Plumber shares words of wisdom after 61 years on the job

September 30, 2013 - On his 80th birthday, Winnipeg plumber William Gregorchuk looks back on his 61 year career as a plumber.

[@stevegreen319]

I was working for a friend of my fathers when I was 15. He was a commercial electrician I had known him my whole life. On day he said to me: Boy. If you are going to be in the trades you need to be a plumber. Best advise I ever got. I started full time at 18 years old, started my own company at 27, and have never ever needed to worry about work regardless of the economy or pandemics! I’m 56 now and am basically retired. I take care of a few long time regular customers and enjoy my farm. Not bad for someone who quit school at 15.

[@avogadro4928]

I just dropped out of college at 20 cause I want to be a plumber. I was good at school but I love working with my hands. Haven’t started a plumbing apprenticeship yet but I’m working in a steel factory and loving the manual work.

[@OriginalKingRichTv]

:o

[@yomommaNyadaddy]

I hate how these kind of jobs are looked down upon, everybody can't be a doctor, dentist, lawyer or whatever THESE jobs will never go out of demand and are really respectable jobs

[@bogey19018]

Without people like this guy, doctors would be shit out of luck.

[@ColAngus]

I know two people that became doctors. They are idiots but have the ability to memorize things from their school books and pass the tests.

[@thetalkingelement2415]

People take going to the toilet and having a hot shower for granted. Until they have no hot water or usable toilet.

[@KevsUploads]

Facts

[@1NutDude]

No plumbing, no water, no doctor's.

[@futuretradesmanerickson672]

He looks like the guy from up

[@saulgonzalez1645]

Mr. Fredrickson hahaha

[@thetank971]

Future Tradesman Erickson: he is

[@ezra4517]

That's the first thought I had before I even saw your comment lol

[@mohammedalibalur1932]

Future Tradesman Erickson hi

[@shadowreaper5413]

@@saulgonzalez1645 where is your picture from pls

[@danieldawson222]

After 37yrs in the plumbing/fitting industry, I believe guys like this paved the way for the rest of us!

[@aquattadomdren6760]

“If you got the health, you got the money” wiser words have never been spoken in the trades

[@danieldeluna5871]

I love plumbing. im proud to be a plumber

[@jamoljamol6190]

Daniel DeLuna I'm starting next year, I wanna be proud to be a plumber😀

[@daobesebeast]

Please choose another career! Plumbing sucks and it will ruin your marriage, life, and all your relationships! Trust me! I am a lisenced Master Plumber and HVAC Tech and I barely got by.

[@jamoljamol6190]

daobesebeast bro it's awesome job I think it depends where you are haha

[@daobesebeast]

It doesn't matter where you are. I have friends all over the Country and we all share the same story. Over worked and Underpaid. These trades are dirty, nasty jobs that will consume your life with on call and stress! I am a licensed Master Plumber, went to a 4 year tech school for HVAC and I am NATE certified, EPA certified, etc... I am continually keeping up with my education to stay current with technology. I also do electrical panels, wiring, and Electrical services. Whatever call I get wither it's Plumbing, HVAC, or Electrical is no problem for me. I have been doing all this for 18 years now and I only make 23.59 an hour and I get no Health Insurance. Please ride along with a friend or Uncle or some Company for just a month before you commit. In fact, come work with me for 2 weeks and see if that doesn't change your mind!

[@daobesebeast]

Not at all friend. I recently went back to a Tech school for some classes to stay up on technology with HVAC. Many of the guys were just starting school and were just so excited to jump in the field. I told them what they should do is go to 10 different plumbing/HVAC Companies in our area and ask what the starting pay was. It's about 12 dollars an hour. The one kid asked 8 Companies and the highest offer he got to start was 13 an hour with a 1 dollar raise in 1 year. You will not got rich by any stretch of the means doing the trades unless you work for yourself and the stress of that will give you a heart attack by 50. I know hundreds of plumbers seeing that I have been doing this 20 years and you can believe me or not.

