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When it comes to plumbing issues, they can arise at any time and with little notice. Whether it is a leaking faucet or a burst pipe repair emergency, time is of the essence when it comes to fixing the issue. In such times of panic, many homeowners may be tempted to hire an unlicensed plumber to come and fix the issue. But is it worth it? Here we will discuss the risks of hiring unlicensed plumbers for emergency repairs.

What is an Unlicensed Plumber?

An unlicensed plumber is an individual who is not certified to work as a plumber by the relevant local or state authority. These individuals operate without a license, which means that they have not undergone the necessary training required to be a professional plumber. They may be self-taught or may have worked as an apprentice under a licensed plumber, but they are not authorized to perform plumbing work.

The Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Plumber

There are several risks associated with hiring an unlicensed plumber for your emergency repairs. These risks include:

1. Poor Quality of Work

Unlicensed plumbers may lack the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the repair work to a high standard. Plumbing work requires expertise, and without proper training, it is easy to make mistakes that can lead to more significant problems down the line.

2. Safety Risk

Working with plumbing systems is hazardous, and if not done correctly, it can be life-threatening. An unlicensed plumber may not be aware of the necessary safety protocols that need to be followed when working on plumbing systems. This can lead to accidents or even explosions, which can put the safety of your family and your home at risk.

3. Liability Risk

If an unlicensed plumber makes a mistake while working on your plumbing system, you will be liable for any damages that occur. If the plumber is not licensed, they will not have insurance, leaving you responsible for any costs associated with the damage. This can end up being a significant financial burden, especially if the damage is extensive.

4. Voiding of Warranties

Many plumbing systems come with warranties that state that only licensed plumbers can perform repairs. If you hire an unlicensed plumber to perform the repairs, you will likely void your warranty. This means that if there are future problems with your plumbing system, you will not be able to claim on your warranty.

5. Legal Implications

Hiring an unlicensed plumber is against the law in many jurisdictions. If you hire an unlicensed plumber and they cause any damage, you can be held responsible for breaking the law. This can lead to fines and legal implications that can be avoided by hiring a licensed plumber.

licensed plumber at work in a bathroom, plumbing repair service, assemble and install concept

Why Hire a Licensed Plumber?

When it comes to emergency plumbing repairs in your home, it is always best to hire a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber has undergone the necessary training and certification to ensure that they have the necessary skills and expertise to perform the repair work to a high standard. Some of the benefits of hiring a licensed plumber include:

1. Quality Work

A licensed plumber is trained to handle any plumbing issue, no matter how complex it may be. They have the experience and expertise to diagnose problems correctly and provide reliable solutions that will fix the issue for good.

2. Safety

A licensed plumber knows how to work safely with plumbing systems. They are trained on safety protocols and have the appropriate tools and equipment to ensure that they can fix the issue safely.

3. Insurance

Licensed plumbers are required to have insurance, which means that if there is any damage to your property during the repairs, you will not be held liable for the cost. This provides peace of mind and ensures that you are protected in case of any accidents.

4. Compliance with the Law

Licensed plumbers are authorized to perform plumbing work and comply with all relevant laws and regulations. They are aware of the building codes and other legal requirements in your area and will ensure that they operate within the law.

In conclusion, though hiring unlicensed plumbers may seem like a cheaper and more convenient option, it is not worth the risk. The risks associated with hiring unlicensed plumbers are too high, and it is best to hire a licensed plumber for any plumbing issues, especially in an emergency situation. A licensed plumber will perform repairs to a high standard, ensure the safety of your family and home, and provide legal protection in case of any accidents.

You will only know the importance of finding a competent local plumber once you have had an unqualified plumber mess up the plumbing in your home. Plumbing emergencies are one of the worst problems to have in the house. Issues like water heater malfunctions, burst or frozen pipe emergencies, or an overflowing toilet can grind your entire household to a halt.

When you have a plumbing emergency in your home, Advantage Properties advises you want to be sure the person you hire to fix it knows what they are doing. However, in most cities in the USA, there is a surplus of plumbers, but finding the right one can be very difficult. It does not make it easier as incompetent plumbers often charge less than capable ones.

A dishonest plumber can do this because they will use substandard materials and methods. Additionally, they spend fewer hours on a job, so homeowners’ labor costs are lower. But the allure of that cheap patch-up job fades when the home’s plumbing fails, and the cost of fixing it is several times more than the money saved.

How can you identify an incompetent plumber and avoid the harm that person can do to your home’s plumbing and finances? Before you hire a plumber to work in your home, check for the following seven things. An honest and competent plumber will not have any difficulties satisfying the opposite of the listed conditions.

New plumbing companies

If a plumber is inexperienced, you don’t want them messing with your home’s plumbing. Avoid newly established plumbing companies. That new company may be a fly-by-night operation that just rolled into town. If a company doesn’t have roots in the area, it can easily pack up and leave. Unless the principal of the new plumbing company can show a track record of having worked with another reputable plumber, don’t hire them.

Plumbers without an up-to-date license

A plumber needs to be licensed to work in the municipality. But more than having a license is required; the license must be up to date. You should be able to verify their registration status with the local government and the local chapter of their professional body. Also, you want the plumber to have expertise working with homes like yours. Even if they are legit, hire someone other than a plumber who specializes in commercial plumbing systems for your residential plumbing repair issues.

A plumber who does not have enough reviews or references

A local plumber should be able to furnish you with sufficient references. If the plumber has experience working in the area and is as good as they claim, it should be easy to give you a list of past or current customers. Only hire a plumber if they provide out-of-town references or if the references are good. Do not hire a plumber if they don’t have an online footprint or if all the online reviews are positive.

Plumbers who don’t have enough insurance

Even good plumbers make mistakes, but the best plumbers always prepare for that possibility. Avoid a plumber if they do not have sufficient insurance. At a minimum, the plumber should have enough insurance to cover employees injured on the job, protect you from liability and cover your losses if your property is damaged. Avoid a plumber who will not let you verify the extent of their coverage with their insurer.

A plumber who doesn’t employ licensed tradesmen

Avoid a plumbing company if they don’t have licensed tradesmen on their payroll. Plumbing systems are delicate; the massive damage that can result from a minor error by an incompetent worker is something you want to avoid. Even if the owner is qualified, the lack of experienced hands could lead to long wait times. You want to know that the company can deploy a trained plumber to your home in an emergency.

Plumbers who don’t offer guarantees and warranties

If the plumber can’t give clear-cut answers about what they will do if there is a problem with a job they did for you, avoid that plumbing company. You want a plumber who offers guarantees on the parts they used in your system, plus on the labor. If the plumber does not guarantee that something goes wrong with the job within a specific timeframe and that they will fix it at no cost to you; you don’t want to hire them.

Plumbers who will not put it into writing

If a plumber wants the contract to be verbal and hesitates to put it on paper, they cannot be trusted. Your arrangement with a plumber should not be over the phone. That is subject to change and there is no way to prove what you agreed with the company. All agreements should be documented and both parties should agree on the meaning of every aspect of the contract. If anything, please do not work with that plumber.

These seven simple tips should save you the inconvenience of hiring a less than adequate plumber and will save you a ton of money in the long run.

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The Risks of Hiring Unlicensed Plumbers for Emergency Repairs