Blayne Stenersen

• I started this job as an apprentice. I had more experience than all the guys on my crew except for the boss and he wasn’t around most of the time! It was a steep learning curve for me! Trying to figure out how to be a foreman almost over night wasn’t easy! I got my journeyman’s license in May 2022. The journeyman license allows you to work without anyone above you. And also you can have up to three apprentices under you! The requirements for that license is 3 years and 6000 hours experience. I had to prove that I had the experience and take a 130+ question exam. This job was a good mix of residential and commercial plumbing. We did quite a few large 70+ unit apartment buildings. Just before I moved here I finished up a 30 unit apartment building. I really enjoyed this job even though it was a challenge! It’s almost crazy that I quit it to move here but that is the way life goes!
• Communicated with customers to provide recommendations on repairs, and define project completion
• Selected type and size of piping required for each project .
• Offered guidance and training to junior team members.
• Filled pipe systems with water and air to determine location of leaks.
• Interpreted blueprints to determine locations, quantities, and sizes of materials required.
• Read blueprints to determine appropriate materials and procedures for each project.
• Repaired plumbing systems, components, and equipment.
• Complied with state plumbing codes throughout duration of each project.

• Interpreted blueprints and diagrams to determine project dimensions and requirements.
• Shoveled materials such as dirt, gravel, and asphalt.
• Routinely lifted and moved items weighing up to 90 pounds.
• This job was hard manual labor. I really enjoyed it! I was on a crew of 5 young guys and we had a good time together!

• Worked from drawings, sketches, or verbal instructions to install and modify plumbing systems.
• Used pipe wrenches, saws and drills safely to execute basic and complex plumbing tasks.
• Installed plumbing systems and fixtures in residential and commercial properties.

• I got almost over half of my plumbing experience at this company. We worked 55+ hours a week almost the whole time I was there! Mostly residential single family houses. We did maybe 20 multi-unit apartment complexes. I gained a lot of hands-on practical knowledge at this job. I really enjoyed this kind of high production/ hammer down work. Very little sitting around! I also had a really fun group of guys to work with!
• Installed plumbing systems and fixtures in residential and commercial properties.
• Assisted licensed plumbers in installation and repair of plumbing systems.
• Read and interpreted blueprints and diagrams to verify project measurements and specifications.

This is the job that started it all! My uncle owned this company. It started out as an after school/part-time job. After I graduated I started full-time. When I started it was just him and me. He (my uncle) taught me all the basics of plumbing. This job was slow, laid-back, and easy! A good way to learn the basics! In South Dakota the winters are brutal cold and building pretty much stops. I went to Washington for “winter work” and ended up staying almost 3 years!