20 things you need to know on plumber services

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20 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ON PLUMBER SERVICES

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Table of Contents

Description Page No.

Title ……………………………………………………………………………………… . 4

Basic guides in hiring the services of a plumber ……………………. 5

Before hiring a plumber ………………………………………………….. 5 – 9

Hiring a plumber contractor ……………………………………………. 10 – 12Monitoring ……………………………………………………………………… 13 – 14

Closing the deal with the contractor ………………………………. 15 – 20

Tips on how to find a credible plumber …………………………………. 21 – 27

Advises on what to do during winter and when water is

Flooding ……………………………………………………………………………… . 27 – 37

Summary ………………………………………………………………………………. 38



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20 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ON PLUMBER SERVICES



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Basic Guides in Hiring the Services of a

Plumber…

1) Before Hiring a Plumber.

a) Plan your project – Know what you want to be done in your

project and can clearly explain it. A full understanding of

instructions and information will help you avoid cost overruns.

Set a specific budget for the project.

b) Interview Contractors - Interview several qualified registered

contractors and solicit written bids. Evaluate all aspects of the



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bids, including the scope of work, warranties, references, time

frames and price.

c) Check if the contractors are registered – Request for the

contractor registration number. The law requires this number

to be included in all advertisement including the business card

and yellow pages. You can even check on the internet the

profile of the said contractor or the local authorities in your

area.

d) Verify workers compensation coverage – Contractors using

workers in the job site must have a workers’ compensation(industrial insurance) account and should be paid on time.

Contractors not using workers (owner-contractor) are not

required to open a workers compensation account.



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e) Ask for reference and verify them for authenticity – Conduct

interview or solicit opinion and observation of the contractor

from their previous job and contract. If possible try to visit the

job site and observed the work in progress with regard to their

work performance.

f) Get a disclosure Statement - Make sure to demand a legally

require notice to customer (disclosure statement) before the

work begins.

g) Learn about the permits – Permits are for safety. They ensurethat the vital functions of the building had been installed

according to the Building Code Specifications. Do not allow

them to overlook it.



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h) Check for a warning sign of a scam:

Provides a reference, credentials or information that

can not be verified.

Offers a special price, only if you will sign the contract

within the day or use other high pressure salestechniques.

Only accept cash payment, requires large deposits or

the entire cost of the project or maybe ask you to

make payment on their name.

Does not provide a written contract or complete bid.



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Ask you to get the building permit. In most instances

if you hire a contractor, the contractors is required to

take out the permit for you.

Offers exceptional long warranties.

Wants to do most or all the work on week ends or

after hours.

Gives you an offer that is “too good to be true”.



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2) Hiring a Plumber Contractor.

a) Check reference from supplier – Ask a reference from youdesire contractor especially their supplier. Check out their

payment record or history.

b) Understand Lien – Anyone hired by your contractor to work

on your property, or to provide materials for your project, who

has not been paid, has the right to force you, the consumer, to

pay them by making a claim against your property.

The claim is known as “lien” – specifically, a “construction lien”.A lien is filed within 90 days of work stoppage or delivery of

materials. Washington State Law allows this – and it is an easy



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way to get yourself in financial trouble. Fortunately, there are

ways to protect yourself.

c) Consider a Performance Bond – If your project is more than

$6,000, consider the contractor to post a performance bond for

the entire cost of the project. There would be a fee for this, but

in a large project is it beneficial in the future.

d) Anticipated Problems – Try to anticipate problems and

inconveniences. For example: With cost overruns and clean up,come to an agreement with your contractor on how they will be

handled before the work begins.



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e) Get a Written Contract – Contract should at least include: Price

including sales tax. Payment terms, such as paying as work is

completed and completion date. Permit fees if applicable. The

specific work to be performed. All list of materials, major

suppliers and subcontractor as necessary. Warranties and

processes for changing orders.

f) Advance money very carefully – When advancing for money for

materials, ask to make checks payable to both the contractor

and the supplier. Be very careful about paying for work that hasnot been finished or passed the inspection.



