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What is that weird hissing noise? And why does it smell like rotten eggs in here? Natural gas is a very reliable and energy efficient fuel, but it’s important to keep your line in great condition with professional repairs, replacement, and installation services. That’s why you need to be able to count on a reliable gas fitter in Edmonton.
If you have a gas line in your home and you suspect it’s due for repairs, or you want to have a new line installed, you need a gas fitter’s services. Edmonton homeowners may have questions about hiring a gas fitter—and if they don't, they really should! That’s why we created this guide. It outlines what you need to know before calling a gas fitter in Edmonton, including a list of questions you should ask before you seal the deal.
Ready to skip straight to the part where you have a dependable, experienced gas fitter at your door as soon as possible? No problem! You can count on the team of professional Edmonton plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton to provide the highest standards of expert workmanship and excellent customer service.
What Does a Gas Fitter Do?
Anything that has to do with your gas line, including inspections, repairs, installation, and replacements, can be handled by a qualified gas fitter. Edmonton properties have lines installed to fuel a wide array of systems and appliances, including residential furnaces, hot water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers and hydronic heating systems such as boilers. Natural gas offers high energy efficiency and is an inexpensive fuel source in Alberta, so it’s common for people to require a gas fitter’s services in Edmonton.
Do Plumbers Work as Gas Fitters in Edmonton?
Absolutely! Local plumbing companies are not all about Edmonton drain cleaning. The skilled technicians on our team offer a wide range of gas fitter services for residential customers, which includes installing, replacing, maintaining, and repairing fuel lines. We also maintain some of the systems connected to your gas line with services such as boiler repair, hot water tank replacement, water heater repairs and more.
8 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Gas Fitter in Edmonton
There’s a lot that can go wrong when working on gas lines, so it’s important to hire a service provider who really knows what they are doing and has skills that are backed by years of experience and training. It may feel intimidating if you’re not accustomed to hiring home service professionals, but there is actually a way to make the hiring process a lot easier—ask the right questions.
This list explains the top eight questions you should ask before hiring a gas fitter. Edmonton companies that are fully qualified and proud of the work they do will be pleased to answer these questions, so don't hesitate to ask! Grab a pen and paper so you can jot down a couple notes on their answers and make sure they’re up to your standards.
1. Are You Licensed?
You may be wondering why this is such an important question—isn't a gas fitter required to be licensed in Alberta? Yes they are, but there are still people out there working without proper licensing and you don't want them messing around with your property. When you hire licensed professionals, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’ve had years of training as apprentices and are certified to provide safe, dependable services. Our licensed professionals find long-lasting repair solutions.
2. Are You Insured?
It’s also very important to make sure your chosen company or individual contractor has valid business insurance. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong on the job site (your property), and someone is injured or the property is damaged, you need to know you won't be on the hook to cover costs. If a service provider doesn’t have insurance, it may be a sign they are having trouble finding a company willing to insure them because of prior claims or a lack of experience.
3. How Much Experience Do You Have?
As we all know, the most skilled professionals are those with ample experience under their belts. Can an inexperienced professional be good at their job? Maybe, because they are required to undergo a rigorous apprenticeship. By the time they graduate, even an inexperienced gas fitter has real-world experience to fall back on. But the longer technicians have been working, the more situations they’ve encountered and found solutions for. In this industry, it’s very important to have a broad knowledge base. So, you want to choose someone with at least a few years of solid experience. It also pays to hire a gas fitter in Edmonton with a great service rating. You want to know they are skilled, of course, but they also should have great customer service skills, be committed to treating you and your property with respect, and display professional, courteous behaviour at all times.
4. Will You Be Doing the Work Yourself?
After you confirm that the individual you’re speaking to is indeed licensed, insured, and experienced, it doesn't hurt to confirm that they will actually be the one doing the work. Some companies will send a different employee, or a subcontractor. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you may wish to speak with the person who’ll be working on your property first. Or get more information about them from the company, and it’s fine to ask so you know what (and whom) to expect.
5. Do You Charge an Hourly Fee or a Flat Rate?
This is another critical piece of information you need to know before hiring a gas fitter. Edmonton service providers will sometimes charge an hourly rate, and you could find yourself paying a lot more than you expected if the work takes longer than estimated. Some less-than-honest contractors will even draw out the work needlessly to inflate the final bill.
