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When you’re considering a career change, it’s important to know what the job entails. Although there is a constant demand for plumbers, there are a few things you should know about this trade.
First, plumbing is a physically demanding job involving lifting heavy objects, crawling around in tight spaces, and working in all kinds of weather.
Second, you need to be able to handle stress well. There are a lot of deadlines and customers who can be demanding. You need to have good problem-solving skills. Plumbing is all about finding and fixing leaks, after all.
Yet, being a plumber is a challenging job, but there are ways to stay healthy while doing it. If this is a trade you would like to get into, or you are already in it, here are some great tips for staying healthy as a plumber.
So keep reading!
Before we start, I would like to disclose that this is not intended to provide any medical advice. Please always consult a medical professional. This post also is not intended to provide any plumbing training. Every state could have different laws and regulations. Please always follow your state laws and best practices.
Table of Contents
- Is being a plumber hard on the body?
- What can plumbers do to stay healthy?
- Video- Yoga for Tradies (Including Plumbers)
Is being a plumber hard on the body?
Plumbers are constantly lifting, carrying, and maneuvering objects that can weigh 50 pounds or more. They also work in very tight spaces where they have to crouch, stoop, or lie on their side for long periods of time.
All that lifting, carrying, and maneuvering can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, such as sprains and strains in the back, shoulders, and legs.
Plumbers often can get back problems from all the heavy lifting they do. They also may suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by repetitive motions of the wrists and hands.
A plumber shared that within three months of starting his apprenticeship, he had already developed scoliosis with two curves around 30°. He said that his back hurts the most while chipping drains.
So nowadays, whenever he goes to the gym, he works out mostly on his back. And he found that it indeed helped the next day.
What can plumbers do to stay healthy?
1) Warm up before each job
A 50-year-old plumber said he would start doing 15 minutes of warmup, stretching, and exercise before going to work. In fact, this is a mandatory policy of his company. However, some of his colleagues take it lightly and skip out on it, which is not a wise thing to do.
This plumber also does yoga for about 20 minutes every day, with a longer session twice a week of flexibility poses.
2) Get regular exercise
This will help keep your muscles strong and your joints healthy. A plumber shared that his main exercises would include deadlifts, squats, and shoulder presses.
Another more active plumber shared that he does a great deal of road cycling during the summer. He would bike between 200 and 500km a week.
In the winter, he lifts weights in the gym for around 45 minutes a day, five days a week, and I downhill ski on the weekends.
However, he said he’s not a family guy, so he can spare more time to exercise. Although I don’t expect everyone could be as active as him, having some routine exercise is still needed.
A female plumber shared that she used to do weight training before work. But now that her gym moved further away from her place, she hasn’t been training ever since. As a result, she feels a lot weaker than before, which also affects her mental state.
Keep in mind that exercise is a good way to relieve stress, which reduces the likelihood of headaches and insomnia.
3) Good working practice
Maintaining a good posture while working can prevent injuries. When lifting heavy objects, always use your legs, not your back. And when working in tight spaces, take frequent breaks to stretch your back, neck, and shoulders. This helps to loosen up your muscles and prevents cramping.
Of course, use proper tools rather than completing the jobs only with barehand. Pipe wrenches and an electronic drain cleaning snake can make your life a lot easier.
4) Always wear the proper safety gear when working
Since a plumber could get exposed to lots of potential hazards on the job, it’s important to take precautions and wear the proper safety gear. This includes gloves, goggles, and earplugs or headphones to protect your hands, eyes, and ears from injury.
You should also wear protective clothing and a respirator when working with chemicals or dealing with sewer gas.
A plumber shared that his list of PPE includes custom-made ear protection, auto shading safety glasses, and a quality set of hinged knee pads.
Another plumber said that he used to have sore feet, which led to a painful back problem. So he switched to wearing boots with the redwings insoles, then the problem significantly improved. He has two pairs of insoles that he alternates wearing, so each one has a chance to be cleaned and dry out.
He also has Uvex prescription safety glasses with metal frames that sit inside their disposable frames. He found it worth every penny.
As for gloves, he would wear leather ones for hot work and cheap stretchies with rubber palms the rest of the time.
So be aware of your surroundings and take precautions accordingly.
5) Eat healthy and stay hydrated
Although this one is pretty self-explanatory, many people neglect it.
Many plumbers work at different sites regularly, so they would grab junk food at a fast-food restaurant. Yes, burgers, fries, onion rings, and soft drinks are nice to have once in awhile. But they should not be your daily meal in the long run.
Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated will help your body to function at its best. They help you maintain your energy levels and stay strong enough to do your job. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
And drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. A young plumber shared that he always brought a massive steel water bottle with him, and he would refill his bottle whenever possible.
6) Get regular physicals and health screenings
It is important to schedule regular physicals and health screenings, especially as you get older. These can help catch any potential health problems early on. Plumbers should also be sure to stay up to date on their vaccinations, including the flu shot.
In addition to the general body check, you may perform the following health screening test:
- Eye test
- Hearing test
- Respiratory test
- Lung function test
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Weight and BMI
- Urine test
- X-ray
7) Take care of your mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Plumbers can feel stress because of the nature of their job. They often have to deal with difficult customers, challenging working conditions, and tight deadlines.
Be sure to take time for yourself to relax and de-stress. This can help prevent burnout. Some ways to relax and de-stress include reading, spending time outdoors, listening to music, or spending time with friends and family.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, reach out to a trusted friend or family member, or seek professional help.
Video- Yoga for Tradies (Including Plumbers)
Below is a video from Hanna, an Australian Yoga Instructor. It is especially designed for tradepeople such as electricians, brick layers, roofers, carpenters, builders, and, of course, including plumbers.
I also tried some of the moves in the video and did find my back muscles less tense afterward.
Want to find out whether being a plumber is a good career for you? Here’s another post you must check out!
Disclaimer: Before we start, I would like to disclose that this is not intended to provide any medical advice. Please always consult a medical professional. This post also is not intended to provide any plumbing training. Every state could have different laws and regulations. Please always follow your state laws and best practices.
(**) Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. Our company, JCHQ Publishing will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that we include them based on our experience or the research on these companies or products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Reference:
- Mayo Clinic – Scoliosis (source)
