As plumbers, we have the fortune of setting foot in a variety of structures — modern and archaic.
Working on newly built homes day in and day out can be monotonous work. Most of the new structures aren’t all that flattering. Newer homes have no character — large, blank Sheetrock walls and ceilings, run-of-the-mill carpeting, basic hardwood floors and linoleum, cheap light fixtures, lackluster fireplaces and mantles, standard stairwell banisters and railings, tasteless ceiling fans, plastic water tubing strung like spaghetti, and flexible gas tubing run like a series of extension cords. All of which was probably built with speed trumping all other aspects of craftsmanship.
One day in the middle of your circle of service around town, you will walk into a well-maintained, gloriously painted structure from centuries past.
As you blindly walk in with your tools, you will start to look up at the abnormally mountainous ceilings, and then it will hit you. You will begin to pay attention to the details that were invested into this era of structures.
You will see things like the beautifully handcarved and meticulously painted wooden pillars that arch into the towering ceiling above, the detailed crown moldings, the expensive chandeliers and lighting fixtures, the thoroughly solid sinks and tubs with their distinctive designs, the heavy-gauge chrome fixtures and drainage that stand in the open proud, the hard piping that was done in absolute plumb and solidity, and the unpainted radiators with their leaf designs imprinted as to show they are in a class of their own.
At this moment, you will realize why the older generation of plumbers and tradesman stand in awe of these types of structures and get sentimental to the brink of tears. But the sentiment doesn’t just come from the beauty of the structure, but of the era of workmanship in which they were assembled. These things were meant to last forever with pride.
When these structures were built, America was pumping with fury. The soul of the working class had never been any stronger than it had been during those years. The heart of steel and plumbing industries had never beaten any stronger. You could go to work knowing that someone somewhere in the country had put thought, hard work and pride in making the boots that are on your feet and the clothes on your back.
This time period was one of the only times in history where plumbing and heating goods came from within this country and were made with the plumber and end consumer in mind and heart.
Every American knew that their job was vitally important in the chain of goods from the plant to the home installation. As a consumer, you knew that the plumber had you in his best interest, and other Americans who took just as much pride and professionalism in making the products he installed.
Where some people see an old radiator along the wall, we see the tireless efforts of Americans to perfect central heating to provide American families heat and give them a product that lasts through the centuries. We think of the steelworker who took the time to make sure the iron was made correctly with care so that he may sleep well at night knowing he helped a fellow citizen have a warm home. We think back to the efforts of the radiator companies that manufacture only the best long-lasting systems with impeccably detailed designs; and we celebrate the plumber and heating men who took care to make sure all of that work was properly sized and installed.
You could actually feel the warmth and care that came with your purchase of goods and service.
So when an older experienced plumber shakes his head in disgust as an apprentice strings out plastic tubing like an extension cord or doesn’t take care to properly size something, you’ll understand why. To any true tradesman, the details and quality of goods and installation are what matters. They have been around long enough to know that you always should go with the sure thing, and always put it in correctly the first time.
If we all tried our best to sell customers on American-made, high-quality goods and quality installation done right the first time, maybe we can turn the tide.
