You hire a plumber because plumbing work affects water, drainage, gas and hot water safety, and many jobs legally require a licensed professional. In the US, most plumbers train through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, and most states require a license. Fixing leaks early matters: the EPA says household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons a year.
Key Takeaways
- According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most plumbers complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, and most states require plumbers to be licensed.
- The EPA says the average household’s leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons of water a year, and fixing easy leaks can cut water bills by about 10 percent.
- Simple leaks such as a worn toilet flapper or a dripping faucet are often easy to fix; hidden leaks, gas appliances and permit-level work belong to a licensed plumber.
- In Victoria, Australia, only licensed plumbers can issue a compliance certificate, which is required when work is valued at more than $750.
In order to maintain pipes and plumbing fixtures in a good working condition and to have water efficiently and smoothly delivered throughout your house, you need to be sure that you go through the needed maintenance tasks.
Many of us don’t realize that just as we keep our house clean, we need to keep all the sinks and bath pipes clear so that they don’t clog and cause trouble in the future.
Hot water matters most on cold days. A leaking hot water tank can go unnoticed for a long time, and an aging or inefficient hot water system can cause the hot water to run out more often than it should.
Something we need to know is that most common hot water problems have a solution, whether it’s a gas, electric or solar-powered system, some professionals can make all your hot water problems go away, whether it’s fixing or replacing all the components for new ones, they will give you the best advice on what to do.
No matter what you might think, hiring professional Melbourne plumbers is a necessity. They have to take care of maintenance tasks or repairs so you are not faced with really big issues in the near future.
One thing you might not know is that when plumbing issues are not taken care of as fast as they should be, major problems appear. The simplest example of this is a small leak.
If you leave the leak unattended, it will eventually turn into a much larger leak. This would lead to losing money on utility bills and even health hazards you would be able to avoid with a quick timely fix.
Unfortunately, most people look for plumbers only when there is an emergency. Waiting for an emergency is a costly habit: regular checks catch small leaks and worn parts before they turn into larger repairs.
Your water system is vital for your home. You use it every single day. Just like every other system out there, your water supply system can start causing issues and requires preservation services.
Main Advantages Of Hiring The Plumbing Services
Many homeowners try to repair problems without hiring a specialist, and they often miss the underlying cause of the issue. A plumber is trained to find that cause and fix it properly.
When you do the work alone and you do not have the needed knowledge, it is highly probable that you will do more harm than good. Plumbers help with various tasks, like fixing leaks that are very hard to find, clean clogged toilets and repairing pipes that are busted and that can ruin furniture.
To earn a plumbing license, a plumber has to prove the needed knowledge and skills; in the US, the BLS says licensing typically requires 2 to 5 years of experience and passing an exam. The professionals have the best tools needed to solve the major problems with just a minimum amount of time invested. Also, the solutions that are offered are long-lasting.
A home fix done without the right tools is often only a temporary patch. Plumbing services identify problems and solve them exactly as they should be solved.
To put things as simple as possible, the professional plumbing companies offer various services that you do need. It is always best to have the number of a trusted plumber and use it if you notice any problem with the system. Also, talk to a knowledgeable one that would perform the necessary maintenance tasks.
Professional companies do so much more than just fix plumbing leaks and replace bathroom fixtures. They help you to have a safer home and prevent numerous serious problems that could arise due to plumbing problems. Always work with the best plumbers and contact them as soon as their services are needed.
Some jobs will not wait — eight signs you should call an emergency plumber covers those.
What Does a Plumber Do?
A plumber installs and repairs the pipes, fixtures and systems that carry water and gas in homes and businesses. According to the BLS, the job includes preparing cost estimates, reading blueprints, choosing materials, installing pipes and fixtures, inspecting systems, and troubleshooting malfunctions.
The BLS counted about 510,600 plumber, pipefitter and steamfitter jobs in the US in 2025. The median annual wage was $63,800 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year on average.
How Are Plumbers Trained and Licensed?
Plumbers are trained mainly through apprenticeships. The BLS says most complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship that includes about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus technical instruction.
Licensing rules depend on where you live. In the US, most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed, typically after 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam, according to the BLS.
Plumbing rules in Victoria, Australia
Because this article mentions Melbourne, the Victorian rules are worth knowing. Victoria’s plumbing regulator is the Victorian Building Authority, now trading as the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). Its rules separate registered plumbers from licensed plumbers:
- Only licensed plumbers can issue a compliance certificate, which certifies that the work meets plumbing standards.
