50-427-761Plumbing Service and Repair
Course Information
Description
This course is designed to provide apprentices with the academic and hands-on experience needed to perform plumbing service and repair tasks. Emphasis is placed on the safe and responsible use of tools and equipment. Topics include clogged drains, garbage disposers, water treatment equipment, water closets, urinals, flush valves, cold weather plumbing problems, water systems, pumps and faucets.
Total Credits
1.5
Course Competencies
  1. Examine and demonstrate the responsibilities of a repair plumber.
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice identifies the responsibilities of a repair plumber.
    apprentice determines if the repair work requires a licensed plumber.
    apprentice determines when a fixture or system must be brought up to code.
    apprentice details customer property protection and clean up tasks.
    apprentice demonstrates proper protection and clean up tasks.
    apprentice applies effective communication skills with customers.
    apprentice determines industry standards for neatness and appearance.
    apprentice displays industry standards for neatness and appearance.

  2. Characterize types of construction
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice identifies the type of floor
    apprentice identifies the type of ceiling
    apprentice identifies the type of wall
    apprentice determines the impact on the plumbing repair situation
    apprentice describes how a plumbing installation is impacted by different types of construction

  3. Practice service safety
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice interprets information on the MSDS sheet
    apprentice applies lockout-tagout procedures to both electrical and plumbing
    apprentice lists safety precautions when working with confined entry
    apprentice identifies safety precautions when working with gas
    apprentice chooses appropriate personal protective equipment
    apprentice determines health safety precautions (i.e. asbestos, lead paint, glue, and primer fumes)

  4. Follow electrical safety procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice determines if the problem is a plumbing or electrical problem
    apprentice uses lockout/tagout procedures
    apprentice uses safety precautions when working around water
    apprentice applies grounding techniques

  5. Use electrical test meters
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice uses a multimeter, ohmmeter, amp meter, and voltage meter
    apprentice determines if the voltage is correct
    apprentice determines if the amp draw on the wiring is correct
    apprentice interprets wiring diagrams and specs
    apprentice determines if the switches are normally open or closed
    apprentice chooses the right range for the multimeter

  6. Service gas and electric water heaters.
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of water heater.
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem.
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem.
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem.
    apprentice chooses a solution for the problem (repair or replace).
    apprentice services problem in a professional, timely, and cost effective manner.

  7. Service clogged drains
    Assessment Strategies
    in the lab.
    under the supervision of your instructor.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice summarizes the dangers of working on clogged drains.
    apprentice determines the location of the blockage.
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem.
    apprentice determines the cause of the blockage by using a drain camera.
    apprentice suggests ways to remove the blockage using water, plunger, trap-and-drain auger, closet auger, or opening the trap.
    apprentice selects the proper personal protective equipment/gear.
    apprentice uses the proper personal protective equipment/gear during drain cleaning procedure.
    apprentice demonstrates the proper procedures to protect the customer's property before, during, and after the drain cleaning process.
    apprentice demonstrates proper set-up proceedures of drain cleaning equipment.
    apprentice removes the blockage through the use of the proper tool in a professional, timely, and cost effective manner.
    apprentice demonstrates proper clean-up/maintenance proceedures of the equipment.
    apprentice summarizes the techniques and equipment for unclogging drains.

  8. Service food waste grinders
    Assessment Strategies
    in the lab.
    under the supervision of your instructor.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice lists the appropriate safety precautions for working with food waste grinders.
    apprentice identifies improper electrical wiring connection and recommends electrician to service issue prior to working on food waste grinder.
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem
    apprentice suggests a way (or ways) to service the problem
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem
    apprentice identifies code compliant drain/water connections to food waste grinders.
    apprentice determines the impact of dishwasher connections on food waste grinders
    apprentice verifies code compliant drain connections of dishwasher to food waste grinders.

  9. Service water supply treatment equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice details the proper procedure for taking a water sample.
    apprentice can perform the proper procedure for taking a water sample.
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem.
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem.
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem.
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem.
    apprentice services problem in a professional, timely, and cost effective manner.
    apprentice determines when referrals are necessary for filters, neutralizers, reverse osmosis, and other devices.
    apprentice determines the type of water treatment equipment "Point of Use" (POU) or "Point of Entry" (POE).
    apprentice describes the working of a water softener.
    apprentice services a water softener.
    apprentice services a whole house water filter.
    apprentice services a "Reverse Osmosis" (RO) unit.

  10. Service water closets, bidets, and urinals.
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of water closet, bidet, or urinal.
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem.
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem.
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem.
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem.
    apprentice services problem in a professional, timely, and cost effective manner.

  11. Service flush valves
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice services problem in a timely and cost effective manner
    apprentice can list the parts of a flush valve
    apprentice determines the type of flush valve
    apprentice can detail how each part of the flush valve works
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem
    valve flushes
    valve has no wrench marks
    apprentice services problem in a professional, timely, and cost effective manner

  12. Solve cold weather plumbing problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice determines cause of problem
    apprentice suggests emergency repair for burst pipes
    apprentice suggests chemicals to use for cold weather plumbing problems
    apprentice suggests strategies to prevent cold weather plumbing problems
    apprentice suggests strategies for replacing wall hydrants

  13. Service water supply systems
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of water source.
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem.
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem.
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem.
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem.
    apprentice services water treatment equipment.

  14. Service pumps
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of pump
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem (i.e. couplers, seals, bearings, impeller)
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem (repair or replace)
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem

  15. Perform single- handle faucet repair
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of faucet
    apprentice repairs different makes of single - handle faucets
    apprentice determines the faucet manufacturer
    apprentice the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the faucet problem
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem
    apprentice determines the correct parts needed for repairing the faucet
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem

  16. Perform two-handle faucet repair
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of faucet
    apprentice repairs different makes of two - handle faucets
    apprentice determines the faucet manufacturer
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the faucet problem
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem
    apprentice determines the correct parts needed for repairing the faucet
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem

  17. Perform mixing valve faucet repair (thermostatic and pressure balance)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of faucet
    apprentice determines the faucet manufacturer
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the faucet problem
    apprentice repairs various types of mixing valves
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem
    apprentice determines the correct parts needed for repairing the faucet
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem

  18. Troubleshoot thermostatic valves
    Assessment Strategies
    in the plumbing lab.
    using the tools provided by the instructor.
    through efficiently completing a service work order.
    through a written exam.
    Criteria
    apprentice determines the type of thermostatic valve
    apprentice determines the valve manufacturer
    apprentice determines the nature of the problem
    apprentice determines the cause of the problem
    apprentice suggests a way to service the problem
    apprentice details the steps for troubleshooting the problem
    apprentice repairs different makes of thermostatic mixing valves

  19. Examine specialized repair techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    apprentice identifies repair couplings
    apprentice identifies dresser fittings
    apprentice chooses the appropriate fitting for the plumbing problem

  20. Service private onsite wastewater treatment systems (POWTS)
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Criteria
    you follow proper equipment servicing procedures
    you adhere to safety rules and regulations
    you adhere to State plumbing codes
    you use tools and equipment properly