[@andressantos9138]

Ive been a plumber for 3 years and Im making $ 28 per hour as a fourth year apprentice. I only got one more year to go and i have absolutley no student debt.

[@clips1071]

Andres Santos I’m looking into becoming a plumber .are the hours as bad as everyone in the comments is saying

[@dvach6352]

Yes. The hours are very long. Plumbing has a high divorce rate. Just learn to manage what time you have with family

[@jorgeguzman9592]

Andres Santos good shit bro

[@AbletonLiveTechs]

Richard Devitto so thats 12 hrs a day and what is the salary?

[@hybridEP3]

Live Techs don’t bother with the service sector. It’s all “shitty” work. And long hours. If you want a challenge ICI or high rise sectors are the way to go. Plus it’s typically 40hrs a week.

[@mushroomcastle5184]

I'm 33, I do electrical and HVAC. . Licensed since 05'. . I never go hungry 😭

[@ZeroDownEnt]

HEALTH IS WEALTH!

[@markspears1167]

I’m 46 and a custom cabinet builder. I have been building cabinets for 23 years and I love it. I just simply enjoy what I do. I believe it’s what God gave me the talent to do to make a living.

[@shadowangelito4790]

LMAO wtf is that

[@lenaely6146]

Well said

[@KennTollens]

"If you have the health, then you make the money." Every 70+ person that I've talked to had the same theme. Health is wealth, if your health goes down, then you are done.

[@GreatScot70]

This guy is great. I’ve been a plumber for 32 years. I went into business a few years ago. Best thing I ever did. For me and my family. It does get in your blood. It’s a great career.

[@BrianODonohue]

My Dad came out of The U.S.M.C. in 1960 and got into Plumbing by the invitation of another Marine friend who was hired by a Marine Foreman. He worked until his death in 2015 and I had the pleasure of working alongside him for many, many years. God bless The Plumbers!

[@trentchaney5677]

I think he misses his career as a plumber, and would like to still be working

[@gstrader73]

Rigid cutters and a Turbo Torch...he knows his shit! Great job, Sir.

[@TheFoolishboy9]

As they say, "Happiness is a Rigid tool "

[@chaselatimer8966]

Rip William Gregorchuck youre an inspiration to me as a plumber I have to watch your video once a month to remind my self why I’m doing what I do

[@janoos24]

I admire ppl with these skills wish I had learned this stuff as a teenager. Honest good living.

[@nono-mk7jg]

That a good man! Salt of the earth! I love him!

[@theamerican7131]

Full respect for that guy.

[@paveltsarcov1235]

Ukrainian and American folks are proud of you! R.I.P

[@joseotero2555]

I wish I could of learned a trade. Any trade. I encourage anybody to go to trade school and be proud of it. I home school my son and I told him you can go to college after you learn a trade and now he is going to graduate from lincoln tech as an automotive technician.

[@truckertom3884]

Jose Otero wtf u are a clown pick one or the other

[@stankbutt3134]

Literally one of the most unstable trades job security wise

[@Viktor9502]

@@truckertom3884 I'm on my second degree, CS, and getting my plumbing license

[@Viktor9502]

@@stankbutt3134 idk but here in MA the independent plumbers are literally in such high demand. They cant keep up with the work.

[@250-25x]

I am a master plumber from PA, and have 30 + years running plumbing service. I have only ever done it to pay the bills....not because I love it. I like helping people, but owning the business the calls never stop, you have no "off" time or privacy, but that's how it is in real life. The home owners don't know or care that it is Sunday 3AM....they want the hot water, and the toilet to flush. I get that. It is a great trade to know, even better if you enjoy it. Gerry the plumber

[@thetalkingelement2415]

Owning a business is completely different. That’s why I won’t go down that route, exactly from what you said, also I’m no good at the crunching numbers ($) side of things.