- Registered plumbers must work under a licensed plumber’s supervision or limit themselves to work that does not need a certificate.
- A compliance certificate is required when the total value of the work, including materials, appliances, labour and GST, exceeds $750.
- Some work needs a certificate whatever it costs, such as installing, relocating or replacing a Type A gas appliance.
- The plumber must give the certificate to the customer within five days of finishing the work.
The BPC website has a tool for checking a plumber’s licence before you hire them.
How Much Water Do Household Leaks Waste?
Household leaks waste a lot of water. According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, the average household’s leaks can waste more than 9,300 gallons a year, and nine percent of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more a day. Across the US, household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons a year.
The EPA lists worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves as the most common household leaks. It adds that fixing easily corrected leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. The EPA runs its annual Fix a Leak Week every March; the 2026 event ran from March 16 to 22.
How to Check Your Home for Leaks
The EPA suggests these checks before you call a plumber:
- Look at your water use in a cold month such as January or February. If a family of four uses more than 12,000 gallons a month, there could be serious leaks.
- Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading changes at all, you probably have a leak.
- Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, the toilet is leaking. Flush right afterward so the tank does not stain.
- Check faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for water on the outside of the pipe, which shows a surface leak.
If the meter moves but you cannot find the source, the leak may be hidden in a wall, under a slab or outside. That is the point to call a plumber. For the tools professionals use, see our guide to water leak detection technology.
Hot Water System Basics
Hot water problems are one of the most common reasons to call a plumber. The Portland Water Bureau in Oregon gives these general guidelines:
- Lifespan: a tank-style water heater typically lasts about 10 years, and a tankless heater about 20 years.
- Maintenance: most manufacturers recommend flushing or servicing a water heater every year or every few years.
- Temperature: 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the risk of scalding and saves energy. 135 to 140 degrees helps prevent bacteria such as Legionella, but it can cause scalding.
- Warning signs: rust-colored water or a leaking tank can mean the sacrificial anode no longer protects the tank from corrosion. Brown- or green-tinted water may mean sediment needs flushing from the tank.
Electric water heaters also have built-in protection devices; our article on safety features in electric water heaters explains them.
DIY or Call a Plumber?
| Problem | Usually DIY? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Worn toilet flapper | Often yes | The EPA says common leaks like this are often easy to fix with a few tools and parts. |
| Dripping faucet | Often yes | Also one of the EPA’s common, easy-to-fix leak types. |
| Water meter moves with all water off, no visible leak | No | A hidden leak needs professional detection. |
| Rust-colored water or leaking tank | Usually no | It can mean a failed anode and tank corrosion. |
| Installing or replacing a gas appliance (Victoria) | No | Needs a licensed plumber and a compliance certificate, whatever the value. |
| Any plumbing job over $750 (Victoria) | No | A licensed plumber must issue a compliance certificate. |
For jobs that look simple but are risky, see plumbing fixes you shouldn’t do yourself. For clogs you can safely clear first, try these tips to unclog shower and sink drains.
Upgrades a Plumber Can Install to Cut Water Bills
A plumber can also install water-efficient fixtures. WaterSense-labeled products are 20 percent more water-efficient than standard models, and the EPA gives these estimates for an average family:
- Replacing all old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense models saves about 13,000 gallons and $130 in water costs a year.
- Replacing showerheads with WaterSense models saves more than 2,700 gallons a year and cuts water and electricity costs by about $70.
- Replacing old bathroom faucets and aerators saves about $250 in water and electricity costs over the faucets’ lifetime.
Prevention matters too: these steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes help most in cold weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a licensed plumber instead of doing it myself?
A licensed plumber has passed training and an exam and can find the cause of a problem, not just the symptom. In many places, some jobs legally need a licensed plumber. In Victoria, Australia, for example, only licensed plumbers can issue the compliance certificate required for work over $750.
How long does it take to become a plumber?
Most US plumbers complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, according to the BLS. States that license plumbers typically also require 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam.
How much do plumbers earn?
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $63,800 for US plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in May 2025, the newest figure in its handbook. What you pay for a job depends on local rates and the work involved, so get a written quote.
How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak?
Read your water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. The EPA says any change probably means a leak. If you cannot find it, call a plumber.
How often should a water heater be serviced?
The Portland Water Bureau says most manufacturers recommend flushing or servicing a water heater every year or every few years. A tank-style heater typically lasts about 10 years.
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