Secrets Your Plumber Is Hiding You Need To Know
Let’s face it, sooner or later, we will all need to hire a plumber. Unfortunately, most of us don’t know they can be hiding important facts we need to know.
More so, and quite possibly, these secrets your plumber isn’t in a hurry to share with, you can be very costly. Let’s face it, every industry has its list of trade secrets but there are some you need to know.
Did You Know Your Plumber Can Hide Things You Really Should Know?
Typically, it’s always a good idea to get the important facts together before we do any home repairs or improvements. That’s why you need to keep these key unrevealed secrets handy. Especially, when the day arises when you require services from a plumber.
When our toilet’s back up, our water heaters break down, or our faucets leak, when it comes to plumbing issues, the costs can skyrocket. That’s why it’s imperative we know what our plumber might be holding back.
Last year, our hot water tank suddenly stopped working and took by surprise. This prompted me to cover additional tips about hiring a plumber. Mostly, because of some of the mistakes we made during the process of hiring one.
They say, mistakes are learning opportunities and boy, that’s the truth. The first mistake, thinking my plumber revealed everything I needed to know about his services.
With this in mind, when you want to hire a trusted plumbing service, below, you’ll find some important facts you need to know.
1 – Is It True All Plumbers Need a License?
When we hire a plumber, we assume they have proper certification, right? Did you ever stop and ask for credentials when they arrive at your door? I’m sure you didn’t and if you did, good for you!
Typically, a plumber will not reveal to you he does not have proper certification. It’s a good idea to ask them to show proof as well.
When I had my hot water tank replaced, the plumber arrived with an assistant. I noticed the assistant did a lot of work replacing the tank. At that point, I started talking to him and asked if he went to school for plumbing and got his license. He told me he learned on the job and he didn’t have a license. Since the licensed plumber oversaw his work, it was ok but, it did concern me.
Licensed plumbers have a license for good reason. You might hold the responsibility for his medical bills or other liabilities if he not properly licensed. It’s always a good idea to ask and hire only certified plumbers.
However, if you decide to let an unlicensed plumber work in your home, it’s at your own risk. Some states require them to have a license while others don’t. It’s always a good idea to find this out beforehand. Always make sure you learn plumbing best practices too!
Is It A Plumbers Responsibility To Educated Us?
If you know a trusted plumber and use them frequently for repairs, they should educate us with tips so we can avoid plumbing catastrophes. The reason they don’t, they want us to continue to make mistakes to keep them in business!
For example, we used the services of a plumbing company for years. And we got to know them very well. During a visit to our home for a continuous clogging issue, I asked him why this keeps happening.
Then, he said, you keep flushing flushable wipes down your bowl and they keep causing these clogs. Shocked, I asked why he didn’t inform of this before and he said, I never asked!
Below, you’ll find a list of things you never flush!
- Dental floss
- Feminine products
- Flushable wipes
- Paper towels
- Cosmetic or baby wipes
- Condoms
- Contact lenses
- Cotton swabs
- Tissues
- Medications
- Cigarettes
- Hair or haircare products
- Chewing gum
- Bleach
- Band-aids
- Cat litter
- Paint or paint chemicals
- Cooking grease
Therefore, next time you call a plumber, always feel free to ask them questions about anything that concerns you about the service call. Most of the time, you’ll find they will answer your questions with enthusiasm!
Why Didn’t My Plumber Show Me Where My Main Turnoff Valve Was?
Do you know where the water main turnoff valve in your home? If not, think about learning where the valve is and how to turn it on and off safely. Next time you have a plumbing emergency, you’ll be glad you did.
When it comes to plumbing issues, it’s very important you learn the dos and don’ts of basic plumbing safety. Again, if you don’t ask your plumber questions, you can’t expect him to tell you everything you should know!
Remember, much of what happens in your home is your responsibility even if you rent. Make a punch list of these important safety pointers and keep them handy for your next plumbing emergency.
Plumbers Aren’t Always Honest
Sadly, you need to know your plumber isn’t always the most honest when it comes to making repairs in your home.
For example, last year, we had a problem with our air conditioner and called a local plumber. After analyzing the situation for about ten minutes, he told us a vent in our basement had a whole in it and causing extra condensation. We said OK and please fix it. After repairing the vent, we paid him a hefty fee and he left.
Always Document What Your Plumber Does!
A few days later, the problem continued. We called him back and he basically ignored us. Then, we called another service and long story short, he made up the entire fix. At that point, we demanded our money back and luckily, though our home insurance, we got a refund for his deception.
It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion for plumbing issues in your home. If you can’t or facing an emergency, make sure you carefully document his work and always use a reputable plumbing service.
I hope some of these plumbing tips help you next time you need services. Mostly, we learn from bad experiences and it’s always a good idea to do the research and prepare properly for your next plumbing crisis.
Don’t forget to read Clean Oven Vents In Minutes With This Easy Kitchen Hack!
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