Important Questions To Ask Your Drain Clearing Company
Drain clearing services go best when everyone’s informed. The right questions can help you manage your budget, lower your stress levels, and enhance your plumber’s service. Think of it as interviewing to find the best business partner and employee.
Have your questions ready when you schedule your plumber, and keep writing materials handy.
Why Call a Plumber to Clear a Drain?
In the age of DIY, it’s easy to assume the fastest solution is to handle plumbing issues on your own, especially regular nuisances like clogs. Unfortunately, many home remedies for plumbing issues can prematurely erode or even damage your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners come with risks, especially when you don’t have the equipment to check the blockage and the state of your pipes. Certain kinds of pipe snakes can also cause damage without professional training. Some tools and techniques, like hydro-jetting, are only available through licensed plumbers.
The right plumber can make all the difference. Even if you clear a drain today with a chemical agent, the clog will likely return if you don’t address the underlying cause of the problem. Professionals can diagnose the cause of recurring clogs, unpleasant odors, backups, and other issues. Don’t risk the same headache tomorrow. Get a pro on your side.
Questions for Your Plumber
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
A license ensures plumbers have the expertise they claim. Florida law requires licensing for all plumbers, protecting consumers and homeowners by verifying professionals have the necessary training to do a job well. Failure to meet state or industry standards may lead to a plumber losing their license, so they’re invested in doing good work.
Insurance and bonds provide homeowners with a safety net in the event that things go wrong. Commercial insurance typically covers damage to a person or property. Bonds add extra layers to that protection, covering risks like theft, illegal work, or further damages.
Do you charge flat or hourly rates?
Understanding how a business charges helps you make your own estimate of a job’s cost and spot additional fees before they surprise you. A flat rate may include simple drain-clearing jobs within a visit’s set time. Hourly rates may be used in complex cases, when additional plumbers come to assist, or from the start.
While discussing cost, ask if travel time is included in their rate and if they offer financing options. Check if there are coupons or discounts for multiple services performed during the same visit (like clearing two drains instead of one), and whether they offer free quotes.
Does your fee include clean-up?
The grease, debris, and pathogens lurking in your pipes can make a mess during pipe cleaning. Before a plumber begins work, ask if they offer clean-up service and whether they charge extra for it.
Experienced plumbers usually take preemptive measures to keep your home mess-free. Shoe covers keep plumbers from tracking a mess through your house, plastic floor protection avoids drips from equipment carried in and out, and protective sheets over counters, walls, and fixtures can prevent sludge from staining delicate surfaces. See what plumbers are willing to do to keep your space clean.
What will you use to clear the drain?
Discuss your situation with your plumber to determine what tools they’ll be using and what risks those tools pose to your pipes. Hydro-jetting is fantastic in many cases, but it’s a costly first choice for a minor blockage, and it isn’t safe for old, compromised lines.
Plans run best when everyone understands them. Review your options, and ask what steps the plumber uses against difficult clogs. Do they use a powered pipe snake if their manual one doesn’t work? Do they perform inspections at the beginning of the process or only when things don’t go to plan? What happens if something goes wrong?
Does your work come with guarantees or a warranty?
Ask what happens if something goes wrong after the plumber leaves. Guarantees and warranties cover a plumber’s work for a certain amount of time under specific conditions, and most plumbers offer some kind of promise reflecting the quality of their work. If a recently-serviced drain backs up again within a month, for example, the company may offer a free visit to clear it again.
Do you have tips or services to prevent future blockages?
Frequent clogs and backups could indicate larger problems. Ask your plumber about potential causes, like build-up or your system’s layout. Your plumber may have pipe safe DIY tips to prevent grease from accumulating so quickly, or they may suggest services like annual hydro-jetting to prevent future clogs.
Do you use contracts?
Word-of-mouth is a great way to learn about plumbers your neighbors trust, but promises are better on paper. A contract helps answer questions about rates, warranties, and insurance, but it also helps avoid miscommunications and misunderstandings. The contract clarifies the details and ensures you have legal options should you need them.
Why Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing?
A clogged drain doesn’t need to ruin your day. Call our expert team of licensed plumbers in Miami, FL, for rapid service. If there’s any delay it’s YOU we pay! Boost your system’s performance with regular maintenance from trusted experts, and rely on us in an emergency. Contact us today to learn how we can help. We’re happy to answer all of your questions directly!
