How to Hire a Plumber

Safe plumbing is absolutely necessary to our general safety in life. Without the ability to dispose of contaminated water and preserve a safe supply, we would be in big trouble. Therefore, the government has created statutes and codes to make sure that plumbers’ work is carefully regulated. That’s a good thing, because inadequate materials and contaminated backflow caused by incompetent workmanship can seriously affect drinking water quality standards. Efficient disposal of bad water is also very important.

Hiring a less-than-professional plumber is one mistake you simply don’t want to make. Improper installation of water softeners, heaters, and sillcocks can contaminate the water supply and cause sickness for you and your family. Worse, improper servicing and installation of water heaters and boilers can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and dangerous explosions, with fatal consequences.

Licensing

All California plumbers must be licensed: It’s the law! California plumbers must hold a current, valid plumber’s license from the Contractors Sate License Board to perform any work worth $500 or more, including materials and labor. If an unlicensed contractor is working in your home, you may experience serious financial repercussions in case of injury or property damage. It’s highly unlikely that any unlicensed contractor will be bonded or have workers’ compensation insurance.

Training

It may surprise you to know that licensed plumbers have four or more years of professional training. An apprentice plumber must receive 7200 hours of on-the-job training, in addition to four years of related training. Apprentices must also with The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, as well as be licensed in the State of California. Training includes study of blueprints, installation, welding, plumbing and gas codes, as well as mathematics and the sciences.

Insurance

Work only with licensed and properly trained contractors: they will have insurance that protects both you and themselves against defects in workmanship or materials, as well as any accidents or injury that may occur on the job.

One thing’s for sure, though: while you should exercise great caution in choosing the right plumber for your job, you’ll always be happy with a job done by the rooter and plumbing experts at Dutton Plumbing!