4 Tips To Know When You Need To Find A Plumber

Some of these plumbing problems are simply too overwhelming and difficult for us to deal with on our own. Even if you think you can do the work yourself, in the messy end that has to come, you will be glad you called a professional to get the job done properly. However, since hiring a plumber is something that a lot of us have little experience in, here are four things that might be good to know when you want to find a plumber who will get the job done right and at a fair price.

Always Ask Friends How to Find a Plumber

The first thing you should know is the extent of your particular plumbing problem. Remember, even if a problem only takes a few minutes for a plumber to fix, most of them have a minimum time fee that usually covers their visit and then some. This cost can be anywhere from a half hour charge or even a full hour base charge just for coming out to look at your problem and turning off a tap in your basement. If you have any reason to believe that, the problem is serious, get a plumber and have him or her correct the problem before any more damage can occur. Friends and family might recommend a plumber with a high reputation for service.

Find a Plumber- Licensed Plumbers are the Best

You would not want a backyard mechanic working on your prized vehicle right. Well, in that same sense why would you allow anyone not licensed to work on your home? It is always a good idea to have a licensed plumber working on your plumbing project. There is a lot to be said for experience and the proper training. Do not take any chances with your home. Therefore, we now realize a licensed plumber will provide the best service and they have the insurance required to cover any problem they might run into.

Always Ask The Right Questions

Knowing what questions to ask a plumber is almost as important as listening carefully to the answers he gives you. You need to make sure that the plumber you pick has had experience solving your particular kind of problem. Do not be afraid to ask direct questions that require a yes or no answer; this is your home you are dealing with here. A good plumber will not shy away from your questions and will often volunteer free information that may end up being useful to you.

Judging The Price

The more you learn the more you can expect when you find a plumber. Remember to always receive an estimate before work begins. Calling the plumber is easy; paying a plumber might be a problem for some if the cost exceeds their funds. Therefore, always ask for the estimate and then let the work begin when you find the lowest but best plumber for your project.

You can also find more info on Emergency Plumber and Plumber Contractor. Sressmanagementmethods.com is a comprehensive resource to known about stress management.

Fastest Plumber Always Gets The Job Done Right

If you find yourself in need of a fast and reliable plumber, the fastest plumber will do in this case. Some manufacturers, Kohler Co. and Ferguson Enterprises of Wisconsin, had a “Fastest Plumber Competition,” in which the plumber who could do the job the best and quickest took home the top prize. This competition allowed many plumbers to compete for a prize and world status as the fastest plumber. Although the completion is intense, the best plumbers from all over come to show their abilities.

Regional Competitions and Finalists

This competition evolves around doing the job, getting it done quickly and professionally. For the pass six years, these businesses have sponsored and hosted the event with the competition being kicked off with forty-six regional competitions across the country. In order to qualify for the finals, the plumbers were required to install a bathroom consisting of a Kohler toilet, lavatory faucet, and faucets and taps in a ceramic shower. The final eight plumbers were then asked to compete in the final round of competition, in which only one of them would be chosen the winner.

Competition at its Best

The final was held in 2006 at Green Bay, Wisconsin. For the final test, they were judged on skills, these amazing plumbers had to install a toilet, a bathroom faucet, and the famous, but difficult three-piece shower unit. However, this time, to show their professional quality, they also had to hook up the water line. Normally taking as long as a day to complete, the new winner completed this project in record time and beat the standing record of a full day.

As part of the contest, the plumbers selected and their families were treated as guests of Kohler Company at Kohler’s well known American Club for the weekend and as a the football game played by the Green Bay Packers football game that took place after the winner was announced at the competition.

Who Was The Winner

Robert Rousch was given the title after finishing the competition with a time of one minute and eleven seconds short of the best record the competition has had since the beginning. Mr. Rousch was also blessed with a cash award of three thousand dollars. It pays to be fast and competent in the plumbing business. After starting out as an entry-level plumber, Robert has spent the past ten years working for one company who provides excellent service to their customers.

The Speed of Things And Quality

While you want a speedy plumber with the qualifications to get the job done, you can assure that even if your plumber did not win an award, he is still trained and qualified for this type of work. Plumbers do spend hours in school to learn everything needed. As apprentisits, they receive hands on training during the learning process, which provides for quality plumbers who stand by their work.

