10 Secrets Your Plumber Might Not Want You to Know

There are some household tasks that most homeowners can handle themselves. Replacing a light switch, securing a loose piece of molding, fixing a broken tile — these are simple DIY projects that often show up on a to-do list.

However, plumbing is a different matter. Water always finds a way to escape, meaning that even a minor error in a DIY plumbing repair can lead to disaster. When something goes wrong with your pipes, it's crucial to call in a professional. Here are 10 things your plumber might not want you to know when it comes to hiring them and getting the job done.

10: The Assistant is Coming

Often, when a plumber takes on a job, he plans to do the work himself. After all, his name is on the truck. But sometimes, plumbers overbook themselves and delegate tasks to their assistants. Even if you expect the plumber you spoke with to handle the job, if he’s swamped, he’ll assign work based on the complexity of each task. This means minor repairs may be handed off to the assistant instead of the plumber you spoke to on the phone.

9: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Some plumbers are straightforward about offering tips on preventive care. Others, however, may not tell you that the problem you're paying them to fix could have been avoided. A plumber’s job is to repair, not to teach you how to prevent the need for his services. However, many plumbing issues can be avoided with preventive care, and this advice is often only found online. If you’re facing a plumbing issue, do some research and see if you can save money by taking preventative steps before the problem escalates.

8: Plumbers Must Be Licensed

If the plumber you called turns out to be a handyman posing as one, you might find yourself in a tough spot. While some handymen may be able to handle plumbing jobs well, others may not. Either way, you’re still going to be on the hook for the payment.

A licensed plumber is knowledgeable about local building codes and regulations. In many states, they must complete a required number of training hours to gain experience. Additionally, a licensed plumber is fully insured, so if anything goes wrong or someone gets hurt, you’re covered.

7: You Might Have Fixed It Yourself

When you hire someone for a repair, the last thing you expect them to say is that you could have handled it yourself. Most repair professionals aren’t in the habit of letting customers know that a professional wasn’t strictly necessary. In reality, many plumbing jobs could be tackled by someone with basic renovation skills. However, you'll likely never know for sure until you try it yourself. Unfortunately, attempting it on your own might end up costing you more than if you had just hired the professional. While you can ask your plumber if the repair was something you could have done, don't expect a straight answer until the bill is paid.

6: Cleanup Is Your Responsibility

The issue with plumbing is that pipes are usually hidden beneath the floor, making them difficult for the plumber to access. Sometimes, to fix the problem, part of your wall might need to be demolished. Unless you’ve explicitly discussed who will handle this mess, you'll likely be responsible for the cleanup. Remember, the plumber’s job is to fix the water issue, not reconstruct the wall that had to be removed in the process. Make sure to talk about this upfront so you can arrange for additional help if necessary once the plumbing work is complete.

5: He Doesn’t Have the Correct Part

When you need a plumbing issue fixed, you want it done quickly, especially if it involves the toilet or anything related to your home's sewage system. The last thing you want to hear from your plumber is that you'll have to wait a week or more for a special part to arrive. With a truck full of parts, you'd think this wouldn’t happen, but sometimes it does. For instance, if your home has been renovated but still has plumbing that's over 90 years old, you may face a parts shortage or a larger-than-expected repair. Regardless, this is the type of conversation your plumber knows you’d rather avoid.

4: Most Things Can Be Relocated

Plumbing can be tricky, but rarely is anything completely impossible. Homeowners often have various requests, and sometimes they want a sink, shower, or toilet moved to a different location.

If you've been working with your plumber for a while during a renovation, they may hesitate to offer a solution that satisfies you if it makes their job harder. Even though you're paying for the service, it can be more efficient for them to move on to another task. If your plumber claims that your sink, toilet, or shower can’t be relocated, ask for a detailed explanation and see if you can find a solution together.

3: Your Husband Made a Mess of It

A plumber's role isn’t to come to your home and embarrass someone who attempted to fix a problem on their own. If you've tried and failed, the plumber will probably just come in and quietly fix the issue. They may laugh to themselves and share stories of your mistakes with their fellow plumbers over beers after work, but in reality, they’re quietly thankful that you’ve made a mess of things. They're hoping you'll keep needing their help whenever your DIY plumbing projects fail.

2: You Have Control Over the Parts

Plumbers often have options when it comes to selecting parts for a job. Sometimes, they'll choose a cheaper alternative, like opting for PVC pipe instead of copper. While this helps keep costs down for you, it may not always be the best long-term choice. If you want premium parts and aren’t afraid of a higher bill, you should discuss your options before they place the order. It's similar to how you'd deal with an auto mechanic: cheaper parts might benefit the plumber, but your interests should be the priority.

1: A Running Toilet Shouldn't Cost More Than $5

You know those toilets that keep running unless you jiggle the handle? Well, there are usually just a couple of things causing the problem, and neither should cost you more than $5 to fix. The simplest issue is a handle that's sticking, which can be solved by spraying a little lubricant where the handle meets the porcelain. Another possibility is a worn-out flap valve in the tank, which also shouldn’t cost more than $5. Even a beginner DIYer can fix this. Before calling a plumber who will charge you a hefty fee just to show up, see if you can solve the issue yourself first.