As a tiler, would I also need to know basic plumbing?

[Tile Shop]

Hi guys.

Getting close to the time when I ditch the desk and pick up the tools. But as well a tiling training, do I also need to be aware of any basic plumbing?

This won't apply to the bathroom/wetroom fitters among you, but for instance, as purely a tiler, you've been given a bathroom job. Are you insistent that the toilet, basin, radiator, shower, etc.... are removed before you go in to tile, or is this something you do yourselves?

I can't imagine any of these would be too difficult with a few lessons from someone in the know, but having only ever removed a radiator before, would these be essential things to learn to begin with?

 

[WetSaw]

I prefer to do it all myself so I'm not waiting around for someone else or not having the work done the way I want it done. I understand that professional tilers only tile though..

 

[J Sid]

always handle for when you drill into a live pipe when screwing down floorboard.

 

[Old Mod]

'Need' is a strong word, 'help' is a better one.
In as much as it will probably help you to know how to remove and replace basic items
But certainly not a necessity.
Just don't let on to clients that you can do it, otherwise you'll forever be doing it on the cheap.
And it can be time consuming if you come across items that don't fit in a conventional manner.
And there are plenty of toilets and basins that fit that description.
Or you can learn a little just so that you can be pessimistic like Julian!

 

[WetSaw]

If you do intend to do anything concerning water find out where the stop **** is and check it works, it can save some embarrassing situations apparently...

 

[Andy Allen]

Bloody multi traders !!

 

[WetSaw]

Bloody one trick ponies...

 

[mma]

Don't get involved!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Check your insurance!

 

[smokie899]

I've got a nice set up with my mate (plumber).
He strips it out then fits everything as normal but would pack everything out with wood/plasterboard and fits ballofix valves on everything.
Saves him from coming back and I just wip everything out in no time and then when tiled everything fits back in nicely.
Mind can do plumbing, joinery, electrical etc etc.
Only trade I ever struggled on was plastering, which seems strange for a tiler lol

 

[Andy Allen]

Imo much easier to find a reliable plumber as they carry all the kit incase there's an issue with leaky valves or rubbers not sealing when it goes back in.

 

[Spare Tool]

I used to meddle with plumbing but after a few issues refitting toilets I'd taken out (one of which smashed all over a newly tiled kitchen floor) I leave the plumbing to the plumbers now, if customers haven't got one I know a couple that I trust to recommend..

 

[John Benton]

I would never touch plumbing, unless you're proficient and know what you're doing. If I'm doing a job where there is only 1 toilet I have my plumber come and take it out in the morning and put it back at night for the customer, and he builds that into his cost (although we try not to work too far from home). That way he's responsible for the water, and I don't want to be. What happens if you do, and a valve fails overnight and flood downstairs for example. I don't want any association with that, thank you.

 

[Flintstone]

I don't do any plumbing and never have, the most I will do is remove a toilet, not an old stinky one, just if a new one is Tempory fitted.

 

[Rich Midge]

I'd say I do about 90% of the plumbing but have a mate on standby for trickier situations.

 

[peteablard]

My mate spent 30 minutes the other day looking for the mains stop tap while water gushed out in an upstairs bathroom. A £300 job ended up taking several days after he'd decorated the dining room below. It's worth finding these things out before you start!!