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.

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.