Whether it’s fixing leaks, handling emergency plumbing repairs, or installing new systems, professional plumbers like Holly keep homes and businesses running smoothly.
So, whether you’re searching for insights into a “day in the life of a plumber” or need a reliable plumbing service, this blog will give you a behind-the-scenes look at Holly’s daily routine. From early morning callouts to late-day inspections, let’s explore what a typical day looks like for Holly.
The first thing Holly did was arrive at the office and pick up some parts that were needed for jobs later in the day. As we cover the whole of Essex, it’s always easier to collect parts delivered to the office either before the day starts or during the day if the engineer is passing by. Sometimes the engineers will collect them from a nearby merchant close to the job address. This helps the engineer avoid going back and forth between jobs and the office, allowing them to move smoothly from one job to the next.
The first job of the day was a boiler service to ensure everything was running correctly. It’s always important to get a regular boiler service for several reasons, including safety, efficiency, and the longevity of the boiler. The first thing Holly did was clean the condensate trap — she said this is always the first step. Cleaning the trap prevents blockages, as it collects water and debris over time which can cause the boiler to shut down.
Holly also used a tester which provides readings for the boiler. It’s easier if the boiler has been running beforehand, as it helps the system warm up quicker. She then took a couple of important readings: the first was CO (ppm), which measures how much carbon monoxide is present in the flue gases. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, colourless, and odourless gas produced by incomplete combustion. CO is measured in parts per million (ppm) and should be under 250ppm.
The other crucial reading is the CO/CO₂ ratio, which measures the amount of carbon monoxide compared to carbon dioxide in the flue gases. This is important as it indicates how clean and efficient the combustion process is. High CO with low CO₂ means the combustion is dangerous. The ideal CO/CO₂ ratio is up to 0.004.
The next job on the diary was another boiler service. Holly drove to the next customer’s house and inspected the boiler, repeating the same steps as before, ensuring it was working correctly and safely.
After that, it was time to decommission a leaking existing radiator and remove it from site, then install a new white panel radiator and valves, commission and test it. To do this, Holly first had to bleed the radiator to ensure it could be removed safely without scalding herself or damaging the property.
To bleed a radiator, she turned off the heating and waited for the radiators to cool down. She located the bleed valve, usually at the top corner of the radiator (it looks like a small square or slotted screw). She placed a towel under the bleed valve to catch any water that dripped out, inserted the radiator key into the valve, and turned it anticlockwise until she heard a hissing sound — indicating that air was escaping. Once the water started coming out steadily (without air or spluttering), she closed the valve.
The job after that was another boiler strip service. In the timelapse video, you can see Holly removing the components of the boiler and cleaning the inside. As she reassembled the boiler, she made sure each component was thoroughly wiped down. She then tested the boiler to confirm it was operating efficiently — and that job was complete.
That was the last job of the day, bringing an end to a day in the life of a BRG plumber.
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