Plumbing Terms to Know

At Tiger Plumbing Services we know sometimes clients don’t understand our “plumber lingo”. What is common knowledge to our plumbing experts may not be common knowledge to you. (Just like if we were talking to a rocket scientist…well, we’d probably be lost in their terminology!)  That’s why we’re here to break it down for you …whether you’re talking to a Tiger Plumbing expert or just reading a DIY how-to, here are some common plumbing terms to help you out (and will give you a leg up in that next trivia tournament with your friends!):

If you come across some plumbing jargon not listed below, feel free to give us a call and ask us at 1-866-TIGER70

• Air Chambers: Pressure absorbing devices that eliminate water hammer. They should be installed as close as possible to the valves or faucet and at the end of long runs of pipe.

• Air Gap (Drainage System): The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of a water pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which it is discharging.

• Air Gap (Water Distribution System): The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.

• Air Lock: An air lock is a bubble of air which restricts the flow of water in a pipe.

• Backflow: The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply from any source or sources other than the intended source. Back siphonage is one type of backflow.

• Back Siphonage: The flowing back of used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a potable water supply due to a negative pressure in the pipe.

• Branch: Any part of the piping system other than the main, riser, or stack.

• Branch Vent: A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack.

• Building Drain: The part of the lowest piping of a drainage system that receives the discharge from soil, waste, or other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building (house) and conveys it to the building sewer beginning 3 feet outside the building wall.

• Cross Connection: Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas, or chemical whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems. (See Backflow and Back siphonage.)

• Disposal Field: An area containing a series of one or more trenches lined with coarse aggregate and conveying the effluent from the septic tank through vitrified clay Pine or perforated, non-metallic pipe, laid in such a manner that the flow will be distributed with reasonable uniformity into natural soil.

• Drain: Any pipe that carries waste water or water-borne waste in a building (house) drainage system.

• Flood Level Rim: The top edge of a receptacle from which water overflows.

• Flushometer Valve: A device that discharges a predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes and is closed by direct water pressures.

• Flush Valve: A device located at the bottom of the tank for flushing water closets and similar fixtures.

• Grease Trap: See Interceptor.

• Hot Water: Potable water that is heated to at least 120°F and used for cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, and bathing.

• Unsanitary: Contrary to sanitary principles injurious to health.

• Interceptor: A device designed and installed so as to separate and retain deleterious, hazardous, or undesirable matter from normal wastes and permit normal sewage or liquid wastes to discharge into the drainage system by gravity.

• Leader: An exterior drainage pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to the building storm drain, combined building sewer, or other means of disposal.

• Main Vent: The principal artery of the venting system, to which vent branches may be connected.

• Main Sewer: See Public Sewer.

• Pneumatic: The word pertains to devices making use of compressed air as in pressure tanks boosted by pumps.

• Potable Water: Water having no impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming in its bacteriological and chemical quality to the requirements of the Public Health Service drinking water standards or meeting the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction.

• P & T (Pressure and Temperature) Relief Valve: A safety valve installed on a hot water storage tank to limit temperature and pressure of the water.

• P Trap: A trap with a vertical inlet and a horizontal outlet.

• Public Sewer: A common sewer directly controlled by public authority.

• Relief Vent: An auxiliary vent that permits additional circulation of air in or between drainage and vent systems.

• Septic Tank: A watertight receptacle that receives the discharge of a building’s sanitary drain system or part thereof and is designed and constructed so as to separate solid from the liquid, digest organic matter through a period of detention, and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside of the tank through a system of open-joint or perforated piping, or through a seepage pit.

• Sewerage System: A sewerage system comprises all piping, appurtenances, and treatment facilities used for the collection and disposal of sewage, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served and the building drain.

• Soil Pipe: The pipe that directs the sewage of a house to the receiving sewer, building drain, or building sewer.

• Soil Stack: The vertical piping that terminates in a roof vent and carries off the vapors of a plumbing system.

• Stack Vent: An extension of a solid or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack. Sometimes called a waste vent or a soil vent.

• Storm Sewer: A sewer used for conveying rain water, surface water, condensate. cooling water, or similar liquid waste.

• Trap: A trap is a fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affecting the flow of sewage or waste water through it.