If you think your plumber is fast, maybe he needs some encouragement to enter the next competition to see if he can win the title. You never know, he might even surprise himself.

You can also find more info on Plumbing Repair and Toilet Plumbing. Sressmanagementmethods.com is a comprehensive resource to known about stress management.

Water Heater Safety- When To Do It Yourself And When To Call In A Plumber

Homeowners love to save time and hassle and may be able to when it comes to working on a water heater. However, there are many circumstances and situations which require the help of a plumbing professional. If you're handy and comfortable with mechanics, then some situations involving water heaters can be handled by you.

Before doing plumbing work you must perform these safety steps:

Turn the electricity off if you have an electric water heater or turn the gas control knob to PILOT if you have a gas water heater.

Find the cold water line on top of the water heater and turn the gate valve off. The cold line is always located on the right hand side as you face the water heater.

Open a hot tap inside the house at any sink. This relieves pressure on the lines.

Twist the knob on the drain valve to open it on the water heater. It's located at the bottom of the water heater and looks like a hose bib. Drain out a gallon of water from the water heater, so it's not completely full at the plumbing connections on top.

Tell everyone in the house or building to use cold water only.

Whenever removing electric elements on an electric water heater, be sure that the electricity is turned off.

Whenever replacing the drain valve on a gas or electric water heater, be sure to turn the gas control knob to PILOT or to turn the electricity off.

Check the gas connections on your gas water heater by spraying liquid glass cleaner on them. If you have a gas leak. The glass cleaner will spit and foam slightly if you have a gas leak.

At this point you need to be careful that the gas fumes do not backdraft into the house. When the gas fumes from a gas water heater travel up and out the draft diverter on top of the gas water heater, they go to the outside of your house through a vent. The fumes can sometimes be pulled back into a chimney flue, an open window, or an air conditioner. If you smell rotten eggs inside of your house, call a plumber or the gas company immediately.

If you are insulating your pipes for your water heater, do not cover dielectric unions, fittings, or copper flex lines. The insulation will cause the water to stay on the surface underneath and cause more damage from leaky pipes. Never put insulation on the tin draft diverter located above the gas water heate. The insulation can ignite.

If you know you have a recirculating loop for you water heater, it is a good idea to have a ball valve before the point where the loop connects to you water heater. If you have any type of pump located on this line, have a plumbing professional install a ball valve before the pump also.

Again, if you are not certain of your ability to work on a water heater in any way, get a professional service technician to help you.

Go to http://www.waterheater-info.com or contact johnnyhayneser@gmail.com for information about solar water heaters, tankless water heaters, traditional tank-type water heaters, water heater repair, maintenance, brand name information, warranty information and assistance, and which professional installer to hire.

Call A Plumber To Help You Out

When you own your own home it is key to know when it’s time to let a professional step in and take care of your repairs for you. This doesn’t mean that you can’t hack it alone, it just means that you might need a little more expertise than you have time to learn about. Don’t try to kill yourself over a broken pipe or a leaky toilet. Call a plumber to get help for your plumbing needs. Since many times plumbers can be very expensive, make sure you only call one if you are 100% sure that you need one. You should also make sure that you follow these money-saving tips when hiring a plumber.

A lot of people call the cheapest plumber first, which could seem like the best thing to do. This is not always the best choice, because it can be difficult to truly compare people’s hourly rates. Different plumbers have different skill levels and also charge differently. For instance some plumbers may charge you for the time it takes them to drive to your house. Others may charge you by the minute and others by the whole hour. Some can bill you by quarter of an hour or even by half an hour.

You should pick a plumber based on their reputation and level of service. See if you can check their references if you can’t get a recommendation from a friend. You should ask your family and friends first and foremost if they know of a good plumber to recommend to you. You want to make sure you will get someone competent who will fix your pipes right the first time.

To save money on hiring a plumber, than make sure that you never need one to begin with. This means that you should try to avoid common household mistakes that cause you to need a plumber. This usually means avoiding drain issues.

