What qualifications should a plumber have?
Anything that deals with water or gas pipes, fixtures, heat or water or disposal systems is a plumber’s responsibility. Plumbers install, repair, and service plumbing equipment. You either require one for regular maintenance work or in the case of emergencies.
Plumbing is not a task just everyone can undertake. If you are going to let someone into your home to take care of a plumbing problem, you must make sure that the person is qualified and experienced enough for the job. A bad plumbing job has the potential to cause severe damage. So why take the risk?
Benefits of a qualified plumber over a DIY job
Basic plumbing work is something we all can accomplish with the help of online video tutorials. When it comes to complex ordeals, however, taking the professional route is your safest and best bet. Not only will doing it yourself pose an immediate danger to your property but also you and those around you. Additionally, there is also a risk associated with breaking the law, facing prosecution, and paying monetary fines if you modify a plumbing system connected to the water supply.
An experienced professional would know more about how things operate and would take much lesser time to resolve the issue at hand. A skilled professional would also have access to special tools that you might not have access to as well.
Perhaps the most significant benefit of hiring a professional as opposed to doing it yourself is that you will have someone to consult if things go wrong. Experimenting can work one way or the other. Either you emerge victoriously, or you fail miserably. While the former feels incredible, the latter feels equally as devastating. Save yourself the effort and seek professional help.
Here is what you need to look for in a plumber.
Apprenticeship Experience
If you are dealing with an older plumber, likely, he is not very qualified. The chances are that he left school at an early age and got into work. This does not necessarily mean that he is a lousy plumber. An experienced person knows the job better than a newly qualified person does. Despite the lack of proper qualification, the old plumber would have excellent apprenticeship experience. On the job, the experienced individual would be more helpful since he would know the tricks of the trade.
Many homeowners prefer to have an older plumber to deal with their problems as opposed to a newly qualified one. We all want the best service, and years of experience always look good on one’s profile. References and recommendation letters from previous customers help immensely, as well. Always look for apprenticeship experience so that your plumber is not experimenting on your house’s pipes.
State Certification
Similar to any other qualification, plumbers need a certification to have the authority to practice. State certification gives the certified plumber an upper hand over one who is not. The qualification requirements vary from state to state. Find a plumber who holds a certification from your state if you wish to have your work handled by a certified individual.
Insurance Coverage
You must make sure your plumber has insurance in case of any accidents or property damage. However, if your plumber is ensured but does not have the proper certification for the job, the insurance claim will be void. Therefore, in addition to insurance coverage, make sure to confirm if he is certified or not.
Gas and Heating Engineering Certification
Some plumbers stick to fixing only taps and bathroom pipes. While a certification would come to aid them in various ways, plumbers do not necessarily need a certification. However, the plumbers who work in more demanding areas such as central heating need certification. Working with gas and heat systems can be quite dangerous; therefore, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Do not risk anyone’s life by employing an unregistered person.
Questions to Ask
Before you hire anyone here is a list of standard questions you should ask your plumber:
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- How many years have it been since you have been practicing?
- How does your pricing system work, and are there additional charges?
- How soon you will finish the work?
- Are you registered with the concerned authority?
Find a Professional
You might have wondered, where can I find certified plumbers near me? Well, a good plumber can be hard to find. Advertisements in the paper are helpful, but there is no way of knowing anything about the person such as reliability, professionalism, cost, etc.
Registration councils are helpful
Another place to start your search is with the registration council who provided their certification. The best way, however, is to talk to those around you. Ask for recommendations and reviews. Start with your neighbors. Learning about another person’s first-hand experience with someone is the best way to learn about his or her work.
The search for a good plumber is not an easy one. Be sure to run a Google check as well. You might be surprised to find one in just a click.
