Whether you know it or not, chances are good that you’re probably wasting water at home. Maybe it’s a leaky toilet, maybe it’s a slow drip from your sinks or maybe there’s a leak somewhere in your pipes you’re unaware of.
Regardless of where leaks might be coming from, there’s no doubt that they contribute to a lot of wasted water. It’s estimated that up to a trillion gallons of water is wasted every year and the average household accounts for up to 10,000 gallons of wasted water annually. What’s more, a leaky faucet wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water per year and 20 to 35 percent of household toilets leak to some degree.
So what can you do as a homeowner to eliminate those pesky household leaks? Finding the right plumber can do wonders when it comes to fixing your problem. Your household leaks will be eliminated and more than likely you’ll save money on your water bills.
You might consider yourself a handy man, but if you need help there are many benefits to finding the right plumber and here’s how you can find one:
- Network: When it comes to finding the right plumber, a great recommendation can go a long way. If you’re looking for a plumber, ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations. Many small businesses depend on referrals to keep a constant stream of business. As an added bonus, if you find a plumber who does a great job for you, you can pass on referrals for that service to someone else and you can also do repeat business with that place should you have any future needs.
- Research: Assuming you don’t have any urgent plumbing needs, doing some research can help you find the right plumber for your needs. You can search “plumbers near me” in the phone book, look at sites such as Angie’s List and ask folks you know for recommendations. You can take time to research what kind of licensing is needed from potential plumbers you might hire to complete the work you need done.
- Compare: Whatever kind of plumbing work you need done, it’s going to cost you some money. It helps to write down exactly what kind of work you need done and a list of questions you have. Once you’ve done that, you can call plumbers in your area to see if you can get a (hopefully) free estimate. You can also find out what a plumber’s rates rate (if they charge by the hour or by the day). You want to find the right plumber for the job, but if you’re on a budget, you’ll also want to keep an eye on your wallet.
- Inquire: You’ve likely heard the saying that there’s no such thing as a bad question. That’s especially true when it comes to plumbing services. The more questions you ask, the more knowledge you’re going to gain about how things work and how the plumber is going to complete the job. You’ll also get hit with few surprises by asking questions. Ask about a plumber’s licensing; ask how long they’ve been in business; ask if you’ll be protected if anything goes wrong. Anything you can think of, don’t be afraid to ask about it.
- Finalize: If you think you’ve found the right plumber, ask for an estimate in writing and review any contracts before you agree to have work done. Plumbers should actually insist on giving you an estimate in writing since it protects them as well as you. Confidence on both sides generally translates to quality work.
Finding the right plumber to complete the job you need isn’t always the easiest task. By taking time to do some research, get second opinions, asking a lot of questions and comparing estimates, you’ll be able to find the right plumber and you’ll be confident about the job they do, whether they’re doing professional sewer repair, fixing leaks or helping to fix another plumbing issues in your house.