Many of us fancy ourselves pretty handy DIY-ers—and with good reason. The rise of YouTube and other internet resources has made it easier than ever before to get a pretty good idea of what you’re doing. Hanging a shelf, building a raised garden bed or fixing a squeaky door have never been simpler; however, there are some jobs you absolutely need to leave to the pros, and plumbing is one such task.
If you work with pipes, sewage or water, you can quickly find yourself in a lot of expensive and destructive trouble if things go sideways.
Read on for more reasons why hiring licensed plumbers is your best bet for a satisfactory result.
Unlicensed plumbers—are they worth it?
First off, it’s important to define exactly what a licensed plumber is. Licensed plumbers have undergone extensive on-site training and classroom work to ensure that they’ve acquired the knowledge for the state to grant them certification. Licensed plumbers must have first registered as unlicensed plumbers at the start of their career—basically, apprentices who train with licensed master plumbers.
Sometimes it’s possible to hire an unlicensed plumber off the books or even a general services handyman to do some work, but we don’t recommend that course of action. Your home is too important to risk with anyone less than a trained expert, so always opt for the licensed option.
Knowledge of the field
The importance of hiring a licensed plumber doesn’t begin and end at knowledge of the work itself. When you hire such a person, you’re also gaining access to all their knowledge of the field. They know what products provide the best value and which could look the best in your home. They also know about building codes, including any recent changes that your structure could be subject to.
The rigorous training that licensed plumbers undergo means that there’s likely nothing that they haven’t seen. Your repairs will probably be a simple job (for them) that they can handle in a quick, safe and inexpensive manner.
Insurance
With all that said, accidents can happen. Plumbing can be a finicky thing, and sometimes when we start jobs, we discover problems that neither us nor the homeowner could have anticipated.
Fortunately, licensed plumbers will be bonded and insured. This insurance guarantees that if (in a worst-case scenario) your home does undergo damage from water or sewage, you’re not on the hook for anything. A licensed plumber’s liability insurance is going to make sure that if something ever does go wrong, you are completely covered. Some handymen might say that they’re insured, but theirs will likely not match ours in scope of coverage.
If you’re in the market for a licensed plumber to handle your home’s needs, you’re in luck. Our team at Rapids Plumbing & Heating, Inc. undergoes vigorous training and certifications to ensure that we’re always at the top of our field. We handle everything from your bathroom pipes to HVAC services, so give us a call today to set up your consultation.