Finding Local Nearby Plumbers You can Rely On
Homeowners may not foresee big plumbing issues in their future, but rental property landlords have a little more foresight.
In fact, plumbing issues of one kind or another beset even the newest or well-maintained homes. And the other issues will need a local plumber for sure, sometimes on an emergency basis.
Thinking about plumbing emergencies and accidents is wise. Preparing for an event is even wiser. This winter, a deep freeze could break water pipes in houses/apartments, or a washing machine outflow pipe falls off, or a toilet could overflow. It happens when you least expect it.
No Inspections Means Something Could Happen
If the landlord doesn’t conduct frequent inspections to detect signs of decomposing pipes and joints and plugged drains, etc., an accident will happen at some point.
You might also have a defective water heater ready to quit, a garbage disposal that’s backing up, and some drains that are becoming clogged, and possibly your water pipes are seriously corroded or cracked. It could be a lurking issue or one that is an emergency right now.
You’ll be on the phone calling a plumber near you, but will they respond fast and professionally?
I can relate my own experience here.
A plastic pipe burst in the basement of my rental house and hot water was spraying all over the walls. I didn’t know where the shutoff valve was. I assumed it was obvious and available, but I couldn’t find it. I phoned my landlord who told me it was at the back of a storage closet. I had to empty everything out of that closet to reach the water valve at the back. Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage, but a plumber had to be hired to fix the leaking clear plastic pipe running out of the water heater.
Searching for a Plumber Near You Now
Do a search for a plumber now and get a feel for their reliability and response. Do some review searches (reputable sources and not people trashing others) to determine their professionalism and customer experiences. Their website will give a good picture of their priorities. Phone them to inquire about services.
Once you have a good one established, you’re sure how to reach them fast.
The service fees charged by plumbers and other trades people can be exorbitant. When you search and prequalify, you’re identifying reputable plumbers and know their emergency charge before-hand. And you’ll see their service charges for any apartment renos, inspections, and other work they may do (such as repairing damaged drywall may have to hire a carpenter or drywaller).
Skilled Contractors Can Make a Difference
And plumbers (and other contractors) do have essential skills to help you avoid big losses including those related to toilets and water pipes. You can’t rely on landlord insurance or tenant insurance to cover damages when the big disaster happens.
Big expensive repairs just shouldn’t happen. Property managers ensure inspections aren’t missed or glossed over via scheduled inspections via property management software.
And the full cost of a water disaster might include: mold remediation, emergency plumber visits, general cleanup, and replaced materials plus repair work. If the water damage is in a multifamily setting, then damage cascades down to apartments below and the cost is more significant.
Responding to Burst Water Pipe
A burst pipe or big leak is the number one threat, followed by a slow undetected leak (missed inspection) where mold has grown. If your water pipe bursts (winter freeze, rust lets go, solder fails in joint), here’s what to do:
- turn off the water supply main valve if you can find it (know where it is now)
- call a plumber (find a list of plumbers near you so they will respond fast – have the number speed dialed in your phone or keep their fridge magnet on the fridge. Seriously, this is important!)
- if you can’t find the water shut off valve, if you can see the leak, try to wrap some waterproof tape around it to stop the flow, or some other material and use a C clamp to cover the leak hole
- use towels to absorb some of the water pooling to prevent it from leaking out or down
- if it’s the toilet, turn off the water valve at the back of the toilet, if reachable
Preventing Plumbing Issues
Landlords can also rely on their property management company’s service team. They know what to do and can multitask too. That company will likely do proper inspections because they recognize the liability and the cost of a lost client. Maintenance is the key to long term rental performance.
I Need a Plumber Now!
Here’s an actual plumber review:
«I called [a California Plumbing company] because I thought there was a leak in our laundry room pipes. They sent a technician within 2 hours and it turns out the pipes were not leaking but the drain had a blockage.»
2 hours is likely not the response time you have in mind.
That dreaded event of a frozen, damaged or sudden leak (or overflowing toilet) means you may need a plumber right now. When it happens, seconds seem like minutes, and minutes seem like hours. A tenant especially will feel very panicked. It could create investment ruining costs, blame, and disruption. And they may have to leave the unit while it’s being cleaned up. And today, despite renter’s insurance, there’s not many places to turn to.
Source your plumber now! You need one who is located very near. Time is of the essence.
