subject: Emergency Vs Regular Plumber: Should 24 Hour Availability Cost More? [print this page] Hiring an unqualified plumber not only puts your property at risk, but also your health.
Every household faces the dreaded day when a pipe too clogged or a fixture too leaky appears at a terrible hour. It is all well and good if a plumbing problem appears gradually and at a point during which damage control is easily possible. However, what can an unsuspecting victim do when faced with the disastrous consequences due to ignorance of general household plumbing? We say ignorance because perhaps the problem may have been dealt with, without having to call upon an emergency plumber, had the fixtures been inspected every two months or so. Calling upon him, to be able to bear witness to the hopeless ruin of a perfectly tiled floor or a recently painted ceiling, is not a task for the faint hearted.
When the blessed day arrives for you to face such a trial, you will open the yellow pages to turn to the 24 hours available plumber with the most impressive ad space. You will pay no heed to previous references or how impressive the companys track record has been in avoiding the destruction of pleasant abodes. Calling for the service at an ungodly hour will only add to your already ridiculously steep bill.
Here is the bitter truth. There is no such thing as an impressive and reliable emergency fixture. It is quite the opposite. It gives an opportunity to unskilled and badly established companies to entrap unsuspecting household owners. Once fixed, he will almost always leave with a warning to be careful when it comes to any heavy usage of the specified fixture and with a promise to return the following day to check up. The work done on the following day will obviously be added to the bill, leaving quite a dent in your pocket.
Lets say however, that the job is finished on the first day alone. What guarantee is there that the problem will not return with a vengeance and stronger reinforcements? We are of course referring to the contamination of water pipes if tampered with by an unprofessional. It can also lead to water being directed to the roof or the floor which will over time result in pesky mold appearances or, in more serious cases, the destruction of entire rooms. In any case, the problem will no longer remain contained to your property but might cause harm to your family and put their health at risk.
When the question arises for whether emergency plumbers should charge extra for their services as compared to regular plumbers, the obvious answer is yes. It is true that prices should remain reasonable for customers due to most of the calls being received by this sector, deemed as an emergency in nature. But it should not be forgotten that a majority of the mishaps that occur in households is because of the ignorance of the owners. Eventually the price must be paid for ones irresponsibility.
