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Transcript: Plumber
A child says, WEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah looks at glue and duct tape. Beside her, Anna holds a tangled rope. Brody enters the room.
Brody says, AKEYLAH, ANNA, I FINALLY HAVE AN IDEA FOR OUR NEW TRADES PROJECT.
Akeylah says, WHAT A RELIEF.
[Clattering]
Akeylah pushes the rope, glue, tape and pencil off a work table.
Akeylah says, TELL US.
Brody says, OUR NEXT TRADES PROJECT SHOULD BE...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, THAT'S WEIRD. ANYWAY, WHAT WAS I? SORRY. OUR NEXT BIG TRADES PROJECT SHOULD BE...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, OUR NEXT BIG TRADES PROJECT IS...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, THAT'S IT.
[Banging]
Brody hits the work table.
Brody says, THAT LEAKY TAP HAS BEEN DRAINING MY BRAINSTORMS FOR DAYS NOW. I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS.
Anna says, NOW WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD TIME TO CALL A PLUMBER LIKE MY FRIEND GEN.
[Popping]
Gen Leveillee, a plumber, rests her elbow on a bucket of tools. Her long brown hair curls at the tips. She wears a black ball cap and a black and blue shirt.
Anna says, A PLUMBER IS A TRADESPERSON WHO DEALS WITH LEAKY FAUCETS, FIXES PIPES AND UNCLOGS DRAINS. SHE CAN TAP INTO THE TIPS AND TRICKS OF PLUMBING WITH YOU.
Akeylah says, AMAZING. BRODY, HOLD THAT THOUGHT. I'LL GO GET MY FEET WET IN THE TRADE OF PLUMBING.
Brody says, HOPEFULLY NOT…
[Water dripping]
Brody continues, LITERALLY.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In Ottawa, Ontario, Akeylah walks by Parliament Hill.
Akeylah narrates, TO MEET GEN THE PLUMBER, I TOOK A JOURNEY TO OUT OF THIS WORLD PLUMBING, WHICH IT TURNS OUT IS ACTUALLY ON EARTH IN OTTAWA, ONTARIO.
In a workshop, Gen puts tools in a pail as Akeylah arrives behind her.
Akeylah says, HI GEN.
Gen and Akeylah shake hands.
Gen says, OH, HEY, AKEYLAH. WELCOME TO THE SHOP.
Akeylah says, THANKS. I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GUESS THAT THOSE ARE PLUMBING TOOLS, BUT WHAT DOES A PLUMBER DO EXACTLY?
Gen says, PLUMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTALLING AND REPAIRING PIPING SYSTEMS IN HOMES AND BUILDINGS THAT WATER FLOWS IN AND OUT OF. THAT MEANS CONNECTING PIPE TOGETHER, FIXING LEAKS, AND UNCLOGGING DRAINS.
Akeylah says, AS A BIG FAN OF WATER, THIS IS HIGHLY INTERESTING TO ME. CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW TO BE A PLUMBER?
Gen says, OF COURSE. I HAVE A HOUSE CALL TODAY. WHY DON'T YOU COME AND HELP ME?
Akeylah says, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME FOR THIS CALL.
Gen says, AWESOME. I HAVE A FEW MATERIALS HERE ALREADY. WE HAVE SOME ABS GLUE. WE HAVE AN INCH AND A HALF Y.
[Clunking]
Gen puts down her tool pail and moves a glue can. She picks up the Y-shaped pipe.
Akeylah says, WHY?
Gen says, IT'S SHAPED LIKE A Y.
[Akeylah giggling, thumping]
Gen puts the Y-shaped pipe back on the table.
Gen says, AND WE HAVE A COPPER COUPLING, BUT WE NEED A FEW MORE FITTINGS.
Akeylah says, GOT IT. WHAT ARE FITTINGS?
Gen’s hand rests on the table beside the Y-shaped pipe and the copper coupling.
Gen says, FITTINGS ARE LIKE THESE. CAN YOU GO FIND ME A CLEAN OUT? THE BINS ARE ALL LABELED.
Akeylah says, YES. OKAY.
[Clattering]
Akeylah looks at rows of small blue bins. She picks up a coupling.
Akeylah says, IS IT THIS ONE?
Gen says, NO. I THINK IT'S THE ONE NEXT TO IT.
Akeylah says, OKAY. THIS ONE?
[Clattering]
Akeylah picks up the clean out.
Gen says, YES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S NEXT?
Gen says, NOW WE NEED A BALL VALVE.
Akeylah says, OKAY. THIS ONE?
[Rattling]
Akeylah takes a ball valve out of a bin.
Gen says, THAT'S THE ONE.
Akeylah says, YES.
[Akeylah giggling, clunking]
Akeylah puts the ball valve on the table.
