YOU NEED A FRIEND IN YOUR PLUMBER

Of all the tradespeople you employ to help maintain your home, the plumber may be  the most important.  Plumbing emergencies are the most critical of any that occur .  Yes, you need your lawn mowed, but it can wait a day or two if it rains. If your heat or air conditioning goes down, you can usually stay cool or warm for awhile until the repairman can get there.  But a broken pipe or sewage back up  can’t wait.  That’s when you need a friend in your plumber.  You want someone who will get there within the hour.

You need a friend in your plumber. They come to your rescue when needed.
You Need a Friend in a Plumber. They’re there for you in the worst of times.

When I was a child growing up in the post depression years, men in our neighborhood didn’t call plumbers.  They were expected to know how to fix a leaky faucet or pipe..  I’m sure I never saw a plumber in our house.  But I do remember my poor father struggling with hardware and manuals in all day attempts to fix whatever plumbing emergency had occurred. Sometimes, he called on a neighbor or friend for advice, which was freely given.  Men helped each other, and some knew more than others. .

Our country cousins didn’t worry at all about plumbing.  They used an outhouse and a chamber pot for their toilet  needs.  There was a pump for water outside and one  in the kitchen.  Bathing didn’t include showers or bathtubs.  One simply heated  gallons of water for the weekly Saturday night bath in a metal tub. And when weather permitted, there was always the creek for bathing.

Now, in our 21st century homes, we have all sorts of plumbing emergencies. Flooding due to a failed sump pump, burst pipe, sewer back up, or water shut off valve failure, can cause significant damage and is a safety concern. Consequently, it’s important to cultivate a good relationship with a reliable plumber. If you’re juggling bills at the end of the month, pay him first.  When he’s in your home, call him by name and  treat him with respect. .  If you’re a good customer, he’ll be there for you in a crisis.  You really need a friend in  your plumber.