If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.
If you're a new homeowner, it is only a matter of time before you find yourself needing to call a plumber. Whether it's for a broken toilet, a slow drain, or a burst water pipe, you are bound to have a few questions about the process. This article will present the answers.
Does the plumber need to be licensed?
The short answer is "yes." You should always look for someone who is a licensed plumber to do work on your home. Different states and municipalities have different licensing requirements, but overall, the fact that someone is licensed demonstrates that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the job. You can hire an unlicensed handyman for some things, but plumbing should not be one of them. One error could leave you with a flooded house, after all!
Should you request an estimate?
Yes, when you first call the plumber about your problem, it is completely acceptable for you to ask for an estimate. If what you need is a simple repair, such as replacing a toilet, the plumber may be able to give you an estimate over the phone. For more complex jobs, like re-piping a home or replacing a sewer pipe, they will want to come out to the house, take a look, and give you a more broken-down and precise list of costs involved.
How soon can you expect a plumber to get to you?
This obviously varies based on the company and also based on the type of work you need to be done. Companies that offer emergency plumbing services will typically get to you within a day or two if you're dealing with something like a sewage backup or a big leak. If you need more general work done, then it will depend on how far out the plumber books their work.
It's not unusual to be told there's a 2 - 4 week wait. If you're told the wait will be much more than that, and you want the work done sooner, then you should reach out to a few other local plumbing companies and see how their wait time compares. Winter is usually the slow season, so if you want prompt service, consider putting off non-emergency plumbing updates until then.
Hopefully, you now have a bit more clarity on the process of hiring a plumber. After you do it once, it won't be something you worry about!
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