Unless you’ve taken living off of the grid to extremes and you’re getting your water from a well or nearby stream, and an outhouse is your bathroom—at some point, you’re going to need a plumber.
However, how do you know when the plumbing job is an easy DIY fix or when it requires the expertise of a professional? Furthermore, if you need a professional, how do you know which company to choose?
When it comes to finding someone to help with your plumbing Loveland, CO, these are common questions to ask. To help guide you, here’s what makes a great plumbing company and you should know about when to hire a plumber and how to find the best one.
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When Isn’t Your Plumbing Problem a DIY Project
Sure, repairing plumbing problems yourself can be less expensive than hiring a professional plumber. After all, you’re not paying yourself an hourly rate or charging for labor.
Just head over to the local home improvement store, grab the necessary parts and tools, and pretty soon, your plumbing issue won’t be a problem. This approach is fine for leaky faucets, and you may even be able to fix a leaking toilet, but some projects are best left to the professionals.
Low Water Pressure
When only a trickle of water is coming out of an open faucet, you’re probably experiencing issues with low water pressure. You may have a blockage in your water pipe or a poorly designed supply line. An experienced plumber can easily diagnose and locate the problem.
No Hot Water
Temperatures can turn pretty chilly in Loveland, CO, and cold showers are rarely appreciated. When your hot water goes out, it can be caused by several factors. Your electric water heater may be on its way out, or you have a faulty thermostat, and this issue may be with your circuit breakers. Regardless of the cause, only a licensed plumber should work on any electrical components.
Toilet Frequently Overflows
Toilets get clogged, it’s just a basic part of life. Sometimes, a plunger is all you need to resolve the problem—however, if this is a persistent issue, then it’s time to call a plumber. Your sewer lines may have a clog, or your drainage pipe could potentially be blocked. These types of repairs require specialized tools you can’t find at a local hardware store.
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a common problem in Loveland; the temperature often drops below freezing in the winter. When your pipes freeze, breaks, leaks, and cracks are common. A skilled plumber can repair the damage and safely unfreeze your pipes. If part of the pipe needs replacing, a plumber can easily take care of the problem.
Blockages in Sewer Lines
Blockages in sewer lines can be a health hazard—this is not a DIY repair, you will want to call a professional plumber. A common cause of blockages is tree roots growing into the lines over time. Oftentimes, it requires special equipment to remove the blockage without further damaging the sewer lines. If repairs are necessary, your plumber can also handle this.
Discolored Water
Every now and then, you may notice the water from the faucet is slightly discolored, which can be normal and should dissipate in a couple of minutes.
If the discoloration persists, you may have contaminants in your water supply, which can include pollen, pollution, and other airborne particles. To ensure you have a clean, safe supply of water, it’s best to have a plumber inspect your plumbing.
What Makes a Great Plumbing Company
Finding a plumber in Loveland, CO, isn’t difficult, and a quick online search will bring up several options to sort through. However, you want the best plumber working on your plumbing issue, so how do you know if it’s a great or mediocre service?
Experience Matters
When you’re looking for a plumber, check the number of years they’ve been in business. While you can have a great experience with a plumber just starting, it’s usually best to look for one with around a decade of experience on the job.
This can give you a little more peace of mind and may be necessary for more complex plumbing projects.
Does the Company Have a Website
If the plumbing company doesn’t have a website, this can be a red flag since they may be new to the industry or don’t want to advertise negative reviews online. For your safety and to ensure a successfully completed project, try to choose a plumber with a current and active website.
Compare Pricing
The plumber you choose should offer competitive pricing. There’s nothing wrong with finding a great deal, but you probably don’t want to go with a lowball offer. There’s also no reason to go with the highest-priced company.
Try to find a plumber with prices comfortably in the middle. This way, you know they have access to the necessary equipment and are hiring skilled and professional personnel.
Read Consumer Reviews
As you’re browsing the plumbing company’s website, check out their customer review page. If there isn’t one, go ahead and treat it as a red flag, which can either mean the plumbing service hasn’t completed any projects worth reviewing or consumer comments are overwhelmingly negative.
Don’t automatically count a plumbing company out if there are a couple of negative reviews, as this is perfectly normal for any business. Remember, you can’t please everyone, and this also applies to plumbers.
If there are negative reviews, try to see if the company responded and tried to rectify the problem, as this indicates the company cares about their customers and their professional reputation.
Do They Use the Latest Techniques and Equipment
If a plumber shows up with only a flashlight and a drain snake, it’s probably a good indication they’re not current with the latest industry advances.
Go ahead and look for another plumbing service.
Most companies will highlight their techniques and equipment on their websites, and you can also ask when you call for a project estimate.
Something else to ask is employee training. Does the company continuously train its employees as technology and techniques continue to advance?
Hire A Plumber with Confidence
Some plumbing problems require professional assistance, and you want to go with the best company.
Research the techniques and equipment they routinely use, and don’t forget to read the consumer reviews.
With a little research and a bit of due diligence you can confidently hire the best plumber for your plumbing needs.
