A little over a week ago, I had a friend call me to get some plumbing advice.
She and her husband had just moved into their new home and had three plumbing issues arise and they had only lived in the house for three months.
I asked what the issues were and I smiled when she told me. I didn’t smile because I thought she was overreacting. I smiled because the issues were easily fixable, but I could understand her concerns that they seemed to keep finding defects. It was also a hassle having to chase the builder to get the plumber to fix the problems.
The first problem was a leaking plug and waste in the bath. The second was a leak on the laundry tub and the third issue was a blocked toilet which didn’t get used very often.
It’s common to find defects in a new home once the owners have started using the fixtures and appliances in the home. It shouldn’t happen, but it does and often shows the difference between a good plumber and a great plumber.
A good plumber will do the job as needed. A great plumber will not only do the job but test it a few times to ensure that when the client uses said fixtures, they won’t have any leaks or issues using it.
My dad was always anal about testing fixtures and appliances once they had been installed. When we’d finish installing a sink, basin or bath, dad would get me to fill them half way with water with the plug still in and release the water to watch for any leaks or drips in the cupboard or underneath if the pipework was visible. The same would be done on toilets and laundry tubs. We’d even put the dishwasher through a cycle to check no leaks at the connection on the waste trap.
The last thing we would want to do is return to a job because of a leak that could have been avoided if we had tested our work. Sometimes we did go back. Cheap or European model toilets would be nightmares especially if they were a close coupled toilet suite and all pipes were concealed. They are notorious for leaks.
If you are a customer, ask the plumber if they have tested the installation. That extra step could save you the hassle of ringing the plumber later if a leak does occur.
In new houses and new refurbishments, there can be teething issues with leaks or power points not working. There is usually a 1 year warranty (some builders claim 10) with installation and it’s important that once a defect is found, the builder is notified straight away to get it fixed up.
Have you ever experienced a leak or issue with an installation after a tradesperson has done some work?
I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for I blog on Tuesdays.