Gen says, I THINK WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.
Akeylah says, OKAY. BUT WE FORGOT THE RUBBER DUCKY.
Gen says, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE...
Akeylah says, GOOD THING I BROUGHT ONE.
[Ducky squeaking, Gen laughing]
Akeylah holds a rubber ducky and squeezes it.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays, clattering, van doors slamming, motor whooshing]
Akeylah and Gen load their pails and supplies into the back of a van. They high-five and get into the van.
Akeylah says, PLUMBING MOBILE AWAY!
At a house, they take their pails out of the van and enter the basement.
Akeylah narrates, WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, WHICH MEANT THE REAL PLUMBING COULD BEGIN.
Gen says, SO, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE INSTALLING A SECONDARY MAIN VALVE INSIDE OF THE HOME.
[Thumping, upbeat music continues]
Gen and Akeylah put down their pails.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS A MAIN VALVE? AND FOR THAT MATTER, WHAT IS A SECONDARY MAIN VALVE?
Gen replies, SO, A MAIN VALVE ACTUALLY TURNS THE WATER OFF TO THE HOUSE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SECONDARY IN CASE THE FIRST ONE FAILS.
Akeylah asks, SO WHERE DO WE START?
Gen replies, WE'RE GOING TO START BY TURNING OFF THE WATER USING THIS SHUT-OFF VALVE RIGHT HERE.
[Clattering]
Gen stands on a metal bench and turns the valve.
Gen says, THERE WE GO. NOW WE'RE GONNA DRAIN THE SYSTEM BY OPENING ALL OF THE TAPS IN THE HOUSE SO THAT THERE'S NO WATER LEFT IN THE PIPE WHEN WE GO TO CUT INTO IT.
Akeylah says, I CAN DO THAT.
[Water splashing, whooshing]
Akeylah turns on a faucet and watches the water flow.
Gen says, FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON SOME PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
Gen and Akeylah put on safety glasses and gloves.
Gen says, PERFECT. AND NOW WE'RE READY TO CUT INTO THE PIPE.
[Clattering]
Gen steps up onto the bench.
Gen says, LET'S PUT THAT BUCKET RIGHT HERE IN CASE THERE'S A BIT OF WATER LEFT IN THE PIPE.
[Thunking]
Akeylah puts a bucket on the bench by Gen.
Gen asks, CAN YOU PASS ME MY CUTTERS PLEASE?
Akeylah says, YEP. COMING RIGHT UP.
Gen says, THANK YOU. SO, I'M JUST CUTTING THE PIPE NOW.
[Scraping, upbeat music continues]
Gen turns her cutter on the pipe. Akeylah covers her head with her hands.
Akeylah asks, DO I NEED AN UMBRELLA?
Gen says, I DON'T THINK SO.
[Creaking, water dripping]
Akeylah says, THAT'S NOT SO BAD.
[Scraping]
Gen says, I'M JUST CUTTING A SECOND SPOT ON THE PIPE TO ALLOW ROOM FOR THE VALVE. THERE WE GO.
[Clunking]
Gen cuts out a piece of the pipe and gives it to Akeylah.
Akeylah says, THAT WAS A CLEAN CUT.
Gen asks, NEXT, CAN I HAVE THE SANDPAPER?
Akeylah gives Gen the sandpaper.
Gen says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. I'M JUST GOING TO SAND THE PIPE TO CLEAN IT A LITTLE BIT.
[Scraping]
Gen sands the pipe.
Gen says, OKAY, ALL CLEAN. WE'RE READY TO ASSEMBLE. CAN YOU PASS ME THE COUPLING PLEASE?
Akeylah asks, THIS RIGHT HERE?
[Rattling]
Gen puts the coupling on the pipe.
Gen says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. OKAY, NOW I'LL TAKE THE VALVE AND THE PIECE OF PIPE.
[Scraping]
Akeylah picks up the valve and pipe.
Akeylah says, VALVE AND PIPE COMING RIGHT UP.
Gen says, AWESOME. OKAY, LET'S PUT IT ON.
[Banging]
Gen attaches the valve and piece of pipe to the pipe.
Akeylah says, FITS LIKE A GLOVE.
[Gen chuckling]
Gen says, NOW WE'RE READY TO CRIMP, WHICH MEANS WE'RE GOING TO TIGHTEN THE VALVE ONTO THE PIPE. CAN YOU PASS ME THE PRO PRESS, PLEASE?
Akeylah asks, IS THIS IT?
[Akeylah grunting]
Gen says, YES. THANK YOU.
Akeylah says, THAT'S HEAVY.
[Gen chuckling, whirring]
Gen attaches the pro press to the pipe.
Akeylah asks, WHOA, CAN I TRY?
[Whirring]
Akeylah stands on the bench and crimps the pipe.
