Covid-19 has brought a lot of changes in the way services are being dispensed. It has affected several sectors and even led to the closure of some business ventures.
Although researchers and other experts in the field of medicine are working day and night to find effective medicine that can be used to stop the pandemic they haven’t found the cure yet. The vaccines that have been manufactured are not 100% effective.
Thus people are still bound by the measures put in place to curb the spread of the disease. You can also refer to All Star Plumbing and find out more. However, following the protocols have resulted in things slowly returning to normalcy. Here is more on the topic.
How has plumbing been affected by the pandemic?
Like many other jobs, plumbing has also been affected by the Covid-19. Here is how.
- Shortage of options
Prior to the outbreak of the disease, there was a wide range of options that one could choose from. You could hire an expert from any region depending on your preference.
This has changed as dictated by the rules and regulations that limit movement from one region to another to help reduce the spread of the virus. There has been a series of lock-downs and curfews implemented to enforce the protocols.
Also, as opposed to previously when technicians felt free to work anywhere they please some have become cautious hence have stopped going from home to home due to the fear of contracting the virus.
- High prices
Economies have been negatively affected worldwide which has resulted in an increased cost of living. To be able to cope with the high standards of living workers have been forced to increase the prices charged for the services that they dispense. This has also been brought about by the risk that they are exposing themselves to when working during such times.
- Change in safety protocols
In the recent past, the safety measures for plumbing were quite simple. They involved wearing protective gear such as overalls, gloves, and boots.
Nowadays, it is necessary that one wears a mask too since the virus is transmitted through saliva or droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It is also a requirement that people maintain a distance of at least one meter from each other.
This limits the number of personnel that you can hire at a given time to only small teams hence the amount of time required to complete the job increases. See this link to read more https://plumbingperspective.com/ways-in-which-covid-19-has-affected-the-plumbing-industry
How do you hire the right one?
The criteria for hiring a good plumber haven’t changed much. Here are some of the things that you should consider.
- Qualification
Make sure they possess the relevant skills required to do the work well. Those who haven’t been through the standard training process might end up ruining your system thereby costing you more than what you budgeted for.
Thus it is important to ensure that they are indeed experts and that they have been certified by the appropriate organizations.
It is also advisable that you opt for the experienced ones who have a deep understanding of the work they do. They are well-suited to handle the delicate parts of the system.
- Legitimacy
To be on the safe side, you should only trust those who have been registered and approved by the government. They are bound to adhere to the safety guidelines in terms of job regulations and can also be held accountable if something goes wrong.
If, for instance, they don’t follow the specifications and their actions lead to structural collapse then they can be charged according to the law. Some might also be into criminal activities and can rob your home. Ask to see their license and make sure it is valid.
The law also requires that all workers be insured.
Plumbing is a risky job by nature hence it is good to prepare for any unfortunate incident that might occur. An insurance cover will free you from the burden of having to compensate the technicians if an accident occurs. Thus it is very important to ensure that the professional you hire is operating legally and adheres to all the set rules.
- Services offered
Depending on their level of training and the skillset they possess, different technicians can provide different services.
Some can only perform simple tasks like fixing a leaking sink or replacing a broken pipe. Others can handle more advanced assignments like repairing a sophisticated Jacuzzi or a smart flushing system.
Therefore, you have to be sure that the person you hire is capable of handling the task at hand in a satisfactory manner. They should be able to conduct themselves professionally and work without supervision.
- Availability
You need a plumber who will be available most of the time. It should be easy to reach them and the response time should be short. This comes in handy during emergencies.
During this pandemic, it can be hard to get a new technician to come and cater to your plumbing needs fast enough. Having a trusted plumber who is readily available will save you from a lot of hassle. They won’t charge you much considering that you are a regular customer of theirs.
Another benefit of having the same technician do the plumbing is that it guarantees uniformity of the system. Such consistency ensures durability of the system and saves you lots of money that would have been used on repairs. Click here to see more tips.
Conclusion
The Corona virus pandemic has changed the way various businesses are being carried out. The measures put in place to minimize the spread of the virus have been effective in doing so but they have also considerably affected plumbing. Consumers’ choice has been limited to only the locally available professionals. The cost of acquiring such services has also gone up. It is recommended that you stick to the same technician as this is much cheaper and convenient. Make sure that they observe the Covid-19 protocols at all times to help fight the disease. To minimize contact, only have them come over when it is necessary.