[@thetalkingelement2415]

I’ve never met a good Irish plumber. Poly pipe welder probably hoping to hit the mines in Australia looking for that pot of gold. How monotonous. Give it a bit and you’ll soon be over pipe welding. It’s all about attitude.

[@thetalkingelement2415]

The Irish plumbing qualification is the best one you can have. Don’t make me laugh. I’d say Europe, like Germany or Switzerland, definitely not Ireland. You said you are sick of plumbing, why? Do you think pipe welding will be more enjoyable? One trick pony.

[@thetalkingelement2415]

You’re all a bunch of alcoholics. I bit like us. 😂. Get over yourself. “I’m sick of plumbing 😭. I’ll give you 3 months before you’re sick of pipe welding.

[@thetalkingelement2415]

Johnny Draco, yeah the Irishman thinks 1000€ is top dollar. Probably before tax and a 60hr week.

[@blackdeath1886]

Old plumbers don't die, they only smell like they have 👍

[@madmonkey4974]

And we will never go to hell because the devil knows will have the water back on by next Wednesday.

[@danieldeluna5871]

Amen! God Bless The Plumber.

[@kenputer56]

I went in to plumbing on my own and it was 12 -14 hour days and no vacation for a lot of years

[@Killerrob-rn3os]

Great life ay

[@phoenixrises1982]

This man should get Purple Heart medal after 61 years in plumbing

[@johnkrim8377]

To be an accredited plumber takes 4-5 years as an apprentice to become a journeyman , then another year or more to be able to take a masters test. Then if you want you can go in business for yourself . I'm retired after 50 years as a plumber and loved the job but not always some of the people you have to work with. Plumbing is both an art and a science and takes figuring out new problems almost every day. Just remember to do every job the right way because " The plumber protects the health of the nation ".👷🏻

[@nathandarval1]

You got the health you got the money. Wow thats exactly right.

[@heizungsnotarztmallorca]

This Sir was a Veteran for young self employed Plumbers like me. I look Up to him.He looks like a Guy who love what He do,i can feel this, cause I feel the same. and only in case of this you will be a really good Plumber! And Plumbing is a cool Job!!!Im 38 Years from Germany and I Build my Company Five Years ago in Spain ,Mallorca. hug to that Guy!!! love That Vid!!❤️

[@markrunyon5524]

Great video-anyone who makes an honest living with their hands,should be very proud.

[@cpsja]

Great video Mr. William Gregorchuk, great advice for any entrepreneur; take care of your health. Thank you for this video.

[@macinnisgerald]

That’s what I needed to hear today 👍

[@grimlazer5105]

I’m a first year plumber at 29 , started 4 months ago it’s an amazing career I’m working on the Calgary cancer centre , journeymen in my union make 38.60$ and hour and we have full benefits as well as union pension on top of our Canadian pension. I work for one of the top 100 company’s in Canada and I’m lovin what I’m doing so far . All the plumbers above me say it’s an amazing career don’t listen to the negative comments . It all depends on where you are and what type of plumber you want to do. Don’t do service in residential if you can’t handle the hours . You guys sound like electricians ( sparkys) bitching and whining that you have a good job plumbing. Other people would kill to have your job man the fuck up and run some pipe god damit

[@hybridEP3]

brett reid my local pays 48.50$/hr plus 11% vacation. Toronto.

[@Dc-yu8vb]

Wow good rates out there from the uk best trade going only problem is the free loaders trying to take a cut

[@louietheplumber3609]

I've seen this video year after year doesn't get old

[@Justin-ro8nf]

hard working man. bless him

[@patrickp.jeanotte4308]

The smile on his wife's face says it all.

[@seanmarroquin2866]

"If you got the health you got the money, and i try to take care of my health to make the money. "

[@kennethg5460]

Strength, work ethic. Integrity, /Honor. Things that are scarce in young people these days.