At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton, we only charge an upfront, flat rate with no hidden fees, so you know exactly how much you’ll be paying before we begin. Because we don't charge overtime fees, you never need to worry that you can't afford emergency plumbing services or fuel line repairs—our services cost exactly the same at midnight as they do at noon. Our emergency crew is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, even on long weekends and holidays. Here is more information onhow to choose the right emergency plumber in Edmonton.
6. Can You Provide References?
Any gas fitter in Edmonton who’s spent years building a reputation of outstanding workmanship and exceptional customer service should have ample evidence in the form of references. These days, references generally come in the form of online reviews and testimonials. But, unsurprisingly, people are not always completely honest online—a review may be written by the type of person who’s never satisfied and needs to be taken with a grain of salt, and sometimes companies will post or buy positive reviews to falsely increase their own rating. So how do you separate the wheat from the chaff to figure out which reviews are describing genuine experiences and reasonable opinions?
The best way to determine which reviews are legitimate is by consensus. If you look at a company on Google Reviews or another review site and discover they are almost all negative with a couple suspiciously glowing opinions thrown into the mix, that is a warning to stay away. But, if the reviews are mostly great with a couple bad apples, that’s a strong indication you’ll soon be leaving your own positive review. The team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton is very proud of our 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google, with well over 1,000 positive reviews from satisfied customers.
7. Do You Offer a Guarantee on Workmanship and Parts?
Things don't always go exactly as planned, but when you pay for a service, you need to know there is a guarantee on workmanship and the parts used by your local gas fitter. Edmonton property owners don't need to worry about that, because we always hire the best plumbers and gas fitters the city has to offer. We’re so confident in our team’s ability to get the job done right, we stand behind them with a guarantee on all workmanship and parts. If it's not done right, we make it right!
8. Will You Clean Up After Yourself?
Gas line services can be a messy business, and someone has to clean up after the work is complete. Ideally, that someone will not be you. It may seem like a given that your technician will clean up the mess once they’re done working, but that isn't always the case. By asking upfront before you hire them, expectations will be clear from the start for both parties. Our courteous technicians always make sure to leave your home in the condition they found it in—except your gas line, which will be much improved.
Do I Need Repair Services from a Gas Fitter in Edmonton?
Not sure if you actually need service from a local gas fitter? Edmonton properties with natural gas lines can experience a number of problems that indicate you need repairs or a replacement. It’s a good idea to be aware of the signs of a damaged or deteriorating line, so you can get professional help and avoid a serious safety hazard that can affect you and your family’s health.
Some warning signs to watch out for are:
Visible cracking or holes on the line
Hissing noises that sound like air (or in this case, gas) escaping a small hole
Rotten egg smells, or sulfurous odours
Visible rust on the line or fittings, or other signs of corrosion
Malfunctioning appliances that are not working as well as they used to, or not getting up to full power
An increase in fuel costs on your monthly utility bill
Since you have to pay for the fuel your appliances and other fixtures use, a damaged line can significantly increase energy costs by letting fuel escape. Even worse, fuel escaping into your home releases natural gas which is flammable and explosive at the right concentrations. Getting timely repairs and maintenance from a licensed professional will ensure you’re safe, secure and comfortable at all times. If you suspect a leak in your home, open all your windows and call a professional immediately.
What Caused the Problem with My Gas Line?
There are a number of factors that can cause damage such as leaks, so it’s impossible to say for sure what the problem is until we’ve had a chance to thoroughly investigate it and come up with an educated diagnosis. Common natural gas supply issues in Edmonton include:
Fittings have deteriorated over time, particularly at the point where an appliance is hooked up to the line
Fittings were not installed correctly in the first place
Gas appliance malfunctions due to a lack of maintenance or some other reason
Holes or cracks in a line that has suffered wear-and-tear over time
Rusted or otherwise corroded pipes
Broken lines caused by shifting soil, earth tremors or heavy construction nearby
Do You Need a Gas Fitter in Edmonton? Call the Pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton!
Whether you are in King Edward Park, Aspen Gardens, or another part of the Edmonton area, you can rely on the team of experienced service professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton for trusted gas fitter services. Customer satisfaction is our first priority.
Pick up the phone today and give us a call at 780-429-3600 to schedule an appointment with a skilled gas fitter. Our Edmonton service professionals are standing by 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to restore the comfort, safety and livability of your property.