How and when to Hire a Plumber

Even if you are handy, you may a need to hire a plumber in an emergency situation or one beyond your own skill level.

Reputation and referrals over Cost--That's right, finding the cheapest rate should not be your only criteria for choosing a plumber.  Most plumbers charge per hour but it is better to choose a plumber or a plumbing contractor based on customer satisfaction and reputation rather than seeking the lowest hourly rate.  Friends and family are a great source for referrals for plumbers.  Chances are that, if they had a good experience with the plumber, you will too.

An Ounce of Prevention......worth a pound of cure--There are several steps you can take in order to maintain your plumbing system and reduce the need for hiring a pro.  A clogged drain tends to be the most common plumbing problem for a homeowner.  Drains usually get clogged by grease or by hair buildup. Grease clogged drains can be prevented by treating your drains periodically with products designed to reduce grease buildups.  As a great home remedy, try pouring boiling hot sudsy water down the drain periodically to reduce grease buildup. You should also avoid pouring grease down your drain in the first place.

To avoid hair clogged drains, remove the hair in the screen or drain cover after each shower. This will help to avoid the build-up of hair in your drain and can prevent it from getting clogged.  If the drain does get clogged, there are commercial drain clog products that may clear the drain.  You simply pour the product in liquid or gel form down the drain, wait a few minutes to a couple of hours, then flush water down the drain.  If one of these products does not fix the problem then you may have to call a plumber.  The plumber will typically use a metal snake tool to clear a hair clogged drain.

Frozen Pipes--Another major problem you may experience is having your pipes freeze. This can be an expensive problem to fix so the best way to avoid this expense is to avoid it altogether. There are two ways that you can prevent your pipes from freezing. First, you can make sure that your pipes are heated. Another way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to make sure that the pipes are insulated.

Right before winter hits, be sure to disconnect any outside drains and garden hoses, turn-off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet, and open the outdoor faucet. This helps to prevent any remaining water in the pipes that are exposed to below-zero temperatures from freezing.

Plan before plumbers arrival--If you do have to call the plumber its a good idea to go through your home and check all of the faucets, drains, sinks, toilets, etc. Make a list of all of the plumbing problems in your plumbing system.  This will help the plumber get a fast, more complete dignosis and help you avoid additional trip charges that may come with having to schedule repeat visits.