Know Your Plumbing Service – Myths debunked

Here, we’ll finally put to rest some of the commonest misconceptions about the typical plumbing service. You may learn some interesting facts!

A plumber is a general handyman

No, they’re not. They are highly trained and qualified professionals in their discipline and profession. If they’re not, you arguably shouldn’t be using them for plumbing jobs anyway. Apart from anything else, it’s not cost-effective to call out a plumber then ask them to start doing odd jobs any more than it would be to go and see your physician to ask them to brush your hair for you.

Any plumbing service can deal with heating troubles

Not always. Some specialist heating engineers exist within the trade, however, it’s also possible to find plumbers who only handle water systems (e.g. not fuel-direct boilers) or those who only deal with heating systems or even heating systems that are gas as opposed to oil fired. Be sure of the experience and knowledge of the company you’re planning to use.

It’s always cheaper to do the job yourself

This is often heard but not always the final result after a spot of failed DIY. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t do a comparative costing based upon a professional quotation and what it would cost you to do it yourself. When looking at your costs though, remember to factor in some allowance for your time, the purchase of tools and materials and the risk factor if you’re not fully conversant with the techniques to be applied.

They won’t work out-of-hours

Well, maybe some won’t but many understand the need to offer emergency call out services. Some also understand the need to offer at least partial weekend hours if it happens to be required by their customers for a specific reason. Of course, expect to pay more if you demand or need such flexibility.

They have strict demarcation lines they won’t cross

That’s largely an overstatement of a complex position. Some won’t touch electrical systems for various reasons. It might be they don’t feel qualified or their insurance won’t cover them if they do get it wrong. Some others may not undertake destructive ‘search and access’ type activities for fear of being held accountable for any decorative damage so caused. These things rarely arise because an individual thinks he or she is somehow “too important” to do the work involved. Discuss the principles of who-does-what in advance with the plumbing service concerned.

You can’t get them to go into crawlspaces etc.

This one’s a bit tricky because it depends on the circumstances. As a general rule, plumbers will be only too familiar with the need to squeeze their frames into some pretty tight, difficult and unpleasant spaces. However, there may need to be some sensible limits. In some older houses, spaces might have been designed to accommodate ‘artisans’ (or even child workers) who were considerably smaller and slighter than is typically the case with an average 21st century tradesman! If access safety risks are a serious issue, any plumbing service will reserve the right not to go further and to seek an alternative solution.

Sarah Saadoun works for HMS Plumbing, a family-owned business in Manassas, Northern Virginia. If you need a plumbing service, Herve and his dedicated employees at HMS are proud to be serving the plumbing needs of Northern Virginia residents and businesses. For reliable Fairfax plumbers HMS Plumbing is your first choice.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.