Are You Hiring the Right Plumber?

All plumbers are not created equal.  When you are hiring a plumber, you need to think about what it is you are trying to accomplish.  Some plumbers have only been trained in new construction.  They may not know how to take apart a faucet, repair a water heater, or perform other service work on your home’s plumbing.  Handyman often know even less, and you may end up paying twice when the first person, or two, does not have the knowledge required to repair your problem.  Finally, always make sure that the plumbing company you hire has the proper licenses and insurance required.  Don’t wait to ask until after they have accidentally flooded your home.

Watch for These Signs

Our sewer lines the majority of the time are out of sight and out of mind.  We rarely think of them until a problem arises, but there are signs that can help us catch a problem before it turns into a catastrophe.  Be on the lookout for strange gurgling sounds in your toilet, drains moving slowly without evidence of a clog, multiple clogs at once in different plumbing fixtures, patches of grass in your yard that are inexplicably greener than the rest of the yard, and unpleasant smells coming from your yard or basement.  If you experience any or all of these symptoms, have your system inspected promptly.  If there is an issue with your sewer line, the sooner it is repaired, the better.

To Flush or Not to Flush?

That is the question!  Even though those flushable wipes say they are flushable, are they?  While cleaning, make-up removing, and baby wipes definitely should not be flushed, even wipes that state they are flushable can take longer to break down and can end up wreaking havoc on your plumbing system.  The additional time it takes them to break apart can lead to clogs, sewer back-ups, city sewer issues, and can require you to pump your septic system more often.  What may seem like a great invention to some, may not be as advantageous for your plumbing system or your bank account!

Before You Install a New Water Heater…

Just because you aren’t getting hot water does not mean you need a new water heater.  If your water heater is new or newer there are cheaper repairs that need to be ruled out first.  If your water heater is brand new, make sure your thermostat is set correctly.  It may need nothing more than to be turned up.  If your water heater is electric, check your breaker and make sure you have power to the unit.  Your heater has a built in safety device that will turn off the power if it is overheating.  Usually, a new thermostat is all you will need to repair the water heater.  If your heater is a gas unit, make sure the pilot is lit.  If it won’t light, a new thermocouple may solve the problem.  Take the time to cross an inexpensive repair off your list before you replace your perfectly good water heater.

Review Your Contractor Before They Do the Work!

Finding a qualified plumber or contractor can be a challenge under any circumstance, but you can do more to protect yourself than just check reviews and testimonials. You need to make sure that the company you hire has all the proper licenses, insurances, and bonds in the event there are any problems with the job or on the job. Not only can the homeowner be responsible for any damages created by an unlicensed, uninsured company, they can also be sued to pay for the medical bills and expenses if the worker does not have workers compensation insurance and is injured performing the work.

Homeowners can log onto the Construction Contractors Board, CCB for short, and go to the licensee search to obtain a more comprehensive view of the company they are hiring. The CCB will provide the current insurance and bond information, tell you whether or not the contractor’s license is active, and let you know if the company has any outstanding claims or fines against them. It is mandatory that all construction companies in Oregon, including plumbing companies, post their CCB number, but you may also search using the company’s name or the owner’s name.  Have they changed their name and number multiple times in a few years?  This may be a warning sign.  Be wary of any contractor that does not have a CCB number posted, gives a bid that is unusually low, or demands to be paid in cash. Although the extra footwork may seem like a hassle, you don’t want to find out your contractor wasn’t licensed or insured after  he injures himself or you find out the work has problems.