The correct spelling is plumber, with a b. "Plummer" is a frequent misspelling, and it doubles as a surname. The b traces back to plumbum, the Latin for lead, because Romans piped water through lead and the people who worked it came to be called plumbers. Type either spelling into a search box and you land on the same trade: the person who installs and repairs the water, drain and gas piping in your home. Lankershim Plumbing sends a local plumber out across Burbank and the San Fernando Valley, from Sherman Oaks to Glendale.
What pays more, a pipefitter or a plumber?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics groups plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters into one occupation and reports a single median of $30.67 an hour, or $63,800 a year, for May 2025. It does not rank one above the other. Pay varies with the industry, the license held, union scale, overtime and the region, so a fitter on an industrial job can earn more or less than a residential plumber.
Where they differ is the work. Pipefitters usually install high-pressure industrial systems, such as process lines in factories and power plants, often in steel that is welded or threaded. Plumbers usually handle lower-pressure water, drain and gas systems in homes and buildings. For a homeowner this settles the question of who to call: a plumber.
What does a plumber do, and what does a pipefitter do?
A plumber works on the pipes and fixtures in your home: supply lines, drains, vents, water heaters, toilets, faucets, shutoff valves and gas lines to appliances. A pipefitter works on mechanical piping that carries steam, chemicals or process fluids. Some plumbers cross over into gas fitting, and some contractors do both.
Titles shift from state to state, and the word "plumber" is used loosely. In California, what matters for your job is the contractor license, not the nickname. Plumbing contractors carry a license in the plumbing classification, and the CSLB website shows a license and its status before you hire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that most plumbers learn through a four or five year apprenticeship.
Who to call for what:
- Leaks, clogs, fixtures, water heaters: a plumber
- Gas lines to a stove, dryer or heater: a plumber with the right license, pulling a permit, and no DIY
- A boiler or industrial process line: a pipefitter or mechanical contractor
- Small cosmetic fixes under the job threshold: a handyman may do them, but plumbing and gas are regulated work
What does plumbing in an attic or crawl space involve?
Plumbing in an attic or crawl space means working in tight, hot or damp spaces where supply lines, drains, vents and sometimes the water heater run out of sight. In older Valley homes the crawl space under a raised floor holds the supply pipe and drains, while slab homes bury them in concrete. Access, heat and cramped conditions add time to any job.
Hot attics matter in the Valley. In summer, attic temperatures can climb far above the outside air, so plumbers often work early, and water heaters and pipes in attics are hard on materials. Crawl space leaks stay hidden for months. Signs include a musty smell, a rising water bill, damp insulation, sagging floorboards or a section of subfloor that feels soft.
With a leak under the house, close the main valve, phone a plumber and stay out of any space with standing water near electrical wiring. Our guide to a burst pipe under your house and the slab leak page explain what happens next. Smell gas under the house or in the attic? Get outside and ring the gas utility, SoCalGas, on 1-800-427-2200, or call 911 when there is real danger.
What affects the price of plumbing in tight spaces?
Access drives the price more than the part itself. A repair done at a hall bathroom wall can cost less than the same fix in a crawl space that takes a plumber twenty minutes to crawl to. Other factors include how old the pipe is and its material, whether appliances or a water heater must be moved, if a permit applies and whether insulation or drywall needs repair.
We found no official price source for tight-space work in Burbank, so we do not quote a number. Get a written quote that spells out the work, the access and the cleanup, and compare two or three of them. Our guide to plumber hourly costs shows how to read the pieces, and you can begin on our quote page.
We are serving Burbank, Sherman Oaks and the rest of the Valley, so tell us if appliances or gas piping run through that crawl space or attic.
Questions people ask
Is it spelled plummer or plumber?
Plumber. The b is silent but belongs there because of the Latin word plumbum, meaning lead. Plummer is a surname and a common misspelling. Search engines treat both spellings as the same search, so you will find the same results, but when you hire, make sure the business name and the license match.
Do plumbers work in crawl spaces and attics?
Yes. Many service calls end up there, because supply lines, drains, vents and water heaters often run through crawl spaces and attics. Describe the access before the visit, clear the entry, and mention any pests, standing water or electrical wiring nearby. Cramped access can lengthen the quoted time.
How long does a crawl space plumbing repair take?
An easy repair at a reachable point may take an hour or two. Longer runs, a corroded line, standing water or a second fault found mid-repair can stretch the job to a day or more. An estimate follows the plumber's inspection of the space, and the written quote should list anything that might alter the figure.
What should I ask before I hire someone?
Request the license number for California contractors and verify it on the CSLB site, then get a written quote showing scope, price and payment schedule. Find out who is responsible for any permit, how long the work should last and what happens if further damage appears. Ask what the warranty on parts and labor covers.
Do I need to be home for the visit?
Yes, at the start at least, since the plumber must reach the main shutoff, the crawl space or attic hatch and the water heater, and you need to approve the cost. If you cannot be there, have a trusted adult meet the plumber and put the approved work in writing.
References
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