The Importance of Using a Licensed Plumber in San Diego

April 28, 2011 - PRLog -- So you need a plumber? The job looks fairly simple, perhaps a leaky faucet or a clogged drain so anyone with basic plumbing skills should be able to do the job right? Why pay what may be a higher fee to get a licensed San Diego plumber?

Many simple plumbing repairs can be completed without calling a plumber, but if the problem is larger than it first looked and the simple fixes don’t seem to work, you may need a plumber. Make sure that plumber is licensed in California. This is especially critical in a plumbing emergency.

A licensed San Diego plumber has the training and the experience to receive a license from their state. A plumbing contractor’s license is very extensive and less than half of those tested pass the first time. That license is your assurance that the plumbing company has met state requirements for training and professionalism. Licensed plumbers must be knowledgeable of local building codes in order to perform repairs and installations. They need to know proper safety procedures to avoid accidents while performing typical plumbing jobs.

You want a plumber who has the experience and knowledge to do the job right the first time. Correcting another’s mistakes can be even more costly that the original job. In California, applicants are required to have 4 years experience to qualify to take the exam. Experience must be at the journeyman, foreman or supervisor, contractor, or as an owner-builder. Applicants are also required to post a $10,000 bond. All states vary as to requirements, check with your state to see if the plumber you plan to hire is licensed.

Licensed plumbers are also required to carry liability insurance. This ensures that the property where the work is performed is protected. Using an unlicensed plumber could result in claims on the homeowners insurance policy, many of which may not cover damage from work performed by an unlicensed contractor. Also, most licensed plumbers in San Diego offer some kind of warranty or guarantee for a specific time period of their work.
Unlicensed plumbers can expose the homeowner to many potential legal problems. Code violations can be very expensive and if the unlicensed plumber or one of workers gets hurt on the job, he can sue the homeowner. Without a license, the plumber is not likely to have the correct insurance.

Plumbing, if done improperly, can harm the water supply, causing sickness and even death. Plumbing is a serious, sometimes dangerous business.

“At one point in history, plumbers were considered as important as doctors,” says Ike Casey, executive vice president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association. “Waterborne diseases are extremely serious, and it’s critical to have clean water and proper plumbing. We’ve taken that for granted in this country, but if you have someone who’s not trained, improper plumbing could create a very serious health problem.”

It may seem like a good idea at the time, to hire the local handyman down the street for your next plumbing need. The reality is much different. The benefits of hiring a licensed San Diego plumber are clear. You may pay a little more for their services, but you will protect your family and your property, not expose yourself to code violations, and you will likely get the job done correctly the first time.

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Black Mountain Plumbing Inc, expert plumbers in San Diego, CA specializes in residential and commercial plumbing repairs in San Diego, CA. They are also well known for their bathroom and kitchen remodeling. 2010 Angie's List Super Service Award Winner.