plumber and learn about the different specializations and what area you might be interested in. You don't have to specialize in the plumbing industry, but the option is there for you.

Through this program, you'll get a lot of hands-on experience, giving you the essential skills you need to become a journeyman plumber in Alberta. You'll have your certification in plumbing and be ready to get started being a full-fledged plumber in Alberta. When you take this course to become a licensed plumber in our province, you'll also get your gas fitting certification. In Alberta Plumbing and Gas Fitter B are separate tickets, but they are taught at the same time in school. But that's not all. You can also take a step to get recognized federally. Let's look into that.

Get Endorsed in Plumbing in Alberta

There is an extra step you could take to get to the next level in plumbing. While it's not called being a master plumber, you could get your Red Seal certification. It shows that you have acquired the knowledge in your trade to be nationally recognized. It's an agreement between the federal government and the provinces and territories to endorse a tradesperson and recognize them with this certification.

Of course, this isn't a necessary step to becoming a licensed plumber. It's merely an extra step you could take. Having that journeyman plumber certification is enough to get you going in Alberta, and you're still recognized as having the essential skills and technical training to be what people call a “master plumber.”

Trust the Plumbing Masters at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton

With all this talk of professional plumbers in the plumbing industry, it is natural to consider Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton to handle the plumbing problems an unlicensed plumber could never handle. Each of our plumbers possesses a plumber's license, guaranteeing that your plumbing needs will be addressed by true professionals who have seen everything when it comes to plumbing. Property and business owners want a certified plumber who can guarantee the work done and the parts used. Hence, the reason Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton is considered Edmonton's #1 plumbing company.

Here are some of the reasons to choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing:

• Never an overtime charge
• Upfront pricing
• Exceptional customer service
• Locally owned and operated
• Licensed and insured
• Workmanship parts guaranteed
• Uniformed professionals
• Convenient appointment times
• Flexible service options
• And much more!

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton is proud to serve the surrounding areas of Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, and Stony Plain. If you're in those areas and need a sump pump installation, drain repair, or tankless water heater repair, contact our friendly customer service team today to get started. Our plumbing masters in Edmonton look forward to serving you!