Plumbing Maintenance

The Plumbing Maintenance Technical Certificate Program is designed to help students develop advanced technical skills and competencies related to the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing components. Students will learn the anatomy of a plumbing system, how to repair leaks, replace faucets, install fixtures, service water heaters, and open clogged drains. Students will also learn plumbing codes related to administration and enforcement, material regulations, joints and connections, sanitary and drainage systems, vents, traps, interceptors, drainpipe cleanouts, water supply and distributions, etc. In addition, students will learn details about plumbing drawings and diagrams, tools used in the trade, and new plumbing products.

This program consists of 2 courses.
PLU101 - General Plumbing Maintenance
PLU102 - Advanced Plumbing Maintenance

There are no prerequisites… but we recommend that students pursue the courses as sequenced above, and mainly because, the set of courses are designed to build upon each other.

AC/C TECH utilizes the Carnegie clock-to-credit hour conversion for academic purposes; and therefore, the following is a breakdown of our Plumbing Maintenance program:

Plumbing Maintenance
Technical Certificate Program
Lecture
Hours
Lab
Hours
Externship
Hours
Total
Hours
Clock Credit Clock Credit Clock Credit Clock Credit
General Plumbing Maintenance 20.0 1.33 10.0 0.33 15.0 0.33 45.0 2.0
Advanced Plumbing Maintenance 20.0 1.33 10.0 0.33 15.0 0.33 45.0 2.0
Totals 40.0 2.66 20.0 0.66 30.0 0.66 90.0 4.0

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Explain the anatomy of a plumbing system.
  • Demonstrate repairs at kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets.
  • Solve gas and electric water heater failures.
  • Illustrate how to open clogged drains, minimize foul smells, thaw frozen pipes, and winterize plumbing components.
  • Develop professional documentation of tasks completed and customer relation skills.
  • Apply plumbing maintenance skills within industry standards and governmental regulations.

Graduates will be awarded a Technical Certificate in Plumbing Maintenance Technology.

Academic Calendar

Students are assigned one course monthly until graduating from the program. No courses will be assigned during the months of June, July, and August because administrators from the apartment industry prefer 100% participation towards restoring vacated apartment units during summer months. In contrast, if a student fails a course, he/she may retake the course during June, July, and August. This waiver allows everyone to remain on schedule towards pursuing subsequent courses and graduating together.

The table below represents how a typical student will progress through the program.

Course Date Location
PLU101 - General Plumbing Maintenance September, 2024 Online Training
PLU102 - Advanced Plumbing Maintenance October, 2024 Online Training

Course Descriptions

PLU101 - General Plumbing Maintenance

This course develops skills in solving plumbing problems in a home or apartment community. The students will learn the anatomy of a plumbing system and how to make repairs at kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, and water heaters. The students will also learn how to work with PVC, copper, galvanized, and black pipe. Moreover, they learn how to cut, thread, flare, swag, and solder pipe. Other topics include tools for the trade, pipe repair techniques, thawing frozen pipes, and opening clogged drains. Emphasis will be placed on making repairs in a safe, efficient and productive manner.

PLU102 - Advanced Plumbing Maintenance

This course develops skills in making plumbing improvements. The technicians will learn to replace drains, vents and traps; cold and hot water supply lines; and how to install sinks, toilets and bathtubs. Moreover, the technicians will learn how to use a drain machine, quiet noisy pipes, winterize plumbing devices, correct pressure problems, and more. Emphases will be placed on making repairs in a safe, efficient and productive manner.

Tuition & Fees

Item Description Cost
Tuition 2 Courses @ $250 Each $500.00
Required Books Plumbing – Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Projects
by Creative Homeowner Press
$19.95
  National Fuel Gas Code
by American Gas Association
$54.00
  2015 - Uniform Plumbing Code
by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
$180.88
Required General Tools Plastic Tool Box with Lock, 25 Ft. Tape Measure, 16 oz Hammer, Utility (Box) Knife, 15" Utility Bar, Phillips & Standard Screw Driver Set, 6 in 1 Screw Driver, 12" Adjustable Wrench, 12" Channel Locks, 10" Slip Joint Pliers, 8" Needle Nose Pliers, 8" Lineman Pliers, Torpedo Level, Wire Strippers, Wire Rippers & Gauge, GFI Receptacle Tester, 6" Drywall Taping Knife, and Hand Sander or Sanding block. $218.43
Required Specialty Tools Hand Torch, Basin Wrench, Basket Wrench, Plug Wrench, PO Wrench, Seat Wrench, Stem Puller, Set of Tub Sockets, Socket to remove an Electric Water Heater Element, Tubing Benders, and Imperial Estman Flair & Swaging Tool Set. $360.12
Required Safety Equipment Rubber and Cloth Gloves, Sewer Machine Gloves, Eye Protection, and Dust Masks $25.00
Uniforms Recommended $160.00
  Total Cost $1,518.38
Note: Students are responsible for acquiring books, tools, and supplies. Acquiring uniforms is optional. The fees are based on pricing from Menards website, however, the items can be obtained from any source. There are no other fees.