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There are many reasons why you might need a plumber. Plumbing problems can be a source of real frustration in your home. Many people generally take having plumbing that functions well for granted, because it usually does. However, when the plumbing starts to not function very well, it can be extremely inconveniencing and a big hassle to everyone. In this situation, you might find yourself needing a professional. This is why it is good to know of plumbing services, so you will have help in the event that you have an issue, without needing to scramble around and look for someone in the moment.

If you live in Mansfield, TX, there are certainly options when it comes to finding plumbers. One company that can provide you with a good plumber or several if you need them is Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth.

What Do Plumbers Do?

If you are going to call a professional, it might help to know exactly what these professionals do. What they do is install and sometimes repair pipes. These pipes generally supply gas or water to homes and businesses, and they also carry waste away from these buildings. Professionals can also install fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and appliances. These appliances include washing machines and dishwashers, among others. Experienced professionals will supervise their helpers and train apprentices. They will often work alongside other types of construction workers as well.

Plumbers need to be able to perform a variety of tasks. These include:

• Installation of pipes and plumbing fixtures

• Visual inspection of equipment and operation of test equipment (such as pressure and vacuum gauges, so that they will be able to determine where the trouble is located and what is causing it)

• The clearing of any obstructions that may be located in toilets and sink drains

• The troubleshooting of problems and then the ability to make decisions about how to fix them

• Repairing pipes and different types of plumbing fixtures

• Estimation of costs of different procedures, such as repairs and installations

• Presentation of recommendations and any relevant pricing to customers

In order to ensure that the plumbing systems of their customers are working properly and functioning as they should, professionals need to be able to perform all of the above tasks and several more.

A professional also needs certain skills to work in this occupation and succeed. Some of these are referred to as soft skills, as these are basically just capabilities that a person is going to be born with or learn how to handle with life experience. They will allow you to succeed in this profession, as long as you have all the technical capabilities as well.

• Listening skills. In order to succeed in this profession, it is important to be able to pay attention to what customers say, so that you can understand their problems.

• Troubleshooting. When you are listening to a complaint, you will need to determine the cause and then figure out how to make all of the appropriate repairs to address the problem.

• Critical thinking. When you are solving any kind of problem, you will need to be able to weigh all of the possible solutions before you choose the best one that you are going to implement.

• Verbal communication. It is important to be able to clearly explain required work and any relevant costs to customers.

• Physical strength. Plumbers need to be able to lift heavy tools and equipment in order to really be able to succeed at this job.

If a Mansfield, TX professional does not have all of the above skills, he or she may need to work on them before expecting to really succeed in this business.

How Are Plumbers Educated?

The majority of plumbers will receive their training through an apprenticeship. This combines paid training on the job with classroom instruction. The majority of states in the United States will also require a license for the plumber to be able to work on his or her own.

Typically, apprenticeships will be sponsored by employers and trade unions. They usually last between 4 and 5 years and will include about 2,000 hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Usually, you will need a high school diploma or some sort of equivalency and you need to be at least 18 years old in order to be accepted into one of these programs. When you were in the classroom, you are going to be learning about local regulations and codes, as well as safety regulations and blueprint reading.

In terms of licensing, plumbers needed to have licenses to work in the majority of states and municipalities in the United States. Depending on the state, the professional is usually going to need to have two to five years of experience at this point and pass an exam.

A Plumber’s Job Experience

Most of the time, they will travel to different work sites every day. They will perform their jobs in a variety of buildings, including factories, office buildings, and homes. They will often work in tight spaces that are usually indoors. However, in some cases, they might work outside, even when the weather is poor. It is fairly common for plumbers to become injured and experience cuts, burns, and falls.

The majority of plumbers have full-time jobs. However, many of them will work on evenings and weekends regularly. They will often work overtime, which means more than 40 hours per week or more than eight hours per day. In order to respond to plumbing emergencies, professionals usually need to be on call on a regular basis.

Common Plumbing Problems in the Home

There are many common plumbing problems that you might experience that cause you to be in need of a Mansfield, TX plumber. They can be frustrating, and they vary in severity quite a bit.

