There are little details that make up a whole. Without these little (sometimes not so little) details, the complete package (that is the whole) would not be complete. This is why it is said that a unit cannot be more than the sum of all its parts.

The above analogy can be aptly applied to a building structure. People tend to only see the beauty of the erected structure and not the components that it is made up of. However, these components are very important as the building will generally not be conducive for anyone to live in if those components are not functioning properly.

One example of such components is the drainage systems in a house. They should always be working perfectly and if not, you should know what to do or the plumber to call to keep them in good shape.

Plumbing and Drainage Systems

These are systems or structures put in place in a building (residential or otherwise), designed and made to dispose and channel wastewater out of the building into the central drainage systems. It is an integral part of every building structure to be erected in any place (can you imagine a building without it?). You can read more about this here.

Who Is a Plumber?

This is any person who as a matter of occupation specializes in the installation, repair and maintenance of plumbing and drainage systems inside and outside of a building. Their services are quite important as they can be useful in fixing drainage issues that occur in or around the house.

Plumbing Services

It has to be pointed out that there are limits to what a single individual can do; no matter how good and efficient such a person is. This is simply because the nature and volume of work required in certain situations simply require more hands and even equipment.

In times like this, what you need is an organization that offers plumbing services. They can offer the services that a plumber usually would offer and even more difficult ones on a larger scale. Also, they are responsible for the drainage repairs and the maintenance works that are done in the city.

Why You Need Plumbing Services

They Are Well Trained Professionals

Some people try to fix their plumbing challenges themselves. Now, this is really not a good idea as you are not well trained neither do you have the requisite skills for it. Again, the problem might be deeper than you might have assumed, and it will require a proper examination to be sure of what the problem is. Aside from that, you can never do a better job than a professional will on your problematic water systems.

They Are Properly Equipped

There are different tools or equipment for handling different challenges as it concerns fixing your drainage systems. The average half-baked plumber will definitely not have many of the tools required to professionally handle such challenges but a professional will. Again, the scale of the job to be done may just be greater than whatever even a well-trained plumber can handle in which case there will be a need for a plumbing service provider.

Provide A Variety of Services

Another advantage to having these organizations work for you is that they can provide a variety of services. Their services will basically start from running a proper diagnosis of what the challenge(s) is to check the extent of work to be done and the skill sets that are required (which they obviously will have). Then they go ahead to tackle the said challenges no matter how varied they are. They can even make new installations for you. You can read more on this at https://www.wise-geek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-plumber-services.htm.

They Are Cost-Effective

How? One may ask. Well, all things considered, it is obvious that they are a much cheaper option than the error-prone unprofessional who might do the job and be paid more than once for it. Another example is where the challenge was misdiagnosed, and a symptom or aspect of the malfunctioning system is repaired while the real cause of the challenge persists. Finally, safety and peace of mind that a thorough repair has been done without risk of any other malfunction is the best example of cost-efficiency.

Choosing a Plumbing Service

When situations come that make us have the need for this type of repair service, some might be in a fix as it concerns choosing the right organization for the job. However, many might not have an idea of how to go about this situation. Here are some useful tips to follow:

Check out their license

The first thing to ensure is that the organization or person that you want to engage is licensed. This is to ensure that the person or company that you are about to engage is even allowed by law of the state or by an appropriate authority or association to perform such tasks.

Ask Of Their Insurance

Another thing to look out for is their insurance. Finding out whether they are licensed is important because, if an accident were to occur while the person you engaged is still working for you and the worker is not insured, you will be liable for the injuries sustained. Note that this does not mean that accidents always occur, in fact, they rarely do but you can never be too careful.

Ask Of Their Reputation

This is another important inquiry that you should make. This will help you to avoid engaging people or organizations that are known for shoddy work. You can check their referrals, the internet or even from neighbors in the area

Engage Those in Your locality

It is not wise to go too far in search of these services, especially when the task is not a big one (even if it is). Just to type “plumbing services near me” into your search engine browser and many options would come up. You can pick anyone you can easily call over in case of any emergency and can hold them accountable if there is any challenge.

When should you call the plumber?

Not all plumbing problems require attention from a plumber. At the same time, some issues signal severe underlying issues, so you should call the plumber asap. Contact the plumber the moment you notice any of the following signs:

There’s no more water in the house

Not having water at all should be enough reason to call professionals. Ask your neighbor if he has water. If he also doesn’t have water, call a plumber for future investigations. Most likely, you will need to make another phone calls.

If it’s only your house lacking water, you must call the plumber right away. Major leaks, frozen pipes, backups, etc., are some of the reasons why you don’t have water in your home. Don’t postpone calling the plumber because water may be leaking or water is turned off. The leaks can cause significant structural damage to your house and foundation. Additionally, if water keeps on running, your water bill could increase as well.

Tip

Sometimes, you may have cold water and not hot water, in which case the heater is the problem. Also, if water works on just one of the two floors of your home, you may deal with a pressure problem. Even so, a plumber with the proper equipment and experience will know how to fix it.

