What has been considered emergency plumbing Mebane NC is a more common problem than most people realize? It's also cropping up more recently than in the past. There are several reasons for this, but the one that is undoubtedly the most significant contributor is recent changes in the way plumbers are paid.
Several generations ago, repair plumbers were typically individuals who worked for themselves with the assistance of an assistant or a trainee. "Plumbing companies" were typically involved in new construction projects as well as large commercial retrofits. However, it was soon discovered that there was money to be made from plumbing service and repair, and thus the first "emergency plumbing repair" company was born.
Initially, most of those businesses paid their employees by the hour. During this time, an emergency repair meant that the client had a massive leak, was complete without water, or that all of their drains were backing up and flooding their home. The plumbers' job was to alleviate this problem by visiting the customer's home and doing whatever was necessary to resolve it. Because these plumbers were extremely busy and were paid by the hour, there was no reason to do anything other than address the immediate need.
As time passed and competition among plumbing service companies became more fierce, businesses began to employ new revenue-generating strategies. The reasoning was that with fewer service calls, the plumbers would need to earn more money per call. Several companies began paying their plumbers on commission to encourage this. The technician would earn more money if they sold the job for a higher price. These plumbers realized there was only so much money they could charge for a simple service, so they began looking for extra work to do at every home they visited.
This was not a novel idea. We'd seen this approach before from mechanics and other tradespeople. "If you don't improve your brakes right away, they will break while you're on the freeway and you could get into an accident," is a common adage. This technique, believe it or not, is ideal for plumbing services. In the hands of a skilled salesman, a rusted pipe with a couple of years of life left in it can easily become a plumbing emergency.
Now, I'm not saying that this rusted pipe should be left alone. I'm simply pointing out that you should be wary of plumbers who label everything they see as an emergency. It might be best if you fix as much as you can while the plumber is on the way to your house. It is frequently the wisest course of action. Just make sure you do it because the plumber has given you reliable information, not because he has scared you with dire predictions.
FAQ
What exactly constitutes a plumbing emergency?
A clogged drainage system, broken pipes, and leaking gas are some of the common standard residential plumbing emergencies that people call their plumber for. When faced with a plumbing emergency, you can even take precautions to check the extent of the damage.
What should you do in the event of a plumbing emergency?
Turn off the water supply. When you notice a major problem in your home, such as burst pipes, you should turn off your home's main water valve.
Understand your plungers.
Repair a leak as soon as possible.
Avoid using chemicals.
Evaluate the damage.
Make the call as soon as possible.