Inside the Pipes (AI Proof, for now…)

Plumber

Upcoming 2/18/25

In this episode, Mirav talks with Mark Anderson who is a plumber who has worked in the field for many years and has a thriving plumbing & HVAC business in the Hudson Valley - "A Team Comfort Systems." Plumbing, says Mark, is all about being thoughtful and figuring out how to solve a problem. Simple, right? There's more to it than that.

As a plumber, you have to have specialized knowledge of how pipes, water heaters, drains, and more work together to form a system in a home or business. On top of that, you have to know how to fix the problem when one of those parts breaks, or backs up, or freezes. Plumbing isn't a cakewalk–you're often working in tight spaces, frequently very cold or very hot, and it's dirty work. But the rewards come from establishing honest, long-lasting relationships with your clients and giving them the satisfaction of knowing that their problem has been reliably fixed.  While plumbing might not be the most glamorous profession, it could be right for you. One thing is for sure–AI won't be fixing your pipes anytime soon.

Topics
00:38 Introduction and Mark's background
03:12 Do you need formal training?
03:31 Common kinds of jobs
04:12 How much of your learning happened on the job?
05:28 What you look for when hiring plumbers
06:00 Physical demands
06:55 Biggest challenges
07:08 Earnings and potential for growth
09:33 Can you specialize and make more money?
10:33 Advice for those breaking in
11:05 Rewards of the job
11:40 Would you have done anything differently?

Resources
NYC.gov - Obtain a Master Plumber License
Jobber - New York Plumbing License: How to Become a Certified Plumber in NY State
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation