It can happen in the blink of an eye: one moment, you’re in the shower, lathering up shampoo in your hair, and the next, ice-cold water starts spraying from your showerhead or even stops spraying completely, leaving you with no way to rinse off. It is always an unwelcome surprise when your hot water suddenly shuts off with no fathomable reason as to why, and the headache that results from temporary fixes and calling up plumbers to attend to your plumbing emergency is frustrating, to say the least. Instead of being able to carry on with your day, unbothered, this water system breakdown can throw a wrench in your weekly schedule, and interfere with your lifestyle, especially if the repair takes forever.
So what can you do when your hot water system breaks down? What do you need to consider and look for when finding a plumber to fix your water crisis?
How To Find Quality Plumbers
When trying to find a quality, trustworthy plumber, it can be worth your while to ask around and do your research. Of course, a hot water emergency can feel like a problem that needs immediate attention, but hiring just any plumber off of the search engine may not be the best option for you in the long run.
Read up on the company you are planning to enquire about repairs from. When it comes to plumbing repairs, the experience is always a good indicator of the quality of service you can expect from your plumber. Check to see if they keep up to date on the latest plumbing training and technology, which can really make a difference in the effectivity of the solutions they use for your hot water issue.
Look for plumbing companies that have been in the industry for years, and take special care to look at their customer reviews, too. Good plumbers are differentiated from great plumbers by means of their customer skills. While good plumbers can be skilled in fixing water issues when they crop up, great plumbers not only prioritise quick and efficient solutions but also are able to think about the longevity of your system by really taking the time to find the main issue and addressing that. Not only that, but quality plumbers also prioritise the client’s requirements and budget and work alongside these to the best of their ability. Ask your potential plumber if they provide comprehensive quotes on the work to be done, and can give you a timeframe in which the job will be accomplished.
If you surmise that the plumbing company that you have found takes care of their clients and takes pride in consistently high-quality work, it may be worth it to give them a call to inquire about their services and ask if they have the experience and tools required to repair your system accurately and efficiently. After all, you are looking for a solution and not a temporary fix.
Repair Costs
Hot water system repairs can feel like an emergency that needs immediate fixing – in which case, you may find yourself resorting to calling out an emergency plumber to address your water issue quickly. While this is a perfectly good way to have your hot water system up and running without delay, it’s important to note that emergency plumbers can and do charge additionally for this prompt service, and this can affect and raise the costs of repair, and, in turn, cut into your budget.
Therefore, when it comes to this, consider calling a regular plumber if the issue is not urgent. If your water is still working, and it is only the hot water system that is malfunctioning, you may not need to call your emergency plumber, which will save you the added cost and give you time to really look through your options. However, if your hot water system is leaking, a pipe has burst, or you really would prefer to address your hot water issue as quickly as possible, emergency plumbers can be a lifesaver so that you can get back to your daily routine that much faster. And with emergency plumbers, if your hot water system fails outside of business hours, or on a holiday, you’ll be able to get your issue addressed as soon as possible for an added price, too. Keep in mind your requirements and your budget when you decide, as only you can know which option is best for you.
And whether or not you choose to go with an emergency plumber, as with trying to find a quality plumber, it is good to do your research, especially if you are budget-conscious.
Canvass potential plumbers by calling them up and enquiring about not only their services but also their fees. Do they charge call-out fees? How much would hot water system repairs, and can they give you a ballpark figure of what it could possibly cost? Of course, this figure could change after they have a look at your actual hot water system and find out what is actually wrong, but it is always good to have a figure in mind so that you are not surprised by the repair costs when you are given a quote.
And if you find a plumber that gives you an extremely cheap quote for their services as compared to your other options, be wary of immediately using their services. You may find that in order to compensate for the lower rate, you may be provided with low-quality services, or they may not be trained and skilled in fixing whatever issue has occurred with your hot water system. Be vigilant and discerning when it comes to this!
Summary
Hot water system issues are already stressful enough when they occur. When it comes to hiring a plumber to address your water repairs, it really pays to do your research. Do not sacrifice quality for the price, and communicate with your potential plumber so that you know what’s being done to your system, and how much it costs, so that not only are you well-informed, you can keep on top of your budget.