One of the most common problems that plumbers deal with are grease clogs. You can try lots of different ways to try to keep your drains clean. Usually putting some hot water and vinegar down your drain every day can keep them clean. You can also pour it down and let it set for 20 minutes or so and then add some boiling water on top of it to clear up your drain. Make sure you pour the vinegar and water solution slowly to give it a more powerful effect.

Hair clogs is another problem that many plumbers deal with. You can purchase a mesh piece that will sit over your drain to keep it from getting clogged. You can usually get this in a hardware store or even in your local grocery store.

Buying your own fixtures at a local store can be cheaper than purchasing them from the plumber. Plumber’s usually mark up their prices and you can save a lot by finding it yourself. You can also go online to find cheap fixtures that are still a good quality for your home. Asking your plumber what brands he recommends is still good idea.

Being specifically passionate about truck tool storage, Leroy Calstard was writing plenty of publications in this particular field. Recording his experience in writings on kennedy tool boxes the reviewer showed his experience in the field.

Hiring A Plumber - What You Should Know

If there’s a water leak, repairing faucets, fixtures and pipes can be quite urgent – and may require a plumber’s immediate attention. If you discover a leak, it is best to shut the water while waiting for a plumber to arrive, to prevent further water damage. The quickest way to stop water leaking from the pipes is to shut off the water supply from the main valve, then go to the lowest point in the house and open a faucet. Gravity will force the remaining water to drain out the faucet, minimizing the water that can escape through the leak.

Ask how to prevent recurring problems

For basic plumbing services, such as leak repair or installing new fixtures or traps, you’ll pay $45 to $65 per hour, plus parts, if necessary. For weekend or night calls, you can expect to pay as much as $100 just for the call and then $75 per hour. Even at these rates it is a good idea to ask what the options are for repairs and parts, and how to prevent any problems from recurring.

Calling a plumber for an emergency job will cost you more. But remember that you’re paying for their time to drive to and from your home, picking up parts and for them being on call. For a plumber specializing in drain-clearing services, you will pay at least $70 per hour for drain lines and $125 per hour for sewer lines. For weekend or night calls, add $30 per hour. But before you take out a second mortgage, you should know that most problems can be fixed in about an hour.

Hourly rates are often calculated differently

When hiring a plumber, it seems reasonable to hire a reputable, licensed plumber with the best hourly rate. The problem arises because plumbers count hours in different ways. For example, some plumbers will have lower hourly rates but charge for their driving time, while others charge what seems like an exorbitant hourly rate, but only start the clock once they arrive at your home. Others may charge an additional fee just for showing up. These are important differences to clear up before making your decision.

Have a plumber handy

When hiring a plumber, make sure they have a valid license, if required in your state. There is usually a phone number you can call to verify that the license is current and that there are no complaints against it. Any plumber you hire should have a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance and a current worker’s compensation policy. Once you find a plumber you’re satisfied with, keep his number handy for emergencies. In an emergency, it’s better to call someone who already knows you than a complete stranger.

Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer for http://www.Contractors.com and http://www.ContractorGuide.com You can find his articles and many others in the Utilities/HVAC/Fireplace category of ContractorGuide.com

Hiring A Plumber - What You Should Know

If there’s a water leak, repairing faucets, fixtures and pipes can be quite urgent – and may require a plumber’s immediate attention. If you discover a leak, it is best to shut the water while waiting for a plumber to arrive, to prevent further water damage. The quickest way to stop water leaking from the pipes is to shut off the water supply from the main valve, then go to the lowest point in the house and open a faucet. Gravity will force the remaining water to drain out the faucet, minimizing the water that can escape through the leak.

Ask how to prevent recurring problems

For basic plumbing services, such as leak repair or installing new fixtures or traps, you’ll pay $45 to $65 per hour, plus parts, if necessary. For weekend or night calls, you can expect to pay as much as $100 just for the call and then $75 per hour. Even at these rates it is a good idea to ask what the options are for repairs and parts, and how to prevent any problems from recurring.

Calling a plumber for an emergency job will cost you more. But remember that you’re paying for their time to drive to and from your home, picking up parts and for them being on call. For a plumber specializing in drain-clearing services, you will pay at least $70 per hour for drain lines and $125 per hour for sewer lines. For weekend or night calls, add $30 per hour. But before you take out a second mortgage, you should know that most problems can be fixed in about an hour.

