Water, water everywhere not a drop to drink, cook, clean and wash.
24 hrs, we shut down our metabolism and every activity. Sent an email to the 24×7 support people, with not much of hope, being week end.
On Sunday morning around 7 am I received a call asking me if I have a problem with my well pump, I remembered the feel of trapped people during Kerala flood and their relief when they saw the stretched hands of lovable Malayalees.
The caller identified himself saying his father had done the well and pump installation 25 years ago in the premises, and he is in town from Texas as his mother passed away and the funeral is on Monday.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, first of all for someone to respond on a Sunday, and then agreeing to come with the person who originally installed the tube well and pump, all this to support a client when they are mourning over the death of his grandmother. Now don’t take me wrong, it was not to make money, as they are very well settled and the meagre amount they charged me was not worth the predicament they were IN.
- The situation was so bleak, they could have charged me an arm and a leg for the job and I would have been forced to pay whatever they asked me.
- We both knew our situation was do or die. I have come across so many, who take advantage of your helplessness and squeeze the last drop of blood out of you.
- The charges were so reasonable for the job on a Sunday, to replace the pump which was at the bottom of a 70ft pipe deep in a tube well inside a habitable room, by lifting this 7 storied tall pipe out of the well with all the muck and dirt along with the pump out of the house through a tiny window which we forced open, and out to the yard in freezing cold, with wind blowing everything away and pouring rain.
- To sympathize and accommodate my anxiety, agony and assist me to cover the furniture and personal belongings in the room, without spilling a speck of dirt anywhere.
- To run back and forth to the plant room and out to their truck to bring tools, gauges, tarpaulin, waste cloth, connectors, new pump, torch to weld, relays what not.
- To complete the job in less than 50 minutes and sit down for an Indian breakfast I cooked in a flurry and hot coffee without sugar. I did warn them of the tiny green dynamite I put in the egg omelette and to spare them, but they both cracked on it and turned pink in the beginning, later they were OK.
- The touching part was they lost a wonderful hardworking lady aged 88 who was their company secretary until last month, she passed away on Friday night and the funeral is on Monday, that is today. The Son and Father said she would have not tolerated them not attending to this case as they started this trade to help people
- We have entered into a maintenance contract with the company, so they can do visits and check the health of the system at predetermined intervals, this is the future and the way to go, predictive maintenance.
To Provide Drinking WATER at all times!!!!!!
Father started the trade, been working for nearly 4 decades, Son joined and made it a proper business.
What we saw was Service beyond expectation, thorough knowledge, proper skills, fully trained, traders van with every tool, accessories and spare parts, good Maths skills, committed to take care of the sentiments of the client and their property, respectful, and doesn’t waste a moment.
I had just posted my blog on choosing between water and pot of cash and I read a bit to them, then the father told me as a child his passion was to serve people and provide drinking water and that’s how he got into this trade. Then he went to school to study Plumbing: I have spoken to many such tradesmen around the world in Australia, UK, USA, and they all have been a one man band or 2 at the most when it comes to such a job which needs help pulling a 70 ft pipe and pump from underground.
The skill sets needed for a Plumbing trades man which is obviously available in the internet is as follows: when we rebuild Kerala we need to develop schools and colleges with hands on training for every Building Services trade, this is such a great job opportunity and the need for such skills never ends.
We need to make it a complete package, not just the plumber who stands by the main plumber to hold the tip of the pipe, they should be taught with proper curriculum, and there should be apprenticeship and exams and certification.
I have taken some bits from the course the team attended: for reference.
Successful plumbers should be school certified with solid math’s, chemistry, physics knowledge and problem-solving skills, high mechanical aptitude, good manual dexterity and a tolerance for working in cramped spaces, they should learn drawing reading, drafting and undergo safety training.
It is paramount to have good customer service and decision-making skills, ability to use pressure gauges, augers, pullers and wrenches, and should have good physical strength.
Plumbers install and maintain plumbing fixtures like bathtubs, sinks and showers for residential, commercial and industrial clients. They also install and repair water and gas pipes, drainage systems, water treatment systems, installation of sewer, venting and waste disposal systems and plumbing appliances and fixtures like dishwashers, water heaters etc.
A good plumber will have to acquire excellent repair and troubleshooting techniques.
Plumbers often work on-call and may have to work nights and weekends. The nature of the job requires travel to multiple work sites on a regular basis. Injuries like cuts or burns are common in this profession. Some plumbers are self-employed and have the freedom to set their own schedules. Full-time and overtime are common for this profession.
Complete an Apprenticeship
The next step to becoming a plumber is to complete an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship programs should be provided by college, as well as by non-union contractors. These programs should last from 4 to 5 years and a combination of classroom lectures, hands-on experience, paid on-the-job training. On-the-job training should total anywhere from 1,700 to 2,000 hours per year, Apprentices learn local plumbing codes, as well as all types of plumbing procedures, from primary installation of plumbing fixtures to repair and maintenance of water pipes. Trainees also gain special plumbing skills, such as choosing materials and plumbing fittings, identifying grades and types of pipes and using the tools of their trade.
Get Licensed
Plumbers must be licensed. They must have 2 to 5 years of work experience before they can take an examination and obtain a license. The exam requires applicants to know all the codes and practices for plumbing, the applicant needs to demonstrate his skills. The plumbing school should offers mock plumbing tests to help the student prepare for the exam with confidence. This is an excellent way to determine strong and weak areas before they take the actual test.
The five sections of the exam should include cast iron, copper, drawing, practical and PVC.
Get Certified
In addition to apprenticeship and licensure, plumbers may choose to earn certification. In response to a growing awareness of the need to conserve water, to train and certify plumbers in water and energy efficiency technologies which give plumbers an edge and open up higher level or better paying employment opportunities.
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