With September to December being the busiest time for plumbers, Las Vegas plumber Dan Gonzalez is trying something new at his plumbing company. Flush It is accepting memberships into its preventative plumbing program.
Flush It will assess the entire plumbing system for the modest price of a home plumbing inspection. If Dan finds any issue, the company will credit the whole plumbing inspection to the repair or replacement, plus take ten percent off of labor for that issue and any other issue they have all year.
“This is our way of giving thanks to long-time customers and prospective customers — providing annual inspections ahead of any plumbing problems so their important life moments are less likely to be impacted at the worst possible time,” said Dan. “We’re even open to packaging the program as a gift. A friend or family member can pay for a membership if the benefiting homeowner is open to a plumbing inspection.”
Dan says he came up with the idea earlier this year to improve customer service. Plumbing inspections allow him to record a complete plumbing profile of a house during an inspection, educating homeowners on what to watch for before a severe and potentially disastrous situation.
As service calls began to increase with upcoming holidays, Dan thought the annual membership might make a great gift to friends and family members — especially those who had just moved into a home or were newlyweds. Not every family has a trusted plumber, he said.
“Most of the plumbing industry is upside-down, with people only calling a plumber when it’s too late,” said Dan. “Hiring any contractor when you are in distress or have an emergency isn’t the best time. In such situations, people usually search the Internet and pick the first company to come up, often the one with fewer repeat customers.”
While Flush It is certainly ready to answer any emergency call, Gonzalez is remaking his company to emphasize prevention. The home inspection lets him know his customer and their plumbing system. And since most plumbing problems can be identified months in advance, he can begin work on repairs and replacements early or advise customers on what to watch.
“By changing how people think about plumbing and plumbers, we can change the entire experience,” said Dan. “For example, if you know your bathroom faucets are nearing the end of their life, then you can start shopping for the faucets and fixtures you want instead of taking whatever someone has in their truck or what’s on sale at the time.”
The same philosophy can help customers prepare for bigger expenses, too. Instead of waiting for a water softener or water heater to break, Dan can estimate its lifespan so his customers can save for whatever model might fit their needs.
“Most water heater replacements occur after the tank starts to leak, resulting in water damage and emergency decisions,” says Dan. “I try to provide my customers with peace of mind. While nobody can predict every plumbing emergency, we can reduce the number of emergencies our customers face by creating a plumbing action plan.”
The life of most water heaters, for example, can be extended another five years or more by routinely replacing the anode rod every three to four years and flushing sediment out of the tank annually or every two years. These services are especially important in an area like Las Vegas, known for hard water and mineral deposit buildups.
In addition to extending the life of plumbing systems like water heaters, Dan can suggest alternatives like tankless water heaters or larger tanks when replacing the unit. Ideally, a water heater should be replaced before it floods the garage, or a homeowner is surprised by a sudden shock of cold water while they are in the shower.
“Customers can certainly conduct their own inspections by looking for small leaks and condensation around facets and under the sinks where water stains occur,” said Dan. “A slow drain is always cause for concern too, especially during the holidays when more people cook larger meals at home.”
Flush It prevention customers receive other benefits, too. They receive priority 24/6 scheduling anytime there is an emergency and ten percent off labor on service calls all year round. And since Flush It keeps records on pipes, valves, fixtures, and appliances, even emergencies are handled as part of the overall plumbing system plan.
“When it comes to prevention, I already know what brands and styles these customers prefer, so even an emergency feels a little more routine,” says Dan. “This is the real benefit of being someone’s plumber of choice. They know me. They know my company. We trust each other.”
Dan has served the plumbing needs of the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson areas for over 20 years. Most people know him as “Dan,” the plumber, because his name used to be on all his trucks. A couple of years ago, he changed the name of his company to Flush It after buying a new van. For more information about Flush It or to schedule a plumbing service, visit www.flushitlv.com
