What does a plumber do?

Considering the plumbing is such a vital part of your home, there’s no doubt that professional plumbers are always going to be in high demand. Whilst it’d be nice if things ran smoothly all the time, unfortunately the plumbing has other ideas.

So if you’ve got a leaking toilet or a blocked pipe, you’ll want to speak with a plumber. Plumbers are trained to carry out a number of jobs in your home and these smaller jobs are just the icing on the cake.

Plumbers are also trained to install and maintain the full plumbing system of your home, whether it’s for drainage or drinking water. They’ll have years of experience in the trade and would most likely have studied as an apprentice at some point in their career.

Bear in mind though that if the plumber also deals with the central heating of your home, they’ll need to be Gas Safe registered.

The plumbing governing body, Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, aims to strengthen the professionalism of plumbers in the UK and each professional is thoroughly vetted before they can join.

What can a plumber do?

There are a number of jobs you could hire a plumber for and some of the most common include:

  • Fixing leaks
  • Clearing blockages
  • Installing kitchen appliances that require pipework, such as washing machines
  • Bathroom installations
  • Pipe removal and installation.

What to do when hiring a plumber

Whenever you hire someone to carry out work on your home you want to be sure they’re highly reputable and are going to do a quality job. There are some excellent ways to be sure of this:

Compare quotes: It’s always worth speaking with up to four plumbers and getting quotes for the work. This means you can compare prices and get the best deal. Don’t just employ the first plumber you speak to without knowing the average price for the job.

Get recommendations: One way to tell a plumber’s reputability is to speak with friends or family that have used their services in the past.

Check credentials: Is the plumber registered to a trading body? This ensures their professionalism and means they work to high standards.

No matter the reason you require a plumber, it’s best to do your homework and employ the right professional. Get up to four quotes and take it from there.