Plumbers Edmonton - Plumbing FAQs

It isn’t easy to choose the best Edmonton plumber when there are hundreds of professionals that are all trying to compete for your business. When it comes to entrusting your house to a local area plumber you need to be careful. There may be numerous options for you to choose from. However, not all Edmonton plumbers are equal. That is why we here at Plumbers Edmonton have prepared some very important questions that you should ask when selecting the best Edmonton plumbing service. For your convenience, we have also answered the questions.

Key Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Hiring.

1. Are you licensed?
   

   This is a very important question. Don’t simply take the plumber’s word at face value. While many plumbers work without a license, many homeowners assume that all plumbers must have one.  When a plumber is licensed that means he is registered with a governing body at either the local or provincial level.
   So, what is the problem if a good plumber is not licensed? For one thing, his work might not pass inspection. If that happens you will have little recourse since you decided to hire him even though he didn’t have a license.

2. Is that the total cost?
   

   Most professional plumbers provide customers with free estimates. However, be wary of anyone who wants to give you an estimate over the phone. Most plumbers will go out and check on the job before starting on the work. After a prospective plumber assesses the job and gives you a quote, ask if the quote includes all the costs for labour, materials, and a contingency in case there are problems. There are some estimates that might look good on paper but just basic costs for materials and as the job goes on will end up skyrocketing.

3. Is this a flat or an hourly rate?
   

   There are many plumbers who have clauses built into their contracts that state that homeowners must bear any reasonable expenses to finish the job.  Whenever you are getting an estimate, be sure to ask whether the total in the quote is a flat rate that will not change due to labour costs – or if an hourly rate plus material costs is what the plumber is using. Although the materials might be a fixed price, the problem with an hourly rate is that the costs will continue to go up as you continue to pay for labour if the job ends up taking longer than expected. Before signing a contractor, be sure that you know what you are getting into first.

4. When are you expecting to be paid?
   

   Always make sure you ask a plumber when they are expecting to be paid, and the amount of the total cost that they want you to pay upfront. If a prospective plumber asks you for 100 percent of the total cost even before the job begins, walk away. Some plumbers use a “milestone” system. After a certain part of the work is done, you will have to pay a certain percentage of the costs. Others will base it on time, i.e., once a certain number of weeks have passed, you will need to pay a certain percentage of the total cost. Quite often milestones are better since you only pay after certain tasks have been completed. Time payments can also work, but if the plumber is slow in completing the work, you might end up paying too much for not a lot of work done.

5. Who will be performing the work?
   

   Often professional plumbing companies will employ multiple plumbers and on bigger projects might use labourers also. Always ask the plumber who is providing you with the quote will be the one performing the work. If the plumber says no, then ask who will be doing the work and what level of qualifications and experience they have. If you aren’t comfortable with their answer or the plumber cannot provide you with enough details, then you may want to look for another plumber.

6. Do you clean your mess up?
   

   There should be an obvious answer to this question. However, there are some plumbing companies that do not clean up after themselves after they are finished with a job and leave the homeowner with a big, dirty mess, with boxes of materials and old parts laying around. Always ask if the quote includes cleanup, and if not, then ask why not. There are some companies that might charge extra for cleanup on top of completing the job. It might be worth the cost – but always be sure to ask.

7. What do you do if something breaks?
   

   Before you sign a contract, ask what type of warranty or guarantee the plumber offers on their work. Some promise they will return within one year to fix any problems. Others only offer their services on certain bathroom fixtures or under conditions when a leak occurs. Be sure that any type of warranty or guarantee is in writing — and the plumbing contractor is insured and bonded.

8. Do you provide ongoing preventative maintenance?
   

   Having a plumbing preventative maintenance contract can provide you with peace of mind. You can be confident that your plumbing system is working efficiently and reliably. Comprehensive inspections can help to identify potential plumbing problems before they turn into expensive emergencies. Inspections can help you save money and grief by identifying minor plumbing issues before they turn into larger problems.
   While it can be an overwhelming task to hire a plumber, if you ask the above questions it can help to ensure you hire somebody who actually knows what they are doing, won’t leave behind a half-finished job, and does good work.

General Plumbing Questions

How Can I Keep the Substance from Building Up on The Shower Head?

This white substance that you see building up on your shower head is mineral deposits. The most effective way to get rid of it is to pour one cup of vinegar inside of a plastic bag and then cover up the showerhead with this bag and leave it there overnight. Take the bag off the following day and then scrub the deposits off using an old toothbrush.

Every Ten Minutes My Toilet Fills Up – What is The Problem?

The toilet tank’s flush valve might not seal properly, and water may be leaking from the tank to the bowl. There are several different things that could be causing this problem, including a problem with the flush valve, a tangled-up lift chain, or a faulty flapper.

I Am Not Getting Any Hot Water from My Electric Water Heater

The heater’s high-temperature cut-off might need to be reset since it could have been tripped. If that is not the problem, then you could have a heating element or a thermometer that is faulty.

My Electric Water Heater Is Not Providing Me with Enough Hot Water

The temperature control might be set too low. If that is not the problem, then you could have a heating element or a thermostat that is faulty.

The Gas Water Heater Isn’t Giving Me Hot Water

The pilot light could be out. Or it might be due to a thermocouple or a gas valve that is faulty.

The Kitchen Sink Faucet Has Poor Water Pressure

Take the faucet aerator off that is on the end of the spout. Then clean the screen. Sometimes the aerator clogs up after some time due to it being designed to diffuse water in order to prevent it from splashing.

Why Does the Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

That could be from the water heater’s anode rod. The anode rode is part that corrodes away slowly so the tank doesn’t corrode. The plug fitting is screwed into the tank on the top part of the water heater. There is a solid metal rod that is made from zinc, magnesium, and aluminum that is suspended from the fitting. The rods are also called sacrificial anodes. That is because they sacrifice themselves in order to protect the steel tank against rusting. Once the anode has rusted and cannot protect the tank any longer, the steel tank starts to rust. You can change the anode rods to aluminum if there are certain chemicals contained in the water supply that cause bad odours. Depending on the condition of your water, you should check the system’s anode rods every 2-4 years to guarantee the tank’s longevity.

What Causes Pipes to Rattle?

That occurs when water lines are not secured properly. If it is easy to access your water lines, then it can be fixed. This occurs when the water lines meet the floor joist in one or several places. Cooper or plastic pipe hangers can be used to secure the water lines with the wood joists.

Questions About Tankless Water Heaters

What Temperature Should A Tankless Water Heater Be Set At?

Our Edmonton Plumbers trained professional will set the proper temperature on your tankless water heater based on your needs and preferences.

Will A Tankless Water Heater Provide Me with Instant Hot Water?

When a recirculation system is used, a tankless water heater can provide endless and instant hot water that fulfills all your needs.

Where Should A Tankless Water Heater Be Installed?

Our high-quality tankless water heaters are very compact. They can be installed practically anywhere in your house. The traditional tank-type of water heater is around 5 feet tall. By contrast, a tankless one is less than a third of the size.

Is DIY Installation of a Tankless Water Heater Effective?

No, your warranty on the system could be voided if the installation is done improperly. DIY installation is not the best way to install a tankless water heater. This could have potentially harmful effects on both your home and family.