Pipelayers prepare and install pipelines for sewer, gas, and water systems. They excavate the ground, lay pipes, and secure joints. They can work for city governments or private contractors and often specialize in repairs. Apprenticeships and technical school certificates are common, and experienced workers can advance to become construction supervisors or master plumbers.
A pipeline is a plumbing and construction specialist who specializes in the preparation and installation of pipelines. Professionals carefully excavate the ground, lay sections of pipe and secure the joints by welding or cementing them together. A pipelayer can work for a city government organization to work on city sewer and gas lines or find employment with a private contractor to install pipes in homes and businesses. Most people who decide to become pipelines spend several years in apprenticeship programs before working independently.
When a large sewer or water network needs to be installed, a team of pipelayers is brought in to do the job. To start a project, they follow blueprints and instructions from supervisors to dig trenches to the appropriate depths. Professionals take frequent ground slope measurements to ensure trenches are kept level during the excavation process. A large sewer project may require pipelayers to utilize heavy equipment and vehicles, including dump trucks and backhoes. For a relatively small job, a pipelayer often works with hand tools such as shovels and picks.
After a trench is dug, the pipelayer cuts and places pipe sections in the proper orientation. Cement, metal, or plastic pipe can all be used on a project, and workers know how to cut and shape each type to meet the project’s specifications. Pipelayers cement or weld sections together at joints to ensure strong, airtight seals. Workers inspect completed jobs to ensure pipes are secure before being covered in dirt or concrete.
Many pipelayers specialize in performing repairs to existing plumbing structures. If a pipe leaks or bursts, a qualified pipelayer can identify the source of the problem and remedy it by sealing a crack or replacing a section. A professional may be required to work on a variety of piping and systems, including gas lines, water pipes and sewers.
There are no educational and training requirements to become a pipelayer, although most workers hold high school diplomas and participate in apprenticeships to learn the fundamentals of the trade. Some people seek certificates from accredited technical schools to improve their credentials and better prepare for work. Apprentices master their craft by working alongside experienced professionals for up to five years. New workers who successfully complete their internships can apply for traveling worker certification.
A pipelayer generally enjoys advancement opportunities with several years of experience and proven skills. Many pipelayers become construction supervisors in municipal organizations and private companies, where they schedule and supervise work activities. With continued education and success in a licensing exam, a professional can also become a master plumber.
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