Akeylah says, THAT SHOULD DO IT.
Gen says, SINCE YOU'RE UP THERE ALREADY, CAN YOU TURN THE WATER BACK ON FOR ME? WE'LL START WITH THAT VALVE.
Akeylah says, SURE.
[Hissing]
Akeylah turns the valve.
Gen says, PERFECT! NOW WE CAN TURN THE MAIN WATER BACK ON.
[Water flowing]
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
Gen replies, THAT'S THE WATER COMING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.
Akeylah says, SO, IT WORKED!
Gen says, I THINK IT DID!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Background chattering, soothing music plays]
At the van, Gen sits with the doors open. Akeylah brings two cups of water.
Akeylah narrates, WITH THE WATER SUPPLY RESTORED, GEN AND I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE IT.
Akeylah says, GEN, YOU'RE OVERFLOWING WITH PLUMBING KNOWLEDGE. WHEN DID IT ALL START FOR YOU?
Gen says, IT ACTUALLY STARTED RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. I WENT TO COLLEGE FOR ELECTRICAL. I GOT A JOB DOING RENOVATIONS. I DID SOME TILES, SOME FRAMING, SOME PAINTING, AND PLUMBING WAS MY FAVOURITE. SO, I DECIDED TO PURSUE THAT, AND NOW I'M RED SEAL CERTIFIED.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS A RED SEAL, AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR PLUMBERS TO HAVE ONE?
Gen says, LIKE A LOT OF OTHER TRADES, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW A STRICT CODE. IF THINGS ARE NOT PLUMBED IN PROPERLY, WE RISK DAMAGING THE PROPERTY OR ALLOWING SEWER GAS IN THE HOME, WHICH CAN CAUSE A LOT OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.
Akeylah asks, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GET TO SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO WANTS TO GET INTO PLUMBING?
Gen replies, IF YOU WANT TO PURSUE IT, YOU CAN ENROLL IN A COLLEGE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT ONES HERE IN ONTARIO. HERE IN OTTAWA, WE HAVE ALGONQUIN AND THEN EVENTUALLY GET INTO AN APPRENTICESHIP.
Akeylah asks, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING ONE?
Gen replies, I LOVE WORKING WITH MY HANDS. I LOVE FIXING STUFF, AND I ALSO LOVE HELPING PEOPLE AND EDUCATING THEM ON THEIR PLUMBING SYSTEMS.
Akeylah says, WELL, HERE'S TO THE PERFECTLY PLUMBED PIPES THAT BROUGHT US THIS H-2-O.
Akeylah says, CHEERS!
[Glasses clinking]
They clink their glasses together.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah stands by a sink with water and a blue substance in it. She shakes her head.
Akeylah narrates, THE FINAL STEP OF THE DAY WAS TO GET THIS DRAIN TO BE RIGHT AS RAIN.
Gen says, ALRIGHT LET'S INSTALL THIS CLEAN OUT SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S BLOCKING THE PIPE. PUT THAT INTO THIS HERE.
[Snapping]
Gen cuts the pipe beside the sink.
Akeylah says, WHOA!
Gen says, PERFECT! LET'S GET SOME MASKS ON SO WE CAN GLUE THIS CLEAN OUT.
Akeylah and Gen put on masks.
Gen says, LET'S GLUE THIS Y.
Gan applies glue to the ends of the pipe.
Gen says, OKAY, READY? GO AHEAD AND PUSH IT DOWN.
[Grumbling]
Gen attaches the Y-shaped pipe to one end of the pipe, and Akeylah pushes it onto the other half of the pipe.
Gen says, PERFECT.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the Out of This World Plumbing workshop, Akeylah walks past the rows of small blue bins.
Akeylah says, YOU KNOW WHAT'S INTERESTING? PLUMBING HAS BEEN PART OF CIVILIZATION FOR A LONG TIME. I MEAN A LONG TIME. LET'S FOLLOW THE PIPELINE BACK TO LEARN ABOUT PLUMBING FROM CENTURIES PAST.
[Choral music plays]
Akeylah looks through a pipe.
[Gentle music plays]
In a video clip, Brody wears a toga over his T-shirt and carries a pipe. He pauses by a carved archway.
Akeylah narrates, IT'S SAID THAT THE FIRST UNOFFICIAL PLUMBING EXISTED IN PLACES LIKE EGYPT AND ROME BECAUSE THERE WERE COPPER PIPES THAT TOOK AWAY WASTE AND BROUGHT FRESH WATER IN.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a black-and-shite video clip, Brody wears a top hat and moustache. He looks at shelves in a kitchen.
Akeylah narrates, INDOOR PLUMBING, INCLUDING THE FLUSH TOILET, BECAME MORE NECESSARY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AS CITIES GOT BUSIER. MORE PEOPLE MEANT MORE NEED FOR PLUMBING.