[@1mrsleepy1]

Thank you for story, I’m a plumber and what I’ve found is that there’s no one that’s willing to teach any trades nowadays!

[@matto6195]

I'm 27, leaving my dead end sales job next month to go learn plumbing. I can't wait! Just worried I'm a bit too old now...oh well, my crack needs to be shown to the world!

[@TheKingOfGreatness]

go for it

[@AbletonLiveTechs]

howd it go? i feel the same man im 28 :/ sick of trucking business but i feel too old to be trying something new

[@spacecruisers]

@@AbletonLiveTechs I hated my career. I switched from software development to plumbing when I was 30 years old, I'm now 32. Don't let your age stop you from doing what interests you.

[@filmbuff4]

@@spacecruisers im 35 and now about to get into plumbing, if you're under 40, its never too late

[@305grant8]

@@filmbuff4 I'm 39 I start tomorrow/enroll can't wait

[@carnage4446]

This is my 20th year as a plumber and I’m fucken over it

[@TerryCrodgedy]

Car Nage ... be glad you ain't a decorator

[@carnage4446]

Terry Dacktill my back is stuffed

[@TerryCrodgedy]

Car Nage ... stuffed full with .... DILDOS!! Soz mate I couldn't resist

[@TerryCrodgedy]

Car Nage , that's low , even for a pipe fondler

[@erich9925]

He is my plumbing father.He knows best.

[@Dc-yu8vb]

Well done 👍🏻 Top respect ✊

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Took a job at a privater water utility starting at $5 an hour. I just needed a job...stayed 35 years fixing main leaks etc all night long...now I am a retired guy worth 1.2 million...Body is beat up but I dont owe a penny to anyone. When I retired I was making 80K a year. Saw a lot of guys come and go but I worked when I didnt want to and had pride in my job.

[@Justino_Nicolás]

Lovely video. Nice guy.

[@edog5707]

I am a plumber... i do jobbing.... i am so busy, i can't keep up... In my opionion, there is nothing more essential.then plumbing.. no one, and i mean no one, is willing to go more then a day without running water, toilets that flush, the ability to cook , take a shower or have heat.... and like all.mechanical things need constant repair, it NEVER ends.

[@stevenmorris3181]

If you want a job in the most creative profession, you've found it. My greatest sadness is when they cover it....Your creativity vanishes behind a layer of drywall. There is no justice.

[@danieldawson222]

Steve Morris, I have always had that same exact thought!

[@ACoustaDC]

Thank god for Instagram! Post u your work.

[@Nash36088]

Lol. Had to smile when he said “that’s my bread and butter”

[@---bt7ei]

i am a plumber at a technical school, and i hope to continue and become successful

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

As a former trade worker, I'm glad to never do trade jobs including plumbing, being an electrician, or HVAC technician ever again. Sometimes, money is not good enough and worse, sometimes, even with those trade jobs, you are not compensated enough if you develop or sustain a serious or life-threatening on the job site injury. I was never compensated when I sustained an injury to my head when leaving the job site, and I was not permitted to work until I had paid out of my own pocket for my own medical treatment and the irony was that I still wasn't making enough. In the end, I was forced out and I'm so blessed and glad that I was. I since have sought out being self-employed, and it was a miracle! I support those who decide that the plumbing trade is not enough and who move onto better and more fulfilling jobs.

[@jasonmullinax7143]

Thank you

[@Lengsel7]

Cool old guy.

[@congerscott6064]

Wow, 61 years, now that's a tough guy, plumbing is not a easy trade, sometimes i don't know if im gonna make it through the day and im 57 years old 👍.

[@strangeroamer3219]

I'm 30 years old and I'm over it. The only thing that keeps me from quitting is the bills.

