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We have all probably needed an emergency plumber at one time or another, whereby you have a situation where you simply don’t have the time to ring around a number of plumbing companies obtaining quotes. A scenario where you need an emergency plumber typically costs you more money, but as it’s an emergency, you really don’t have any other option.
With that being said, it is still possible to get a competitive price for an emergency job, no matter how quickly you need to have it done. This post will introduce you to a number of facts you should know about emergency plumbers.
What Can an Emergency Plumber Do?
Most people actually have no idea of the number of tasks that an emergency plumber can perform and these include:
- They can use new technology, such as state of the art cameras, in order to locate a blockage or damage to your pipes and drains. This allows them to assess the damage and determine what they need to do to fix the problem.
- They have specialised equipment which can quickly and easily clean blocked drains.
- If you have a burst water pipe, it can often be difficult to know exactly where the problem has originated, but a professional plumber can locate where the issue is and repair this for you immediately.
- Many plumbers are also qualified as licensed gas fitters and therefore they can detect a gas leak and then repair this for you.
- Plumbers also deal with the repair of sewerage pipes which have become damaged.
Depending on the extent of the problem, a plumber can either complete a repair there and then or if they require specialised materials or equipment, they should be able to provide you with a temporary fix until they have the opportunity to return and complete the job in full. Often, a plumber will need to shut off your water or gas for a period of time so they can come back with the required materials or equipment to complete the job. This may be a little inconvenient, but it is for your own safety.
How Much will an Emergency Plumber Charge You?
You should be aware that an emergency plumber will always charge a fee, but they may not be able to give you an exact charge until they have had the opportunity to inspect the problem and make an assessment on what is required to fix the damage. Unfortunately, this is the worst part about hiring an emergency plumber, as you have no idea of what the actual problem is and how much it costs to fix it. However, in a situation such as this, you really don’t have time to shop around for the best price.
Questions You May Wish to Ask about an Emergency Plumber’s Rates
You can ask an emergency plumber whether they charge by the hour or have a set rate for visiting your home and assessing damage.
- You can ask whether their fees include their travelling time.
- You may want to know if there is a higher call-out fee at particular times of the year, such as Christmas.
- You should ask whether they are qualified and licensed to carry out both plumbing and gas fitting work.
- You can ask whether they offer a limited service or whether they are fully equipped to deal with any emergency.
Tommy Anderson, the author of this article, works as a plumber with Woden Valley Plumbing and Gasfitting, leading providers of emergency plumbing services in Canberra, Australia. He is an amateur magician and loves engaging a crowd with some of his tricks.
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