[Toilet flushes]
In the video clip, Brody pulls a rope.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE EARLY 1900’S, THE PLUMBER WAS A CERTIFIED TRADE. THE ONTARIO BUILDING CODE OF 1975 ENSURED A STANDARD FOR MATERIALS AND INSTALLATIONS, WHICH IN ONTARIO MEANT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CLIMATE.
[Rock music plays]
In a video clip, Brody turns a wrench, and water pours out of a pipe in a kitchen.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, PLUMBERS REMAIN IMPORTANT TO MAINTAINING HEALTH FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In the basement, Gen and Akeylah kneel beside the sink. A tablet shows the outside of the pipe.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S ALL THIS ABOUT?
Gen says, THIS IS THE CAMERA THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THE PIPE TO SEE WHAT'S BLOCKING IT.
Akeylah asks, A CAMERA? ALRIGHT, LET'S ROLL IT!
[Rustling]
Gen puts the camera down the Y-shaped pipe. She and Akeylah look at the tablet screen.
Akeylah says, DOWN WE GO. LOOKS LIKE THERE'S OUR ISSUE.
Gen says, THAT'S DEFINITELY THE BLOCKAGE. THIS IS OUR DRAIN SNAKE. THIS IS WHAT'S GONNA HELP US CLEAR THE BLOCKAGE.
[Thunking, scraping, rattling]
Gen places the drain snake beside the pipe and inserts it into the Y-shaped pipe. She turns on the snake, and the snake cable shakes.
Gen says, OKAY.
[Scraping]
Gen pulls the snake out of the pipe.
Gen says, LET'S PUT THE CAMERA BACK IN, SEE IF WE CLEARED THE BLOCKAGE DO YOU WANNA DO THE HONOURS?
Akeylah says, OF COURSE.
Gen says, OKAY, HERE YOU GO.
[Scraping]
Akeylah lowers the camera into the pipe.
Akeylah says, SEE IF IT WORKS.
Gen says, LOOKS LIKE IT WORKED.
Akeylah says, CLEAN AS A WHISTLE.
Gen says, PERFECT. GOOD JOB AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, THANKS.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Gen asks, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE UNBLOCKED YOUR FIRST DRAIN?
Akeylah says, FEELS PRETTY GOOD, GEN.
Gen asks, BUT WAIT, WHY IS THERE STILL WATER IN THE SINK?
Akeylah says, OH, THAT'S JUST FOR A RUBBER DUCKY.
[Water splashing]
Akeylah drops her rubber ducky into the sink.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Water dripping, water stops, upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Brody cringes with one eye squinting. He stops and straightens up as Akeylah enters the room.
Brody asks, COULD IT BE? IS IT GONE? ARE WE FINALLY FREE? I JUST SAID A FULL SENTENCE!
Akeylah says, YUP, I FIXED THE LEAK WITH THE PLUMBING SKILLS GEN TAUGHT ME. I JUST ADDED A FITTING AND NOW IT'S GOOD AS NEW. NOW YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT YOUR NEXT BIG TRADE IDEA IS.
Brody says, OKAY, MY NEXT TRADE IDEA IS... WELL, I'VE PLUMB FORGOTTEN.
Akeylah says, I RECOMMEND A DRAIN SNAKE FOR MENTAL BLOCKAGES. THANKS FOR PLUMBING THE DEPTHS OF A NEW TRADE WITH ME.
Brody says, COME ALONG NEXT TIME! YOU MIGHT JUST FIND A TRADE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE TOP.
Both say, BYE!
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: Gen Leveillee. Written and directed by Emma Fox. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Out of This World Plumbing, Wendy Smythe, Dave Smythe, Jamie Smythe, Scott Smythe, Grace Pereira. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
T.V.O. Kids and Riverbank Pictures Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, popping]
Text reads, “T.V.O. Kids presents.”
[Energetic music plays]
Akeylah and Brody stand in front of a screen showing a sparking blowtorch. Akeylah wears a dark grey tunic, and her short black hair is tightly braided. Brody’s dark brown hair is short, and he wears a light brown shirt and grey pants.
Akeylah and Brody say, WELCOME TO TRADING SKILLS!
Akeylah says, THE SHOW WHERE WE TAKE TURNS TRYING A SKILLED TRADE. I'M AKEYLAH.
Brody says, AND I'M BRODY.
Video footage shows a welder and a mechanic.
Akeylah says, A SKILLED TRADE IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL.
Akeylah and Brody say, THERE ARE LOTS OF SKILL TRADES.
Brody says, AND YOU MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT TRADE FOR YOU.
Akeylah says, MAYBE THERE'S A TRADE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
[Whooshing]
Brody says, SO COME WITH US INTO THE TRADES ON TRADING SKILLS.
