Everything you need to know before hiring a plumber.
A journeyman plumber has completed an apprenticeship and passed a licensing exam, allowing them to perform plumbing work under supervision or independently (depending on state). A master plumber has additional experience, has passed a more comprehensive exam, and can pull permits, run a plumbing business, and supervise journeymen. For permitted work, a master plumber's license is typically required.
A traditional tank water heater (40–50 gallon) costs $900–$1,800 installed. Tankless water heaters cost $1,500–$3,500 installed but use less energy and provide endless hot water. Heat pump water heaters cost $1,200–$3,000 and are highly efficient. Higher-efficiency units qualify for federal and state rebates.
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Find a ContractorSigns include: multiple drains backing up simultaneously, gurgling sounds from toilets, sewage odors inside the home, wet or unusually green patches in the yard, and toilets bubbling when other fixtures drain. A professional sewer camera inspection ($150–$400) confirms the diagnosis and helps plan the appropriate repair.
Whole-home low pressure is commonly caused by a partially closed main shutoff valve, a faulty pressure regulator, mineral buildup in older galvanized pipes, a small leak in the supply line, or municipal supply issues. A plumber can diagnose the cause and recommend solutions ranging from adjusting a valve to repiping.
Most plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacements requires permits: water heater installation, new fixture rough-in, repiping, sewer line repair or replacement, and gas line work. A licensed plumber will pull the permit and arrange inspections. Unpermitted work can create issues when selling your home and may void insurance.
Locate your home's main water shutoff valve — typically near the water meter (outside), or where the main line enters the home (basement, crawl space, or utility area). Know how to operate it before you need it. Individual fixture shutoffs are located under sinks and behind toilets. Label all shutoffs for quick access.
Repiping replaces all or part of your home's plumbing supply pipes. It's recommended for homes with galvanized steel pipes (which corrode and restrict flow), polybutylene pipes (prone to failure), or lead pipes. Symptoms include brown water, chronic low pressure, frequent leaks, or pipes over 50 years old. Repiping a 2-bedroom home costs $4,000–$10,000.
Modern residential plumbing uses copper (durable, long-lasting, 50+ years), CPVC (chlorinated PVC, used for hot and cold supply), and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene — flexible, freeze-resistant, cost-effective, and the most popular choice for new construction and repiping). PVC is used for drain lines.
Try a plunger first for toilets and sinks. For slow sink drains, remove and clean the drain stopper. A hand-operated drain snake can break up clogs further down the pipe. Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they can damage pipes over time. If these methods fail, a plumber with a motorized drain snake or hydro-jetting can clear stubborn blockages.
A tankless (on-demand) water heater heats water only when needed, providing endless hot water while using 24–34% less energy than a tank heater. They cost more upfront ($1,500–$3,500 installed vs. $900–$1,800 for a tank) but typically last 20+ years vs. 8–12 for tank heaters. They're worth considering for large families, high hot-water-use households, or anyone replacing an aging water heater.