Fun fact: drain companies are a $14 billion industry in Canada.
That means that there are over 26,000 drain cleaning service companies to choose from. Searching for a quality company to clean drains in Scarborough?
Here's the deal. Not all drain companies in Scarborough are created equal. Check out the 11 most important things to ask your Scarborough drain cleaning professional today!
How to Understand Plumber Training Levels
Want to learn how to understand plumber training levels in Scarborough?
Fortunately for you, we've got you covered. Every province has its own rules and regulations regarding plumbing training requirements. But all of them require problem-solving, mechanics, and math to get the job done.
As a result, not every plumbing professional has the exact same training experience and certifications. For example, there are several different levels of plumbing expertise, including:
- Apprentice plumbers
- Journeyman plumbers
- Master plumbers
Are you familiar with apprentice plumbers?
If not, this type of plumber is someone who is learning about the plumbing trade for the first time. In addition to their rigorous classroom training, they'll experience on-the-job training too.
Typically, apprentice plumbing programs are completed through a plumber's regional union. But here's the thing. Apprentices can choose to work with a licensed plumber instead.
That being said, working with apprentice plumbers will give them the chance to master a wide range of plumbing problems. Normally, it takes anywhere between four and five years to progress through this stage. Journeyman plumbers have to complete exams and courses to renew their licenses as well.
Looking for the best companies who clean drains in Scarborough?
It's simple: hire one with a master plumbing license. After completing a number of years as a journeyman plumber, draining pros can apply for a master plumbing certification. Following a practical knowledge exam and a written test, they'll receive the highest plumbing credential on the books!
What to Expect From Your Plumbing Professional
If you don't know what to expect from your plumbing professional, you're really not alone. Let us explain. Once a plumbing expert shows up at your home, they'll be ready to handle almost any plumbing scenario.
Using the supplies and tools available in their truck, your plumber will address your draining issues right then and there. If you're dealing with an unplanned leak, then finding a plumber that offers 24/7 services will definitely come in handy. While every plumber has a different set of skills, most of them are trained to deal with:
- Replacing or repairing faucets and toilets
- Replacing or repairing pumps and valves
- Replacing or repairing tankless and traditional water heaters
- Repairing or installing gas lines
- Replacing or repairing interior or exterior water lines
For those of you who aren't good with your hands, hiring a professional plumber is going to be the wisest thing that you can do. When you connect with a plumber that you trust, they'll be more likely to give you advice about preventing plumbing issues. Additionally, your plumber should be able to explain red flags to watch out for too.
Again, don't shy away from asking questions. After all, you're giving them a paycheck to do the work because they're the experts in the field. The least that they can do is explain what kind of plumbing problem they're presented with.
Trust us - you'll feel much smarter after asking your plumbing company the following questions!
1. Do You Have a Plumber's License?
When it comes to plumbing issues, one of the first questions that you should ask your potential plumbing prospect is: do you have a plumber's license?
However, this information is easy to find out by visiting the plumbing company's professional website. Unfortunately, some drain companies don't have a dominant presence on the web. In this case, you're going to have to do some digging to see if they're professionally licensed.
This is a fantastic question to ask because many homeowners make the rookie mistake of assuming that their plumbing company is licensed. It gets worse. If anything goes wrong, you won't have a leg to stand on in terms of compensation for a bad job.
Here's the catch. Just because you ask a plumbing company if they're licensed doesn't mean that they'll tell you the truth. Pro tip: be sure to conduct a search of the plumbing company's registration on a local governing body's website.
2. Do You Have Plumber's Insurance?
If clogged drains are bringing you down, then we highly recommend that you hire a plumber to handle the damage for you. Before you slide over your credit card, though, make sure that you ask your plumbing company this question: do you have plumber's insurance?
Since there are a lot of hazards involved with plumbing, you need to make sure that your plumber has liability insurance. Otherwise, you'll be financially responsible if anything bad happens to your plumbing professional. Yes, that includes any injuries that occur while they are working on your home.
On top of asking your plumber this important question, you should also ask for proof of insurance. After all, peace of mind is priceless!
3. How Much Experience Do You Have?
During your search for a trustworthy drain cleaning professional, you’d want to ask them how much experience they have first. Although this isn't the most essential step on the list, it's still a significant question to ask. For those of you who are curious, there's no way that a plumber is allowed to start working without receiving professional training.
On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with having a more experienced plumbing professional at your disposal. For example, plumbing companies with decades of experience are much more likely to solve your problems without a hitch. Meanwhile, drain companies with less experience may not have as many customer success stories to rely on.
4. What Is Your Estimate? Does It Cover Everything?
Now that you've found out if your plumbing company is licensed or not, it's time to figure out what their estimate for plumbing repair services is. In case you're new to hiring plumbers, receiving a fair estimate is the most crucial part of the decision-making process.
