The Plumber FAQ

Plumbing is an essential service that every building requires, be it an office building, home, hotel or any other structural building. However, everyone enjoys plumbing services either directly or indirectly. Due to this fact, you may have come across some things that you need more information or clarifications about. Fortunately, a plumber can provide answers to some frequently asked questions. These question are:

How Much Does a Plumber Charge?

A plumber should be able to charge fairly and avoid exploiting their clients. On the other hand, plumbing is a professional career and undercharging translates to a poor job. This is a very sensitive subject, choosing prices that are practical is highly recommended. Depending on the complexity of the job, an average job should cost about $30 to $50 per quarter hour excluding call out charges (usually $50-$70).

Is a Plumber Licensed?

Of cause. A plumber MUST be licensed to practice any plumbing service. This is a standard requirement that applies to all plumbing companies.

Does the Plumber Observe Time?

Yes. A professional plumber should arrive at the job site on time otherwise he or she should be heavily fined and to some extent, a plumber may not be paid at all.

Does the Plumber Have Insurance Cover?

Yes. The plumbing company should be held responsible for any accidental damage caused in line of duty. This will cover the client’s property. The company should have a limited liability insurance cover.

Why Does the Pressure Drop on My Tap Sometimes?

The pressure may drop due to several reasons. The most obvious reason is leaking. If the supply pipe leaks, the pressure will suddenly drop. This can be solved by sealing the leakage point. Another cause is when there is a problem with the shutoff valves or water line clogging. Too old piping may also cause low pressure due to deposition of minerals and can be solved by replacing the pipes.

Can I Prevent My Pipes From Freezing?

Yes you can. During cold weather, the pipes may freeze causing the water inside to freeze too. This problem can be solved by applying a lagging layer that will insulate the pipe. You can insulate exposed pipes because deeply buried pipes and indoor pipes do not freeze. Remember that insulation may not prevent still water inside the pipe from freezing. Use suitable insulating materials such as rigid foam or flexible elastomeric forms.

Can I Reduce My Water Bill?

Yes. Your water bill can drop significantly if you reduce the rate of your water usage.  You should consider making some changes such as replacing your shower with a low flow head, running machines only when necessary, use low flush toilets and most importantly block any leakages or drips as soon as possible.

My Hot Water System Does Not Work, What is the Problem?

Depending on the type of water heater, electric water heaters are commonly reported to fail rather than solar water heaters. The problem could be the heating element is broken or faulty in the wiring system. Contact a professional plumber to solve the problem. Do not try to fix electric water heaters yourself to avoid accidents such as faulty earthling which can be fatal.