Hourly rates are often calculated differently

When hiring a plumber, it seems reasonable to hire a reputable, licensed plumber with the best hourly rate. The problem arises because plumbers count hours in different ways. For example, some plumbers will have lower hourly rates but charge for their driving time, while others charge what seems like an exorbitant hourly rate, but only start the clock once they arrive at your home. Others may charge an additional fee just for showing up. These are important differences to clear up before making your decision.

Have a plumber handy

When hiring a plumber, make sure they have a valid license, if required in your state. There is usually a phone number you can call to verify that the license is current and that there are no complaints against it. Any plumber you hire should have a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance and a current worker’s compensation policy. Once you find a plumber you’re satisfied with, keep his number handy for emergencies. In an emergency, it’s better to call someone who already knows you than a complete stranger.

Stu Silverman is a home improvement advice columnist and freelance writer for http://www.Contractors.com and http://www.ContractorGuide.com You can find his articles and many others in the Utilities/HVAC/Fireplace category of ContractorGuide.com

Call the Plumber?

We all know the story of the homeowner who tried his own plumbing repairs and ended up paying more since the plumber had to fix the repairs. Recognizing when the job is too big or too complicated for the ordinary homeowner is not easy-handyman egos are too easily bruised. However, plumbers are notoriously expensive so you want to make sure you really need one before you call him. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you will keep your costs of plumbing repairs at a minimum.

First of all, don't compare the prices of plumbers based solely upon their rates. Make sure you know all of the costs involved. One plumber may have lower advertised rates, but charge mileage which will increase the price of the job. Some plumbers start the clock when they get to your house, others may start it as soon as they leave their shop. Find out if they charge by the quarter hour; if they charge by the hour, you may have to pay for a full additional hour even though the job only went a few minutes over. Make sure you are fully aware of the real rates, so that you are comparing apples to apples. Another good idea is to ask around with friends and families for a reputable plumber instead of relying on advertisements.

Keep your plumbing jobs down altogether by taking good care of your plumbing. Most plumbing emergencies are caused by backups. Avoid having items such as grease or hair, which are responsible for most clogs, go into your drains. Putting vinegar, followed by boiling hot water down the drain is said to cut through grease clogs. Use a mesh catch in all of your drains to catch hair and avoid it going down the drains. Use a drain cleaning product once a month to keep the drains clean.

If you do hire a plumber to install a fixture, save money by buying your own fixtures. A plumber will add a premium to any fixtures he has to obtain for you. Just make sure you agree upon the type of fixtures you will use. Some plumbers won't guarantee certain cheaper brands.

If you keep all of your plumbing fixtures properly maintained, you can almost eliminate the need for a plumber. Make sure fixtures are attached properly and tightened. If you do call a plumber, make sure you know exactly what the problem is so the plumber can fix it and get out; don't forget he charges by the hour so you don't want to spend precious time discussing the problem. Keep a list of plumbing problems, so that if you have to call a plumber for one thing, you can have him fix everything in the same visit.

Ray Walberg repeatedly edits reports on issues corresponding to pickup tool boxes. Sharing his passion in detailed writings, he affirmed his deep knowledge on topics like kennedy tool boxes and truck tool storage.

Finding a Plumber

Know when it's time to call a professional

Plumbing repairs in your home are a big job. When you feel like screaming at the pipes and fixtures in your home, it’s time to call a professionally licensed plumber. The right plumbing services can really take a lot of stress out of your life. With your home's plumbing working again, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have the work done sooner.

Everyone deserves good plumbing in their home. Whether you have a big family, or you live alone, top residential plumbing is absolutely a necessity. A qualified plumber can get yours working again and restore your peace of mind. The right plumbing company will work efficiently and skillfully to make your life easier.

Plumbing for commercial real estate

If you are in the commercial real estate business, then plumbing is probably on your list. Whether you are looking to put pipes in your new construction home or re-do the plumbing in an older commercial office building, a certified plumber is essential. The executives that will work in your building will be grateful you hired a professional and got the job done right the first time.

