Your home’s plumbing system is essential to ensure the safe delivery of water for drinking and finishing household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, and washing. Also, having a functional plumbing system can prevent water leaks which can result in water damage and costly repairs.
Unfortunately, there are instances when plumbing problems may occur. All these issues should be addressed immediately to prevent further complications, whether a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a backed-up sewage system. This is when emergency plumbers enter the picture. They can inspect any plumbing issue and fix it right away.
However, with several available options, choosing a reputable plumbing professional can take time and effort. To find the best one, asking the appropriate questions makes sense. Read on to learn the five questions to ask emergency plumbers before hiring one.
- Do You Have A License And Insurance?
Before hiring an emergency plumber, it’s essential to know if they have adequate knowledge and training to do the plumbing job. Ask your prospects if they’re licensed or certified. Having a license means that they’re qualified to fix plumbing problems correctly. For instance, when you hire a licensed plumber in Glebe or wherever you may be located, you can have peace of mind knowing your plumbing problems are in safe hands and that you’re getting your money’s worth.
Besides the license, you should also ask your prospects if they carry insurance. Since plumbing issues can be complicated and dangerous to fix, working only with a professional with workers’ compensation and liability insurance is a necessity. When something terrible happens, the plumber will cover all the costs associated with the accident.
- Do You Offer 24/7 Emergency Services?
Emergency plumbing issues may happen anytime. They may occur in the middle of the night or during a family gathering at home. Hence, you should ask your emergency plumber if they can attend to your needs at any time of the day. Ask if they operate within your area to know when to expect them. A dedicated emergency plumber will provide you with an estimated time of arrival and keep you up to date on their whereabouts before they arrive.
By asking whether your prospective plumber offers 24/7 emergency services, you can rest knowing your plumbing issues will be attended to immediately, even in the middle of the night, at a celebration, and in other circumstances.
- Do You Have Any Specialties?
It’s important to choose an emergency plumber who can meet your specific plumbing needs. That way, you can guarantee that the plumber completes the task for the first time without hassle.
Don’t forget to ask your prospective emergency plumber if they have specialties. For example, you may need a professional with experience in drain cleaning or sewage repair. Make sure to choose a plumber who is an expert in handling these jobs to provide satisfying results. Otherwise, you can work with a general plumber if you only require basic work.
- Do You Provide Warranties/Guarantees?
Most plumbing professionals offer warranties of up to 12 months or more for the labor and the materials to guarantee their work. Before hiring an emergency plumber, it’s best to ask your prospect if they provide warranties for the services they’ve performed. This is to know that your plumber is willing to make the necessary repairs or replacements for any issues associated with the initial plumbing service provided.
If the plumbing services you’ve got aren’t guaranteed, you may end up paying for the plumbing problem twice if the issue recurs. If your prospect doesn’t speak about any warranties for their work, you may want to consider other available prospects.
- How Do You Charge Your Fees?
Hiring an emergency plumber can cost you money, depending on the complexity of the plumbing problem. To know if you can afford the services of a plumbing professional, you need to ask how their fees work before hiring one for your needs. Most plumbers provide an estimate of the repair cost and how their services are charged.
However, it’s necessary to know that the price isn’t fixed and may change depending on the severity of your plumbing issues. For example, the plumber will go to your house and find out that the work seems more complicated than what you expect, so they may charge an additional fee. Clear this issue upfront before hiring a plumber and starting any type of work.
Conclusion
An emergency plumbing problem can become extremely serious if it’s not fixed immediately. Therefore, you shouldn’t waste time hiring a plumber to handle any issue right away. But to ensure you find the most qualified plumbing professional for the job, ask the questions mentioned above, and you’ll be in the right direction.
