Questions To Ask Plumber Before Hiring

plumber cartoonLet’s suppose a plumber has been filtered in and is the one that you are considering going with. If you are in this kind of situation, you will want to sit down and meet with him/her before moving forward. After all, the last thing you want is to waste your money on someone that is not able to do the job as you had hoped for them to do. If this is something you are worried about, here is a few question that you should be looking to ask him/her right off the bat to ensure you are on the right path.

What Is Your Course Of Action Here?

Make sure you have a good understanding of what their plan is to tackle the issue you have described to them.

Will You Be Providing A Warranty On The Work Being Done?

This is a question that has to be asked because you don’t want to be in a situation where the job is not done right. In fact, sometimes the job has been done right, but an issue pops up the next day just out of pure bad luck. If that is something you don’t want to deal with, get the warranty signed and sealed right away to ensure you do get a good deal at the end of the day.

Do You Have A Concrete Deadline For Me?

Always ask for a deadline and make sure they are specific about what they are saying. This is key for those longer jobs that might be spanning over a few days. The reason for this is, you don’t want to have the issue extended into weeks because the person has not been following the deadline they had stated. Always ask for a deadline at the end of your meeting and make sure they remain firm on it.

Remember, the reason to ask these questions has a lot more to do with understanding what the plumber is going to do for you and their level of experience with the issue at hand. Being a plumber does not mean they are going to be able to do everything that you ask of them. Also, meeting with them is a great way to find out how they are as a person because that is something that is important to when you are having work done for you. Don’t just go with the first person that you meet, talk to The Melbourne Plumber.

Know When To Call A Plumbing Company

Knowing when to call a plumber is important. Find out when one should call a plumber.

No Hot Water In The Home
When there is no hot water in the home, then it is a good time to call a plumber. When there is no hot water in the home, then there is something wrong with the hot water tank. If the tank does not have a leak, then there could be numerous things that may be wrong with the tank. A plumber will be able to replace the tank, if it does have a leak, or they can get to the bottom of the problem.

Drainage Problems
Sometimes a person will notice that their drains are not working properly. Sometimes sink drains may be very slow at draining water, and that is when a person will decide to use products that are designed to unclog drains. However, that does not always work. If a person notices that their drains are not working properly and they have tried products to unclog them, then they should contact a plumbing company as soon as possible.

Sewage Back Up
A sewage back up is a sure sign that a person should call a plumber. Plumbers should be the only ones who deal with a backed up sewage, because if a person does not know what they are doing, then they could end up doing more damage, which means paying out more money.

Damaged Pipes
If a pipe is damaged, then a person should not attempt to replace it themselves, because if they do not install the pipe properly, then they could end up having a big problem on their hands.

Conclusion
If a person keeps all of this information in mind, then they may save themselves a lot of hassle and money, because a plumber will be able to do a job the right way, the first time around.

Dealing With Plumbing Issues

plumbing issueExperiencing plumbing issues would be something that you simply hope does not become a part of your life. However, owning a home means that you are responsible for maintaining the pipes and how they operate. Additionally, you would need to handle any clogs or toilet problems in order to avoid having things go from bad to worse. When you notice a problem with your plumbing, you may want to think about how to handle the situation correctly. Do not simply call any plumbers on the market today. If you do this, you run the risk of paying for a job that does not give you the results you are looking for. Instead, you want to invest in plumbers that have been offering their services to local families for many years now. Since you know that they have hundreds of clients that have been satisfied with their results, you would never have to live in fear of paying for a job that would only need to be repaired in the future.

While there are many plumbing companies that are willing to provide you with their services, you want to choose professionals that will rid your life of that clog as quickly as possible. If a problem as simple as this is left untreated for a long period of time, your life will become very difficult. Additionally, it is very likely that this would lead to more extensive repairs that could be very costly. If you look for a professional with your budget in mind, it would be best to start with a company that offers affordable prices. Since these plumbers are mindful of your budget, you would be able to enjoy a better value for your dollar. When you have problems with your sink, toilet or fixtures, call the right plumbing team to rid your life of these issues quickly.

How To Handle A Plumbing Emergency?

A plumbing emergency is one of the most unnerving domestic situations that you will ever find yourself in. If a tap starts leaking or a toilet stops functioning, you can find yourself in quite a mess. Hence, you must look for a licensed emergency plumber who can help you out in case of a plumbing malfunction. The problem with such plumbers is that they can be hard to find and they are pretty costly as well.

