By Eamonn Ryan

Andy Rivers, owner of Rivers Plumbing, has for years been acquiring the most comprehensive collection of plumbing tools, pipes, fittings and literature. This is the second of a two-part series on what is a veritable museum. “I’ve been collecting these nearly since history began!” says Rivers.

The purpose of the museum, says Rivers, is to give some insight into how plumbing has changed, and how it’s changed again. “When I did my plumbing apprenticeship in England it was considered the Rolls Royce trade. The general concept of plumbing has been that it is human waste flowing downhill – but it’s a lot more complex than that.

Also read: This is plumbing: The Museum of Plumbing Part 1

“What’s happened over the last few years with heat pumps and solar, it’s becoming so technical that the average guy has to be extremely knowledgeable in computers and electrical. When you’re installing a high-end heat pump and solar system, where they do underfloor heating and air-conditioning – all those things are what we’re supposed to be knowledgeable in.

“The average plumber needs to become familiar with all these technologies, which are consistent with a plumbing job today.”

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