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Akeylah looks at glue and duct tape. Beside her, Anna holds a tangled rope. Brody enters the room.
Brody says, AKEYLAH, ANNA, I FINALLY HAVE AN IDEA FOR OUR NEW TRADES PROJECT.
Akeylah says, WHAT A RELIEF.
[Clattering]
Akeylah pushes the rope, glue, tape and pencil off a work table.
Akeylah says, TELL US.
Brody says, OUR NEXT TRADES PROJECT SHOULD BE...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, THAT'S WEIRD. ANYWAY, WHAT WAS I? SORRY. OUR NEXT BIG TRADES PROJECT SHOULD BE...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, OUR NEXT BIG TRADES PROJECT IS...
[Water dripping]
Brody says, THAT'S IT.
[Banging]
Brody hits the work table.
Brody says, THAT LEAKY TAP HAS BEEN DRAINING MY BRAINSTORMS FOR DAYS NOW. I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS.
Anna says, NOW WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD TIME TO CALL A PLUMBER LIKE MY FRIEND GEN.
[Popping]
Gen Leveillee, a plumber, rests her elbow on a bucket of tools. Her long brown hair curls at the tips. She wears a black ball cap and a black and blue shirt.
Anna says, A PLUMBER IS A TRADESPERSON WHO DEALS WITH LEAKY FAUCETS, FIXES PIPES AND UNCLOGS DRAINS. SHE CAN TAP INTO THE TIPS AND TRICKS OF PLUMBING WITH YOU.
Akeylah says, AMAZING. BRODY, HOLD THAT THOUGHT. I'LL GO GET MY FEET WET IN THE TRADE OF PLUMBING.
Brody says, HOPEFULLY NOT…
[Water dripping]
Brody continues, LITERALLY.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In Ottawa, Ontario, Akeylah walks by Parliament Hill.
Akeylah narrates, TO MEET GEN THE PLUMBER, I TOOK A JOURNEY TO OUT OF THIS WORLD PLUMBING, WHICH IT TURNS OUT IS ACTUALLY ON EARTH IN OTTAWA, ONTARIO.
In a workshop, Gen puts tools in a pail as Akeylah arrives behind her.
Akeylah says, HI GEN.
Gen and Akeylah shake hands.
Gen says, OH, HEY, AKEYLAH. WELCOME TO THE SHOP.
Akeylah says, THANKS. I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GUESS THAT THOSE ARE PLUMBING TOOLS, BUT WHAT DOES A PLUMBER DO EXACTLY?
Gen says, PLUMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTALLING AND REPAIRING PIPING SYSTEMS IN HOMES AND BUILDINGS THAT WATER FLOWS IN AND OUT OF. THAT MEANS CONNECTING PIPE TOGETHER, FIXING LEAKS, AND UNCLOGGING DRAINS.
Akeylah says, AS A BIG FAN OF WATER, THIS IS HIGHLY INTERESTING TO ME. CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW TO BE A PLUMBER?
Gen says, OF COURSE. I HAVE A HOUSE CALL TODAY. WHY DON'T YOU COME AND HELP ME?
Akeylah says, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME FOR THIS CALL.
Gen says, AWESOME. I HAVE A FEW MATERIALS HERE ALREADY. WE HAVE SOME ABS GLUE. WE HAVE AN INCH AND A HALF Y.
[Clunking]
Gen puts down her tool pail and moves a glue can. She picks up the Y-shaped pipe.
Akeylah says, WHY?
Gen says, IT'S SHAPED LIKE A Y.
[Akeylah giggling, thumping]
Gen puts the Y-shaped pipe back on the table.
Gen says, AND WE HAVE A COPPER COUPLING, BUT WE NEED A FEW MORE FITTINGS.
Akeylah says, GOT IT. WHAT ARE FITTINGS?
Gen’s hand rests on the table beside the Y-shaped pipe and the copper coupling.
Gen says, FITTINGS ARE LIKE THESE. CAN YOU GO FIND ME A CLEAN OUT? THE BINS ARE ALL LABELED.
Akeylah says, YES. OKAY.
[Clattering]
Akeylah looks at rows of small blue bins. She picks up a coupling.
Akeylah says, IS IT THIS ONE?
Gen says, NO. I THINK IT'S THE ONE NEXT TO IT.
Akeylah says, OKAY. THIS ONE?
[Clattering]
Akeylah picks up the clean out.
Gen says, YES.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S NEXT?
Gen says, NOW WE NEED A BALL VALVE.
Akeylah says, OKAY. THIS ONE?
[Rattling]
Akeylah takes a ball valve out of a bin.
Gen says, THAT'S THE ONE.
Akeylah says, YES.
