After the basic structure and the walls of a building have been erected, the plumber and electrician have to install their functional systems. Once these functions have been performed, the work must be inspected by a professional body before the rest of the building is completed, in order to ensure the safety and suitability of the system.
Generally the plumbers get to do their work first, but with modern systems and technology, and especially with factors like heating, the plumber and electrician quite often have to work together and combine efforts on certain items.
When the plumber arrives, he has to ensure that the pipes from the main water source are installed along with the drainage system and that the pipes and plumbing is done in the relevant locations in the building, such as the kitchens and bathrooms, and taps in the exterior. The waste piping is also put in at this stage, and once this has been completed, then an inspection is done by the building inspector of the municipality.
At the same time the electrician will design the layout and electrical system for the building and will lay the relevant conduit piping in the structure of the building. The wiring is laid in and all is connected to the central power source, which is controlled through a distribution panel. The main power source is provided by the municipality and only a qualified electrician can work with these connections. The wiring must also be installed in a manner which is invisible in the building, and it must be done with safety in mind. An electrical inspection by the local authority is also performed once the wiring has been completed and an electrical compliance certificate is issued if all is in order.
Pipes for plumbing and the conduits for electricity are laid into the structure and walls, by carving channels into the locations where the pipes and wires should be laid. Where face bricks are used, a lot of skill is required to build piping and wiring into the walls as the wall surface is visible, and no plastering can cover up the pipes or wires.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
- Isabel G - 1 July 2023
- Jonathan H - 1 July 2023
- Miriam J - 1 July 2023