As if that's not enough, you also need to ask your plumbing professional if their estimate covers everything. That's because unforeseen issues might end up in higher costs in the long run. But if you're dealing with an experienced plumber, then their first estimate should be as accurate as humanly possible.
Of course, this estimate should be free of charge as well. Besides this, make sure that their estimate includes the cost of building materials too. Most of the time, plumbers will provide a flat rate for routine fixes or installations.
Don't be afraid to ask them how their estimation and pricing work either!
5. Do You Have Any Client References?
You might be wondering: should I ask my plumber if they have any client references?
The short answer is yes. It's always a great idea to take a look at customer references when you have the opportunity to. To do so, directly ask your plumber for their references.
Nevertheless, doing a brief online search will usually tell you everything that you should know.
Get this: Google reviews and ratings from past customers are a wonderful resource as well.
Better yet, certain plumbing companies have a "customer testimonials" section on their website. That way, seeing how well they've treated previous clients should be a no-brainer.
6. Do You Provide Any Warranties?
Curious about what happens if a plumbing job goes terribly wrong?
We've got the answers that you're looking for. Ask your selected drain companies in Scarborough if they provide any warranties. This is the first step to protect yourself against any job-related issues.
In addition to asking if they have a warranty, get their statement written down for your records. Here's the best part. If your plumber does offer a warranty, then having them return to fix future plumbing problems within a set time period will be a breeze.
7. Are You the Person to Do the Work?
It might seem like we're stating the obvious here, but asking your plumbing expert if they're the person to do the work is a key step in the hiring process. Sometimes, a ton of draining professionals make up a single plumbing company.
Prefer someone specific to work on your home?
If yes, then asking who will be conducting the plumbing work on your house is beyond essential. This is an awesome way to prevent the following issues:
- Communication breakdowns
- Differing estimates
- Failure to meet client expectations
Here's the kicker. If you're dealing with an established plumbing company, asking who will actually do the work shouldn't be a problem.
8. What Happens in Case of Emergencies?
Don't be shy to ask your plumber what happens in case of emergencies. The greatest part is that draining emergencies often happen at weird hours. Feeling comfortable to call your plumbing professional at any time is a crucial step.
For those of you who need round-the-clock support from your plumbing company, try to find one that's open 24/7. Not every plumbing company offers this kind of service, so ask them what their emergency protocol is.
Obviously, discovering a plumbing company that offers 24/7 support will help you sleep better at night!
9. When Do You Need to Be Paid?
Clearly, you should ask your plumber when they need to be paid during your first consultation. This is particularly true for larger plumbing jobs. If you're having a smaller plumbing job done on your family's property, then you'll most likely sign a paycheck when they finish the work.
Meanwhile, those with larger plumbing jobs on their hands may have to pay their fee in pre-approved installment plans. In a nutshell, every plumbing company has its own methods of customer payment plans. If they don't bring up their payment dates during your consultation, then this is a question that you can't leave the conversation without asking.
You don't want to have any unexpected charges come up, do you? With this useful step, you'll be sure to avoid any payment predicaments in the future.
10. Why Is My Drain Clogged?
Nobody wants to pay for a plumbing service if they don't know why their drain is clogged in the first place. For the uninitiated, drains are used to carry wastewater from a house or building to a treatment plant.
So when your drain becomes blocked or clogged, its wastewater will be stuck inside of the pipeline. Once this happens, your drain can become chock-full of human waste, preventing homeowners from using their:
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Showers
If homeowners decide to ignore their drain problem, then wastewater can leak out of their toilets, sinks, and showers. Sadly, the result is a gigantic mess in your household. Nobody wants that, right?
11. Why Should I Hire Your Company?
Finally, ask your potential plumbing company why you should hire them. If you don't know the first thing about plumbing or drains, then you might end up paying more than you expected to. Plus, you may end up shelling out for maintenance or repair work that you could've done yourself.
For those of you who are hiring a drain cleaning company in Scarborough, they should be able to give you an answer about what sets them apart from the rest. Once you finish your consultation, you should feel reassured that your pipes, toilets, and drain systems will be in good hands.
Still have questions about your plumbing expert? Feel free to contact the competition for better estimates, rates, and services!
Finding Drain Companies in Scarborough is Easy
When you are in need of a professional drain cleaning service, finding the right company who ticks all the above questions can take some time. However, we made it easy for you to find the right drain companies in Scarborough.
Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Scarborough ON! Why? Because we cover all the above-mentioned bases! No need to take the time to review and filter-out a big list of companies, get your drain plumbing solved with one call by dialling (416) 755-6121 today! Visit our “Why Us” page for all the details!
Our licensed & insured expert drain cleaning plumbers are ready to provide you with prompt service.