[Akeylah giggling, clunking]
Akeylah puts the ball valve on the table.
Gen says, I THINK WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.
Akeylah says, OKAY. BUT WE FORGOT THE RUBBER DUCKY.
Gen says, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE...
Akeylah says, GOOD THING I BROUGHT ONE.
[Ducky squeaking, Gen laughing]
Akeylah holds a rubber ducky and squeezes it.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays, clattering, van doors slamming, motor whooshing]
Akeylah and Gen load their pails and supplies into the back of a van. They high-five and get into the van.
Akeylah says, PLUMBING MOBILE AWAY!
At a house, they take their pails out of the van and enter the basement.
Akeylah narrates, WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, WHICH MEANT THE REAL PLUMBING COULD BEGIN.
Gen says, SO, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE INSTALLING A SECONDARY MAIN VALVE INSIDE OF THE HOME.
[Thumping, upbeat music continues]
Gen and Akeylah put down their pails.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS A MAIN VALVE? AND FOR THAT MATTER, WHAT IS A SECONDARY MAIN VALVE?
Gen replies, SO, A MAIN VALVE ACTUALLY TURNS THE WATER OFF TO THE HOUSE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SECONDARY IN CASE THE FIRST ONE FAILS.
Akeylah asks, SO WHERE DO WE START?
Gen replies, WE'RE GOING TO START BY TURNING OFF THE WATER USING THIS SHUT-OFF VALVE RIGHT HERE.
[Clattering]
Gen stands on a metal bench and turns the valve.
Gen says, THERE WE GO. NOW WE'RE GONNA DRAIN THE SYSTEM BY OPENING ALL OF THE TAPS IN THE HOUSE SO THAT THERE'S NO WATER LEFT IN THE PIPE WHEN WE GO TO CUT INTO IT.
Akeylah says, I CAN DO THAT.
[Water splashing, whooshing]
Akeylah turns on a faucet and watches the water flow.
Gen says, FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON SOME PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
Gen and Akeylah put on safety glasses and gloves.
Gen says, PERFECT. AND NOW WE'RE READY TO CUT INTO THE PIPE.
[Clattering]
Gen steps up onto the bench.
Gen says, LET'S PUT THAT BUCKET RIGHT HERE IN CASE THERE'S A BIT OF WATER LEFT IN THE PIPE.
[Thunking]
Akeylah puts a bucket on the bench by Gen.
Gen asks, CAN YOU PASS ME MY CUTTERS PLEASE?
Akeylah says, YEP. COMING RIGHT UP.
Gen says, THANK YOU. SO, I'M JUST CUTTING THE PIPE NOW.
[Scraping, upbeat music continues]
Gen turns her cutter on the pipe. Akeylah covers her head with her hands.
Akeylah asks, DO I NEED AN UMBRELLA?
Gen says, I DON'T THINK SO.
[Creaking, water dripping]
Akeylah says, THAT'S NOT SO BAD.
[Scraping]
Gen says, I'M JUST CUTTING A SECOND SPOT ON THE PIPE TO ALLOW ROOM FOR THE VALVE. THERE WE GO.
[Clunking]
Gen cuts out a piece of the pipe and gives it to Akeylah.
Akeylah says, THAT WAS A CLEAN CUT.
Gen asks, NEXT, CAN I HAVE THE SANDPAPER?
Akeylah gives Gen the sandpaper.
Gen says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. I'M JUST GOING TO SAND THE PIPE TO CLEAN IT A LITTLE BIT.
[Scraping]
Gen sands the pipe.
Gen says, OKAY, ALL CLEAN. WE'RE READY TO ASSEMBLE. CAN YOU PASS ME THE COUPLING PLEASE?
Akeylah asks, THIS RIGHT HERE?
[Rattling]
Gen puts the coupling on the pipe.
Gen says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. OKAY, NOW I'LL TAKE THE VALVE AND THE PIECE OF PIPE.
[Scraping]
Akeylah picks up the valve and pipe.
Akeylah says, VALVE AND PIPE COMING RIGHT UP.
Gen says, AWESOME. OKAY, LET'S PUT IT ON.
[Banging]
Gen attaches the valve and piece of pipe to the pipe.
Akeylah says, FITS LIKE A GLOVE.
[Gen chuckling]
Gen says, NOW WE'RE READY TO CRIMP, WHICH MEANS WE'RE GOING TO TIGHTEN THE VALVE ONTO THE PIPE. CAN YOU PASS ME THE PRO PRESS, PLEASE?
Akeylah asks, IS THIS IT?
[Akeylah grunting]
Gen says, YES. THANK YOU.
Akeylah says, THAT'S HEAVY.
[Gen chuckling, whirring]
Gen attaches the pro press to the pipe.
Akeylah asks, WHOA, CAN I TRY?
