What Is a Plumber, And When Might You Need One?

Imagine that you're comfortably snuggled up on your living room sofa watching a movie,  and you can’t help but hear the most annoying sound coming from the kitchen - the sound of drip drops. Any homeowner dislikes that noise with the passion of a thousand suns because they know what it means – there's a leak somewhere in the house. It's one of those cases when you probably should not DIY yourself out of (unless you're a plumber), because identifying the leak source requires the professional skills of a plumber.  

The water dripping sound may not seem like a big deal, but it could be the beginning of a major issue. It's better to call your local plumber, just to make sure that you have nothing to worry about. Even if it turns out that the leaking problem is easily fixable, checking the plumbing system is always a good idea – it's an essential part of house maintenance. Of course, plumbers do more than eliminate gas and water leaks.

What Is a Plumber?

A Professional Plumber Helps to Maintain the House In Tact

Plumbers are usually associated with people who are dressed in denim overalls, have a bag of tools with them, and usually fix a pipe under the kitchen sink. That’s not far from reality, but their job is a little more complex than that. They install and repair the “arteries” of the house - gas and water pipes. Without a plumbing system, you can’t install bathroom amenities, such as bathtubs, sinks, and toilets, besides your kitchen — hence, your house can’t fully function. 

What Type of Jobs Does a Plumber Do?

Plumbers Install And Maintain The Water And Gas Pipes

Thanks to many ongoing construction projects, plumbers are always in high demand. Their plumbing services may vary, but the main responsibilities include:

• Assembling, installing, and maintaining the water and gas pipelines;
• Testing the plumbing system;
• Repairing pipes if necessary;
• Getting rid of blockages in toilets, sinks, bathtubs;
• Troubleshooting issues and figuring out how to fix them;
• Estimating the approximate cost for the services.

When Might You Need a Plumber?

Pipes Might Burst During The Winter Period

Whether you’re renovating your house, building a new one, installing new appliances, or doing maintenance work, you will naturally want to call a professional plumber. However, the instances of plumbing services could also be under the circumstances of an emergency. 

Water Pipes Have Burst

Could happen after a pretty cold winter, when the water freezes in the pipes. With the right diagnostic tools, a professional plumber would be able to pinpoint the exact source, or rather a pipe, that causes the issue.

No Water Pressure

It’s quite annoying when you have to wash the dishes or the shampoo out of your hair for 15 minutes because the water pressure is practically non-existent. It could happen because of a clog somewhere in the piping system that prevents water from normal circulation. There’s no need to poke around yourself, it’s better to hire a plumber, who could check and fix the problem.

No Water at All

Imagine trying to take a shower in the morning before work and being unpleasantly surprised by the lack of running water? Did you forget to pay your water bill? That’s unlikely. What is likely, is that there’s a pretty serious problem, possibly a leak that needs to be fixed right away. Thankfully, there are 24-hour emergency plumbers that can help you any time of the day.

The Running Water Won't Get Hot

That usually happens when the water heater fails. Since some heating systems have gas and electrical components, dealing yourself with that might be risky. It’s better to leave the job to the professionals.

Clogged Drains 

Unfortunately, that happens a lot, especially when the plumbing system is old. It can happen after taking a shower a few times or even using the washing machine. You can either ask to replace the pipes or have a plumber on a speed dial.

How Much Does Hiring a Plumber Cost?

The Price for Hiring a Plumber Can Vary

The price can depend on certain factors like the skills and certification of a plumber, but the average cost typically ranges from $175 to $450 and from $45 to $200 per hour. This price would typically include the repair of bathroom amenities.  

Where Do They Fit in Within a Renovation?

Add an Inground Pool to Your Renovated House

Plumbers are typically very much involved in the renovation process. They work closely with the construction team because the plumbing system needs to be thought through and through. For example, you may want to hide the bathroom pipes behind the wall. It’s a complicated process, and the plumber needs to make sure that the pipes won’t leak in the future. Otherwise, you may have to tear down the wall to find the problematic pipe. Maybe you decided to indulge yourself in having an inground pool. 

Specialty Skills And Classifications of Plumbers

There Are Many Different Types of Plumbers

Commercial Plumbers

They are usually qualified professionals who work in commercial settings such as schools, hospitals, and so on. They specialize in installing, maintaining, and fixing tanks and pipes.

Water Supply Plumbers

Plumbers who operate with water supply systems such as water tanks, kitchen tanks, bathroom tanks, overhead storage tanks, and pipes are known as water supply plumbers.

Sanity Plumbers

A sanitary plumber is a plumbing expert who specializes in unblocking and cleaning sanitary system blockages, installing toilet and bathroom pipes, and more.

Service and Residential Plumbers

Both are trained to execute a variety of plumbing system maintenance and repair activities in both home and commercial environments. They fix leaks, regulate low pressure, remove blockages, and clean plumbing systems.

How to Choose The Best Plumber?

Always Go For a Certified Plumber

When choosing a plumber, you need to consider their certification. Getting a plumber’s license is required in most, if not all, states. Before you become a master plumber, you’ll have to work as an apprentice first. An apprentice is someone who works under the guidance of a more experienced plumber. It’s sort of like an entry-level job position that could last around four to five years. All in all, it takes roughly around ten years to become a certified plumber. However long the road may be, it shows how professional and serious the tradesman is. That, in return, will make your quest for finding the best plumber much easier.