• Vacuum Breaker: A device to prevent backflow (back siphonage) by means of an opening through which air may be drawn to relieve negative pressure (vacuum).

• Vent Stack: The vertical vent pipe installed to provide air circulation to and from the drainage system and that extends through one or more stories.

• Water Hammer: The loud thump of water in a pipe when a valve or faucet is suddenly closed.

• Water Service Pipe: The pipe from the water main or other sources of potable water supply to the water-distributing system of the building served.

• Water Supply System: The water supply system consists of the water service pipe, the water-distributing pipes, the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves, and all appurtenances in or adjacent to the building or premises.

• Wet Vent: A vent that receives the discharge of waste other than from water closets.

• Yoke Vent: A pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to a vent stack for the purpose of preventing pressure changes in the stacks.

We hope you found these terms helpful and just a little interesting.  Let’s face it, when you’re in the middle of a plumbing emergency it’s always nice to be armed with useful information – and we love knowledgeable clients!

Blue Man Group Loves Leftover Plumbing Supplies – And So Should You!

Have you ever tried a do-it-yourself plumbing job only to give up and call a professional like Tiger Plumbing?  (C’mon, it’s okay to admit it!)  Well, those ventures usually result in all kinds of leftover materials that leave you saying, “What do I do with all this stuff?!”

Believe it or not, there’s an opportunity to take these plumbing-related materials and add both a unique touch to your décor while “going green” in the process.  That’s right, you can save your hard-earned green by reusing plumbing materials such as copper pipes, PVC pipes, and toilet paper rolls.

Repurposing old things is a great way to protect the environment (and your wallet!)  Maybe the crew at Tiger Plumbing is a bit biased, but we think nothing makes a cooler looking wind chime than some leftover copper pipes.

But, aside from our copper pipe wind chimes, one of the most amazing things we’ve ever seen done with PVC piping was at the Blue Man Group show. The BMG is a live-show where the actors rely on a lot of pipes (and paint). Check out them using an adjustable pipe as a drum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOL8-qIYemg&feature=related  Pretty awesome, right?

If you surf the web, you’ll see people who have done all sorts of inventive things like making in-car laptop tables using PVC (we want one!), toilet paper holders made from copper, wine racks made of PVC pipes, and we even found a woman who makes mini-photo albums out of leftover toilet paper rolls.

Oh, and if you have a hedgehog you can reuse your toilet paper rolls as toys for your pet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIhA-hMsuGQ.

In this day and age we’re all a little more frugal than our parents’ generation.   Saving money by repurposing things is an inventive and cost-effective way to save money and give life to something that would’ve otherwise found its way into a dumpster.

Do you have any ideas for reusing plumbing materials?  We’d love to hear your ideas!

Go Green: Tips to Conserve Water & Save a Little Green

Lately if you’ve been following us on Twitter, you would have noticed that we have been posting a lot of water-conserving tips for our followers. Why? Because we like to save our customers money, and water is slated to be the next “oil boom.” What does that mean? It means that pain you feel at the pump will within a few decades be felt when you pick up your water bill.

So to keep your costs low and your wallets full, we have put together this list of water-conserving and money-saving tips:

• 1) Routinely check your Toilet for Leaks: Put dye tablets or food coloring in the tank. If the dye is showing in the toilet bowl without flushing, then you have a leak. A leak which can be wasting up to 400 gallons a month.
• 2) Water Your Yard in the Morning: The cooler temperatures lead to less evaporation and more water for your lawn. Don’t water them at night though; it can cause bacteria and fungi growth on your grass and plants.
• 3) Turn off your tap: You’ve heard it a thousand times; turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth. Every minute you leave the faucet on you’re wasting two gallons a minute. The same goes for when you’re shaving, washing dishes, and anything else that involves a faucet.
• 4) Go to a Pro-Car Wash: Sure it seems cheaper to wash your car in your driveway, but commercial car washes use water more efficiently. These car washes use 45 gallons on average per car whereas the typical DIY-washer uses between 80-140 gallons. Big difference! If you do wash your car at home, park it on your lawn and knock two birds out with one stone by watering your lawn and washing your car at the same time!
• 5) Low-Flow is the Way to Go: Low-flow toilets and showerheads are fantastic, because they do the same job as say… A regular showerhead or toilet but with less water. A low-flow showerhead can cut your bathing-water usage down over 50%. A low-flush toilet only uses 1.5 gallons of water per flush. Just think of all the savings!
• 6) Fix that leak! Sure you can tune out the sounds of a leaky faucet, but you’ll regret not fixing it sooner when your water bill comes around. A leaky faucet can waste around 3 gallons of water a day! Every drop adds up, and if you need help fixing your leaks don’t forget Tiger Plumbing services has you covered from Belleville to Alton and everywhere in between.