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3) Monitoring

a) Inspect the work – make frequent inspections of the work.

Check the work that is done according to the job description and

contractor’s schedule. Have a regular meeting with yourcontractor.

b) Check on Permit – Check up on the required permits. Make

sure that the contractor has all the permits in place and thoseinspections are in order. Request from the contractor the proper

confirmation of all required inspections and permits. Copies of

the permit are good for your protection.



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c) Put changes in writing – Put in writing all the changes from the

original agreement. Avoid verbal contracts or agreement.

d) Pay as work completed – Pay the significant work as completed.

Like a progressive work on a certain project. Rather than paying

on scheduled which does not comply with the specific stage of completion according to contract.



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4) Closing the deal with the contractor.

a) Before paying a final payment on a project, request acompleted lien release from all the major sub-contractors and

suppliers.

What you should know about liens:

a1) How to avoid lien problems.

Ask for the disclosure statement that advises you about lien

releases. If any of the supplier of materials, worker of

subcontractors that are not yet paid a lien may be filed against



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your property to force you to pay. You could pay twice for the

same work. Or worse, an unpaid lien could lead you to

foreclosure of your home. You can only be held responsible for

the amount left unpaid to the general contractor.

Before the project begins, request that your contractor post a

performance bond in the amount of the project cost. That will

help cover you better in case the contractor fails to complete

the contract as agreed.

If you receive a "notice of intent" to file a lien on your

property, ask your general contractor to provide you with lien



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release documents from the supplier or subcontractor who has

sent this notice.

The contractor is required to provide you with more

information about lien release documents if you request it. Do

not make further payments until this is satisfied.

Before making final payment for your project, require a signed

lien release from all major contractors and suppliers.

Make your checks payable jointly to both the contractor and the

subcontractor or supplier as payees.

Upon payment and acceptance of the amount due, the owner



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has the right to an executed release of all lien rights by lien

claimants.

a2) Who is subject to liens

Anyone who has hired a contractor to build a new home or is

buying a newly built home is subject to a lien.

A lien can also be held against a remodel project or animprovement to your property. However, in this case, the

amount of your liability may be limited to the amount you owe

the prime contractor at the time a lien is filed.



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a3) In what timeframe can a lien be filled against you - lien

against a consumer has to be filed within 90 days of workstoppage or delivery of materials.

a4) What can you do if a lien files against you

If a lien is filed against you, the best way to protect yourself is to

make a dual check to the contractor and the lien claimant to get

the lien removed from the contractor. You will know the lien

amount because whoever files the lien must mail a copy of thelien to the consumer within 14 days of the time the lien is

recorded.



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b) If contractor work has been improperly done, not done at all, or

you have had a lien placed on your property, find out what you

can do about these and other problems with contractors.



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TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A CREDIBLE

PLUMBER

Strongly suggests that homeowners obtain three price quotes from

licensed plumbers before beginning any work. The city cannot

recommend plumbers, but they provide helpful tips for hiring andworking with plumbers.

1. Make sure the plumber is licensed. Ask to see credentials before

beginning a project.

2. Get at least three price quotes from multiple plumbers or sewer

cleaners.



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3. Always ask the plumber if work is guaranteed.

4. If you have a long sanitary sewer service line (100 feet or more), ask

the plumber if the equipment will adequately rod the distance of

the sanitary sewer service line. For long service lines larger rodding

machines are necessary.

5. The plumber should provide you a guarantee, in writing, that the

blockage is pushed all the way into the city mainline. If they don’t

push debris to the mainline, the problem may reoccur.



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6. If tree roots are obstructing the sewer line, the plumber must use a

4-6 inch expandable root cutter. Some plumbers use a “spear-

head," but this tool only temporarily takes care of the problem.

7. If the plumber has a problem rodding all the way to the city main

and the blockage is located in the parkway, street, or basement,

homeowners should call the city immediately before the plumber

removes the sewer rod from the sewer line.