[Whirring]
Akeylah stands on the bench and crimps the pipe.
Akeylah says, THAT SHOULD DO IT.
Gen says, SINCE YOU'RE UP THERE ALREADY, CAN YOU TURN THE WATER BACK ON FOR ME? WE'LL START WITH THAT VALVE.
Akeylah says, SURE.
[Hissing]
Akeylah turns the valve.
Gen says, PERFECT! NOW WE CAN TURN THE MAIN WATER BACK ON.
[Water flowing]
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
Gen replies, THAT'S THE WATER COMING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.
Akeylah says, SO, IT WORKED!
Gen says, I THINK IT DID!
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Background chattering, soothing music plays]
At the van, Gen sits with the doors open. Akeylah brings two cups of water.
Akeylah narrates, WITH THE WATER SUPPLY RESTORED, GEN AND I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAMPLE IT.
Akeylah says, GEN, YOU'RE OVERFLOWING WITH PLUMBING KNOWLEDGE. WHEN DID IT ALL START FOR YOU?
Gen says, IT ACTUALLY STARTED RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. I WENT TO COLLEGE FOR ELECTRICAL. I GOT A JOB DOING RENOVATIONS. I DID SOME TILES, SOME FRAMING, SOME PAINTING, AND PLUMBING WAS MY FAVOURITE. SO, I DECIDED TO PURSUE THAT, AND NOW I'M RED SEAL CERTIFIED.
Akeylah asks, WHAT IS A RED SEAL, AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR PLUMBERS TO HAVE ONE?
Gen says, LIKE A LOT OF OTHER TRADES, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW A STRICT CODE. IF THINGS ARE NOT PLUMBED IN PROPERLY, WE RISK DAMAGING THE PROPERTY OR ALLOWING SEWER GAS IN THE HOME, WHICH CAN CAUSE A LOT OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.
Akeylah asks, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GET TO SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO WANTS TO GET INTO PLUMBING?
Gen replies, IF YOU WANT TO PURSUE IT, YOU CAN ENROLL IN A COLLEGE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT ONES HERE IN ONTARIO. HERE IN OTTAWA, WE HAVE ALGONQUIN AND THEN EVENTUALLY GET INTO AN APPRENTICESHIP.
Akeylah asks, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING ONE?
Gen replies, I LOVE WORKING WITH MY HANDS. I LOVE FIXING STUFF, AND I ALSO LOVE HELPING PEOPLE AND EDUCATING THEM ON THEIR PLUMBING SYSTEMS.
Akeylah says, WELL, HERE'S TO THE PERFECTLY PLUMBED PIPES THAT BROUGHT US THIS H-2-O.
Akeylah says, CHEERS!
[Glasses clinking]
They clink their glasses together.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
Akeylah stands by a sink with water and a blue substance in it. She shakes her head.
Akeylah narrates, THE FINAL STEP OF THE DAY WAS TO GET THIS DRAIN TO BE RIGHT AS RAIN.
Gen says, ALRIGHT LET'S INSTALL THIS CLEAN OUT SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S BLOCKING THE PIPE. PUT THAT INTO THIS HERE.
[Snapping]
Gen cuts the pipe beside the sink.
Akeylah says, WHOA!
Gen says, PERFECT! LET'S GET SOME MASKS ON SO WE CAN GLUE THIS CLEAN OUT.
Akeylah and Gen put on masks.
Gen says, LET'S GLUE THIS Y.
Gan applies glue to the ends of the pipe.
Gen says, OKAY, READY? GO AHEAD AND PUSH IT DOWN.
[Grumbling]
Gen attaches the Y-shaped pipe to one end of the pipe, and Akeylah pushes it onto the other half of the pipe.
Gen says, PERFECT.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Upbeat music plays]
In the Out of This World Plumbing workshop, Akeylah walks past the rows of small blue bins.
Akeylah says, YOU KNOW WHAT'S INTERESTING? PLUMBING HAS BEEN PART OF CIVILIZATION FOR A LONG TIME. I MEAN A LONG TIME. LET'S FOLLOW THE PIPELINE BACK TO LEARN ABOUT PLUMBING FROM CENTURIES PAST.
[Choral music plays]
Akeylah looks through a pipe.
[Gentle music plays]
In a video clip, Brody wears a toga over his T-shirt and carries a pipe. He pauses by a carved archway.
Akeylah narrates, IT'S SAID THAT THE FIRST UNOFFICIAL PLUMBING EXISTED IN PLACES LIKE EGYPT AND ROME BECAUSE THERE WERE COPPER PIPES THAT TOOK AWAY WASTE AND BROUGHT FRESH WATER IN.
[Upbeat music plays]
In a black-and-shite video clip, Brody wears a top hat and moustache. He looks at shelves in a kitchen.