Dripping Faucets

Many people simply find dripping faucets to be irritating because of the noise that they make. However, the problem is bigger than this. They can be very wasteful and pricey as well. They can really drive up your water bill. Sometimes, these groups will be caused by a washer or o-ring that is worn out. You can replace this easily if this is the case. However, there are other situations in which it could be improper faucet installation or corrosion that is causing the dripping. In some cases, you are going to need to call a plumber to be able to fix the drift, especially if the do-it-yourself solutions don’t necessarily work.

Leaking Pipes

There are many different problems that can potentially cause leaking pipes. These include stubborn clogs, pipe corrosion, incorrect laying of pipes, pipe joint damage, excessive water pressure, cracked pipes, and cracked seals.

Regardless of what the actual cause is, this is a plumbing problem that needs to be fixed immediately if possible. The longer you ignore leaking pipes, the more damage they will be able to cause. They will not only cause damage to your plumbing system but potentially also to your entire home. If you have this situation happening in your home, it is a good idea to call a plumber as soon as possible.

Running Toilets

Many people may not think of this particular plumbing problem as a big deal. However, the truth is that up to 200 gallons of water can be wasted per day if you have a running toilet. Most of the time, the issues that cause this problem will include improperly sized flapper chains, refill tube problems, worn-out flush valves, worn-out flapper seals, or corroded toilet handles.

If you have this problem, you may want to have a professional look at it. It can sometimes be hard for a layperson to diagnose the exact problem properly in a situation such as this.

Low Water Pressure

If you have weak water pressure, it can make it a challenge to use any sort of plumbing system within your home. A lot of the time, low water pressure will be the symptom of some bigger problem in your plumbing. This can include drain or sewer clogs, pipe corrosion, hidden water leaks within your home, or sewer lines that are blocked or cracked.

Leaking Hose Bibbs

A leaking hose bibb can be very common in the spring and summer seasons. After a long and cold winter, a lot of the time a hose bibb is not going to be protected and can crack and sometimes begin to leak. This is why it is a good idea to get a frost-proof hose bibb since this can minimize your chances of having to deal with a leak in the future. However, if you are dealing with this problem right now, you might want to call the plumber to see what they can do to fix it.

Clogged Drains

Many people see drains that are clogged or slow as simple inconveniences. However, the truth is that it can be even worse than this. They can lead to health hazards and plumbing disasters if you do not address them right away.

If you have one drain in your home that is slow or clogged, this will typically mean a localized problem. Usually, these drain clogs will happen because foreign objects, such as soap, hair, or food waste, have built up within a drain over time. Routine drain cleaning can be a good way to prevent this from happening.

If you have multiple drains that are slow or clogged, this could mean that you are actually dealing with sewer line problems. If you let this go, you can actually experience a sewage backup in your home, which can be very unpleasant and unhygienic, not to mention pricey. In this situation, it is very important that you call a professional so that you can get the problem fixed as soon as possible. This is particularly true if the problem is starting with the drains in the lowest parts of your home.

Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump failure can be a major problem that causes you to need the services of a plumber. This can be related to a problem within the unit, or some sort of external issue. Typically, there are a few common causes of sump pump failures. These can include stuck switches, clogged discharge pipes, improper sump pump installation, and others. In some cases, this can happen because of an overwhelming amount of water, such as after a heavy episode of rain. It can also happen due to aging, as sump pumps that are 10 years old or older can be more prone to failure.

Water Heater Issues

Hot water is very important in any home. Some people may not realize the importance of a working water heater, but they will realize it when the water heater actually fails. When the water heater is unable to provide enough hot water or even any hot water at all, this can be considered a plumbing crisis. Typically, there are very common causes for water heater problems. They are often caused by issues such as electrical connections that are broken or loose, heating element failures, the buildup of sediment or corrosion within systems, or improper installation of the water heater. In some cases, you simply have the wrong type of system or the wrong size of system to be able to support the needs of your home.

In any case, if you have a water heater problem, you should call a professional.

Conclusion

If you have been dealing with any of the above plumbing problems in Mansfield, TX, you should definitely feel free to contact the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. The plumbers who work here will be able to answer any questions that you might have and possibly be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to what you are going to do about your plumbing problem. As you now know, plumbers have to go through a great deal of education and experience before they are able to regularly do their jobs independently, so you can be confident that you are in good hands when you work with a trained professional at this company.