8. If the plumber is unable to clear your service line and is suggesting

to dig or install an outside cleanout; call the city immediately for

assistance.

9. Advise the plumber of any history of sanitary sewer back ups at your

residence.



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10. Many times, a customer is told they must replace or repair the

service line when it really only needs an effective root-sawing.Before allowing any plumber to dig up and replace your sewer line,

make sure he or she receives the proper city permit. We inspect all

sewer lines before issuing a permit to ensure the work is necessary.

11. Ask neighbors and friends if they have any plumberrecommendations.

12. Get cost estimates from at least two plumbers to determine:- Are they licensed?

- When they're available?



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- How soon they can usually respond?

- How much they charge to look at a plumbing problem?

- How to contact them if your schedule changes?

- Can they provide a list of references?

- Are there guarantees or warranties offered with their work?

- Do they have proof of workers compensation or general

liability insurance?

13. Ask if the plumber has leak detection equipment.Does their leak detection processes include inspecting the

water pipe between the water meter and the building?



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14. Are there any additional charges?

If a Plumber Recommends Repair(s) or Replacement:

Get a written estimate, before work begins, including:

- What will be done?

- Does it come with a warranty and when the warranty expires?

- What is the total cost (including labor)?

15. Are there additional charges if it doesn’t work and you need

additional visits?



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16. Get at least one additional estimate from a reputable company

for the same repair.

ADVISES ON WHAT TO DO DURING

WINTER AND WHEN WATER IS FLOODING

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This

expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it,

including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container,

expanding water can cause pipes to break.



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Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe

cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water

sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas likebasements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also,

pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are

also subject to freezing.

Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove,

space heater or other open flame device to thaw frozen pipes. Ablowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to

explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well

as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes:

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen

pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely



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places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your

water service enters your home through the foundation.

Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen

area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen

area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the

pipe.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad

wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or wrapping pipes

with towels soaked in hot water.



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Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to

locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you

can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have

additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

During Cold Weather, Take Preventive Action:

Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in thegarage.



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Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to

circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful

cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from

the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe

- even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing because thetemperature of the water running through it is above freezing.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the

day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower

nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you

can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.



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If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in

your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF

Future Protection:

Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection

from freezing. Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home

is remodeled.

Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will

maintain higher temperatures in these areas.



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When the weather warms up, check unused portions of your water

system for freezing damage and leaks to avoid possible flooding

damage from undetected cracked or broken pipes.

For more information, please contact a licensed plumber or building

professional.

Things to do when flooding cause by faulty water pipes:

If you have flood insurance, call your agent to file a claim. Let your

agent know your location if you have to leave your home.



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Take photos of any water in the house and save damaged personal

property. This will make filing your claim easier. If necessary, place

these items outside the home. An insurance adjuster will need to

see what's been damaged in order to process your claim.

Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Don't go

in if there is a chance of the building collapsing.

Do not use matches, cigarette lighters or other open flames upon

re-entering your property. Gas may be trapped inside. If you smell



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gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave quickly and call the gas

company from a safe place.

Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for

safety.

Avoid using the toilets and the tap until you have checked for

sewage and water line damage. If you suspect damage, call a

plumber.

Discard food - including canned goods - that has come in contact

with floodwaters.



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Boil water for drinking and food preparation until local authorities

declare your water supply to be safe.

Salvage water-damaged books, heirlooms and photographs using

restoration tips from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Information on salvage techniques and dealing with hazards such as

mold you contact your local professional restoration.

Follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding. Use

flood-resistant materials and techniques to protect your property

from future flood damage.



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Most home insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. Flood

insurance is available from agents certified to offer policies under the

National Flood Insurance Program, but policies must be obtained atleast 30 days before an actual flooding event.

Summary:

With all the basic guidelines, tips and advice from this ebook, you may

now consider to start your project provided that always be on the right

way of hiring a services from a certified and reputable plumber for your

protection. Not only that, it will save you more money and protect your



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family from any inconvenience or accident that may happen during the

construction of your water system.

20 things you need to know on plumber services

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