The secret of avoiding bad plumbing is to hire competent and experienced plumbers to construct it. This is true if you are just having your house built, are having the plumbing re-done or simply fixing a minor leak. In the case of small repairs, the chances are about even that you yourself will or won’t be able to make a good job of it. A lot depends on whether you have the know-how, the tools and a sufficient familiarity with the specific gadgets to be fixed. But if you mess up the minor repair you may end up with major bad plumbing problems. This is partly why bad plumbers should not handle your pipes.
Easy fixes, like faucets that won’t close, for instance, can easily be done yourself. You can do either one of two things. You can try and plug in the new washer yourself or you could go out and buy a new faucet since there are plastic ones that are relatively inexpensive and quite durable. If you lack the confidence to try and accomplish this relatively small fix then you should phone your plumber.
But before you do that, ask yourself whether you are indeed happy with the work your current plumber does. If not, you should contact a better one before your next bad plumbing problems come up. Being better will mean that he should be an experienced and skilled plumber. If he belongs to a contractor’s outfit, ask about the credentials of that contractor.
But how do you tell since most people are willing to bet their lives on the quality of their work. The answer to that is simple. Ask around the neighborhood. Talk with your trusted friends and close relatives. If you work in an office, ask the official company plumber if he is willing to moonlight to fix bad plumbing for you.
Before you close any deals with this new plumber, ask him for a portfolio. This will consist of the people and the establishments that he has served successfully. Plumbers who are really good will only be too glad to show you evidence of their performance. The rule should be: No portfolio, no go. He is probably a bad plumber anyway.
Then you should ask him about his availability. Is he willing to work at night or during holidays?
If you can meet with some of the people who have hired your candidate, do so. Inquire about how prompt your candidate is in responding to emergency calls. You need to ask about how often back jobs occur. How long does it take him to respond to work that is covered by warranties? Remember, part of the business of avoiding bad plumbing is having a plumber who complies with warranties quickly and responds to emergencies in a timely manner.
In short, to avoid bad plumbing, avoid bad plumbers. Get one who is able, available and prompt to respond to your needs.
