Find Plumbing Services In Your Area

No matter how careful of a homeowner you are, there will inevitably be issues with your plumbing. Some plumbing issues occur because an appliance stops working, typically because of general wear and tear. Other issues are the result of environmental issues around your home, which can cause damage to your pipes or water supply. Most plumbing issues only take a few hours to resolve, but depending on how widespread the damage it may require multiple days to fully repair. In some cases, plumbers must dig up pipes or septic tanks, which is more time consuming.

Leaks and clogged pipes are some of the most common issues plumbers treat, but they can also help with water heater problems and gas leaks. Most plumbers provide free consultations to identify plumbing problems, then charge an hourly rate for repairs. Others will charge a fixed rate, based on the difficulty of the problems.

Drainage Services

Most households hire a plumber to fix drains in the clogs. The most evident sign of a clogged drain is your sinks or toilet flooding. More severe clogs can cause foul odors or even sludgy substances to come out with the water. This indicates an issue with your septic tank or filter. Plumbers remove the clog and either clean or repair your pipes as needed. If the blockage occurs in the sewer line, your plumber will also maintain the line and test it to make sure it is not part of a larger issue. In addition to blockages and foul odors, you may hear a gurgling sound whenever you turn on a sink or flush your toilet. While you may be able to remove small clogs on your own, treating sewage blocks requires experience and specialized plumbing equipment.

Water Supply Services

If you are moving into a new house, you need a plumber to connect your water system. Other common water supply services include repairing water connections in your kitchen or bathroom to fix leaky faucets. Another issue with water supply is lack of hot water. This is a result of the water heating broken down. In addition to your water taking longer or completely failing to reach a warm temperature, you may notice a funny smell whenever you turn on the hot water.

Gas Plumbing

While plumbers are most known for fixing pipes and water related issue, many plumbers also specialize in gas lines. Gas issues are much more serious than traditional plumbing issues, as a gas leak puts your entire household in danger. If you suspect there is a gas leak, get everyone out of the house and immediately call a certified gas plumber. In addition to testing for gas leaks, these plumbers also help install and maintain gas fireplaces, grills, cooktops and ovens.

Mechanical Services

Another service not commonly associated with plumbers is heat, cooling and air ventilation maintenance. This includes hydronic units, space heaters, swamp coolers and split systems. Plumbers can also help with installing new ductwork in your home. If you want to hire a plumber for these services, make sure they have all the necessary qualifications and experience.

Cost of Plumbing Services

Plumbing costs greatly vary depending on the service. For routine cleaning and draining services, you can expect to pay around $60 to $80 an hour. These services typically only take one or two hours. Some plumbers may charge slightly higher rates if you book them on the weekend or during the evening. Sewer maintenance and repairs are more expensive, costing around $120 to $140 per hour.

Water heater services greatly vary in price depending on the complexity of the installation. You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100. Simple installations typically take an hour, but more complex systems require up to three or four hours to install. Unlike with repairs, plumbers are more likely to charge a fixed price for water heater installation, since it is easier to predict how long the job will take, and the plumber knows exactly what is required.

Gas and mechanical services also have a wider price ranged, based on the complexity of the service. These may cost anywhere between $50 to $150 an hour. Gas installation may charge a fixed price between $300 to $700.

Finding the Right Plumber

Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to find a plumber. Reach out to friends and family members for recommendations whenever possible. There are also several websites you can use to look for plumbers in your area. Angi is an excellent website to find services for your home. All of the reviews come from real customers, with companies having no way of influencing the reviews or receiving higher ratings on the site.

HomeAdvisor is similar to Angi. The website only includes certified professionals, cutting down on how much you need to research prospective plumbers. While it is a more generalized site, Thumbtack has a section for home improvement, which allows you to search for plumbers. The plumbers are divided into several subcategories, making it easier to search for specialized services. If you do not want to search online, try looking for ads at your local hardware store. Some stores may even provide their own plumbing services. 

Before you agree to hire a plumber, ask for their rates and an estimated cost for repairs. Once the plumber gets to your house and looks over the issue, ask for an updated price. If it is a larger company, ask if the plumber who provides the consultation will do the work, or if it will be passed off to someone else. If there were limited reviews regarding the company, be sure to ask if they are certified and insured.