Nicholas Lepinski - Tips for Talking with Your Plumber

Homeowners count on plumbers to be on call for all manner of problems, from a leaky faucet to a flooded basement. But before you pick up the phone, give yourself and your plumber a head start by familiarizing yourself with some lingo, best practices, and basic but key facts about how your home's plumbing system works. Here, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Nicholas Lepinski offers advice on how to interact with your plumber.

Nicholas Lepinski - Tips for Talking with Your Plumber


1. Don't Overreact

Oh no! You just discovered the toilet is stopped up—call the plumber ASAP! And then stay calm. It's important to remember that not every problem is an emergency.

2. Know the Basics

One thing plumbers wish every homeowner would know? Where the main plumbing shutoff valve is located. This way, you can stop a leak immediately, and then calmly wait for the plumber to fix the source of the problem.

3. Expect an Estimate, Not an Exact Cost

Everyone wants to know what they're getting into, but plumbers can't give a specific quote based on your description of the problem. 

4. Ask the Right Questions

To find out useful information about the tradesperson's experience or the cost of a particular job, steer clear of questions with a simple yes-or-no answer. Instead, ask open-ended questions that require an explanation. 

5. Work Out a Payment Schedule

Don't be afraid to propose to pay for the work in installments if you can't pay in one lump sum. If it's a true emergency, many homeowners will not have budgeted for the cost of the job. A smart plumber will agree to a payment plan over a few months.

6. Don't Hover

Once a plumber has started working, give him or her some breathing room. No one does their best work with someone standing over them as they work, and plumbers are no different.

7. Don't Worry About Hosting Duties

Although they're coming into your home, they're there for a job, not a visit. They'd rather get straight to work—and don't want you to think they're drinking coffee on your time

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