10 money lies your plumber might be telling you

Ugh! It’s so frustrating when you start hearing your toilet gurgle, have no hot water for your shower, or discover your kitchen sink is clogged. Unless you already have a reputable plumber, you’re at the mercy of one you don’t know. Before you decide on a plumber, here’s how two licenced plumbers say you can flush out the lies from the truth.

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Even if you have no working knowledge of the plumbing system in your home, a plumber should show you evidence of the problem. “If your plumber is making recommendations without physically showing you proof of a problem, they may be using dishonest tacts,” says Max Rose, owner of Four Seasons Plumbing. This includes the hard-to-access places like the attic or crawl space; a plumber should show you pictures if you can’t see for yourself. “If the plumber gives you the run-around, get a second opinion from a reputable plumber in your area,” advises Rose.

You never realise how much you take hot water for granted until you step into a cold shower. A fast fix is essential, but if your plumber doesn’t come up with repair options for a water heater that has no visible leaks, give the plumber the cold shoulder and get a second opinion. “There are some rare cases where a water heater might have some serious issues apart from leaks and cannot be repaired, but 99 percent of the time you should expect a plumber to give you both repair and replacement options, as well as inform you of the manufactured date and life expectancy of the particular unit,” says Rose.

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Far worse than a cold shower is a backed-up sewer line. A foul odour coming from one of the drains or the distinct sound of a gurgling toilet could be signs of a backed-up sewer line. “If your plumber recommends a sewer line replacement without a sewer camera inspection first, they may be hungry for a big sale and might not have your best interests in mind,” warns Rose. Always ask to see a camera inspection to confirm that replacement is your only option, Rose says.

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It’s a pleasant surprise to get a cheap rate on a service call – until a week or month later when your pipes spring a leak again. “Plumbing is a service, which is the opposite of a product. Products are easier to control in regards to quality, because they are typically all produced the same way and by machine. Services require human hands, and humans have flaws,” says Mitch Kenney, owner of Colepepper Plumbing. “Quality service at a low price is extremely rare.” Quality service should include a written warranty or a guarantee that any work done will last at least a year.

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It’s true that you might not need a permit to fix small plumbing problems like a leaky tap. Still, the larger scale plumbing problems such as replacing a hot water heater, sewer replacement, or even moving existing plumbing to a new location during a kitchen remodel, usually requires a permit. “These permits are required for public safety, yet many plumbing contractors skip permitting to save on costs and to do shoddy work,” says Kenney. If you’re not confident with your plumber’s decision, check your local plumbing codes and permit requirements. While pulling a permit can be time-consuming and add an expense, the upside is that having one means the final work is inspected. “It will protect you from poor and illegal work and it’s also a great selling point if you decide to ever sell your house,” says Kenney.

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The plumber said it would only take a couple of days to fix the problem. Two weeks later, and the crew is still in your house. “Many companies are lowering their hiring standards just to attract employees,” Kenney says, noting there’s a shortage of qualified applicants. An underqualified person might not just take longer to get the job done, the work might not be up to par – costing more money down the road. To save yourself a headache down the road, ask about the credentials of the people who are going to be working in your house. “Research the licencing standards your plumbing company requires of its employees,” says Kenney.

If you ever received a diagnosis from a doctor and were given only one option of treating it, chances are you’ll seek out a second opinion. The same is true for plumbing. “If your plumber is just giving you one expensive option and not even exploring minimum repairs, they are probably trying to take advantage of you,” says Rose. Ask for more options, including a minimum repair, he suggests. If they refuse, it’s time to call in a different plumber.

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Spotty water glasses and green or brown stains on plumbing fixtures often point to poor water quality – but not always. An accurate water quality test determines if water filtration is needed and identifies the type of filtration required to resolve the problem. “If your plumber recommends a water softener or any major filtration without a water quality test, they could be trying to sell you something you don’t need,” Rose says. Move on to another plumber who will conduct a water quality test and review the results and options to remedy the issue with you.

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What a relief! The plumber is at your doorstep a few hours after you call and gives you a verbal price for the repairs. Unfortunately, once the plumber finishes the job, they claim the repair was more time-consuming than they originally anticipated and raise the price. You’re in a pickle now. “Feeling held hostage, you regrettably pay,” says Kenney. His suggestion to avoid this: “work with a company that always charges flat-rate pricing and sign a contract before the work begins. This way, there will be no surprises at the end.”

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