Don't be overwhelmed by plumbing problems - a professional can come to the rescue

Every home owner experiences special situations and problems with their plumbing from time to time. Things like regular drain cleaning, fixing leaks, and tackling noisy pipe problems can be extremely frustrating. Don’t let these problems overwhelm you. One of the many wonderful certified plumbers is available to come to your rescue.

Related resources:

Satellite internet service provides high speed connections and unlimited access anywhere around the world. Sign up now for your home, laptop or business.

For search engine optimization, web design and high quality custom graphics Archetype Development is your source for all your web design and marketing solutions

Build incoming links to your website. Submit your site to our search engine friendly directory for free.

Your Home Project – Educating Yourself On Plumber Rates

As any homeowner will attest, calling in a plumber is usually done when there remains little other choice. A thrifty do-it-yourselfer will often try to fix the offending leak, flood, or jiggle in an effort to save money. But when a truly complicated problem arises or the effort at self-plumbing proves fruitless, it becomes necessary to call in the experts. And, subsequently, it becomes necessary to quickly and thoroughly educate yourself on the most current plumber rates.

Jumping headfirst into hiring the first plumber you come across in the yellow pages could easily yield disastrous results. Taking the extra steps to research plumber rates will put you in control of your situation; you’ll know what to expect and therefore know what to seek out in terms of reputable plumbers.

When researching plumber rates there are a variety of sources towards which to turn. The Internet, as always, is a valuable source of information on a variety of topics. Simply do a search for plumber rates in your area and you’ll quickly learn the lay of the land. Further, there are often chat forums where you can access customers who have likely been in your situation at one time or another. Additionally, you can often speak with professional plumbers themselves to learn the current plumber rates for a reputable service.

However, the most invaluable source for learning plumber rates in your area is the people with whom you share a community. Turn to your neighbors, friends, and friends of friends to find the most reputable and trustworthy plumbers in your area. This will also grant you the most up-to-date information about plumber rates.

One important thing to keep in mind is that low plumber rates may not always save you money in the end. More experienced plumbers will often charge plumber rates that match their level of experience. Trying to cut corners by hiring a plumber based solely on their low plumber rates may result in more trouble than it’s worth. A cheaply priced plumber may undercut his competition but there may be a reason for his prices.

However, when hiring an experienced, reputable plumber you can often bring prices down by offering to supply materials yourself. In this way, you are paying only for labor. Keep in mind, however, that there’s risk associated with this as flawed materials will not be guaranteed by the hired plumber.

Ultimately, it may make the most sense to find the best plumber you can find and pay the associated plumber rates. As is often the case, you get what you pay for. So choose wisely.

For easy to understand, in depth information about plumbing visit our ezGuide 2 Plumbing

Questions To Ask Your Plumber

 

Hiring a plumber is not as easy as just picking up a phone book and picking one. You need to make sure that you get a qualified plumbing contractor and not some hack. To increase your odds of choosing a good plumber there are some questions that you should ask. Keep reading this article to learn what those questions are.

The first question that you should ask is, "How long have you been a plumber?" This is an important question because if a plumber has been in business for a long time they are more likely to be good. Every plumber has to get started at some time though so If they haven't been in business long you shouldn't automatically rule them out. Just take it into consideration.

The next question you should ask is, "Are you insured?" If they are insured this means that you and your home is protected in the case of an unfortunate incident. If they are not insured then they are just not very professional and you should pass on using them.

A third question to ask is, "Do you offer a written guarantee?" A qualified cleaner will have no problem backing up their work with a written estimate. If they will not offer you a guarantee you should be immediately concerned about their quality.

One last question you should ask is, "Do you have any references?" Id you are doing a large extensive plumbing job you should ask for references. IF they can not provide you at least a few good references it is a bad sign. Once you get the list of references be sure to actually call them. You might be surprised how many companies give out bogus references or give out names of people who weren't even happy with the work.

Hiring a plumber does not have to be a stressful experience if you simply do your research and take a little time. It is not a decision you should rush into. Good luck.

Learn how to find plumbers at the authors website on plumbing and plumbers

How To Become A Fully Licensed Plumber

 

Starting At The Beginning And Training Up To Fully Licensed Plumber Status

It takes a lot of work to enter the world of plumbing. Starting off as an apprentice, you develop skills and gain experience during this time, but you want to take it to the next level. The next step is going out on a limb. On your own as a licensed plumber.