Follow even just a few of these six tips and your water bill should be cut down sooner than you know it, and when (or if) water becomes more expensive than oil; you’ll already be in the habit of water conserving activities. As usual, if you need any more tips or help installing a new low-flush toilet or low-flow showerhead just call us at Tiger Plumbing Services (1-866-TIGER70).

Summer Tips to Keep the Plumbers at Bay

The kids are in the backyard playing, you’re making lemonade for the neighbors… Why, when it is summertime and the living’s easy, it is common to forget to check up on your home’s plumbing. But no worries my friend, Tiger Plumbing has you covered for the summer with these simple tips. And if you want one of our specialists to inspect your home for you, don’t forget to call us at 1-866-TIGER70. When you want ghosts removed you call the Ghostbusters, when you want your plumbing system in tip-top shape you call Tiger Plumbing – Simple as that.

• Are you jet-setting around the country this summer? We know traveling can get pricey, and there’s nothing everyone loves more than some spare cash to spend (or save). So before you leave turn down the temperature on your water heater. Turning your water heater just 20 degrees lower can save 10% or more off of your electric bill. And in the summer, who says you need water that hot? Keep it down and save even more cash!

• After being holed up in the house all winter, you’re bound to soak up as much sun as you can. For you, that might mean lounging poolside; but if you have kids (or you’re a kid at heart) this can mean muddy and grass-stained clothes to wash. With more clothes to wash, make sure your water hoses are free of bulges, leaks, or cracks. And even though the nice weather tempts you to go out exploring, never leave your house while your washer is running.

• There’s something magical about the first time you bring out the grill for the summer. Why? Because it officially means it is BBQ season. For those of you with kitchen disposals, while your tummy might be begging for some more food, your drains certainly aren’t.  BBQ staples such as cornhusks, celery, and banana peels are among the fibrous and stringy foods bound to clog up your drain. Make sure you run cold water 15 seconds before and after you use your disposal.

So follow our tips, and enjoy your summer. Don’t forget if you need us, we’re here and if you don’t need us… Well, we will be around just in case.

Bathroom Cleaning Made Easy

Everyone’s least favorite space to clean is the bathroom, but with some helpful tips you can have your bathroom looking good as new in no time. We found these tricks of the trade to help get you started.

• Get it Together:Organize all of your cleaning products for easy access, and you will be able to tackle any mess! Nothing is worse than misplacing your cleaning gloves!
• Warm Up: Before you begin scrubbing that shower, let some hot water run for a couple of minutes. The steam will loosen up all of the mess, allowing faster cleaning time.
• Make it Shine: Make all of your faucets and fixtures sparkle with a microfiber cloth.
• Ring it Out: If you have rings on your toilet bowl use a pumice stick to remove them from the porcelain.
• Give it a Toss: Shower liners can get tend to get moldy. You can toss it out and get a new one, or toss it in the washer with an old towel, run with hot water, and hang to dry.
• Prevent Spots: Coat your glass shower door with Rain-X to keep stubborn water spots from appearing.
• Sleepy Clean: Let your toilet clean itself while you get some shuteye. Just pour one cup of vinegar in your toilet bowl before you hit the sack. In the morning simply give it a quick brush and then flush. That’s what we call multi-tasking!
• Clear it Out: Go ahead and throw away that bottle of shampoo that you aren’t using anymore. Chances are you aren’t going to touch it again. Anything that is not used on a weekly basis should not be in visible sight. Getting rid of all the old toiletries and bottles will make your bathroom look cleaner in seconds!
• Go Green: So, this really isn’t a cleaning tip, but installing a water-saving shower head can save a family of four up to $250! That means you will have extra money to spend in the time you saved cleaning the bathroom.

Now that you have all the tricks to making your bathroom shine it is time to get to work. For more helpful tips on cleaning your bathroom visit www.thenest.com, and remember if you come across any plumbing problems that you can’t handle just give Tiger Plumbing a call!

