One way to sidestep this problem is to hire an established plumbing contractor with longstanding ties to the community, explains Albert Nahman, owner of Albert Nahman Plumbing. For the same reason, Mr. Nahman recommends you hire licensed plumbers, simply because they’re more likely to stay in business for the long run.
“They’re the people who are going to be around to take care of any problems that might develop in the future,” he says.
You’ll also feel more secure when you hire a well-established outfit, knowing management has probably run background and driver’s license checks on employees.
Mr. Nahman suggests you develop an ongoing relationship with a plumber, no different than you would with your dentist or doctor. There are clear advantages to doing business with someone you know and trust—not to mention someone who knows and trusts you. Regular customers can usually count on that extra measure of consideration, particularly in emergency situations.
To protect yourself from a plumbing disaster, Mr. Nahman recommends having a reputable company perform a comprehensive plumbing audit to identify weaknesses in your system and suggest ways to address them. Another simple and effective way to protect your home is to install an automatic seismic gas shutoff. In the event of an earthquake, these devices will protect against potential gas leaks and fire.