How To Become A Licensed Plumber

In order to apply you must have gained 3 years of more experience as an apprentice plumber. Once you have done so you are eligible to apply and sit the plumbers license exam. You need this experience beforehand, it's imperative. You must also have worked under a master plumber during this time and done in excess of three hundred hours of theory work.

What Is The Minimum Age I Can Apply?

You will need to be a minimum of eighteen years of age and in a position to meet the requirements outlined above. You will also need to actually pass the exam before you can gain certification as a licensed plumber. Your term of apprenticeship will enable you to gain the skills and experience necessary to successfully undertake this exam and pass.

Other Skills And Knowledge You Will Need

You will need to be able to work almost unsupervised

You will need to be able to read documentation and understand it. You will need to understand technical diagrams and accurately estimate how much jobs are going to cost any potential customer. Setting a fair price and being able to accurately assess this using estimates is essential.

You should be able to do basic mathematics and have good dexterity.

You will need to display an aptitude for mechanically related tasks as well as being comfortable using hand and power assisted work tools.

You must be able to relate well to your customers, and communicate in a clear and easy to understand manner.

You should be able to draw up paperwork showing what work was undertaken and the materials used.

You will need to be physically mobile and able to lift modestly heavy weight.

Even though this may sound daunting at first, do not be discouraged. Providing you have the above attributes or the capability to learn what you currently are not able to do, over time you will develop the skillset required to apply and successfully pass the plumbers license exam.

These skills are currently in high demand and the wages are very good, which makes it a worthwhile career undertaking.

Richard Davies writes for Plumbing Problem Solutions. Find out more about becoming a licensed plumber, hourly rates, emergency plumbers and lots more for free at => Plumbing Problem Solutions

Help! - I Need a Plumber

 

Finding good plumbers in the UK is difficult. Need a plumber in an emergency and you’ve got a real problem.

There’s lots of articles available on selecting plumbers. We’ve all heard the advice - get quotes, follow up references and ask friends and families for referrals. All good stuff but it makes it sound as if people needing a plumber have a choice available to them.

This really misunderstands the issue which the average householder faces. Yes we do want to find a great plumber, that knowledgeable, polite, punctual, reasonably priced paragon of virtue but before we get that far, we have to find a plumber who is prepared to do business with us.

If you need a plumber in an emergency, you’ll either find the ones which have priced themselves out of the market and so are often available – Mr or Mrs “It’ll cost you!” or their more reasonably priced cousin Dave “Quickest I could get to you is next Wednesday.” Not great if you have a leak and it’s now Sunday.

Indeed the position is not much better if you are planning routine work such as having a boiler serviced or a bathroom installed. Getting a quote can be a challenge – getting the work started much more difficult.

Now, according to recent reports, the position should be easing.

Over the past few years, the press has run stories about a shortage of plumbers. In 2003, the British Plumbing Employer’s Council estimated that the plumbing industry would need to recruit 29,000 new entrants over the next 5 years. This led to reports of City workers leaving their jobs in the hope of earning £70,000 a year as a plumber.

More recently, however, there are accounts of workers with plumbing experience from Eastern Europe filling vacancies on building sites and a surplus of trainees trying to find jobs.

For the householder, this should mean that finding a good plumber who is available is much easier. The logic is fine but plumbers who are available for work are still an elusive breed. So if you have water pouring through the ceiling or your new bathroom arrives next Wednesday, read on for Hot Hints on tracking down a plumber.

Hot Hints for Finding a Plumber

 

• Asking for recommendations from family and friends is always a good first port of call.
• Check out one of the internet directories on-line – you can search for plumbers close to you and the better guides give the plumbers the space to provide details of their experience and specialist skills. Remember to mention the directory when you call – some have arrangements where the plumbers offer a discount.
• Look in your local parish magazine. Often the plumbers who advertise there live close by – in an emergency someone who is just down the road may well be quicker, cheaper and, more importantly, willing to turn out.
• Try your local paper. Some plumbers will advertise in the classified ads all year round, others will appear only when they are not busy – increasing your chance of finding someone who says “yes”.
• Ring your local letting agent – letting agents usually have a team of tradesmen and women who are set up to respond quickly to problems faced by tenants of the agent. Their plumber may be willing to help you.
• Call your plumbing supply shop – the staff get to know the regulars really well and are likely to be able to suggest someone who is not only good but who is available to take on your job.
• Plan in advance, every time, a friend has plumbing work done ask them who did it and if they were any good. Keep details of the recommended plumbers. Then, when the leak or blockage occurs you know who to ‘phone straight away.

