When a Handyman Can't Do a Plumber's Job

A handyman is someone who is skilled at a range of different repair and maintenance work around the house. While they are undoubtedly good at what they do, there is a limit to the kind of service they are able to provide.

Your local handyman may profess the ability to do all kinds of plumbing jobs, however, the reality is that they are not experts in the broad range of services that a certified plumber can provide.

While a handyman may be able to repair a leaking faucet, there are more complex plumbing services that should be left to the professionals. A handyman can be considered a Jack of all trades rather than being a master in any one area. They are not usually required to have a license for the different services they provide, and you should only hire them for DIY projects and common tasks.

For more complicated and large-scale projects, a certified plumber is your best option. In Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Yukon, and surrounding areas, your No. 1 choice will always be Above + Beyond Service Company.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why you should hire a professional plumbing service for your next job.

What Is a Certified Plumber?

We have highlighted how a handyman does not necessarily require a specific license to operate as a ‘handyman’. This is not the case for a plumber. Here in Oklahoma, there are strict license requirements in order to become a plumber.

There are 3 different categories of plumbers in the state:

• Apprentice plumber
• Journeyman plumber
• Plumbing contractor

When training as an apprentice, an individual must be registered and directly supervised by either a journeyman or contractor. There is a limit of 3 apprentice plumbers to 1 journeyman or contractor during this phase.

Before being able to take the journeyman examination, an apprentice must have at least 3 years of experience in the plumbing trade. In order to secure a plumbing contractor license, applicants require an additional year of experience in the plumbing trade.

All of this highlights just how much training is involved in becoming a certified plumber in Oklahoma. When you are considering either a general handyman or a certified plumber for your next job, it is worthwhile remembering the level of training a plumber has gone through.

What Services Does a Plumber Provide?

Certified plumbers are trained and experienced in a wide range of services. Here is a breakdown of the different plumbing service and repair jobs that a plumber can perform:

• Draining cleaning
• Emergency plumbing
• Toilet repair
• Sewer line repair
• Faucet repair or replacement
• Sink repair
• Garbage disposal services
• Sump pump services
• Shower repair and installation
• Video inspection of sewer lines
• General leak repair
• Washing machine repair and replacement
• Pipe services
• Gas lines
• Water softener cleaning, installation, and repair
• Water heater service and installation

If the above list doesn’t include your specific problem, we recommend that you call our friendly team and we’ll perform a complete and thorough assessment of your job.

While a handyman may claim to be able to perform most or all of these services, the reality is that they likely lack the sufficient expertise, training, and experience to perform quality work.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the technical plumbing repair services that we have mentioned above:

Water Heater Repair Services

A water heater is an invaluable feature of any home, providing hot water for showering, cooking, cleaning, and more. There are different kinds of water heaters, such as electric and gas-fueled. Some of the most common complaints when it comes to water heater issues include:

• No hot water
• Inadequate hot water
• Water temperature is too high
• Water leaks
• Rust-colored water
• Bad odors
• Tank is making strange noises

For water heater installation and repair that you can trust, always choose a professional and certified plumber.

Sewer Repair

Let’s face it, sewer line problems can be unpleasant. Sewer lines are susceptible to different problems, from breaks to collapses and cracks to misalignment. Tree roots damage, leaking joints, pipe corrosion or deterioration, bellied pipes, and lost items are all common problems related to sewer lines.

Certified plumbers will be able to make use of high-tech equipment to carry out video inspection, allowing for a detailed diagnosis and treatment with the minimum of disruption to your pipes and property as a whole.

Gas Line Installation and Repair

When most people think of plumbers, they think of plumbing fixtures and water lines. However, many plumbing companies also specialize in gas line installation and repair.

Interior or exterior DIY gas line work is never recommended, and it is not safe to trust a handyman with this kind of job. If you have a residential or commercial job that involves gas lines, you should always contact a plumbing company that is trained and experienced in this type of work.

Plumbing Services You Should Leave to the Pros

There is no doubt that a handyman can be useful at a range of different jobs around the house. On top of that, three-quarters of Americans say they have improved their home improvement skills during the pandemic. However, there is no substitute for the expertise that a certified plumber can provide.

If you live in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Yukon, and surrounding areas of Oklahoma, Above + Beyond Service Company is the trusted name for all service plumbing options.

To schedule plumbing services with skilled technicians, contact our team today. We look forward to speaking with you!