Many homeowners are faced with some form of plumbing issue at one time or another. Whether you’ve woken up to no hot water, have a burst water pipe which requires immediate attention or even a leaky tap, plumbing issues need to be tackled by a professional.
Some handy homeowners have tried to resolve their plumbing problems themselves but have ended up causing more damage and a larger repair bill. So make sure you know when to call a professional plumber before making the situation worse.
Types of plumbing issues
Some of the most common plumbing issues a household may face are:
- Leaking tap
- Leaking pipes
- Blocked drains
- Smelly drains
- Low water pressure
- Running toilet
- No hot water
In some cases, you will need a plumber called out to repair an issue right away. Some of the most common, urgent plumbing issues include:
- A burst water pipe
- A serious leak or flooding
- Damage as a result of a storm
- A gas leak
- A broken or overflowing toilet
The warning signs
There is usually warning signs to look out for before something goes wrong with the plumbing in your house. Look out for the following indicators:
- Pipes that make a noise
- Water building up in the shower
- Water taking a long time to drain in the sink
- Gurgling sounds coming from the toilet
- An unusual spike in your water bill
- Constant running water in toilet
Should I fix the issue myself?
The short answer to this would be, no. Fair Trading NSW states:
“A licence is required before any plumbing, draining or gasfitting (including LP gasfitting) work can be undertaken in NSW, regardless of the cost of the work and regardless of whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial.”
You also could fall victim to similar DIY plumbing disasters to this.
Get the right help
House plumbing can be a complicated business and any attempt at DIY could simply worsen the problem. As costly as it may seem to call in a professional plumber to address the problem, it will be more than worth it to get the job done properly, and much cheaper than the cost of repairing a DIY fix gone wrong.
How to find a quality local plumber
Don’t just reply on a word of mouth referral. There are lots of plumbers these days ready to offer their services. With so many plumbers out there, it’s a good idea to spend some time researching a plumber with a good track record you can rely on.
- Start your research online – The internet is a good place to start! Look for a plumber who has a website you can easily gather information from. Don’t forget you can also look at places such as the online business classifieds or internet forums related to plumbing.
- Read the reviews – Reviews can be found in a Google search or even via Facebook on the plumbers business page. Look for a plumber who has a good track record, is known to be reliable and has demonstrated good workmanship.
- Give them a call – A phone call is a great way to get to know your plumber and ask for a quote. Here are a few questions you can ask to gauge their experience:
– What references they have in your area
– What licences and qualifications they have
– If they have experience dealing with your particular plumbing issue - Follow up the references – If it’s a big job, it may be worth asking for some references. Be sure to follow up on them and contact these past customers for their thoughts on the job done and it’s accuracy. We highly recommend you contact at least three or four references to get a broad idea of what you can expect. Many people decide not to chase up on references for various reasons but this should be the final confirmation that you have chosen a good plumber to solve your house plumbing issues.
Solving the issue
Once you have found your reputable and professional plumber, you can rest assured the problem is going to be solved and the job will be done the right way from the start!