 

Once you’ve found a possible plumber, do take steps to check them out. In reality, plumbers are no more likely to be rogues or cowboys than anyone else and most are extremely professional and hardworking. But erring on the side of caution is probably wise.

Take particular care if you are employing a plumber to carry out gas work. Check that your plumber is registered with CORGI. Registration numbers can be checked on CORGI’s website - www.corgi-gas-safety.com. Operatives working for a registered installer will also carry a card which can be checked by a householder.

Good luck finding your ideal plumber. If you find a really great plumber in your area, please do let me know via my website.

Caroline Blatchford is the founder of Local Service Guide which helps people to find the local services which they need in the UK. Whether you need a plumber, a restaurant or a letting agent, go to http://www.LocalServiceGuide.com

My Plumber - What a Salesman!

It all started with a leaking shower faucet, one of those mixer types with no markings or available seal kits from my local home products store. In the 17 years since we had built our home, I had no occasion to call a plumber until now. I opened the Yellow Pages to find a qualified, local plumbing house. There were quite a variety listed but one caught my eye right away, not because of some fancy ad, but because of their phone number, which was displayed in a larger font next to their relatively small logo. It read 732-DRIP.

I did my due diligence and called three plumbing outfits, seeking pricing on my needed repair. It was once again, back to the folks with the unusual phone number. They were the ones that I would hire.

The plumber arrived early the next morning right on time. He was a bit younger than I had expected, but had everything he needed as he had already been advised by the home office as to the nature of my repair. He was neat, clean and friendly. His van had their now familiar logo and phone number painted on the sides. He also had them embroidered on his new looking coveralls.

He introduced himself with a smile and a handshake as I invited him in. Paul and I chit-chatted for just a minute, as I bragged about my plumbing prowess but relative inability to properly identify the needed parts. He chuckled and asked for the whereabouts of the problem shower faucet. I offered him a cup of coffee which he graciously accepted on his way up the stairs, being so very careful not to bang his toolbox or spill the coffee. I showed him the shower stall and let him go about his business.

Paul came downstairs about 20 minutes later with the faulty, 17 year-old parts in hand. He also handed me the empty parts container so that I would know what to order from him if we had need of additional parts for the two other faucets located in the other bathrooms. He explained exactly what he did and reminded me of their unconditional two-year warranty. I gladly signed his work order and handed him his payment. He shook my hand and handed me a refrigerator magnet as well as several business cards. He asked me to please keep him in mind for other repairs that might come up as well as if I would pass his business card to some of our neighbors. With that, he was on his way.

Nobody likes to pay for home repairs. A few people may tackle the job on their own, but most will call in an expert. Paul is indeed that expert. He is also quite the salesman for his company. He did everything right, including fixing my shower problem. I’ll never need to consult the phone book for a plumber again. He is an impressive young man and his company should be proud of him. In fact, they are!

You see, I called their office after he left to commend this young plumber on his professionalism and skills. I reported to the owner that Paul was on time and well prepared. He was neat and clean, dressed in a company uniform. I commented on his handshake, friendliness, careful nature and warm smile. I told this company owner of his employees’ commanding knowledge of the project at hand as well as his review of the job and reminder of their impressive warranty. Paul made it easy for me to order additional parts without incurring the cost of another service call and asked for referrals before he left. He was all too aware that the other homes in our neighborhood were approximately the same age.

All in all, quite an impressive salesman… especially for a plumber!

Daniel Sitter, author of both the popular e-book, Learning For Profit, and the highly anticipated book, Superior Selling Skills, has extensive experience in sales, training, marketing and personal development over a successful 25 year career. http://www.learningforprofit.com/