| Did you know that in 2010, the plumbing industry | | | | 3. How long have they been in business? Experience |
| introduced a global day of recognition called World | | | | does count. A plumbing service familiar with your |
| Plumbing Day? According to Robert Burgon, Chairman | | | | problems will not be stopped short by having to |
| of the World Plumbing Council, "...we simply want to | | | | research solutions. |
| make more and more people realize that plumbing is | | | | 4. Will your potential plumber provide you with a |
| a significant industry and a major contributor to public | | | | satisfied customer list and testimonials? There is |
| health and the environment." The first ever World | | | | nothing more valuable than hearing what others have |
| Plumbing Day was celebrated on March 11, 2010. | | | | to say. Ask. The company may have its' own web |
| Is Your Plumber Actually Qualified? | | | | site too, a place where you can browse around to |
| Plumbers are responsible for installing and maintaining | | | | get some answers to your questions, and client lists |
| fixtures for residential, commercial and industrial | | | | are often posted there. |
| clients. They also must know how to repair water | | | | 5. What sort of first impression do you get when |
| drainage and heating pipes and many take care of | | | | you make the first telephone call? Are the staff |
| hygiene and waste removal systems as well. All this | | | | members friendly and helpful? The attitude of the |
| takes training - years of training. | | | | company personnel in addressing your concerns will |
| Did you know that plumbers generally have to serve | | | | begin with the first phone call and carry over to |
| 5 years of apprenticeship? Moreover, the most | | | | dealing with the technicians themselves in any |
| successful plumbers possess high mechanical | | | | necessary follow-ups. |
| aptitudes, extraordinary manual dexterity and solid | | | | 6. How do they handle appointments? Can you get |
| math and problem-solving skills, as well as being able | | | | an estimated time of arrival so that you are not |
| to work in small, cramped areas. | | | | waiting by the door all day long? |
| Help! We Need a Plumber Now! | | | | 7. There was a television advertisement where "Pete |
| It is certainly true that most Americans don't even | | | | the Plumber" actually walked the family dog! By all |
| think about the plumbing in their homes or businesses | | | | means - look for a plumber who cares - someone |
| until something goes wrong and panic prevails. Will we | | | | who interacts with you on a personal level. That's a |
| be able to get someone out here in time? How much | | | | person who doesn't just specialize in bathroom |
| will they charge? How do we find a reputable | | | | plumbing, but who also understands people and their |
| plumbing company? What do we do now? | | | | needs. |
| There is a definite element of fear about finding and | | | | It is said that plumbing contractors are the highest |
| calling a plumber except for those folks who are | | | | paid technicians in the construction and building |
| lucky enough to use the same one time and time | | | | industries, but many offer discounts and even |
| again, feel sure of the quality of service, and know | | | | coupons, and are dedicated to charging reasonable |
| that they will not be overcharged. When time is | | | | and fair prices. Take the time to do a little research in |
| critical and you don't even know where to begin, | | | | advance to determine competitive pricing in your |
| searching for a plumber becomes a major challenge. | | | | area. If you are not in a panic, you will be able to |
| What should you look for? And what should you | | | | calmly assess qualifications and expertise and have |
| ask? | | | | those telephone numbers handy. Advance planning will |
| Questions for Your Plumber and Yourself | | | | give you a definite edge. |
| | | | The more you hear and the more you see, the more |
| 1. Is the plumber on-call 24/7 for emergencies? This is | | | | you realize the degree of professionalism required for |
| a huge plus for critical situations. When you need a | | | | your local plumber to fix or install the fixtures and the |
| plumber it's usually right now. | | | | pipes, and repair the drainage problems in your home |
| 2. Is the plumber licensed in your state? It can't hurt | | | | or business. |
| to ask and even to request their license number. A | | | | When you look around your home or your workplace |
| licensed qualified plumber has to meet strict | | | | and everything's working smoothly - well, your |
| regulations in order to practice the trade. | | | | plumber may have had a lot to do with it. |