There is nothing more distracting than a dripping faucet. It is bothersome, and it needs to be fixed and fixed soon. If you own a home, the thought of calling a plumber can be dreadful. Plumbing costs are a regular expense and are often a very costly one. We expect ordinary wear and tear on the property0 as part of the cost of home maintenance. Normal homeowner expenses include things like fixtures and fittings. When a plumbing problem strikes, though, it becomes essential to get it solved as quickly as possible. This often means we just grab the phone book and call the first plumber we can find.
You can save yourself some trouble and some money by doing a little research beforehand. Many minor plumbing problems are avoidable with some regular work and easily gained know-how. This is a much better choice than spending money unexpectedly on big problems. If you doubt that plumbing costs can be expensive, consider the following. Five times more claims are made on home insurance policies for water-related damage than damages related to fire, vandalism, or theft! Here are some tips to reduce the amount you’ll be spending on plumbing services.
1. Buy your own plumbing fixtures.
You will at some point have to get new plumbing equipment. This should be seen as a chance to reduce spending in at least two ways. First, you can buy water-saving gear for bath and kitchen usage. This helps you reduce your water usage. This is, of course, an environmental good but will also cut down on your water bills. It’s nice to do good and save money each month! The other reason for buying your own fixtures is so that you don’t pay the plumber’s markup price. If you need to have a plumber at your house for an estimate, you can ask what materials are needed. Then you can go purchase them yourself. If you do this, though, don’t go cheap. Quality is important. You don’t want to keep replacing the same thing over and over. That costs more than what you originally saved.
2. Learn to fix small things yourself.
Don’t be afraid of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) work. There are many minor plumbing issues you can easily fix yourself for a very low cost. It’s valuable to know how to fix something. This is true even if you don’t feel comfortable with doing the actual repair. For example, a leaky faucet is very common. Plumbers can make a lot of money charging for this service. With the right know-how, this can be fixed in a very short amount of time. The same thing is true for blocked drains. You can learn these skills by watching videos on the Internet or in other places.
3. Get it in writing!
While this point seems obvious, it can’t be overlooked. It’s easy to accept a quote in a phone or in-person conversation. The real eye-popper comes when the job is done, and the bill is due. Your plumber may insist that unexpected difficulty leads to a higher cost and that the estimate is just an estimate. Beforehand, ask the plumber what the hourly rate is and log the time they spend working. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have doubts about what you’re being charged for.
4. Knowledge is power
So you don’t want to go down the DIY path. The next best thing is knowing what to do. Knowledge gives you an advantage. Suppose you understand the basics of how the plumbing in your house works; handling a plumber becomes much easier. Having some know-how also makes choosing a plumber somewhat less of a guessing game. Finding guides to basic plumbing principles online is easy. Knowing these principles is useful for understanding the options a plumber is presenting to you. Or recognizing a good plumber from a bad one. Armed with knowledge, you are much less vulnerable to crooked plumbers if you have a home plumbing emergency.
5. Calling in the pros
You now realize you either don’t want to or can’t do it yourself. It’s now time to call in the professional. Where do you start? First, ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they know anyone good. In most major metropolitan areas, you can find a wide array of plumbers and companies that provide Fayetteville plumbing services. You want someone experienced who can tackle your particular job. Avoid going with someone just because they are cheap. There is nothing that costs more over the long run than a bad plumbing job. Be willing to pay for the experience.
6. Save time, save money
You’ve made the call, and help is on the way. While you are waiting, make sure your house is ready to be serviced. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate, and any interruptions to work are costs for you. Are your pipes easily accessible? Move furniture, boxes, or other things out of the way. If the sink is to be worked on, move everything from under the sink. Basement work? Move the couch, boxes, or other obstacles beforehand. Don’t pay to set up the plumber’s workspace. Also, remember to make sure all lighting works. Ensure that entering and exiting the basement is no problem.
