How Women's Activities Have Shaped Plumbing History

Women’s Impact on the Plumbing Business 

Men have historically dominated trade work, and this is especially true for plumbing. All trade work, particularly plumbing, requires years of training, long hours, and harsh conditions. Often trade workers are expected to spend full days or even longer away from home. As a result of these conditions, women are underrepresented in plumbing. 

But just because most plumbers aren’t women doesn’t mean that women haven’t profoundly impacted how the plumbing industry has developed over the last few decades. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few facts about the contributions of women to this important trade. 

Women in Today’s Plumbing Industry 

plumbingAs previously mentioned, women are a tiny minority in the plumbing industry. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that only 5% of the plumbing workforce is female. This includes women in leadership and support positions, so the number of licensed plumbers doing service calls every day is even smaller. 

While males have dominated the plumbing industry in the past, there is no reason why this should be the case in the future. Historically, plumbing was done with heavy metal pipes in harsh conditions, making men more suited for the work. However, modern plumbing materials are lightweight plastics joined with special tools. This removes much labor, leading to exhaustion and burnout, even among men. Additionally, labor laws have drastically improved work conditions and hours. 

Every plumber starts their journey as an apprentice. Apprentices are the lowest-paid plumbers, but they still start at about the average pay for workers across industries. After paid training, they can take tests to raise their skill level and command higher pay. As master plumbers, plumbers can start businesses and determine their future. What part of that wouldn’t appeal to women?! 

How the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers Shaped Plumbing 

The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers was originally conceived as a committee to entertain plumbing union members’ wives as they attended conventions. Initially, it was chaired by men who planned activities like motorcar rides around Chicago to keep women busy. In the early 1900s, women took over leadership and changed plumbing policy nationwide. 

At that time, cars were becoming more common, which meant that gas stations had to be strategically placed to link distant places. The committee floated the idea of a public restroom in every gas station and partnered with companies like Texaco to make it happen. With their influence, public restrooms would be more ubiquitous now. 

The First Female Master Plumber 

lillianLillian Ann Baumbach shattered the glass ceiling for female plumbers in 1951. Baumbach got her to start working for her father’s plumbing company and eventually sat for the master plumbing test. She passed on the first try and gained national notoriety. 

Nicknamed the “Pretty Plumber,” she caught the eye of servicemen in Korea, who made her their company mascot. After serving as a master plumber at her father’s company, she eventually settled down and got married. After having children, she continued working for her father’s company, albeit in the office instead of the field. 

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company provides personal attention and free phone consultation to all of their potential customers. Their upfront pricing gives homeowners peace of mind knowing there won’t be any surprises once work is finished. Call today for plumbing service in Apple Valley, MN homes. 

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Fun Halloween Activities Every Family Will Enjoy

The Best Way To Have The Spookiest Halloween Fun!

There are so many fun ways to celebrate Halloween. Whether homeowners want to have a truly spooky time to host something a little more family-friendly, there are endless options to choose from. Halloween is the time to get creative and have a little spooky fun! In this article, homeowners will get a closer look at some of the best ways to have fun this Halloween, and some of those ways include making sure the kitchen plumbing and bathroom plumbing are in order. Luckily, professional plumbers have the best tips for Halloween fun and plumbing fun this year! Continue reading to get all the information. 

Halloween-Themed Baking baking

What’s more fun than spending time baking in the kitchen? It is an activity that can bring the whole family together. And around Halloween, baking in the kitchen is even more fun because homeowners can experiment with new ideas and creative decorations. 

A few Halloween-themed baking ideas for this year are: 

  • Eye Ball Cake Pops: Make cake pops and decorate them to look like bloodshot eyeballs
  • Cupcakes: Make cupcakes and decorate them with spiders and monsters 
  • Mummy Macaroons: Decorate the macaroons to look like mummies 
  • Vampire Cookie Sandwiches: Take a cookie and split it in half. Place red icing and small marshmallows on the bottom and put the top half of the cookie on top. Place a toothpick piece for the sharp vampire teeth. 

Whatever Halloween baking treats homeowners decide to make, it is best done with a garbage disposal in the home. Garbage disposals make everything easier when cooking and cleaning up the kitchen but even more so when someone is experimenting with new recipes. The last thing homeowners want to think about when experimenting in the kitchen is cleaning up afterward. 

A garbage disposal helps homeowners clean up as they go! 

Scary Movies Are Always Necessary movie

When homeowners finish baking their Halloween treats, they can finish them off with a scary movie! If homeowners are watching the movie with kids, there are plenty of Halloween-themed movies out there that aren’t scary and perfect for the whole family! 

Here are a few movies to consider: 

  • Halloweentown
  • Halloween
  • Hocus Pocus
  • Casper
  • Ghostbusters
  • Insidious 
  • Us
  • Get Out 

There’s nothing like watching a movie after making awesome Halloween treats in the kitchen! 

Make Sure Your Plumbing Is Party-Ready

Lastly, throwing a Halloween party is the ultimate way to spend Halloween. Getting friends together to celebrate the occasion can make memories that the homeowner will never forget. 

Of course, they must make sure their kitchen and bathroom plumbing is ready for a party. There’s nothing worse than having a kitchen sink or bathroom sink that slowly drains or even a clogged toilet the night of a party. It makes it nearly impossible to have a party at that point. 

Call a professional today to ensure the home doesn’t need a toilet repair or some other plumbing service before the big night! 

Apple Valley Plumbing Company Keeps Families Safe

There’s no need to worry when the professionals at Apple Valley Plumbing Company are around. They always make sure their Apple Valley, MN customers have the best plumbing care and their system works efficiently all year round. Whether it is plumbing maintenance, repairs, or replacements, they can do it all! It’s the time homeowners called to get plumbing service!