Throughout the course of his day to day life, a homeowner is often faced with a certain repeat question: Do I fix this problem myself, or hire a professional who knows what he’s doing? It’s an understandable conundrum. After all, home repairs tend to spring up often and sometimes out of nowhere, and the idea of forking over significant chunks of money in exchange for professional services might seem upsetting or even improbable to some.
When it comes to home repairs, certain items any handy homeowner is better off fixing himself. However, when it comes to matters relating to plumbing, HVAC, and electricity, the average homeowner would be truly wise to call in the experts. Daniel Fish is the proud owner of Daniel Fish Plumbing, a company that has been serving Los Angeles and Ventura counties since 1981, and according to him, plumbing matters can often end up being more complicated than they seem. For this reason, it’s best that even the handiest of homeowners call upon the professionals to tackle plumbing issues that aren’t truly minor.
Some homeowners – especially the handier ones out there – might ask “But what does a plumber know that I can’t simply look up myself?” According to Fish, when it comes to plumbing matters, it’s not just a matter of knowledge; it’s a matter of experience. The thing about many plumbing-related tasks is that they require more than just the mental awareness of what to do and how to do it – they require actual, hands-on skill. For example, it’s one thing to go online and read about how to install a new water heater, but it’s another thing to have actually already performed the task numerous times. When it comes to plumbers, it is usually their experience that makes them good at what they do.
One thing that homeowners ought to keep in mind about plumbing is that it is one area of home improvement and repair that, if done incorrectly, can come with some serious financial consequences. The good thing about hiring an experienced plumber is that he has likely seen his share of smooth jobs, as well as his share of complicated jobs – and in many cases, it’s the tricky jobs that end up providing a plumber with the skills that set him far above the average handy homeowner. Therefore, a seasoned plumber is far better equipped to tackle a job that ends up being a challenge than a homeowner who has simply browsed through some web pages and “taught” himself what to do.
Of course, when it comes to plumbing credentials, one thing that people ought to know is that the presence of a plumber’s license is not always synonymous with actual work experience. In order to obtain a license, a plumber doesn’t necessarily need a certain number of years in the field; he simply has to pass a test. According to Fish, a plumber’s license number will indicate how long the professional in question has been in business; however, this does not necessarily mean that the licensed plumber is the one doing all of his company’s work. In many cases, a plumbing company will have a license, but will send its unlicensed workers out to perform most of its actual jobs. Therefore, Fish warns that when it comes to choosing a plumber, it’s not enough to simply take comfort in the fact that he possesses a license. Instead, it’s important to find a plumber who has actual experience in a variety of plumbing-related matters.
If you’re a homeowner and have a tendency to encounter plumbing issues from time to time, then you might want to think twice before attempting to tackle such matters on your own. As much as it might pain you to pay for a plumber, in many cases, you’ll actually end up saving money by having the job done correctly the first time around. And as self-assured as you might be regarding your own personal plumbing abilities, just remember that unless you have years of experience in the field and a state-issued credential to back up your confidence, you’re not nearly as qualified as a licensed plumber who truly knows what he’s doing.
