Finding a Plumber You Can Keep
Plumbing is an astonishingly efficient system — water when you need it and where you need it. You can have hot water, water which flows in a spray or stream, and the luxury of whatever pressure suits your needs. But, when plumbing fails, it becomes a severe inconvenience or even a catastrophic event.
So, finding a trustworthy, reliable plumber is a wise investment in a homeowner’s time and energy. It’s particularly useful to find a plumber before an unpleasant plumbing event occurs. Here are some of the ways for a homeowner or business to find an excellent plumber who can meet their needs:
Positive online presence
Since 97% of the population owns a cell phone, it stands to reason that finding a plumber online is the simplest and most effective method of obtaining one. It’s worthwhile taking the search one step further: a customer should look at online reviews. Are people generally happy with the work the company performs? Consistency is the key.
Look for a company that customers consistently rate highly. As with any review system, there may be a few reviewers who end up unhappy. This is normal in an industry that regularly deals with home crises in situations of all kinds. But, plumbing requires service people have to give their best effort every day. Constant bad ratings should be a warning.
Another sign of a great plumber is one who offers information online to educate their customers regularly. A blog that is nothing more than a thinly disguised sales pitch isn’t helpful. A blog that provides tips and advice a homeowner can use means the plumber freely helps his customers and community alike.
Credentials
Handymen are great for fixing a squeaky door or patching a hole in your drywall. But, plumbing is a complex system, most of which it is better to have repaired by someone who is certified. We aren’t talking about changing the toilet flap, here! But that washer for the sink faucet which your handyman over-tightened might lie in wait until you’re out of town for the weekend, then split and flood your home. There is an exponential worsening of problems once water gets out of control.
Careful with quotes
All plumbing repairs aren’t equal. Without knowing the precise nature of the problem, the onsite conditions, and the extent of the issue, it’s impossible to provide a fair estimate. Of course, that goes without saying that if the problem is pretty straightforward, it shouldn’t be hard to give a quote over the phone. Again, barring the unknown.
Continuing education
Plumbing technology is exploding. A good plumber will continuously look for ways to learn new things and keep abreast of new technology and innovation. Plumbing used to be pipes and fitting. Plumbing now is Uponor, sewer cameras, Smart valves, water softeners, and more.
Try them before you have a big problem
If you want to have a plumbing company in your contacts, but would prefer to know more about them before an emergency, the easiest way to do that is to have them come out and do a nonemergency task. Ask them for a second opinion on a job another company has already bid. Hire them to change out a faucet or install a flex line instead of the standard-issue plastic hose to your appliances. It’s a way to meet them and assess if they offer the kind of expertise and are someone you can trust with a more significant plumbing project.
If you need honest and experienced professional plumbing services for residential and commercial plumbing needs in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Enterprise, give us a call at 702-766-3320.