What to Look for in a Good Plumber
- fast response — guarantees of fast response that they stand behind, and if they’re late, they’ll do it for free — that’s integrity
- licensed and insured
- length of time they’ve been in business
- how many plumbers they have on staff (more means better odds they can get the job done reliably and on time)
- offers reliable estimates and sticks with them
- fees are reasonable
- check with the better business bureau for complaints
- check Yelp and Google online reviews
- review hours of work and 24 hour emergency response
- gauge their friendliness, tone of voice, and calm response to your questions
Find a Plumber Near You
San Diego Plumbers
Collins Pacific Plumbing
8840 Kenamar Dr #401, San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 361-4140
Company Website: servicetitan.com
Team Rooter Plumbing of San Diego
4888 Ronson Ct Unit A, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 252-3434
Company Website: teamrooter.com
Los Angeles Plumbers
EZ Plumbing
11478 Burbank Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601
(818) 908-2710
Company Website: ez-plumbing.com
A-1 Total Service Plumbing
640 S Atlantic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022
(888) 201-8856
Company Website: a-1totalserviceplumbing.com
JW Plumbing, Heating and Air
313 W 31st St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 279-6247
Company Website: jwheatingandair.com
John’s Plumbing & Drain Services
3847 Brunswick Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 422-7485
Company Website: johnsplumber.com
Pacific Plumbing Services Inc.
1620 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(818) 665-3574
Company Website: expressrandp.com
Washington Plumbers
Bee’s Plumbing and Heating
4508 SW Othello St, Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 745-7570
Company Website: beesplumbingandheating.com
Gene Johnson Plumbing
10011 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 792-7495
Company Website: genejohnsonplumbing.com
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Seattle
2000 S 116th St, Seattle, WA 98168
(206) 203-6302
Company Website: mrrooter.com
Beacon Plumbing Heating & Mechanical
1326 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 473-3294
Company Website: beaconplumbing.net
Texas Plumbers
Hooper Plumbing & Air Conditioning
6725 Hillcrest Ave suite a, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 761-6820
Company Website: hooperplumbing.com
Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air
209 W Clarendon Dr, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 949-4150
Company Website: codyandsons.com
AL Rooter Plumbing LLC
2415 S Dairy Ashford Rd Suite C004, Houston, TX 77077
(832) 434-5936
Company Website: alrooterplumbing.com
Alamo Plumbing Solutions drain & sewer
126 El Mio Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 607-5325
Company Website: alamoplumbingsolutions.com
Virginia Plumbers
Norfolk Plumbing Inc
1111 Boissevain Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
(757) 466-0644
Company Website: norfolkplumbinginc.com
Georgia Plumbers
AAA Atlanta Plumber Pros
3189b Maple Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
(470) 574-4905
Company Website: aaaatlantaplumberpros.com
Atlantis Plumbing
691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE Suite W, Atlanta, GA 30312
(770) 505-8570
Company Website: atlantisplumbing.com
Quick Action Plumbers
3083 Hillview Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30319
(770) 854-0755
Company Website: onestoptheplumbingshop.com
Boston Massachusetts Plumbers
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
50 Franklin St #407, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 279-0554
Company Website: rotorooter.com
Excel Plumbing and heating
256 Ashmont St Suite 3, Boston, MA 02124
(617) 913-3524
Company Website: ecxelphboston.com
Florida Plumbers
Tampa Bay Plumbers LLC
901 McCloskey Blvd, Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 758-6237
Company Website: tampaplumber.net
Sunshine Plumbers of Tampa
100 Ashley Dr S Suite 600A, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 867-2555
Company Website: thesunshineplumbers.com
Idaho Plumbers
The Idaho Falls Plumbing Company
8574 Hitt Pl, Idaho Falls, ID 83401
(208) 569-9743
Company Website: idahofallsplumbingcompany.com
Cloverdale Plumbing Company
11627 Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83713
(208) 376-1901
Company Website: cloverdaleplumbing.com
That’s our quick look into plumbers near you and what you should be doing to manage your rentals better and help tenants stay informed, to avoid costly disasters.
* the information provided above is for information purposes only, and does provide any recommendations of their services or accuracy of promotional claims. It’s very important to conduct your own vetting of service companies for the contractor’s skills, integrity, licensing, and the value you’re hoping for.
Property Management Articles & News
See also: Property Management Software | ManageCasa vs Quickbooks | Property Accounting Tips | Landlord Accounting Software | Software for Landlords | Property Maintenance Services Near Me | Texas Housing Market | Tenants and Maintenance | Local Contractors Near Me | Property Management Companies Near Me | Safe Maintenance Service Calls | Best Appliances for Rentals | Common Rental Repairs | Common Property Management Mistakes | Maintenance Service Calls