When you have a plumbing emergency, it’s one of the most stressful times for any homeowner and the only thing on your mind is getting your plumbing system running again fast. That leads to many homeowners making choices that may repair the immediate damage, but set them up for more trouble down the line. Hiring an emergency plumber is different from hiring a plumber for a larger job – you prize speed above all – but it’s no less important to do your research and make sure you’ve got a reliable plumber with a strong track record.
Working with an emergency plumber is not something homeowners look forward to, but picking well can be the start of a positive relationship that will give you contacts to a reliable plumber for future work. We’re We Do It Plumbing, a certified and experienced plumbing company offering fast and skilled service to those who need emergency repairs. Read on to discover the most common mistakes people make when hiring an emergency plumber, and how you can avoid them.
The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Hiring an Emergency Plumber
Seeking the Lowest Price
Price is a valid consideration when hiring for any service, but with plumbing your focus should be on quality rather than price. The cheapest plumbers are often fly-by-night operations with short track records and a history of less-than-prompt service. For a plumbing emergency, timing is important and getting someone who will do the job well might save you many future repair visits, so always check for a track record of service and positive customer reviews.
Not Checking the Paperwork
Stress levels are high during a plumbing emergency, but you still need to do your due diligence to make sure your plumber is certified and insured. Any plumber you hire should have a state plumbing certification and at least a million in liability insurance coverage, and any independent contractors they work with should have their own insurance. That way you’re not on the hook for any accidents or damage that happens on your property.
Focusing on the Tools
A tool belt equipped with state of the art plumbing tools might be attractive, but it’s not the key to an effective plumbing job. That lies in the hands of the person using them. The best plumbers have worked on common plumbing emergencies like leaky pipes or clogged toilets hundreds of times, and they know exactly how to do the job quickly without causing additional damage.
Not Trusting Your Plumber
A skilled veteran plumber has seen problems like yours and much worse during their long career, and the best way to get your plumbing system working again is to trust them and let them work. Many homeowners try to get involved in the work or try to fix things themselves before the plumber arrives, but this can compound the issues. Major pipe work often happens not because of the initial damage but because a homeowner tried to replace it solo.
Lack of Communication
In a plumbing emergency, time is of the essence because of the risk of water damage or other structural issues. That’s why before your plumber arrives, it’s important to accurately describe the issue and let them know where to begin. This eliminates the need for exploratory work that could cause more damage to the house than the original plumbing issue.
Plumbing Emergency? Call We Do It Plumbing
A plumbing emergency can easily send homeowners into a panic, but a qualified plumber can have things running smoothly again faster than you think. We Do It Plumbing offers the best emergency service in the Pacific Northwest, so contact us to set up a service call today.