The retired couple was excited at the possibility of getting help replacing their water heater. They admitted the old unit was working, but didn't seem to think it was providing as much hot water as it once did. With just the two of them, there was not a huge demand for gallons and gallons of hot water like there would be with a large family.

A fixture refers to anything in a home that has water flowing to it. A toilet, a sink, a hot water tank, a dishwasher, a bathtub; these are all examples of plumbing fixtures. Plumbers know the importance of keeping our fixtures operating like they should. Blockages, clogs, back flow issues and drainage are all things that a local plumber at fixing on a daily basis. Water not moving around as it should poses problems in all areas of a home. Having an issue with water leaving your home can be disastrous as water finds its own level and will back up and possibly spill out, causing a major mess and potentially a lot of damage. Water not going into your home properly causes problems within the pipes and then in turn within the appliances and fixtures that use that water to operate.

Be cautious. If you've just become aware of a problem with water line repair in your home, there are a few steps you should take. First, if there's a lot of water (such as from flooding), you should turn off your electricity to avoid electrocution. Also, don't use your regular household appliances (such as a vacuum cleaner) to remove water. If the water is contaminated (such as from a sewage line), you and your family should leave the home so that you don't get sick. Finally, if the water is from a leak, try to locate the leak's source and turn off the water to prevent further damage.



The con to time well spent is only if the fix or installation works. Suddenly, when a pipe is squirting water or the dishwasher is leaking all over the floor, that time seems wasted instead of well spent. Now your time is wasted, plus you have to pay for a professional plumber to come over and fix the mess. That time could have been spent doing something else, like golfing or swimming or gardening.

A plumber becomes a journeyman once they complete their apprenticeship program and they can apply to be licensed. Most of the plumbers today are in the field of journeyman. To get a license to be a journeyman, you need to pass an exam and pay a licensing fee.

Be certain that the bathroom exhaust fan vents to the outdoors, not into the house or attic. If the exterior vent dampers don't operate properly or water line repair don't seat well have them fixed or replaced.

I bought a new kitchen sink from a brand name building supply company and hired a plumber to install it. After he had left and I filled up my new sink to wash my first load of dishes in it, I noticed the water level had dropped. You wouldn't want to feel my shock and imagine the angry words that came out of my mouth! I couldn't believe that I had spent $300.00 on a brand new sink that couldn't hold water!

A large plumbing job, such as re-piping or installing additional fixtures, may require a permit. Check with your city's department of building and safety before asking for estimates, and avoid any plumbers who are reluctant to comply with regulations.