When faced with a nasty plumbing problem, the issue must be addressed immediately in order to prevent it from developing into a more serious problem. In most cases, homeowners will call the first plumber listed in the phone book without doing some research first. The first plumber you find, however, may not be the one that will fix your problem promptly or at a reasonable price. Here are some tips for finding good service at the best price.
Regular Maintenance
One way to save money on plumbing service is to reduce the need for this type of service. This can be done by doing some regular maintenance on your plumbing appliances and fixtures. A monthly inspection of your home plumbing – checking for leaks, cracks, slow drains, drips, water pressure, and temperature issues then getting them fixed as soon as you notice them – will prevent small problems from growing and certainly save you some cash.
Replace old or worn plumbing fixtures
At times, it is easy to fix certain problems with a particular fixture. All you might need to do, for example, is replace a washer or a small part. Once a fixture has reached a certain age, however, it is likely to start causing problems, so you will have to replace it. If you don’t, you might find yourself needing repairs more often then you actually should. Inspect all plumbing fixtures, including water-heaters, faucets, showerheads, toilets, and taps. If you find damage which is not covered under any warranty, call an experienced plumber to solve the problem. Often a fixture can be repaired instead of being replaced. However, bear in mind that in some cases it is actually cheaper to replace the fixture than to fix it, especially if it may require additional repairs in the near future. When you replace fixtures, do not simply go for the cheapest one you can find, as in this case you will usually get what you pay for. Cheaper appliances or fixtures simply do not have the lifespan or durability of higher quality plumbing appliances orfixtures, so they will need to be repaired more often or replaced sooner. In the long run, this will set you back more than buying a product of higher quality.
Hire plumbers who know their business
If you go for a seemingly cheaper plumber, who has to come to your place more than once to solve a problem that another plumber could have fixed on the first visit, the extra visit could add up to more than the cost of the plumber you deemed to be more expensive. Ensure the plumber you hire to get the job done is qualified. Always ask for references and look for online reviews. Deciding on the wrong plumbing company often means that the problem will not be solved properly or in a reasonable amount of time. If you want to avoid hidden costs, just ask for upfront pricing and learn about any extra costs excluded from the original price.
Have everything done in a single visit
If you perform a regular maintenance checklist, this will enable you to tell the plumber about anything else that can be taken care of during their visit. It might also be helpful to inform the plumber of any extra service you may need prior to their arrival so that they can have all parts or tools needed for the repairs. Addressing all problems in one visit could save you the cost of an additional service call.
Find discounts
Plumbers often offer specials and other deals to attract new customers or keep their existing ones. You may find a discount for the exact type of plumbing service you need or a discount on service in general.
Author Bio: Lillian Connors is a blogger and home improvement enthusiast ever so keen on doing various DIY projects around her house. She is also an online marketing consultant, closely collaborating with a number of Australian companies, the most prominent of which is currently Permanent Plumbing Solutions.