Why You Need Stainless Steel Washing Machine Hoses

If you ask most people, they might tell you that the convenience of doing laundry at home is far from “convenient”. Yet,it does beat taking it to the river, beating it on a rock or scrubbing it on a washboard, and then hanging it from a tree to dry. Today’s homeowner has a “toss it in, toss to dryer, and then remove” mentality. Following the initial investment of washer and dryer units, many homeowners forget basic maintenance of their laundry room.

State Farm Insurance cites broken washing machine hoses as one of the leading reasons for homeowner claims each year. If this seems strange to you, then you should know that traditional machine hoses can wear out, burst and allow water to fill your home. Furthermore, water hammer problems can increase the likelihood that your hoses will wear out sooner than later.

Traditional washing machine hoses are made of thick rubber that can expand and contract from water filling and emptying the machine. Over time, the hoses can begin to break down in elasticity, causing them to eventually burst. Unfortunately, most homeowners are not aware of this fact and will allow rubber washing machine hoses to go unchecked for years, sometimes decades before inspecting them. For those who are aware of the fact that hoses can become worn and brittle, it may be extremely difficult to access the hoses behind large,heavy washer and dryer units. This can be especially true for older persons or persons with disabilities.

A good solution for the problem of old rubber washing machine hoses, even so called “reinforced hoses” is to replace your traditional rubber washing machine hoses with stainless steel mesh hoses, sometimes referred to as “NO-BURST” hoses. These mesh covered hoses act as a sleeve and keep the plastic tubing inside from expanding and contracting from changes in water pressure and hot and cold temperature changes. Think of the sleeve as a giant python that squeezes the hose to keep its shape instead of allowing the water pressure inside to expand it.

Stainless steel mesh hoses are readily available at your area home improvement center or local hardware store. The professional plumbing technicians at Tiger Plumbing Services, which serves the communities of Madison and St. Clair County in IL, can quickly install these hoses for those unable to reach the hoses or unsure as to how to change them. It is possible that you can replace the hoses yourself. Either way, you will also be getting the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are one simple home improvement project closer to saving yourself and family from a possible water disaster.

One last note of caution; No type or brand of washing machine hose is impervious to leaks or rupture. Even a stainless steel mesh braided hose is susceptible to rupture when not properly connected and periodically inspected for leaks or tears to the mesh. Having your home inspected by a professional plumber annually or at least every few years is your best course of action to ensure the safety of your home and family valuables from flood damage.

Warm Water, Warm Wallet, and Warm Heart

Insulating pipes as well as your water heater can help you save on your energy bills. A water heater blanket is simply a specially formed blanket of insulation that you fit over and around your hot water heater to maintain temperature when not in use. Plumbing insulation helps heated water inside the pipes to stay as warm as possible. Think of it like this,running hot water through cold pipes causes the water inside to cool down. By the time water reaches its destination, you may have to add more hot water to maintain the temperature you want. Thus, the water heater uses additional energy to heat more water and you are wasting energy and spending more money than you want to spend.

The National Renewable Energy Labs show that 15 to 25 percent of your home’s energy cost is used to heat water. That’s a big percentage of your energy costs. If you are trying to find ways to save on your fuel costs, (and who isn’t these days), adding a water heater blanket and insulating your water pipes is a small way you make a difference in your expenses.

I often have customers ask about little things they can do to save money in their homes when they just don’t have the resources to make major investments such as the incredibly energy efficient tankless water heaters we offer. If you have found yourself in this situation and won’t be able to take advantage of the great tax incentives available on Energy Star rated energy efficient tankless water heaters, adding a hot water heater blanket and insulation to your pipes could be a good money saving idea for you.

Water heater insulating blankets and the insulation recommended for wrapping your pipes are all available at prices that can pay for themselves in just a couple months of energy savings. In fact, if you know the amounts and sizes, you can probably pick this up at your local home center. I would strongly recommend that you ask a professional plumber, like the trained specialists at Tiger Plumbing Services in Madison and St. Clair Counties in IL, to do this for you to ensure that you properly install both the water heater blanket and the pipe insulation. Sure, it really isn’t hard but the improper placement of a blanket near the heating element can cause serious or even deadly consequences. Many DIY-ers have actually caused more harm than good to their home’s plumbing simply because they really had no clue what they were doing.

