Choosing the Right Plumber
If you need some plumbing work to be done, then you should choose an expert plumber whose quality and experience are well-suited to complete your job. Keeping in mind some aspects of general plumbing advice will allow you to make the best choice possible for your pluming project.
You should always ask for the plumber’s license before he does any work. This piece of plumbing advice is simply to protect you from incompetent plumbers who are attempting to do work without a license. There’s nothing wrong with amateur plumbers, of course; they just shouldn’t be charging professional fees and billing themselves as professional plumbers if they don’t have licenses.
Look for Warranties
The second piece of plumbing advice that you should consider before you choose a plumber for your project is that a quality plumber will usually guarantee his work for 30 days, if not 60. If he doesn’t do so, then watch out. This could display a lack of confidence in his work.
You should never be in the position of picking up the pieces after a plumber who does an incompetent job.
Ask Hard Questions
Yes, it takes some assertiveness, but it’s always worth asking questions of your plumber before you hire him on for your job. For example, ask about overtime rates; some plumbers charge overtime for projects that extend to after-hours. You should know about such policies.
It’s also important to ask the plumber if he provides 24 hour service for plumbing emergencies. This is important information to keep in mind in case the unfortunate event arises in which you do need an emergency plumbing job.
More than One Kind of Plumber
One last piece of plumbing advice that is worth keeping in mind is that different plumbers specialize in different areas. For example, some plumbers specialize in repair, while others specialize in installation. While many plumbers provide both services, it is important to get a sense of what your plumber’s specialty is. Depending on the type of plumbing project you have, this is important information.
If your plumbing job is relatively simple, such as a clogged drain, then it doesn’t particularly matter what your plumber’s specialty is; most plumbers can do general tasks with relative ease. However, if your project is installation of pipes, repair of rusty pipes, or other type of specialty project, then ask the plumber whom you are considering hiring, “Do you have specialized experience in X?”
Deciding on a plumber can be an arduous task, but by asking the right questions, considering which kind of plumber you need, and by watching out for red flags such as the absence of a general warranty, you’ll be able to protect yourself from shoddy plumbing work.
