Why do I need a Gas Technician or Gas Fitter? Why can’t I get my Local Plumber to do the Heater Repair? Here’s 3 Great Reasons Why….

In South Australia, both Plumbers and Gas Technicians go to trade school to get technically the same licence, but do they both have the same skill-set?

1. 1. 1. An apprentice with a plumbing firm may not choose to do gas subjects, instead choosing subjects that are more suited to the plumbing company that the person is tied to. Once they have completed these, they have a Plumbing Licence. In this way, not all plumbers are gas fitters, nor are they qualified to do anything to do with gas other than perhaps change a hot water service. Of those that do the textbook training, the bulk of their work experience during apprenticeship is still in plumbing.
      2. Many plumbing firms offer gas-fitting services when they have a fully trained apprentice on their staff. A gas fitter lays pipes in the ground and perhaps fits new heaters, hot water services or stoves. They may attempt to repair your heater, but will usually not have the experience to do so quickly, and will rarely carry many parts.
      3. A Gas Technician has done all of their training as a staff member of a gas repair firm, be it private or publicly owned. The focus of Trade School for that apprentice was to learn as much about gas as possible, whilst doing the necessary plumbing training. When the Gas Subjects are completed as well as the Plumbing Subjects, the person is not only the holder of a Plumbing Licence but also of a Gas Licence.

      

      Gas Technicians, however, do not focus on the Plumbing Licence which they hold. Instead, they work on gaining knowledge and experience in the field of Gas Repairs.

      In the same way, those who practice mainly in the field of Plumbing will hone their craft in that area.

      If you cannot tell by the name of the Company whether they perform Plumbing work as well as Gas Work, the easiest way to tell is when you call to make a booking. Ask the receptionist if the tradesperson can change your taps whilst they are on the spot. If they say yes, then you know the tradesperson is not a gas specialist but a general plumber.

      But what if you have already called? Maybe you can check out the Technician’s van to see what they are carrying. For instance, are they carrying a drain cleaner? That is definitely used in plumbing work only.

      Also, taking a quick look in the back of their van is often a clear sign of what they specialise in. Is it full of plumbing paraphernalia or full of spare parts for gas appliances?

      Remember that not all parts are going to be on board, so your part may not be there when the tradesperson arrives, but if it’s a gas technician, there’s a lot more chance of getting your heater fixed on the day!  If you’d like to know more about what a Gas Technician does why not check out our Gas Service Page?

      So there we have it, the person who attends your home to repair or service a gas heater should definitely be a gas technician because 1) That person will be qualified, 2) They spend all their time fixing gas appliances and none fixing taps and 3) They are the most experienced people for the job.  It’s really a no brainer!