Insulating your home’s traditional hot water heater and the pipes carrying that water throughout your home is a good idea. The small savings each month on your home’s energy expenses can really add up. If it were me, I would try to bank that difference to eventually upgrade to a tankless water heater to really boost your energy savings. It’s a small step towards making your home and your wallet more green.

Is Your House Haunted? Or Is It Your Pipes?

Starting to think your house is haunted? Do you hear loud banging noises coming from your walls, floors, or basement? Before you call an exorcist, try calling a plumber.

The noise you are hearing may be a situation known as Water Hammer. Water Hammer occurs when flowing water is suddenly stopped. When water rushing through pipes suddenly hits a closed valve, a loud banging occurs which can cause a loud, wall-shaking bang and could cause extensive damage to your pipes. I even found one example that explained it like this: “Think of a speeding car slamming into a brick wall”. Yikes! Over time, you can see how the repeated water pressure slamming back into pipes could cause serious damage to your pipes, causing them to leak or rupture.

A few of the most common causes of Water Hammer include:
Improper pipe sizes for your water pressure.
Unusually high water pressure from your supplier or well pumps with no pressure-reducing valve.
Pipe straight runs that are long without any bends.
Poorly secured pipes.
Well, now that we have ruled out the supernatural, it’s good to know some possible solutions to the problem.

Older homes have often been fitted with air chambers fitted with risers that can become waterlogged and may need to be cleared manually of debris from hard water, bacteria, and other mineral buildup. When they have become waterlogged though, it is time for replacement with a newer device to help alleviate water pressure. In most cases, newer homes are not equipped with air chambers due to the health risks of bacteria build up on water deposits and inability to get to the chambers inside walls without causing extensive
damages and costs. In some cases, a professional plumber may advise a pressure regulating valve be added to your piping. A pressure regulator monitors and adjusts accordingly to your home’s water pressure. Many municipalities now require these devices to be installed as a safety precaution.

If you hear the loud banging water hammer noises, it is best to contact a reputable, professional plumber such as Tiger Plumbing Services to find the point of origin for the noise and to explain the options in greater detail for you. If the plumber says it isn’t Water Hammer, then you may indeed be haunted.

Remodel: A Quick & Easy Idea for Updating your Bath on a Budget

The fastest, easiest and least expensive option for a bathroom remodel is to take a look at what you have and you like, keep it; and then set to changing the things you don’t like.  The beauty of any bathroom remodel, large or small, is to take what you already have and combine it with newer options that make your room more efficient and enjoyable. Take for example, the classic bungalow styled home built in the 1940′s that I was fortunate enough to own for several years.

The homes’ small bath boasted a cast iron tub, bright white fixtures and a small cabinet mounted sink. I was even fortunate enough to have glazed ceramic tile in great condition.  I adored the large cast iron tub, just perfect for evening soaks, that allowed me to sit leisurely, a book in hand, candle softly flickering, keeping my water a perfect temperature. I found the glossy ceramic tile a dream to clean with an easy once a week scrub. I also liked the lovely glass block window that allowed morning light to spill in while getting ready for my day but provided enough coverage to block passers-by a view inside. Yes, that little pink cottage bath was actually quite enjoyable in some ways.

However, the bath did have some problems. The tub was cursed with some stains of unknown origin and scratches, old and ugly faucet fixtures, ceramic tile that was Pepto Bismol pink, and the only storage available was inside the vanity cabinet. The only solution was to move. Well, not exactly. I didn’t move to a new home; I moved into a plan of action that would allow me to update my small bath in the least amount of time on an equally small budget. With $500 dollars and a weekend to work with, I began a modest little bath renovation. I began with the vanity area. The primary source of my frustration was a lack of storage, a dated and worn looking faucet, and the original contractor grade mirror. Despite the great natural light in the bath, the original ceiling fixture was dated and actually rather ugly. All of these needs were applied to a shopping list.

• 2 Faucets
• A Mirrored Medicine Cabinet for added storage
• Modern Lighting
• Storage Bins
• A 2 rod towel bar
• Professional grade tub cleaner
• I also decided to spruce up the vanity further by adding new hardware if my budget would allow.

