Your bathtub won’t drain, and you need help fast, but choosing a plumber can be tough. How can you tell if the expert you are talking to knows what he’s doing or if he’s going leave you with more problems and headaches?
It’s tempting to call out some random neighborhood handyman to fix your plumbing woes. After all, he says he’s cheap and can get your drain working in no time. But you risk a lot by going with unpermitted plumbers in Corpus Christi. Here are just five of the many reasons you should hire a licensed plumber to resolve your next plumbing disaster or to install new fixtures.
Licensed Plumbers have appropriate training and credentials.
Be careful of unlicensed contractors! In Corpus Christi, plumbers must be licensed. You should always ensure that the person you hire has a current license to work as a plumber.
A plumbing license means that the person performing the work has adequate training, understands the International Plumbing Code, and has received state approval to provide services. All licensed plumbers must follow the rules of the state regulatory board, which can revoke a license if a plumber does not conform to the established rules for construction and repair of plumbing systems. All licensed plumbers have had to complete a criminal background check, pass a licensing exam and have commercial liability insurance.
In other words, by hiring a licensed plumber, you can be confident they know what they’re doing, and you have recourse if they do something wrong.
Licensed plumbers know city and state codes.
By choosing a licensed plumber, you can rest easy knowing that repairs involving your pipes, backflow systems, or sewer lines will meet Corpus Christi code specifications. Your plumber will know how to install the correct size of plumbing and use safe techniques.
For example, Corpus Christi plumbing code specifies the types and sizes of pipes used to bring water into a home, as well as the slope angle required for drainage. In an area prone to severe storms and hurricanes, with the potential for flooding, drainage is a regular concern, and it pays to manage it properly.
If you’re installing an irrigation system, it’s also important to hire a licensed plumber who knows city codes that apply to these kinds of installations. Since Corpus Christi requires an inspection of residential irrigation backflow systems at least once every three years, you’ll be in good hands when it comes time to check your system.
You can avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
To make their businesses more attractive, unlicensed plumbers and other contractors may offer you cheap repairs, special financing, or whole-house rates that are well below what you would expect to pay. Many of these are gimmicks to get into your house, and once they get to work, their rates will skyrocket.
Always get an estimate in writing before a plumber starts work, so you know what to expect.
Licensed plumbers have the tools and knowledge necessary to get the job done quickly.
A licensed plumber will come to your home equipped with the tools and materials necessary to fix a leaking pipe, re-seat a toilet bowl, or check for clogs in your sewer line. They will know how to diagnose a problem and fix it quickly. They will also know if the work requires a plumbing permit from the city and will take care of the paperwork for you.
You can relax knowing the work will be done right the first time
Because licensed plumbers are accountable to their state board, they want to ensure they do the work properly. They also should carry insurance that protects you if something goes terribly wrong. However, when you hire an unlicensed worker, you have no recourse if they break something or install plumbing that isn’t up to code. Worst of all, if the job isn’t done right the first time, a building inspector might force you to tear out the plumbing and start from scratch to make sure the work is code-compliant.
Don’t let your plumber take you for a ride
When you’re looking for a plumber in Corpus Christi to fix your garbage disposal, unclog your drains, replace your hot water heater or install an irrigation system, call out the licensed plumbers at ABC Home and Commercial Services in Corpus Christi. We can also assist with backflow testing and video pipe inspections. We even offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service when you need a plumber right away.