You may have an issue with your pipes, drains or plumbing features, and you may be ready to hire a plumber soon. Perhaps you are looking for a great job as a skilled tradesman, and plumbing has caught your attention because of the unique work environment and the demands of the job. Plumbers have been assisting both residential and commercial customers for many decades, and learning more about what they do can help you to determine how to proceed with your next step.

What a Plumber Does

When you think about a plumber, you may think about a professional who unclogs drains and who stops the toilet from running when it continues to do so. However, a plumber does much more than this. A plumber is responsible for the care and maintenance of both fresh water features and sewage waste features. This includes all potable water and waste water pipes, drains, toilets, faucets, hot water heaters and other related features. The plumber can diagnose and repair issues with these features. He or she can also clean and maintain these features as well as install new features or replace them when needed.

How to Start a Plumbing Company

Plumbing is an honorable and necessary job, and many people will need to call a plumber to their home or workplace from time to time to make repairs and replacements. Plumbers are highly skilled, and in many areas of the country, you will be required to follow licensing requirements to become a plumber. In many cases, you will need to train under a licensed plumber for a number of years before getting a license. Once you are a licensed plumber, you can open your business as an independent contractor, or you can work as a plumber under another plumbing company. Marketing and advertising are needed so that you can get customers, and you will also need to invest in a wide range of necessary tools and parts to complete most types of plumbing projects on the spot. In addition, you will need a work truck or van that is fully stocked with the supplies and parts necessary for your projects.

How to Hire a Good Plumbing Company

If you need to hire a plumbing company for help with your current needs, you may be wondering how you can find a reputable company that will arrive on time and that will complete fast, quality work. First, verify that any company you choose to hire has an active license in good standing and that it is insured with an active policy. The person answering the phone should be able to provide you with contact information to verify the license and insurance status. Second, read consumer reviews if you did not get a word of mouth referral from someone you know. Understand that all companies that have been in business for a lengthy period of time will have at least one or two bad reviews, but avoid working with companies that have a seemingly overwhelming number of negative comments posted about them. Finally, if you need emergency services, verify that the company offers evening and weekend service.

Types of Plumbing Companies

There are several different types of plumbing companies that you can reach out to, and you want to verify that you contact the right one for your needs. The most common type of company is a residential service provider that offers assistance in homes for repairs, maintenance, new installation and replacements. There are also commercial plumbing companies that offer similar services for commercial buildings. Another type of plumbing company is a contractor that works on new construction areas. This type of professional may install the entire plumbing system in a new home or commercial building, and many will specialize in either residential or commercial new construction rather than both.

Plumbing can be an exciting career to have, and it immerses you in new experiences and different environments every day. Whether you want to be a plumber or you need to call a plumber for assistance, this information can be helpful to you.