Three reasons to hug a plumber

Tuesday, April 25 is National Hug A Plumber Day and Ferguson product experts share three reasons these trade professionals deserve a huge embrace.

A good plumber is hard to find

Skilled trade jobs are the most difficult to fill in the U.S. and nearly half of employers are feeling the impact. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the plumbing industry is projected to grow by 12 percent over a 12-year period; however, it’s also expected that more plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters will be retiring over the next decade. As the demand for skilled trade professionals increases, read about why it pays to be a plumber.

Industry changes require constant education

Today’s plumbers do more than install and service plumbing systems. Expansions into water treatment and heating and cooling installation have given these trade professionals more opportunities to serve their customers and more skills to learn. Between service calls and business management, there’s little time for education and skills training, so it’s important that plumbers partner with a trade organization that caters to their needs. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) is the oldest trade organization in the construction industry with a reputation for providing business resources, educational workshops and political advocacy for more than 130 years. Ferguson has supported PHCC’s Educational Board Foundation Board of Governors for more than a decade by financing scholarships, business management and technical training programs for contractors and their employees. Learn more about the top five benefits of PHCC membership.

 It’s a dirty job

Responsible for more than just repairing leaky faucets, plumbers unclog all sorts of water pipes, repair main sewer line backups and come in contact with some hazardous materials and chemicals. Whether stopping a leak under an overrun kitchen sink or attaching fittings in a sewer system, plumbers work through uncomfortable physical conditions every day to restore pleasantly functioning user experiences.

Show support on April 25

From the large plumbing firm to the two-truck plumbing contractor, take time on April 25 to salute, high-five and honor the keepers of the clear drain.

More about Ferguson

For more than 60 years, Ferguson has earned a strong reputation among plumbers and contractors by supplying knowledgeable product experts, on-time delivery and a strong commitment to customer service. Learn more about how Ferguson supports plumbers and contractors.