SA Affordable Housing January - February 2020 // ISSUE: 80 | Page 31
PLUMBING JUNCTION
PLUMBING JUNCTION
Choosing a qualified
plumber is good for your
budget (and health)
With the local economy placing financial pressure
on all South Africans, many of us opt for the
cheaper route when having to call in plumbing
services. Often unqualified plumbers are
summoned to do the job at a reduced rate, or
we even attempt to fix the problem ourselves.
However, in many cases this initial saving will
cost you markedly more in the long run, not only
in monetary terms, but in health terms as well.
By IOPSA
B
rendan Reynolds, executive
director at the Institute of
Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA)
warns that the risks of making use of an
unqualified plumber include poor
repairs of the plumbing problem, which
leads to ‘call-backs’ and more costs, as
well as exposure to a myriad of health
and safety hazards.
“An unqualified plumber simply does
not have the knowledge about water
pressure and hydraulics or diseases that
are caused by incorrect plumbing,” warns
Reynolds, while adding that many such
service providers are solely financially
motivated, as opposed to being
concerned with customer safety.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
It is well worth your money to rather pay
a higher fee but have the peace of mind
that the work being done for you is
carried out according to official plumbing
regulations that are compulsory for any
qualified plumber.
“A plumber is a skilled craftsman with
knowledge learned over three or four
years under the guidance and direction
of an experienced plumber. He/she is
therefore entitled to ask a fair price for
work done,” urges Reynolds.
These regulations ensure that
qualified plumbers can offer work that is
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
based on tried and tested methods,
which are continually improving as
materials become more sophisticated.
AVOID THE UNQUALIFIED
When seeking the services of a plumber,
ensure that you visit the company
website or ask via telephone or email to
determine if their services are offered by
qualified persons who abide by the
required standards.
When the allocated plumber arrives
at your premises, you can request that
he/she show you his qualification by
virtue of proof of membership to a
voluntary body such as IOPSA and/or
the Plumbing Industry Registration
Board (PIRB).
“However, some qualified plumbers
choose not to belong to such voluntary
bodies, which does not make them poor
at their job. In such instances, customers
should ask for another proof of
qualification,” notes Reynolds.
Ultimately, he reiterates that
customers must not skimp on their
health and safety, “It is not just
unblocking a drain but, moving away
waste that, if allowed to linger, will cause
disease to spread. Even the incorrect
installation of a geyser or hot water
storage vessel can lead to it exploding
and causing untold damage.”
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020
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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020
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