Plumbing Prowess Unveiled: My journey as a multi-skilled technician in a 4-star Hotel

My journey as a multi-skilled technician in a 4-star Hotel

In the early days of my journey as a multi-skilled technician, nearly one month into working at a 4-star hotel, After completing my two-year NVQ Level 2 General Maintenance I faced one of those moments that you never forget.

It was a typical Saturday, just after 2 pm, and I was the only technician on-site. The installations were still somewhat new to me, but the day was going smoothly—completing the PPMs (Planned Preventative Maintenance) and tackling a few small repairs requested by the guests.

Then, as fate would have it, around 3 pm, everything changed.

Picture this: a high-end hotel buzzing with guests, check-in the GM (general manager) beaming with pride because all the rooms were booked, and they had hit their monthly target. Meanwhile, I was mentally gearing up for the derby football match I had been waiting to see at the stadium. But, as they say, "Man plans, and life laughs."

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life:

"Maintenance, maintenance quick! Huge leak in the main suite, 7th floor!"

Now, let me tell you, there’s no sound quite like that when you’re the only technician on call.

The challenge?

The building was still relatively unfamiliar to me. I didn’t know all the valves or door keys yet, and I was determined not to disturb my supervisor’s weekend. I wanted to prove I could handle this myself, even though I was breaking into a cold sweat. Walking into the suite felt like stepping into a waterfall, the ceiling was pouring, and the water showed no mercy.

Mr. Silva, one of my early mentors, once told me, "Manu, in times of crisis, it's not about what you know; it's about how calm you can stay."

So, with his voice in my head and buckets catching water, I went into focus mode.

My goal? Isolate the leak, assess the damage, and repair it—all within three hours before a big group of guests arrived for check-in. Not to mention, the match was about to start!

Finding the valve was the first hurdle. Then, I realized I’d have to cut through the ceiling to not only locate the leak but replace the damaged section. With no other available rooms, the alternative would have been to send the guests to another hotel an expensive option no one wanted.

Navigating through pipes and small spaces, I found the source and began orchestrating the repairs. It was like a game of don't-touch-the-other-pipes-or-cables, but in real life!

Cutting the drywall, removing the damage, and placing a new plasterboard felt like surgery under pressure. And to top it off, I had to finish plastering, sanding, and painting, all before the cleaning crew could swoop in to prepare the room.

As the final brushstroke of paint dried, I stepped back, victorious, 35 minutes to spare before the football mach kick-off! I’m still not sure if my speed was driven more by the looming match or the need to prove myself. Either way, I managed both.

The general manager, with a grin on his face, walked up to me and said, “You’ve got a taxi waiting for you. Dinner, drinks, and a night off—on us. Go enjoy the match!”

You can imagine the pride swelling in my chest. Not only had I handled the crisis, but I had done it alone, with no need to call for backup. For a young handyman still learning the ropes, this was huuuge.

Looking back now, I realize that beyond the physical repairs, that experience shaped my problem-solving and time management skills. It taught me to quickly assess a situation, plan the steps in my head, and execute them under pressure. It’s a mindset I carry with me to this day and it’s something I believe every great handyman should have.

The Guests?

Well, they walked into their room oblivious to the earlier chaos, greeted by the fresh smell of new paint and a pristine, calm atmosphere. The hotel? Saved from a potential reputational disaster.

And me? I earned a few more stripes on my handyman belt.

Mr. Silva used to say, "Every challenge is a lesson wrapped in work clothes."

That day, I learned how true that was.

So, that’s the story of one of my early plumbing escapades. It’s not just about repairs, it’s about rising to the challenge, staying calm under pressure, and delivering when it counts.

And, of course, it’s these moments that make Lovelofters Handyman Services what it is today: a commitment to quality, reliability, and getting the job done, no matter what.