How many times have you been faced with a leaking toilet or burst pipe? With so much to do at home, who wants to have to take time out of their busy day to deal with an emergency plumbing problem? But those problems can’t always be avoided. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a list of emergency plumber Sydney listed and ready for action.
Here are five ways you can prepare for emergency plumbing emergencies in your home:
Review Your Insurance Coverage
The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company and ask about the coverage of your plumbing system. In some cases, homeowners’ insurance may cover damage caused by water leaks, however, the maximum limit will vary from one policy to another. If you have a burst pipe, the cost of repairs may be covered or you might have to meet a high deductible. You should also check with your insurance provider about what would happen if you were unable to pay for emergency plumbing repairs out-of-pocket because these services are not typically covered by basic homeowners’ policies.
Make Sure Your Emergency Plumber is Fully Insured
Unfortunately, many “uninsured” plumbers prey on unsuspecting victims by promising top service at rock bottom prices. These so-called “bandits” will disappear as soon as they receive payment, along with any hope you had of receiving emergency plumbing services. You can avoid this heartache and risk by researching before hiring an emergency plumber.Â
Make sure your plumber is insured and that they carry not only general liability but also commercial auto insurance, worker’s compensation coverage, and any other insurances that are required by your state.
Ask for Customer ReferencesÂ
Those who have received emergency plumbing services will be glad to share their experiences with you. They can tell you about the speed of service, whether or not the work was done well, if there were surprises in terms of cost or time involved, etc. It’s always best to hear first-hand accounts before making a decision about which company to use for your home repairs. The next steps should include checking online reviews as well as considering any legal action you might take against an uninsured” company that left you high and dry after a costly emergency visit.
Hire an Emergency Plumber You Can Trust
In many cases, the person who referred you to the plumber will be able to share his or her experiences with you as well. Ask about their office staff and how they handle billing questions and other details. When visiting the company’s office for informational purposes, make sure it is neat and professional-looking and see who you’ll be dealing with in terms of customer service representatives. They should be friendly and knowledgeable about the services that will be provided by their business.
Consider Your OptionsÂ
Hiring a plumbing company for emergency repair work can cost more than necessary if you don’t take time to shop around for estimates from different businesses. It can be helpful to get a second opinion before making your final decision. If your insurance company offers the service, you might consider contacting them for help in gathering bids. Your state’s licensing agency may also have resources for getting estimates from different qualified plumbing companies in your area who could provide the services you need.
Remember, you don’t need to be a victim of an emergency plumbing problem. If you take the necessary steps now to prepare for such an event, you’ll save yourself not only money but also time and inconvenience as well as stress.
How do I hire an Emergency Plumber?
For those who aren’t familiar with this kind of service, it’s important to know exactly what type of plumbers we’re referring to when discussing “emergency plumbers.” Some people use these terms interchangeably and think that all plumbers should be able to offer their services at any time and any place. While that may be true for some types of jobs, there are many times when customers are left wondering if they’ve been given misinformation or were treated unfairly.
