When you call a plumber to fix a problem, you expect the solution to be straightforward. But this is not always the case. Some problems require a process of elimination which eventually will lead to a solution. Here’s how to deal with conflicting advice from plumbers.
What types of plumbing problems require a process of elimination?
Believe it or not, there are various plumbing problems which require expertise in crossing out possible causes before the solution is found. The most common problems which require a process of elimination include:
- Water hammer
- Leaks
- Blockages
Let’s explore these in better detail.
Water Hammer
Water hammer is caused when the water in your pipes change direction abruptly creating a reverberating banging sound through the walls or ceiling of your home.
Water hammer can be caused by a number of factors, and it will always require a process of elimination to fix the cause.
The most common ways to fix water hammer is
- Ensure water pipes are fastened to studs in the walls with clips
- Fit a pressure limiting valve at the water meter to reduce pressure in your water pipes
- Replace tap washers
- Choose soft close mixer taps
- Install water hammer arrestors to compress the air pipes
Leaks
Leaks can be caused from a variety of sources in the home. Liquids can travel, and often the location of the damage is not always in the same position as the leak.
When water damage is noticed in your home, the best way to identify the cause is by getting a plumber to conduct a leak location inspection to pinpoint the exact cause of the leak.
Blockages
Blocked pipes can be caused by a variety of different items and can occur anywhere in your sewer pipes.
The best way to find a blockage is to hire a plumber with a drain camera to determine where the blockage is and provide a solution to get the pipes free flowing again.
But plumbing problems aren’t the only things you can get conflicting advice on. Plumbing trends are another hot topic your plumber may give an opinion on.
Dissuasion on plumbing trends
Chrome taps instead of matte black; Built-in bath instead of free-standing; Double shower instead of bath; Bench mount taps instead of wall mixers. Plumbers will have opinions over your renovation and may sway you to go against what you’ve chosen.
Plumbers are usually the trade that will come back to do maintenance so they will have an opinion or two about your plumbing choices.
Go with what you love, consider the pros and cons and stand by your final decision. You’re the one who has to live with the design, after all.
How to deal with conflicting advice from plumbers
When you have plumbers giving conflicting advice, it can be confusing and frustrating. It makes it hard to know who to trust and stirs up fear on spending money unnecessarily.
There is no harm in getting a few opinions, but also understand, plumbers are giving advice from what they see and what they have experienced before. Not all plumbers are right and not all suggestions are going to be wrong. It helps using a licensed plumber that is trusted in the community to ensure you’re getting the right advice for your plumbing needs.