[@jmontis2]

legend master plumber tool garage, take notes folks

[@julliancarrillo6430]

Love it bro

[@reyestella3957]

Ser u are propessional plumber excellent job ser my dream is to come their in canada to work as a plumber like u i have an experience 2 years in qatar up to present here in the philippines my dreams to meet u

[@LabRat6619]

People don't realise you need about 3000 different hand tools to be fully kitted out.

[@spacecruisers]

haha so true

[@JB-ki9ql]

If you got your health you got the money "well said.

[@johnd4348]

Dam that looks like my garage.

[@blueticecho5690]

I worked as a plumber for 55 years on my own and 31 years as a paid City firefighter..

[@ironbear8469]

Yes, if you got the health you got the money. Take care of yourself especially your back. Work both smarter and harder.

[@wesbooth829]

May be a plumber but to be on your own you need to be a business man as well. Or you still have a boss just 1000 of them. And they tell you what to do. The business will own you if you think youre goinf to be a one man shop

[@stevensdbuild9524]

Wes Booth so true!

[@daveylad2]

That’s the voice of experience. I have ran my own plumbing business for 20 years and you’ve summed it up exactly The business ends up owning you.

[@johndoe-qm5mh]

Thinking about becoming a plumber or electrician not scared of poop or getting shocked I just want to choose the one that can lead me to the most side cash paying jobs

[@jeradLiberty]

I am a master electrician 22 years in this trade t passt 13 self-employed I ifucking hate it sometimes the pressures of business but there's nothing else I could do and make this kind of money

[@johnny9199]

jerad Liberty4560 I’m applying for electrical trade in college this year, turning 19 this summer, gonna take a 9 month program before apprenticeship training, any good advice for starting off and tips for learning?

[@coreyagregaard2106]

EC3 don't touch a live wire

[@danieldawson222]

The guy has a Kohler rough in book in his back pocket!

[@jasinzombie6306]

I wish I could do that.

[@johnny9199]

jasin zombie then do it? How old are you

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

Did you see his mansion & rolls Royce...oh . Neither did I. But guess what...most university students won't have that either

[@wittelarry1]

illegal weapons in California has ruined the trade and the pay has gone down very badly here in California

[@GODSPEEDTACTICAL]

The entire southern border man, same here in AZ. The price of everything (living, parts, tools, trucks etc.) has gone up over the last 25 years but illegal workers have kept pay the same or lower.

[@johnd4348]

Same here in Texas and getting worse every year. Illegals will be the death of Texas. In 40 years it will be a sh t hole State.

[@wesbooth829]

Dude thats a real issue. I cant believe people are not acknowledging and even encouraging the illegal immigrants. CA seems like a real shit hole state. No offense but the politicians have turned it into a cesspool

[@JERRY_ONG]

vote trump

[@seabee5629]

One of the biggest things that hurts California is that individuals don’t have to be licensed, thus watering down the pay. Anyone can claim to be a plumber and get a job with no real proof of competency.

[@piespeafield]

ive been a plumber for 39 years, and I f**ing cant stand it.

[@EmilyJane901]

piespeafield couldn't agree more

[@nathandarval1]

I apreciate your opinion. Im choosing a trade.

[@ramramirez5505]

Hell, If I lived where you live I get together with you and take over your plumbing job's. The work that I do concise of HVAC, HEATING PLUMBING , & ELECTRICAL & APPLIANCE REPAIR . AND I AM CERTIFIED ON ALL THIS JOBS . And I love it ...

[@gr8livn]

Right I agree with you I can’t stand working for ungrateful pos that want every job for 100.00 slab leak 100.00 garbage disposal 100.00 people don’t valve what it takes to get jobs done.

[@AbletonLiveTechs]

whys that?

[@wvpatriot1301]

I will never work for a company again. I made them rich.

[@gr8livn]

I’ve proved to be a great plumber but I personally don’t love it suppose one day when I own a company with plumbers running calls for me observing would change my mind 14 plus years exp I still keep learning something new that’s a fact tho

[@JupiterGirlify]

whats your favorite icp album?

