A good home plumbing system consists of an intricate network of pipes, pipe fittings, vent pipes, and more. Your home’s water source, drainage, kitchen disposal system, sewer system, and water heating system are all part of the plumbing system. Because plumbing is complex and is one of the costliest systems to install and repair, it certainly requires a professional who can inspect it regularly and fix it when needed.
Older homes are prone to faulty or inadequate plumbing. If you’re frequently experiencing clogged drains and home water damage, it’s best to call your reliable local plumber for help. Having a new home does not exempt you from plumbing problems either, which is why you need a reliable plumbing service provider on your speed dial.
But before hiring a plumber, you should determine if he or she is indeed competent and reliable to check pipes and perform repairs. Here’s what you should look out for:
1. Professional Experience
A plumber’s training and professional experience should be the main factors that you should consider when you are looking to hire one. Plumbers who have been in business for a long time usually have a good reputation.
Another crucial consideration is their experience in dealing with situations that are similar to yours. It’s important to hire someone who has enough experience in installing and repairing a variety of plumbing issues—especially the kind of work that is needed to fix your concerns.
2. License And Insurance
A trustworthy plumber has the necessary license and insurance to perform quality repairs and installation in your house. Licensing is mandatory for plumbers in most states. This ensures that they have been trained on how to perform repairs safely, and are following the rules and regulations of the plumbing industry.
Professional plumbing companies like Doherty Plumbing Co. Inc. may offer liability insurance coverage when you hire their service. Liability insurance will protect you and your family from injury or damage to property caused by errors or negligence on the part of the plumbing company. This gives you peace of mind, as there will be reparations and accountability in case something goes wrong in the course of repairs and installation.
3. Pricing
If you’re hiring a plumber to fix serious problems such as broken pipes, you’ll have to prepare for a considerable amount of money to cover the expenses. You should also think about the turnaround time for the installation or repair before hiring a plumber. Depending on the severity and extent of your pipe problems, the costs and time needed to fix the issues could vary.
A good rule of thumb is to ask for at least three quotes from different plumbing companies first. This way, you can compare prices and determine which company can give you the most cost-efficient service. And before signing any agreement, you should ask about the terms and conditions of the job that may be unclear to you.
4. Customer Feedback
If you’re unsure of where to look for reliable plumbers, and you don’t trust your judgment when it comes to determining people’s expertise, then you can always resort to customer feedback. Here’s how you can gather customer insights and feedback regarding plumbers in your area:
- Seek Referrals: Ask a relative or trusted professional for recommendations of plumbers that they have worked with before. Word-of-mouth marketing is still the best form of advertising that a reliable plumbing company or professional should have.
- Read Reviews: Plumbing companies now have websites you can look at. Some even have reviews listed on their websites from other customers. These reviews will tell you about the reliability of the company, how much time it takes for them to get the job done, and whether they are good at what they do. You can also look at their social media pages (if they have one).
5. Warranty
Before you hire the services of a plumber, make sure that the plumber provides a warranty on the repairs they perform. While it may be tempting to hire anyone when you have a plumbing emergency, taking time to look for plumbers who can provide you with a warranty can pay off.
Some plumbers offer a one-year warranty for their work. However, some will offer longer warranties depending on the type of job that was done. This is additional protection for the homeowner because subsequent repairs will be done for free if the plumber didn’t get it right the first time.
A reputable plumbing professional will not hesitate to give you a copy of their warranty policy before you sign an agreement with them. Transparency and honesty are hallmarks of a good tradesman or service provider.
Takeaway
Plumbing systems are usually complicated because of the materials and functions involved. This is reason enough to reach out to an experienced plumber instead of installing any system or repairing a plumbing fixture by yourself. A professional plumbing company can provide the necessary services to ensure that all the necessary inspections and repairs are performed safely and properly.