Akeylah narrates, INDOOR PLUMBING, INCLUDING THE FLUSH TOILET, BECAME MORE NECESSARY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AS CITIES GOT BUSIER. MORE PEOPLE MEANT MORE NEED FOR PLUMBING.
[Toilet flushes]
In the video clip, Brody pulls a rope.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE EARLY 1900’S, THE PLUMBER WAS A CERTIFIED TRADE. THE ONTARIO BUILDING CODE OF 1975 ENSURED A STANDARD FOR MATERIALS AND INSTALLATIONS, WHICH IN ONTARIO MEANT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CLIMATE.
[Rock music plays]
In a video clip, Brody turns a wrench, and water pours out of a pipe in a kitchen.
Akeylah narrates, IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, PLUMBERS REMAIN IMPORTANT TO MAINTAINING HEALTH FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In the basement, Gen and Akeylah kneel beside the sink. A tablet shows the outside of the pipe.
Akeylah asks, WHAT'S ALL THIS ABOUT?
Gen says, THIS IS THE CAMERA THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THE PIPE TO SEE WHAT'S BLOCKING IT.
Akeylah asks, A CAMERA? ALRIGHT, LET'S ROLL IT!
[Rustling]
Gen puts the camera down the Y-shaped pipe. She and Akeylah look at the tablet screen.
Akeylah says, DOWN WE GO. LOOKS LIKE THERE'S OUR ISSUE.
Gen says, THAT'S DEFINITELY THE BLOCKAGE. THIS IS OUR DRAIN SNAKE. THIS IS WHAT'S GONNA HELP US CLEAR THE BLOCKAGE.
[Thunking, scraping, rattling]
Gen places the drain snake beside the pipe and inserts it into the Y-shaped pipe. She turns on the snake, and the snake cable shakes.
Gen says, OKAY.
[Scraping]
Gen pulls the snake out of the pipe.
Gen says, LET'S PUT THE CAMERA BACK IN, SEE IF WE CLEARED THE BLOCKAGE DO YOU WANNA DO THE HONOURS?
Akeylah says, OF COURSE.
Gen says, OKAY, HERE YOU GO.
[Scraping]
Akeylah lowers the camera into the pipe.
Akeylah says, SEE IF IT WORKS.
Gen says, LOOKS LIKE IT WORKED.
Akeylah says, CLEAN AS A WHISTLE.
Gen says, PERFECT. GOOD JOB AKEYLAH.
Akeylah says, THANKS.
[Hands slapping]
They high-five.
Gen asks, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE UNBLOCKED YOUR FIRST DRAIN?
Akeylah says, FEELS PRETTY GOOD, GEN.
Gen asks, BUT WAIT, WHY IS THERE STILL WATER IN THE SINK?
Akeylah says, OH, THAT'S JUST FOR A RUBBER DUCKY.
[Water splashing]
Akeylah drops her rubber ducky into the sink.
[Whooshing]
Title: Trading Skills.
[Water dripping, water stops, upbeat music plays]
In the skill space, Brody cringes with one eye squinting. He stops and straightens up as Akeylah enters the room.
Brody asks, COULD IT BE? IS IT GONE? ARE WE FINALLY FREE? I JUST SAID A FULL SENTENCE!
Akeylah says, YUP, I FIXED THE LEAK WITH THE PLUMBING SKILLS GEN TAUGHT ME. I JUST ADDED A FITTING AND NOW IT'S GOOD AS NEW. NOW YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT YOUR NEXT BIG TRADE IDEA IS.
Brody says, OKAY, MY NEXT TRADE IDEA IS... WELL, I'VE PLUMB FORGOTTEN.
Akeylah says, I RECOMMEND A DRAIN SNAKE FOR MENTAL BLOCKAGES. THANKS FOR PLUMBING THE DEPTHS OF A NEW TRADE WITH ME.
Brody says, COME ALONG NEXT TIME! YOU MIGHT JUST FIND A TRADE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE TOP.
Both say, BYE!
[Upbeat music plays]
End credits. Hosts: Akeylah James, Brody Agmon. Co-host: Anna Paul. Tradesperson: Gen Leveillee. Written and directed by Emma Fox. Produced by Francis Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell, David Mitchell. Co-producers: Emma Fox, Anthony Gullace. Executive producers: Richard Bergmann, Thomas Kritsch. Music by: Joseph Shabason, Christine Bougie. Special thanks to Out of This World Plumbing, Wendy Smythe, Dave Smythe, Jamie Smythe, Scott Smythe, Grace Pereira. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Executive producer, T.V.O.: Kirsten Hurd. Production executive, T.V.O.: Austin Guervara Mastretta. Riverbank Pictures. Copyright 2024 Riverbank Pictures.
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