Things You Didn't Know about Plumbing

Q: What is plumbing?

A: Plumbing serves two main Functions: getting water to you, and more importantly taking used water away. It does this by delivering pressurized water through a piping system to your fixtures, and then lets gravity carry it through a drainage system that is located below ground.

Poor sewer drainage systems have cost countless lives by spreading various diseases.  For example, in 1832, 1.75% of the population of the city of New York was killed in six weeks by a cholera outbreak. Cholera is mainly spread through sewage contaminating the drinking water supply.  Luckily, our plumbing systems in America have improved in the last one hundred or so years, but the World Health Organization estimates that there are still more than 25,000 people in the world who die every year from waterborne diseases. 

Q: Why is a plumber called a plumber?

A:  The secret lies in lead. The Periodic Table of Elements symbol for lead is Pb, which was taken from the Latin word plumbum. In ancient times plumbing pipes were made of lead, and people who worked with lead were called a plumbarius which was shortened to plumber.  So now you know how the “b” got in the word plumber, and it is not simply plummer or plumer, but give it a few thousand years.

Luckily plumbers don’t use lead plumbing pipes anymore. Lead plumbing pipes have helped play a role in the downfall of great nations by causing lead poisoning of the masses. Scientists have been able to determine that before the fall of some civilizations people were over two times what would be considered severe lead poisoning today. 

If you live in a house that is over 50 years old, and have copper pipes, you may have lead in your water.  Check out this information from the CDC and this information from the EPA. Your water authority should inform you if there has been a suspected problem with lead in your water, so never ignore those flyers that come in the mail from the water authority. 

Q: Why can’t I just do my own plumbing?

A: There are some things that a do-it-yourselfer can handle.  It’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of how your plumbing, heating and cooling work in your home, and having some knowledge can save you a lot of money.  But it’s important to only tackle projects which you feel 100% confident that you can complete.  A simple mistake can lead to hundreds of dollars added to your bill when you ultimately do have to call the plumber. 

Depending on the laws in your state, most plumbers have to have several years of school and/or on the job training followed by demanding testing to get their license.  A plumber is more than a handy-man; he (or she) is well qualified to do the work.  A good plumber also takes proper disposal precautions when they handle things like asbestos, lead, mercury and refrigerants.    

Q: How can I find a good plumber?

A: First and foremost, never use a plumber that is not licensed.  Not only should the company be licensed, but the individual person doing the work should have a license, or there should be a supervisor on site with a license.  Never be shy about asking to see the plumber’s license.  If they can’t show you one, fire them.

You also need to make sure the company has liability insurance. This is to protect you, in case something goes wrong.  A lot of people don’t realize that even small plumbing problems can have a lot of liability. Again, do not be shy about asking to see a proof of insurance from any potential plumber. 

A lot of plumbing companies have really great websites that explain what services they offer and what their qualifications are.  Some companies have social media like Facebook, and it’s a good idea to check out a potential plumber online if you can.  You might be able to find a coupon or a deal online.  Websites are a great way to learn more, but word of mouth is reliable as well.   

If you have a job that you think will be a quick repair and would like a free estimate, always check to make sure that the company you are using has free estimates for small jobs.  Many plumbing companies advertise free estimates, but the offer only applies to large jobs.  There are companies that will provide free over the phone ball-park price ranges for small jobs.  Always be certain that you are aware of any charges that might come up when you have someone coming out to give you an estimate.

If you have a big job, don’t feel bad about getting several estimates.  But be cautious about estimates that are a lot lower than the competitors – they could be cutting corners.    

It may seem like a big company is the way to go, but that’s not always the case.  Each employee at a large company has varying levels of experience and expertise, so quality can change from one job to the next.  Most smaller companies are focused on high quality because they’re building a reputation.  With a small company you can easily build a relationship of trust with your plumber.

Visit our website to learn about Wilson Waterworks Professional Plumbers