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After leaving the Army, Christopher Hamilton, owner/operator of Patriot’s Plumbing, Rocky Mount, Va., floated around doing odd jobs before finally finding his place in the trades. Hamilton worked some odd jobs at the Home Depot to Ace Hardware, for example, and even dabbled in some college courses in public speaking and criminal justice, and child psychology because he was curious about how the human mind develops at a young age and how people think and learn.
Yet, Hamilton realized he wanted to apply his skills to something hands on in the real world. After working briefly for a company that handled groundwork and excavations, Hamilton discovered that he enjoyed the challenges of plumbing and the satisfaction of solving practical problems. “Looking back now, I wish I’d joined the field sooner. There’s something deeply rewarding about building and repairing things that have a direct, tangible impact on people’s lives,” says Hamilton.
The Journey
Hamilton’s plumbing journey began in 2018 with a large, multi-trade company, which included mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work, where he started in the company’s Journeyman’s program, earning his Journeyman’s card along with an ASSE 6010 Medical Gas Systems Installer certification. While doing this, he also went to college to earn certifications for STICK, MIG and TIG welding, with a 2G position certification in both flat and vertical. “After completing the Journeyman’s program, I held my Journeyman card for one year, I then applied for and passed the Master Plumber’s test on my first attempt,” says Hamilton.
That brings Hamilton to where he is today. Master plumber, owner and operator of Patriot’s Plumbing LLC, which specializes in medical gas installation, and most everything that relates to pipes, plumbing and mechanical piping. “If it has pipes, I’ll work on it,” says Hamilton. (Check him out on Instagram @patriotsplumbingllc https://www.instagram.com/patriotsplumbingllc/)
Into less than one year of owning Patriot’s, the push to start his own business came from a desire for freedom, the freedom to make better choices for both customers and himself. Over time, Hamilton grew frustrated by poor organization, inefficiency and unrealistic job schedules that affected the quality of work. “I wanted to build something that emphasized integrity, reliability and service; a business where both my customers and I could take pride in the work being done,” says Hamilton.
The military helped instill some of the qualities needed to run a successful business, which included discipline, punctuality, accountability and organization. “If you’re on time, you’re already late, so I always make it a point to arrive early and prepared. Oh, and if f your tools and truck are a mess, your workday will be too,” says Hamilton.
Workforce Attraction
How can the plumbing industry do a better job attracting more people to the trades? According to Hamilton, it’s challenging to attract people because of the current perception of work. People think of hard, laborious days for low entry level pay, which can be true initially. For example, says Hamilton, in Virginia an apprentice plumber might range from $16 to $26 dollars per hour, depending on location.
“We need to focus on what tradespeople can become, not just what they are when they start. The fact is, tradespeople who are self-sufficient and own their businesses are often financially successful. People don’t realize the crucial role we play. A plumber doesn’t just install a toilet; they also maintain life-saving equipment like medical gas lines, oxygen lines and vacuum pumps for hospitals. We need to reframe the conversation around the essential, crisis-level work we do,” says Hamilton.
Giving great advice, Hamilton says for those thinking about it, “Get in early, push to be the best, learn as much as you can, and apply for every certification you’re eligible for. Don’t wait or let up. Money is infinite, time is limited. Once you start your trade, commit to it, find something you are good at, and hammer down on it,” says Hamilton.
Work/Life Balance
After working nonstop, Hamilton has learned how important it is to make time to rest. “I’ll admit, it’s still something I struggle with because I’m the kind of person who always says ‘yes’ and enjoys taking on new challenges. However, I also am learning to be more intentional about setting aside time to recharge and enjoy my family.”
Currently, he is the full-time, fill-in dad for two boys, ages five and six. “Neither parent is involved in their lives, and those boys have become one of the most important parts of my life. While it’s brought challenges and stress, it’s also been a huge motivator, driving me to build something bigger. I strive to give them a better life and maybe one day this business could turn into something great that they would want to take over,” says Hamilton.
And while Hamilton enjoys the outdoors and exploring places he hasn’t been before, he also likes playing the guitar, working on vehicles and building things, pretty much anything hands on. His bigger ticket, bucket items include traveling to Africa, England and Scotland. “I’m also fascinated by the idea of taking plumbing-related trips—visiting tool companies and manufacturers to see how tools and plumbing supplies are designed and made. The behind the scenes process really interests me,” says Hamilton.
Furthermore, to keep that work/life balance in check, Hamilton is a big proponent of staying healthy, saying that physical health goes hand in hand with mental health. If you eat poorly and neglect your body, he says, you’ll feel sluggish and unmotivated. The key is consistency. Take care of yourself a little more each day, and over time you’ll feel stronger, clearer, and more balanced both mentally and physically. “A cloudy mind makes mistakes; it is important to keep your thoughts in check and that no matter what happens, the sun will rise and set. Each day brings a new opportunity,” says Hamilton.
In the end, what Hamilton finds fulfilling from the trades is that he can find that the different situations on jobs call for a special type of critical thinking and problem solving. He enjoys figuring something out that 10 other people looked at previously and gave up on, and it’s rewarding when you can step back, look at what you put together and watch it function properly. “This trade is extremely satisfying knowing you performed the work and one day when you have retired there will be someone new in the trade that will look at the work you put together and know that someone put in quality work,” says Hamilton.
Finally, what will you find on Hamilton’s playlist? Well, he’s going old school with a mix of classic rock and easygoing tunes, and when he’s in the mood to clear his mind or unwind, he’ll usually put on Gordon Lightfoot-songs like “Early Morning Rain,” “Summer Side of Life,” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
And, of course, we end with the last time he said today was a great day, “I was fishing with my two boys, and they both caught their first fish that day. That was a great day!”
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