MIVA STUDY PACK — Plumber (Water & Sanitation) (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 1: What a plumber does and where the work is 7 minutes read WELCOME TO PLUMBING Plumbing is one of the most important trades in any community. Every day, people need clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing. They also need a safe way to carry dirty water and waste away from their living spaces. A plumber makes sure these systems work correctly without leaks or contamination. If a house has good plumbing, the people inside stay healthy. If plumbing is poor, dirty water can leak into clean water pipes. This can spread diseases like cholera or typhoid. As a plumber, your main job is to keep clean water clean and dirty water moving away safely. THE TWO MAIN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Every building has two separate plumbing systems that must never mix: - Supply System: Brings fresh, pressurized clean water from a city main, a borehole, or an overhead poly tank into taps, showers, and water heaters. - Drainage System: Takes wastewater from sinks, showers, and toilets out of the building into a septic tank, soakaway pit, or city sewer line. WHERE PLUMBERS FIND WORK Plumbers work anywhere people live, work, or gather. You do not need to sit in an office. Your work takes you directly to the job site. Here are common places you will work: - Residential Buildings: Single family homes, compound houses, and apartment blocks. You will fit bathroom suites, kitchen sinks, and water storage tanks. - Commercial Properties: Restaurants, hotels, shops, and office buildings. These buildings have large restrooms and complex pipe routes that need regular servicing. - Construction Sites: New building projects where you lay underground pipes before concrete floor slabs are poured and run vertical supply lines up walls. - Institutions: Schools, hospitals, and churches that require heavy-duty toilets and large volume water storage. COMMON DAILY TASKS On a typical day, a plumber might perform several different tasks depending on the client's needs: In new buildings, you read floor plans, cut wall channels, lay pipes, and test lines under water pressure. In existing homes, you might replace a broken tap, unclog a kitchen sink drain, repair a leaking valve, or install a new flushing toilet. In many West African towns and cities, municipal water flows only on certain days. Because of this, installing overhead water tanks (such as Geepee or Duraplast poly tanks) and electric booster pumps is a major source of income for plumbers. In North America, plumbers frequently service central hot water heaters and basement sump pumps. [Safety Warning: Biological Hazards] Wastewater from toilets and drain pipes carries dangerous bacteria, parasites, and chemical cleaners. Always wear protective rubber gloves, safety boots, and eye protection when working on used drainage pipes or around septic tanks. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating or touching your face. TYPES OF PLUMBING CAREERS As you gain experience, you can choose to specialize in different areas of the trade: - Domestic Installer: Focuses on residential repairs, bathroom renovations, and installing household tanks and pumps. - Site Plumber: Works with main contractors on large building sites installing long pipe networks and heavy fixtures. - Maintenance Plumber: Retained by hotels, schools, or estates to quickly fix emergency leaks and perform regular system checkups. [Try This Today] Walk around your house or compound house. Locate where the main water comes in from the street or borehole. Trace the pipe up to the overhead tank or down to the ground taps. Can you find the main shut-off valve that turns off water for the whole house? PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the two main pipe systems inside any building? A) Hot water lines and cold water lines B) Clean water supply lines and dirty wastewater drainage lines C) Underground lines and roof lines D) Copper lines and plastic lines Answer: B — Every building relies on a clean water supply system to bring fresh water in, and a separate wastewater drainage system to carry dirty water away safely. 2. Why is poly tank installation a common job for plumbers in many West African cities? A) Poly tanks replace the need for toilets B) Tanks are required by law in every bedroom C) Public water supply can be irregular, so homes store water overhead D) Poly tanks cool down hot water automatically Answer: C — Because municipal supply can be intermittent, residents store water in overhead poly tanks so clean water flows by gravity even when public supply stops. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 2: Tools and pipe materials 8 minutes read CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOOLS AND MATERIALS To do good plumbing work, you must know your tools and understand the materials used for pipes and fittings. Using the wrong tool can strip threads or crack pipes. Using the wrong pipe material can lead to burst lines, leaks, or water contamination. ESSENTIAL PLUMBER HAND TOOLS You do not need to buy every tool at once. Start with a basic kit and add specialized tools as you earn money from jobs. Here are the core hand tools every plumber relies on: - Pipe Wrench (Stillson Wrench): Has sharp steel teeth to grip and turn round metal pipes and heavy threaded fittings. - Adjustable Spanner (Crescent Wrench): Has smooth flat jaws to tighten smooth nuts, tap bodies, and chrome valves without scratching them. - Hacksaw and Pipe Cutters: Used to cut plastic and metal pipes cleanly and straight. - Thread Seal Tape (Teflon Tape): Soft white tape wrapped clockwise around male pipe threads to make water-tight threaded joints. - Spirit Level: Used to check that horizontal drain pipes slope downhill correctly (1cm drop per meter) so wastewater flows away easily. - Tape Measure: Essential for measuring wall channels, pipe runs, and fixture mounting heights. COMMON PIPE MATERIALS Different pipes are made for different jobs, water temperatures, and pressures. The main types you will work with include: 1. PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) PVC is light, smooth, and cheap. White or grey PVC pipes are commonly used for indoor waste lines, sink drains, toilet soil pipes, and low-pressure cold water lines. PVC pipes are glued together using solvent cement glue. 2. PPR (POLYPROPYLENE RANDOM COPOLYMER) PPR pipes are thick, green or white plastic pipes joined using heat fusion welding. A heat machine melts the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting together. Once cooled, they fuse into one solid plastic piece that never leaks under high pressure or hot water. PPR is now very popular across Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo for clean indoor supply lines. 3. GI (GALVANIZED IRON) Galvanized iron pipes are heavy zinc-coated steel pipes. They connect using cut screw threads sealed with Teflon tape or hemp string. GI is tough against sunlight and physical damage, so it is often used outdoors for exposed pump connections, roadside risers, or security fencing around meters. 4. HDPE AND PEX HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) comes in flexible black rolls with blue stripes. It is tough and flexible, making it perfect for main lines buried underground from water mains or boreholes into buildings. PEX is flexible tubing used heavily in North America for fast indoor hot and cold water distribution. [Safety Warning: Fumes and Hot Tools] PVC solvent cement glue releases strong chemical fumes that can cause dizziness. Always work in well-ventilated areas. PPR heating machines operate above 260°C. Never touch the hot metal heating sockets with bare hands, and keep hot tools away from dry grass or flammable materials. KEY FITTINGS TO KNOW Pipes must change direction, join together, or shrink in size. Plumbers use fittings to do this: - Elbow (90° or 45°): Turns a pipe line in a new direction. - Tee: Splits one line into two separate paths shaped like the letter T. - Socket / Coupling: Joins two straight pieces of pipe of the same size. - Reducer: Connects a larger pipe to a smaller pipe. - Union: A screw fitting that allows you to disconnect a pump or tank later without cutting the pipe. - Gate Valve / Ball Valve: Used to turn water flow on or off manually. [Try This Today] Visit a local hardware or building supply store in your area. Ask the seller to show you a piece of PVC waste pipe, a piece of green PPR pipe, and a roll of white Teflon tape. Compare how thick the pipe walls are and check the printed text along the side of the pipes. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which tool should you use to tighten smooth chrome nuts on a tap without scratching the surface? A) A pipe wrench with sharp teeth B) An adjustable spanner with smooth flat jaws C) A claw hammer D) A hacksaw blade Answer: B — An adjustable spanner has smooth flat jaws that grip hex nuts securely without scratching metallic finishes, whereas a pipe wrench has teeth that mark surfaces. 2. How are PPR plastic pipes permanently joined together? A) Using rubber bands B) Using a heat fusion welding machine that melts plastic parts together C) Tying them with steel binding wire D) Soaking them in cold water for one hour Answer: B — PPR pipes and fittings are melted briefly at high temperatures using a PPR fusion machine and pushed together to form a seamless, leak-proof joint. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 3: Cutting and joining PVC and PPR pipe 8 minutes read UNDERSTANDING PVC AND PPR PIPES Plumbers in Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo work with two main types of plastic pipes for domestic water systems: PVC and PPR. Knowing when to use each material and how to join them correctly is one of the most important skills in plumbing. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is white, gray, or dark blue. It is widely available in hardware markets like Kantamanto in Accra or Idumota in Lagos. Plumbers use PVC mostly for drain lines, waste water, and low-pressure cold water lines. PPR (Polypropylene Random Copolymer) is usually green or white with thicker walls. PPR is strong, handles high pressure, and holds hot water without melting. TOOLS FOR CUTTING PIPE A bad cut leads to leaky joints. To get clean, square cuts on plastic pipes, you will use specific hand tools. - Hacksaw: Cheap and easy to carry, but leaves rough burrs (plastic shavings) that you must clean off. - Pipe Shears (Ratchet Cutter): Quick tool for cutting PVC and PPR pipes up to 32mm clean without shaving debris. - Wheel Pipe Cutter: Clamps onto the pipe and rotates around it to give a smooth, perfectly straight cut. [Safety With PVC Cement and Hot PPR Tools] PVC solvent cement gives off strong chemical fumes that can hurt your eyes and lungs. Always apply glue in a well-ventilated space. PPR welding machines heat up to 260°C. Never touch the metal heating heads with bare skin, and keep burning machine cords away from wet floors. JOINING PVC PIPE WITH SOLVENT CEMENT PVC pipes are joined chemically using solvent cement (often called PVC glue). The cement slightly melts the surface of the plastic so the pipe and fitting weld together into one piece. - Cut the pipe square and scrape off any rough plastic burrs using a knife edge or sandpaper. - Dry fit the pipe into the fitting to check that it slides in at least halfway comfortably. - Clean dirt and moisture off both surfaces using a dry cloth. Moisture ruins PVC glue. - Apply a smooth, even layer of solvent cement inside the fitting socket and on the pipe end. - Push the pipe straight into the socket with a slight quarter-turn twist to spread glue evenly. - Hold firmly together for 15 to 30 seconds so the pipe does not push itself back out. Let PVC joints cure for at least 15 to 30 minutes before moving them, and wait several hours before turning on full water pressure. JOINING PPR PIPE WITH HEAT FUSION PPR pipes do not use glue. Instead, you melt the pipe outer edge and fitting inner socket using an electric PPR welding machine. When cooled, the joint becomes as strong as the pipe itself. - Plug in the PPR fusion machine and wait for the green ready light (around 260°C). - Mark the entry depth on the PPR pipe end with a marker pencil. - Push the pipe end and the fitting onto the heated aluminum dies at the same time without twisting. - Count the heating time (usually 5 to 7 seconds for standard 20mm or 25mm pipe). - Pull both parts off the machine dies and immediately push the pipe into the fitting straight. Do not twist while pushing. - Hold the joint still for 6 seconds while the melted plastic cools and sets hard. [Try This Today] Visit a nearby hardware store or site. Ask to look at a length of 20mm PVC pipe and a 20mm PPR pipe. Compare their wall thickness and weight. If you have scrap PVC at home, practice cutting it square using a simple hacksaw. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why must you hold a PVC joint tightly for 15 to 30 seconds right after pushing the pipe into the fitting? A) To let the glue dry completely so water can flow immediately. B) To prevent the fitting from pushing the pipe back out while the glue melts the plastic. C) To heat up the plastic pipe using hand friction. D) To expand the pipe inside the socket so it fits tighter. Answer: B — PVC solvent cement acts as a chemical lubricant at first. The tapered shape of the socket can force the pipe back out unless you hold it firmly until the cement grips. 2. How are PPR pipes joined together securely? A) Using heavy PVC solvent cement and thread tape. B) By melting pipe and fitting with an electric heat welding machine. C) By hammering the pipe directly into the socket with grease. D) Using metal clamps and rubber washers on every joint. Answer: B — PPR pipes require heat fusion welding at around 260°C. The heat melts the plastic surfaces so they join into a single solid piece when cooled. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 4: Water tanks, pumps and supply lines 8 minutes read WATER TANKS AND OVERHEAD STORAGE In many neighborhoods across West Africa, town water supply comes and goes. Houses and shops rely on overhead storage tanks—like black or blue plastic Polytanks or Geepee tanks—to keep water flowing every day. A plumber installs the tank, connects incoming lines from the well or main line, and pipes cold water down to taps, showers, and toilets inside the building using gravity. TANK STANDS AND SAFETY Water is heavy. One thousand liters of water weighs exactly 1,000 kilograms (1 ton). That is the same weight as a small car. [Tank Weight and Stand Safety] Never place a heavy water tank on a weak roof or poorly built metal stand. A failing stand can collapse and cause severe injury or damage. Overhead stands must be built from thick concrete pillars or strong welded steel beams resting on solid ground. PUMPS AND AUTOMATIC CONTROLS When incoming water pressure from the street or borehole is low, water cannot reach an overhead tank on its own. Plumbers install surface pumps or submersible pumps to push water upward. - Surface Transfer Pump: Sits on ground level outside the tank. It pulls water from an underground storage sump or well and pushes it up into the overhead tank. - Submersible Pump: Drops completely inside a deep borehole or well underwater to pump water directly up. - Float Switch: An automatic electrical switch placed inside the overhead tank. When water level drops low, the float drops and turns the pump ON. When the tank fills, the float rises and turns the pump OFF. - Check Valve (Non-Return Valve): A one-way valve installed after the pump. It lets water move up to the tank but stops it from flowing backward into the pump when power turns off. SIZING SUPPLY LINES FOR GOOD PRESSURE Gravity creates water pressure. The higher your tank above the tap, the stronger the pressure. Plumbers use simple sizing rules to keep good water flow throughout a house. - Tank Outlet: Use a large pipe size (like 1-inch or 32mm PPR) straight out of the tank base. - Main Distribution Line: Run this larger pipe vertically down the side of the building. - Branch Lines to Rooms: Reduce the pipe size down to 3/4-inch (25mm) or 1/2-inch (20mm) as pipes reach individual taps, kitchen sinks, and toilets. Reducing pipe sizes step by step helps maintain steady pressure when multiple taps open at the same time. [Try This Today] Look at the water tank setup at your house, church, or workplace. Trace the pipes with your eyes: Can you find where water comes in? Where is the main valve to turn off water to the building? Is there a float switch connected by a cable? PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the main purpose of a check valve (non-return valve) near a water pump? A) To turn the electric motor on when water gets cold. B) To allow water to flow in one direction only and prevent backflow. C) To filter out sand and stones before water enters the tap. D) To decrease overall water pressure in the building. Answer: B — A check valve allows water to travel forward when the pump works, but closes automatically to stop water from running backward when the pump stops. 2. Why do plumbers start with a large pipe at the tank outlet and switch to smaller pipes at individual taps? A) Because small pipes are too expensive to use near the tank. B) To save glue and fittings on vertical walls. C) To maintain solid volume and steady water pressure across all fixtures. D) Because large PPR pipes melt if connected directly to taps. Answer: C — Starting with a larger supply pipe allows enough water volume to travel down from the tank, ensuring good pressure even when several taps are opened at once. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 5: Toilets, sinks and drainage 8 minutes read HOW DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WORK Drainage systems carry dirty water away from homes, shops, and offices. Unlike clean water pipes that use pressure from pumps or elevated water tanks, drainage pipes use gravity. Dirty water must roll downwards through pipes into a septic tank, soakaway pit, or central sewer line. If a drain pipe is flat or sloped upwards, wastewater stops moving. Grease, soap scum, and hair collect in the pipe. The pipe blocks, and foul water backs up into washbasins, shower floors, or toilet bowls. A good plumber makes sure every drain pipe tilts downwards toward the discharge point. [Health and Safety Warning] Dirty water from toilets and sinks carries bacteria, viruses, and toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide. Always wear heavy rubber gloves and safety glasses when working on used drainage pipes. Never put your face directly over an open drain hole. TRAPS: BLOCKING FOUL ODORS Have you ever noticed a sharp sewer smell in a bathroom? That happens when a plumbing trap loses its water seal. Every sink, washbasin, toilet, and floor drain must have a trap attached directly below it. A trap is a curved section of pipe that holds a small pocket of clean water at all times. This trapped water creates a liquid barrier. Air and bad gases inside the sewer pipe cannot pass through the water seal into the living space. - P-Trap: Curved like the letter P laid on its side. Most common under kitchen sinks and wall-mounted washbasins. - S-Trap: Shapes down into the floor. Common in older homes, but can siphon empty if not vented correctly. - Bottle Trap: Compact cylinder shape used under decorative washbasins where space is small. - Toilet Trapway: Built directly into the ceramic body of modern WC bowls. If a sink is not used for weeks, the water seal inside the trap can evaporate. The room will smell like sewage. Running the tap for ten seconds refills the trap and blocks the smell instantly. INSTALLING WASH BASINS AND KITCHEN SINKS Connecting a sink requires two separate connections: clean water coming in through small flexible hoses, and wastewater leaving through a larger drain pipe. Kitchen waste usually uses 40mm (1.5 inch) PVC pipe, while bathroom washbasins use 32mm or 40mm pipe. - Mount the basin securely on the wall brackets or countertop before connecting any pipes. - Insert the strainer basket or sink waste outlet into the basin hole using plumber's putty or silicone gaskets to prevent leaks. - Tighten the locknut under the basin by hand first, then turn it one extra quarter turn with a wrench. Over-tightening cracks ceramic basins. - Attach the P-trap or bottle trap to the tailpiece of the sink outlet. - Connect the trap outlet pipe to the main waste pipe wall outlet with a rubber seal or solvent cement weld. TOILET MECHANICS AND WASTE LINES A standard water closet (WC) has two main parts: the ceramic bowl sitting on the floor, and the flush tank or cistern mounted above or behind it. The floor outlet under the toilet connects to a large 110mm (4-inch) soil pipe. This pipe carries solid human waste and toilet paper out of the building. The connection between the ceramic toilet base and the floor pipe must be completely airtight and watertight. Plumbers use a rubber pan connector (also called a straight or offset connector) or a wax floor ring to seal this connection. If this seal fails, dirty water leaks onto the bathroom tile every time someone flushes the toilet, causing foul odors and damp structural floors. MAINTAINING CORRECT SLOPE AND VENTING When laying soil and waste pipes under ground or along walls, the angle of the pipe matters. The standard recommended slope is 1 to 2 centimeters of drop for every 1 meter of pipe length (a 1% to 2% gradient). If the slope is too steep, liquid water rushes away quickly, leaving solid waste behind in the pipe. If the slope is too flat, water does not move fast enough, and waste settles on the bottom. Both mistakes cause blockages. Waste lines also need air vents. A vent pipe extends from the main soil pipe up through the roof of the building into the open air. This vent brings air into the system so that heavy flushes do not create a vacuum that sucks water out of sink traps. [Try This Today] Inspect the washbasin under the sink in your home, workplace, or compound. Identify the bottle trap or P-trap. Place a small dry cloth underneath it and check for dampness. Feel the plastic locknuts to see if they are hand-tight. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why must every sink and washbasin have a P-trap or bottle trap installed below it? A) To increase the water pressure coming out of the tap B) To catch clean water for cooking and washing hands C) To hold a water barrier that blocks bad sewer gases from entering the room D) To stop the sink from falling off the wall mount Answer: C — Traps hold a continuous pocket of clean water that forms an airtight barrier. This stops foul sewer gases inside the waste pipe from coming up through the drain into the room. 2. What is the recommended slope for horizontal waste and soil pipes? A) 1 to 2 centimeters of drop per 1 meter of pipe length B) 10 to 15 centimeters of drop per 1 meter of pipe length C) The pipe should be completely level with zero drop D) The pipe should drop vertically every 20 centimeters Answer: A — A 1% to 2% drop (1-2 cm per meter) allows water and solid waste to flow together smoothly without leaving solids behind or draining liquid too fast. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 6: Finding and fixing leaks 8 minutes read THE HIDDEN COST OF WATER LEAKS A single dripping tap can waste more than 30 liters of clean water every day. A leaking toilet flapper can waste up to 300 liters daily without making a loud sound. In towns and cities where water is purchased by the cubic meter, or where electric pumps fill overhead tanks from boreholes, leaks waste money and electricity fast. Clients often call a plumber only when water drips through a ceiling or floods a tiled floor. A skilled plumber knows how to investigate, locate hidden leaks, and make clean, permanent repairs. [Safety First: Electric Shock Risk] Water conducts electricity. If a water leak is near an electrical outlet, distribution board, or appliance cable, do not touch the wet area. Turn off the main electrical breaker for that circuit before touching metallic water pipes or starting work. HOW TO LOCATE HIDDEN LEAKS Not all leaks show up under a tap. Many occur inside walls, under concrete floors, or deep underground between the water meter and the storage tank. - The Water Meter Test: Turn off all taps, washing machines, and toilet valves in the building. Look at the water meter dial. If the small red wheel or numbers are still moving, water is leaking somewhere in the main pipeline. - The Cistern Dye Test: Drop 5 drops of dark food coloring or liquid soap into the toilet flush tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 minutes. If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, the flush valve washer at the bottom of the tank is leaking. - Wall Dampness and Flaking Paint: Soft wall plaster, peeling paint, or white powdery salt stains (efflorescence) on masonry walls point to a pinhole leak inside a buried pipe. - Sound Detection: Place the metal tip of a long screwdriver against a pipe or valve body and put your ear to the handle. A continuous low rushing sound when all taps are closed indicates pressurized water escaping. FIXING DRIPPING TAPS AND FAUCETS Most dripping taps use simple rubber washers or ceramic cartridges that wear out over time. You rarely need to replace the entire tap assembly. - Shut off the main isolation valve controlling water flow to that specific room or tap. - Open the tap fully to drain any remaining water in the line. - Remove the decorative handle cap with a small flathead screwdriver, then unscrew the handle screw underneath. - Use an adjustable wrench or spanner to unscrew the brass tap headwork stem counter-clockwise. - Inspect the black rubber washer at the base of the stem. If it is cut, flattened, or hard, pop it off and press a new matching washer into place. - If the tap uses a ceramic disc cartridge, replace the entire cartridge with an exact size match. - Wrap two turns of Teflon thread tape around the stem threads and screw it back into the tap body securely. REPAIRING TOILET CISTERN LEAKS Toilet tanks leak in two main ways: water flows continuously into the toilet bowl, or water drips onto the floor from the bottom of the tank. If water flows continuously into the bowl, check the float arm height first. If the float valve sits too high, water level rises above the internal overflow pipe and runs into the bowl. Bend the float arm slightly down or adjust the thumb screw so the water cuts off 2.5 cm (1 inch) below the overflow tube height. If the water level is low but water still trickles into the bowl, the rubber flush valve seal at the base of the tank is old, swollen, or covered in mineral scale. Unscrew the flush mechanism twist-lock, peel off the old rubber ring seal, clean the sealing seat with a soft cloth, and stretch a new seal into place. REPAIRING BROKEN PVC AND PPR PIPES When a pressurized plastic pipe inside a wall or under ground cracks, temporary wraps with black electrical tape or rubber strips will fail within hours under pressure. - Shut off the main water valve and drain the pipe completely. Wet surfaces ruin pipe glues and heat welds. - Expose at least 15 to 20 centimeters of clean pipe around the break point. - Cut out the damaged section cleanly using a ratchet pipe cutter or a fine hacksaw blade. Keep the cut straight at 90 degrees. - For PVC Pipes: Clean both pipe ends with pipe cleaner or sandpaper. Apply PVC solvent cement to the pipe ends and the inside of a PVC straight coupling or slip-repair coupling. Push together and hold tight for 30 seconds. - For PPR Pipes: Use an electric PPR fusion welding machine heated to 260°C. Heat the pipe outer wall and PPR socket coupling inner wall for 5 to 7 seconds, then push them straight together without twisting. [Try This Today] Perform the toilet dye test on a toilet in your home or compound house using food coloring or bluing powder. Check if the water in the bowl changes color after 15 minutes to confirm whether the flush washer seal is tight. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. If all taps are closed in a house but the main water meter wheel is slowly spinning, what does this indicate? A) The water meter is broken and needs immediate oiling B) Water is leaking somewhere in the pipeline after the meter C) The main supply company is pumping air into the line D) The water pressure is too high for the house pipes Answer: B — When all outlets in a house are shut tightly, no water should move through the meter. A spinning meter wheel proves that water is escaping through an open valve or hidden pipe leak. 2. What is the correct way to repair a leaking rubber washer inside a classic brass pillar tap? A) Wrap black electrical tape around the outside of the tap body B) Apply quick-drying superglue directly onto the tap spout opening C) Shut off the water valve, disassemble the tap stem, and swap the damaged washer for a new one D) Tighten the tap handle with maximum force using a heavy hammer Answer: C — Replacing a worn rubber washer requires turning off the water, unscrewing the tap stem assembly, and fitting a fresh washer of the correct diameter. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 7: Safety on site 7 minutes read WORKING SAFELY AS A PLUMBER Plumbing is a rewarding trade, but it comes with real risks. You will work with heavy water pressure, sharp tools, strong chemical glues, and dirty wastewater. Protecting yourself on the job site ensures you can work every day without painful injuries or sickness. Safety starts before you open your toolbox. A good plumber plans for safety on every job, whether you are replacing a tap washer in a small room or laying underground pipes for a multi-story building. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Personal protective equipment keeps your eyes, hands, lungs, and feet safe while you work. You do not need expensive gear, but you do need basic items that fit well and stay in good condition. - Safety boots or heavy covered shoes: Protect your feet from falling tools, sharp pipe offcuts, and slippery wet floors. Never wear flip-flops or open sandals on a job site. - Thick rubber gloves: Protect your skin when handling raw sewage, dirty drain water, or harsh drain-cleaning chemicals. Use cut-resistant gloves when cutting iron or PVC pipes. - Clear safety goggles: Keep plastic shavings, metal dust, cement splash, and dirty water out of your eyes. - Dust mask or respirator: Protect your lungs when grinding concrete walls to hide pipes or when breathing in fumes from PVC solvent glue in closed spaces. [Sewage and chemical hazards] Wastewater from toilets and septic tanks contains dangerous bacteria and parasites that cause illnesses like cholera and typhoid. Always wear rubber gloves when working on waste lines. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating or drinking. WORKING WITH PIPE CHEMICALS AND HEAT Plumbers frequently use solvent cement (PVC glue), pipe cleaners, and heating irons for PPR pipes. Solvent cement releases strong fumes that can cause dizziness or headache if breathed in for too long. Always open doors and windows when gluing pipes inside a house. When using a PPR welding machine, the heating plate reaches temperatures over 260 degrees Celsius. Touch only the plastic handle. Keep the hot machine away from dry grass, cardboard, or flammable chemicals while working. LADDERS, TRENCHES, AND ELECTRICITY Plumbing often requires working high up on water tank stands or deep down in trenches dug for soakaway pits and main water lines. - Inspect your ladder: Place ladders on firm, level ground. Secure the top or have a helper hold the base before climbing to inspect an overhead tank. - Support deep trenches: Soil can collapse suddenly. Never enter a trench deeper than your chest unless the sides are sloped back or braced with timber. - Beware of electrical lines: Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Look for hidden power wires in walls before drilling holes for pipe clips, and keep metal pipes away from overhead electrical lines. [Try this today] Inspect your current work footwear and gloves today. Make sure your shoes have non-slip soles and thick toes. If your gloves have holes or thin palms, buy a sturdy pair of waterproof gloves at the market before taking your next repair job. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you wear on your hands when clearing a blocked toilet drain? A) Thin cotton gloves B) Thick rubber gloves C) No gloves so you can feel the pipe better D) Plastic shopping bags Answer: B — Thick rubber gloves create a strong barrier between your skin and dangerous germs, bacteria, and chemicals present in wastewater lines. 2. Why is it important to open windows when using PVC solvent cement indoors? A) To let the glue dry slower B) To clear away fumes that can cause dizziness or headaches C) To let mosquitoes fly out D) To keep the room warm Answer: B — PVC solvent cement releases chemical fumes. Working in a well-ventilated area prevents you from inhaling harmful vapors. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 8: Pricing a job and getting customers 8 minutes read HOW TO PRICE YOUR PLUMBING WORK Pricing a job correctly is one of the most important skills for a successful plumber. If you charge too high, customers will hire someone else. If you charge too low, you will work hard, run out of money to buy materials, and fail to earn a living. To make a good profit, you must understand how to calculate total costs and explain your prices clearly to clients before you start any physical work. BREAKING DOWN YOUR QUOTE Every price quote you give to a customer should cover three main parts: materials, labor, and transport or unexpected costs. - Material costs: The exact market price of all pipes, elbow joints, tees, valves, taps, thread tape, and solvent cement needed for the job. - Labor charge: The payment for your time, skill, and effort. You can charge per day or per fixed job depending on the work size. - Transport and incidentals: Money spent on tro-tro, taxi, or fuel to transport pipes and tools to the site, plus a small cushion for extra fittings. For example, if a job requires 20,000 Naira or 300 Cedis worth of pipes and fittings, and will take you one full day of skilled work, calculate your labor rate fairly based on local rates. Add transport costs, then give the client a single clear total with a written list of items. [Never underquote to win work] Do not cut your prices so low that you cannot buy quality pipes or earn a fair daily wage. Using cheap, weak materials to save money leads to burst pipes and leaking joints. Poor quality work ruins your reputation faster than a high price. BUILDING TRUST AND GETTING REPEAT CUSTOMERS The best plumbing jobs come from word-of-mouth recommendations. When you do clean, honest work, happy home and shop owners will share your phone number with their family, neighbors, and friends. - Be punctual and neat: Arrive at the promised time. Clean up dirt, pipe offcuts, and water spills before you leave the customer's house. - Use photos on WhatsApp: Take clear photos of your neat pipework and finished bathroom installations. Send them to prospective clients as a digital portfolio. - Partner with local hardware shops: Leave your contact details with stores selling plumbing supplies. Shop owners often get asked by customers for reliable plumbers. - Give clear quotes in writing: Send invoices or estimated costs clearly over WhatsApp or on paper before buying supplies. [Try this today] Create a simple price sheet on your phone today. Write down standard labor fees for basic jobs like replacing a tap, installing a kitchen sink, fixing a leaking toilet, or setting up a small water pump. Having standard rates helps you give quick, confident quotes when clients call. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which three parts make up a complete job quote for a plumbing project? A) Food, housing, and clothing B) Materials, labor, and transport or incidentals C) Pipe color, water pressure, and glue brand D) Tax, office rent, and advertising fees Answer: B — A standard quote must include the cost of all materials, fair payment for your labor, and transport costs to cover your travel and logistics. 2. What is one of the most effective ways to get new plumbing clients in your community? A) Wait inside your workshop for people to find you B) Charge double what other plumbers charge C) Share photos of your neat finished work on WhatsApp and leave contacts with hardware shops D) Use cheap fittings that leak after two weeks Answer: C — Showing photos of clean work to potential clients and building relationships with local plumbing supply shops helps you get steady referrals. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 9: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 10: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- Plumber (Water & Sanitation) — Lesson 11: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app