Hiring a Licensed Plumber vs. a Handyman For an Emergency Job

plumber with tools confused

Who to Call When Things Go Wrong

When something goes wrong in your home’s plumbing there are some serious decisions to make; the first one being, who to call. While a licensed plumber is the right answer, some Carrollton homeowners believe that a local handyman can help with their plumbing problems.

While there is use for a handyman in other home situations, we’re here to show you why a call to a professional plumber is the most reliable choice to make when your pipes go on the fritz.

What’s the Difference Between a Plumber and a Handyman?

Although some homeowners may believe that there is no difference between the two professions, there is actually quite a gap to cover. The biggest difference is that in Texas, it’s illegal for a handyman to perform work that a licensed plumber should.

A handyman is someone that is more of a general contractor who focuses on home repairs. While they may say they work on plumbing, the DIY approach (illegal with most plumbing jobs) that they take may be better suited for home improvement projects like millwork, painting, or carpet installation.

IGNORANCE OF STATE LAWS

Many people don’t understand the law that revolves around plumbing in Texas. Unfortunately, handymen can take advantage of this ignorance and create dire results for a homeowner who thinks they are getting a good deal. There have been instances that we’ve seen at Plumbing Dynamics where a handyman flooded a house while exchanging a water heater. Because of the law and the uninsured handyman, the homeowner’s insurance would not help out based on the negligence involved in the situation. This is not always an absolute, but it’s a risk that homeowners take when a licensed plumber isn’t used to working on their plumbing problems.

PLUMBERS OFFER TRAINED EXPERTISE

Most states require a practicing license for plumbers. So when you hire one, you know that they already come with the training needed to get your plumbing problems corrected. A licensed plumber is trained to perfect many skills that include:

Your plumbing is something that you want to be fixed correctly and expertly the first time. While a handyman may admittedly be the “budget-friendly” option at the start, you may end up paying even more money to repair anything that could have gone wrong on your watch.

A licensed plumber will be able to tell you exactly what’s wrong with your plumbing and what needs to be done to resolve the problem. You can’t put a price on experience. Leave the plumbing-specific tasks to those who have been licensed to practice the craft.

LICENSED PLUMBERS CAN HELP WITH EMERGENCY PROBLEMS

Dangerous and hectic plumbing emergencies can arise at any moment. Trying to schedule a handyman for an emergency at an odd hour is not only a huge technical risk but may also be nearly impossible to confirm.

Although not every plumber is able to tackle emergency issues, the most experienced and reliable licensed plumbing expert will be on-call and prepared to handle emergencies like:

  • Hot water heater malfunctions;
  • Leaking or burst pipes;
  • Sewer line clogs;
  • Slab leaks, and more.

Handle Your Plumbing Needs With the Experts at Plumbing Dynamics

It’s absolutely essential to keep your home’s plumbing health in top shape this summer. If you find yourself in a plumbing emergency in Carrollton, TX or just have a clog that won’t quit, Plumbing Dynamics can help. Contact us today at 214-929-3431 to learn more about our services and to schedule your free service call.