And voila’, 2 days later with my purchases applied and a quickly scheduled appointment with Tiger Plumbing Services, which services Collinsville and the surrounding Madison and St. Clair County communities, I was looking at a much nicer and newer version of my cozy little bathroom.

It actually was a pretty simple process. Just some modern updates, some serious elbow grease on the tub and tiles, and it was beautiful. The price of the plumber to install the faucets was the biggest cost of course, but the peace of mind that came with knowing I was saving time and the cost of purchasing tools for the job made the decision to call in a pro an easy one.

I loved that little bath. Later, I eventually decided on wallpaper to compliment with the pink tile instead of tearing it all down and replacing it. A matching shower curtain made the room feel larger even though it wasn’t. I eventually sold that home and got top dollar back before the real estate market tumbled. I like to think that the nice “vintage modern” styling of the bathroom contributed to the fast sale of that house. Whatever the reason though, I just know that it was easy to do and I miss it sometimes.

5 Things To Know When Hiring a Plumber

Hiring a plumber is often a quick decision for many homeowners. When a plumbing problem occurs, most homeowners will grab a local phonebook or search an online directory for the list of available options. Sometimes the decision is an adaquate choice, sometimes it is not. If you have ever paid high plumbing prices for work that later proved to be unsatisfactory and required yet another plumbing call, you know the value in making the best choice the first time.

Knowing some simple things to ask before hiring a plumber can save you money and a big headache later.

1. Pay attention to the way your call or inquiry is responded to. Is your call answered by someone who seems interested in your problem? Are policies, service fees, or other information explained to you at the time of your call? Does the person taking your inquiry ask you questions about the problem or the severity of the issue? Finally, does the person on the call or responding to your online Request For Service seem to want to help you? If you can’t say “yes” to these questions, then you should keep looking.

2. Did your plumber or service technician arrive on time? To some people, this may seem silly. However, if you arrange a window of time for the appointment and your plumber doesn’t arrive, it is within your right as a consumer to keep looking or call another plumber. Now, I don’t mean that if your technician arrives 2 minutes late, you should refuse to let him or her do the work for you. What I do mean, however, if your plumber is supposed to be at your business or residence and they can’t pick up the phone to tell you they are running 30 minutes or more late from another service call, they probably aren’t able to understand complicated plumbing issues well enough to fix your problem anyway. A reputable and customer service oriented plumbing company will contact you or have someone representing the company such as a dispatcher contact to notify you of a problem and allow you to decide how you want to proceed.

3. Does your technician greet you at the door and take precautions to ensure the safety and security of your home and family by wearing proper uniform, company identification such as a company marked vehicle and photo identification? Know who you are letting into your home. Many reputable companies will let you know in their advertising that their employees are background checked, drug tested, licensed, and insured so you know that the plumber entering your home is qualified and safe to have in your home and around your loved ones.

4. Does the plumber seem comfortable answering your questions? Does he or she seem interested in what measures you may have already taken to correct the problem, if any? Does he pay attention to what you are saying? Unless water is pouring from your walls or ceiling, you don’t want a plumber who is going to charge in like a bull without asking you any questions or providing you with any information first. What about written estimates or up front pricing information. If the plumber charges by the hour, what is the hourly rate? How are partial hours determined? Does the rate include parts? If not, what will those costs be? If the plumbing technician quotes you a rate, such as in the case of contractors who charge by the job, not by the hour, ask if that price includes parts and equipment. What happens to flat rate pricing if they run into problems during the job? Knowing this information up front is a sign of a reputable plumber. You may not like the amount, (who likes to spend good money for less than fun things?) but you should know the amount up front with no hidden charges.

5. Lastly, does the plumber make recommendations to you on other possible issues? Does he or she offer you ways to cut costs such as Service Club Memberships, online discounts, or tell you where to look for valuable coupons in order to save you money on your next call? Does he or she let you know how to reach him when he leaves in case of a problem? Many reputable companies will want to put stickers on your water heaters, tag your water supply lines, and/or provide you with magnets or business cards so you can get ahold of them when you need a plumber again. Having this information can be very helpful and can provide you with great peace of mind the next time you need to consider a plumbing professional.

Following these guidelines will ensure that you hire the right plumber for your job. Feel free to shop around if possible. You will quickly see the difference between a bad plumbing company and a good one.