Women in Plumbing: Bianca Quinn

Edited by Megan O’Connor

Throughout August, Plumbing Africa is celebrating the women making their mark on the plumbing industry.

All images supplied by Bianca Quinn

From plumbers and business owners to leaders, specialists, educators and industry professionals, this series shines a light on the women whose skills, determination and experience are helping to shape the future of plumbing. Here, we interview and shine a spotlight on Bianca Quinn, Operations Director and Board Member for the Inclusive Plumbers Association, and National Technical Representative and Consultant for Xtend Elements.

Where did you do your training?

I did my training at AITF – and they were phenomenal. They were accommodating, paid great attention to detail, and maintained a clean, exceptionally well-run facility.

How long have you been involved in the plumbing industry?

I started in 2009, initially entering the industry through plumbing administration before transitioning to the technical and management sides

What made you want to get into the plumbing industry?

I started out working for a plumbing company and grew through hands-on experience. Eventually, my ex-husband and I took over a family insurance-based plumbing, leak detection, and resultant damage business, while I simultaneously continued working within a broader plumbing organisation. My pride and passion for tools and maintenance under my father’s teaching made the transition flawless. As I advanced into senior management, my practical experience gave me the opportunity to attempt the trade test. I passed, surpassing 90% of the average students and tested well above the standard requirements on additional tasks.

In the early days, diving into advanced expert reporting under my mentor really ignited my excitement for the complexities of the trade. Growing up, everyone is taught that plumbing just equals ‘digging in poop’ – not exactly a direction most people willingly choose! However, assisting with the business and diving into the intricate details of report writing and forensic investigations changed everything. I realised it’s about solving complex puzzles. It’s not just delivering hot water and finding leaks; it’s about being the knowledgeable, investigative eyes and ears on-site to ensure transparency and fairness for insurance companies, clients and plumbers alike.

Because I held a technical management position, I would often be asked – despite my legal qualifications and years of experience – ‘Can I speak to somebody more technical, maybe [a man’s name]?’ I would often reply, ‘Sure, let me take a message.’ Once it became clear they were ignoring the fact that I was the technical authority, I’d simply respond: ‘No problem, the solution to your issue is XYZ, but let me get him to call you back.’ Too often people overlook the fact that capabilities aren’t gendered. I chose to concrete my knowledge and bolster my professional portfolio so that with a trade test behind my name, my authority could never be questioned.

Did you always know you wanted to be a plumber? If not, what job did you want to do before plumbing?

I grew up fixing and doing DIY, following in my father’s footsteps from a young age – he imparted priceless information and always reminded me there is always a solution if you stay calm and apply your mind. I worked in various management roles prior to becoming a plumber. Upskilling people and unlocking their potential has always been my passion; for instance, I never wanted my administrative staff or secretaries to stay stagnant in their roles or live in monotony. I wanted to see them grow.

What is the strangest/funniest thing that’s happened to you on the job?

There are so many bizarre and funny stories – and plenty of ‘PG’ ones too! Once, a client literally hopped into our work van and stuck her arm through the centre window into the cab to snatch a picking slip that had two order numbers on it for two separate jobs and then proceeded to steal the stock meant for the next client.

Another time, a client blamed us for stealing her shower door. The catch? She didn’t even have a shower door installed, there was no leak there, and she only reported this ‘theft’ two weeks later after reading our report – despite having had a full view of our open-back small van and opening the gate for the team herself.

On another project, a client pointed us to her diagonal neighbour’s house to try and get us to replace their geyser under her claim; she was paying the premium but collecting cash from five adjoining neighbours!

What advice do you have for anyone considering plumbing as a career?

The more tools you have in your box, the easier the work becomes. Being a plumber is fantastic because there are so many specialised fields you can advance into once you have a solid foundation. Absorb knowledge like a sponge every day. Those who came before you have already paid their ‘school of hard knocks’ fees – so don’t rush the process, or you’ll miss the most valuable lessons. Plumbing requires passion, and while you will face massive challenges, if you take pride in yourself and your workmanship, you will set yourself apart and be destined for greatness.

What is your motto or philosophy when it comes to plumbing?

I live by a few core principles.

‘Measure twice, cut once’ is critical and my late father ‘drilled’ this into me as a long-term appy.

My mother, an HR Specialist, taught me to always treat a job as if I were the one paying my own salary at the end of the month – would I look at the work and be proud to pay for it?

Lastly, remember that there is no such thing as a ‘nice’ client – deliver your work consistently, accurately, and above all, take comprehensive photos. Documenting everything will save you when it matters most.