[@jorgeguzman9592]

I’m 20 years old rn as an apprentice plumber what advice y’all got for me ?

[@LumenChaser]

If you ever feel like quitting the trade wait until you become a journeyman then move on, that license is the most important thing you will have at that point

[@McGregorsPlumbingandHeating]

If you got the health - you got the money

[@rizalukman7982]

To me it doesn' t matter whether you are a doctor or a plumber as long as you can earn money for your family

[@OmegaXIII]

....Carl Frederickson...? Is that you buddy? : O

[@antoecb]

Would you say a 55 year old man is too old for this job?

[@ryanhill7318]

As long as he's relatively fit, and stays active outside of work / takes care of himself than not at all. He's just fine. My Uncle has been plumbing for 40+ years and is 65 now. Still going strong. I'm 43 and have plumbed off and on with him since I was in my teens

[@erich9925]

How to diagnose a plumber.

[@sanjaysahoo2223]

Hello sir

[@abcdefghi9]

He kinda remind me of anthony hopkins.

[@SandeepSingh-dh6sl]

HALO SIR SANDEEP PLUMBER INDIAN to CANADA JOB Sarch

[@markdrouin8094]

Everyone who claims to be a plumber always describes themselves as a MASTER plumber are there any just regular plumbers lol.

[@JCcanU]

aprentas till you take a test with the state to become a journeyman then after 3000 hours you can take a test to become a master 6000 hours total , some states without code you do not need no test and can start off as a master . but you get what you pay for in a state without code . Trust me I have seen house with garden hose from the hot water tank run to the kitchen sink tide to fittings with bailing wire . why build a chicken coop and try to plumb it and live in it . states without code are good . but bad for the next buyer . I refused to cut corners my price is not cheep , but my work is not going to burn down the home or rot the floors or walls out . Master plumbers also work with gas , Not just a toilet

[@kenputer56]

They call me a drain surgeon

[@thylacine1004]

A Master plumber just belongs to a state run association who work together to help plumbers with all associated tasks of running a credible business,they are usually credible if they are a master plumber....

[@ricksomething]

I'm 35. Is it to late to become a plumber?

[@gunsnstuff4040]

No. Go for it. I'm a Master and shop owner. I make a good living and have nice things. I truly love what I do.

[@gunsnstuff4040]

Gonna take more than a 'couple of years'.

[@bounchofbeaners]

most companies hire licensed plumbers and to be licensed you need to be registered..here in Houston plumbers residential service plumbers are getting 147k a year on commission pay .basicly the faster you can complete jobs that pass inspection the mored you get paid.

[@brunno8887]

Im in the building trades , most plumbing helpers quit in a month or less , work is to hard and dirty. I have seen plumbing companies close because they can not find plumbers.

[@OneManParade]

Go into electrical instead. Too many dickheads in plumbing. Plus it's cleaner.

[@matthewhorton2835]

This is asmr

[@erich9925]

Your wife hates you like mine hates me cause im a plumber too.

[@ChirpyXC]

Up

[@carpspudpicker3031]

Delta and Masco products are shit!

[@petermolyneux4257]

nasty job

[@shaleknight6224]

Peter Molyneux but he's kept all bills paid +probably NOT in debt paying off student loans OR having to TRY to keep up w/ ever changing landscape of medical, attorneys etc etc. I THINK I'd rather be in the trades than the 'quote' BIG MONEY jobs medical OR becoming a lawyer

[@thataintnomoonsucka]

If I had to do it over again, I would not have gone to college. 100% would have learned a trade and been the best at what I did.

[@mikekowalewski7692]

Brian Myers it's never too late...

[@gr8livn]

I agree with you

[@Viktor9502]

Never too late I'm 23 going on my second degree and getting a plumbing license

[@AbletonLiveTechs]

agree!! im 28 now in trucking business and i hate it everyday is misery