To avoid any problems, you can follow these steps in case of an plumbing related emergency:

1. Assess the situation and find out it it is an emergency after all. For instance, if one of the taps in the bathroom starts leaking profusely in the middle of the night, you might call the emergency plumber right away. On second thoughts however, you can think of short term alternatives which can last through the night. For starters, you can shut off the water supply to that particular bathroom or you could turn off the master pipe. This way, you can solve the problem, at least temporarily. In the morning, you can call your regular plumber to repair the tap.
Therefore, you must always weigh your options. Calling a plumber during odd hours is both inconvenient and expensive. If  there is some way of stalling the emergency, you must try to do so.

2. On the other hand, if the problem is more serious like an overflowing toilet, you must call for professional help right away. Before you place the call, figure out the nature of the problem. Look around the defective area for any visible discrepancies. If you have a fair idea about the problem, you can communicate it better to the plumber. This way, he can provide you a quote about the repair costs and amount of time the repairs will take. Additionally, the plumber will also know what tools and hardware to carry to fix the problem.

3. If you have never contacted a plumber during an emergency, you can look up some numbers in the yellow pages or on the internet. In fact, you can contact a couple of them and get estimates about the repair expenses. Ideally, you must do this way in advance, so that you are prepared for any nasty emergency.

4. Finally, do not panic. An overflowing toilet or a leaking tap can be quite a pain, but it can always be taken care of. Having said that, it is always a good idea to call for professional help in case of a major problem. Do not look for short cuts or DIY solutions. In the long run, they might cost you immensely.

How To Find A Good Plumber?

pic_serv_plumberYou need a plumber to repair your home but you have no idea where to find a reliable one. In fact, the last plumber you called in promised that you absolutely nothing to worry about but the same problem has cropped up again. Now you want a person who knows how to get the job done and you are wondering where to find them. Here is what you can do.

Step one — Ask around with friends and family
Almost everyone has had to deal with plumbing problems in their houses and they will definitely know a local technician. However, we do recommend that you take the time to interview the plumbers after you get in touch with them.

Step two — Ask for references
Plumbers will have several steady clients and they should offer references if you ask for it. We recommend you ask for a reference before you hire the plumber and make sure that visit the client’s homes and check the plumbing work that was done. Make sure to ask for references that are more than 2 years old as this will provide an accurate idea of how the plumber’s work stood the test of time.

Step three — Ask for quotes
Once you have verified the name and address of the plumber, we recommend that you ask each of the plumbers for a quote. Be clear about the work you want done and make sure you check what the quote contains. Don’t be afraid to compare quotes and ask for discounts. Most plumbers will also offer a limited warranty on the work they do and a guarantee on the spare parts that they use in their work.

Make sure that the plumber you have hired is qualified and licensed to work to work in your county or state and ensure that you verify this before they start work. If you’ve done your research properly, you have nothing to worry about and you can get your work done quickly and affordably.

Common Home Plumbing Problems

When home water emergencies spring up, plumbing professionals can come to the rescue. A plumber has the tools and the skills that are needed to take care of all kinds of problems with a home’s water system. From simple fixes, to more complicated situations, a professional can handle the job. Common plumbing problems that many homeowners frequently encounter are easy work for a professional.

Noisy Toilet

A noisy toilet should not a cause for alarm. After flushing, homeowners may hear an abrasive sound while the tank fills with water. The problem typically lies with a damaged fill valve. It simply needs to be replaced or repaired, and can be done so quickly.

Running Toilet

When the water continues running in the toilet, it can waste hundreds of gallons of water. It is important to diagnose the problem and have it repaired as soon as possible to keep the water bill from going up. The issue is a damaged flapper which needs to be replaced or repaired properly in order to eliminate the problem.

Foul Odors

When a foul, persistent odor is present around the toilet bowl, there is most certainly a problem. It could be one of a few things. Either a pipe has burst, there is too little water entering the bowl, or the wax ring is defective. A plumber can inspect the situation and determine the cause.

Backed Up Sinks or Tubs

A backed up drain can be very unpleasant to deal with. It can leave a homeowner standing in a foot of water while showering, or have the sink overflowing during something as quick as brushing teeth. Blocked drains can be caused by a number of things, so a plumber can take a look and unclog the drain safely.