Water has low pressure

You need to call the plumber to check out the internal workings of the plumbing when the water doesn’t run forcefully. For example, if it’s only a faucet in the bathroom with low pressure, something as simple as a clogged aerator could generate the problem. You only need to unscrew the aerator and clean the sediment. Use a vinegar soak and some scrubbing to clean the aerator.

If cleaning the aerator doesn’t solve the problem or several sinks have low pressure, you may deal with a more serious underlying issue. Cracked and broken pipes in the walls or your home’s foundation can cause low pressure. Call the plumber if several fixtures in your home have low water pressure.

The faucets always drip

A shower dripping just ten times a minute can cost you additional 500 gallons of water every year. Some drips have easy fixes such as tightening, getting a new bracket, or using a plumber’s tape. When the drip is constant, an element is poorly installed, or a pipe is cracked. Pressure buildups can also cause dripping.

Call the plumber for any of the minor issues and other plumbing problems. While he’s examining the leaks, he can also give you other suggestions on plumbing matters.

The drains don’t drain

Clogs are common in plumbing, and they develop in faucets, tubs, and toilets. A plunger work should give results with clogs. If you fail, you need to call the plumber.

Plumbers have specialized equipment and tools. For example, your plumber can use a camera to look deep into pipes and identify the cause of the clogging. Grease buildup, hair, roots reaching into the underground systems, and issues with the septic tank represent common problems.

If the drain problem comes back over and over again, a severe problem could be the cause. Even if you manage the issue on your own and have results, the fact the draining problem returns means that professional help is necessary.

The toilet overflows

With young kids in a house, toilets overflowing doesn’t surprise anyone. At times, the cause of the overflowing has an easy fix, whereas other times, it requires professional servicing. An easy fix is to replace the flapper.

When the toilet overflows, begin with turning off the water in the house until the plumber comes. You will find the water shutoff of the toilet beneath the bowl at the back or on the left-hand side.

A toilet that flows right after you flush may have developed a block. Most of the time, a plunger will do the trick to dislodge what is stuck. Should you not succeed, you have to call the plumber to identify the problem and fix it. He will also tell you what to do to avoid having the same trouble in the future.

There’s a sewage smell in your home

A clog or backup can produce a lingering smell that alters the comfort of your home. As the foul smell signals severe plumbing distress, you shouldn’t try to tackle the problem yourself. You might even worsen the problems.

Drainpipes with poor ventilation or with clogging could cause the sewage smell in your home. Heavy rains and storms may also lead to backups in the pumps and sewage systems. Call a plumber when you sense the unpleasant odor.

You can have a walk on your property and figure out if the smell is inside the house. See if it’s near a drain in your backyard or anywhere else. You can help the plumber when he comes for fixing.

There’s no hot water in your home

While it’s understandable why there’s no more hot water after your family takes showers, it’s not OK when water needs several hours to heat. If so, the water heater has developed problems.

Pilot lights going out, drip, or something else could affect the water heater’s proper performance. The plumber can see if the tank is big enough to keep the water hot. He can also help you check out for the minor issues that might cause the heating problem.

The water heater is sweating

A sweating (weeping) water heater is a sign of a slow yet steady leak. You will often deal with the problem when checking the pilot light or when passing by the heater. You will find the ground being a tad damp.

Cracks in piping or the casing can cause small leaks that lead to more severe problems. Should you catch the problem early on, you won’t spend too much money on repairs.

Other signs that your water heater isn’t working correctly are:

• Corrosion on the water heater
• Rusty spots on the water heater and/or nearby piping
• A large pool of water in the drip pan

Needless to say, you should call the plumber when noticing any of these signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do most plumbers charge per hour?

You will pay anything from $20 to $150 per hour for a plumber. Geography and the plumber’s expertise are reasons why the prices vary so deeply. An entry-level plumber may charge the local minimum wage, whereas an experienced plumber who manages the most difficult tasks will ask for a higher price.

Is it necessary to tip a plumber?

You don’t need to tip the plumber most of the time—you pay him by the hour, anyway. However, if the plumber does something extra or spends more time than anticipates, you may reward him with a tip. Don’t go for anything lower than $20, though.

Will the home insurance cover plumbing?

Home insurance is made to cover the costs of unexpected damage. With plumbing, most problems happen in time and not in a blink of an eye. It will take years for pipes to rust, fixtures to get faulty, or toilets to overflow. As a result, your home insurance won’t cover the faulty fixtures, especially since you can avoid most issues with regular and appropriate maintenance.

Is it possible to do plumbing on your own?

You can embark on managing the plumbing issues with easy fixes, but don’t overdo it if you’re not a licensed plumber. Only people with licenses are supposed to do plumbing work. Even so, with the right tools and patience, you can manage minor repairs.

Can you replace taps on your own?

Replacing taps is one of the plumbing jobs that even people without a license can manage. The replacements aren’t expensive and the installation is pretty straightforward. Fitting the new bathroom taps should be a specific project to embark on. As long as you follow the instructions and use your common sense, you should replace the taps nice and easily.

Conclusion

A lot can go wrong in and around your house when the plumbing system or drainage system malfunctions. This is because they play crucial roles in and around the house especially as it concerns disposal of liquid waste.

For this reason, they have to be well maintained for optimal performance, and if they develop faults, a plumbing service should be engaged to fix it.