Common home plumbing problems are likely to occur from time to time. Seeking a professional service will ensure that the work is done correctly and the issue is solved. Keep the number of a local plumber handy for emergencies.

Find A Good 24hr Plumber

plumbing-equipmentWhen an emergency happens, you want to know of a good 24hr plumber that will be ready to assist you right away. It is important to find a reliable plumbing company that will be on call to help you when you need them. In an emergency, every minute counts. Be sure and hire a local plumbing company that can arrive at your home in a fast amount of time to prevent excessive water damage and other problems from occurring in an emergency.

You want to hire a 24hr plumber that has a good reputation. Ask your friends and family members if they have a plumber that they would recommend to you. You will want to do this before an emergency happens if possible so that you will know whom to call. You can also look up review sites online for local plumbing companies in your area. You want to make sure that you hire professionals that have many good customer ratings.

It is important to hire a licensed plumber. You want to deal with a professional that has the knowledge and training needed to get the job done right the first time. You can feel confident about hiring a licensed 24hr plumber.

An insured plumbing company is another great choice. You want to make sure that the plumber you hire has insurance to cover any problems that arise. If he or she damages your property, it is their responsibility to pay for it. You want to know that they are insured in case anything was to happen.

If you hire a reputable plumber that has been in business for a long time, you will know that he or she must do a good job. Plumbers that have been around for a long time have also learned new skills that could not be taught in school. When you hire a professional that has been in the plumbing business for a while, you can have peace of mind.

It is important to hire a plumber that will work around your schedule. You never know when an emergency could happen. If a pipe busts at two in the morning, you want to know that your 24hr plumber will be able to get to your location fast. Choose a plumber that fits in with your budget too. You want to make sure that you hire a professional that will charge you a fair price.

Tips For Selecting An Ideally Suited Plumber

plumber_with_wrenchA plumber provides a variety of services to consumers. Indeed, plumbers generally are placed in two primary categories: residential and commercial. With that noted, within these two broad categories, similar types of services are offered by plumbers to residential and commercial property owners.

As an aside, as is the case with many professions, some plumbers have started to specialize in specific areas. Rather than providing a broad spectrum of services, some plumbing professionals zero in on particular types of services to their customers.

Generally speaking, the services provided by plumbers (residential and commercial, generalists and specialists) fall into five general categories.

Preventative Care Services

Plumbers are called upon to provide preventative care and maintenance services for their customers. This can include everything from checking water heaters to inspecting and cleaning drains and pipes on a scheduled basis.

Emergency Services

Unfortunately, many consumers find themselves requiring the services of plumbers on an emergency basis. A plumber provides an array of different types of emergency services that includes everything from dealing with broken pipes to repairing (or replacing) a non-functioning hot water heater — and many other tasks in between.

Replacement and Upgrade Services

Plumbing equipment does not last forever. Moreover, new and better plumbing related products enter onto the marketplace with some degree of regularity. For these reasons, another type of service provided by a plumber involves the replacement or upgrade of existing plumbing equipment. For example, a consumer living in a residence build before 1960 may have iron cast pipes at the premises that have corroded or rusted and are in need of replacement.

New Construction Services

A plumber can be involved in providing new construction services. For example, a plumber may work with a developer on a large scale project. On the other hand, when an individual consumer elects to build his or her own residence, that consumer likely will spend time working with a contractor and an associated plumber.

Selecting a Qualified Plumber

When a consumer is need of a qualified plumber, he or she should consider a number of tips in the process of making a selection.

Certification: A consumer needs to verify whether or not a plumber maintains the proper certification to undertake a particular project. The local agency that oversees the building code in a community can assist a consumer in obtaining the information necessary to make this determination.

Experience: In addition, when in need of a plumber, a consumer needs to identify the specific experience of a plumber. For example, a plumber that historically has worked on residential properties may not be ideal for a commercial project — and vice versa.

Bond: A consumer should determine whether or not a plumber maintains a bond to cover liability if that professional causes damage to a consumer’s property or causes the consumer to sustain some other type of loss.

References: A consumer should obtain references from a plumber. In addition, a consumer needs to take the step of actually contacting references to get specific feedback from these individuals. (A surprising number of people do request references from service providers and then fail to make contact with these individuals.)

Consumer Complaints: Finally, before engaging the services of a plumber, a consumer should contact a reliable organization, like the Better Business Bureau, to ascertain if the plumber has had any serious, seemingly valid complaints.