Classic Plumbing sees uptick in calls during stay-at-home order

When the world stops, the plumbing business gets a little busier. 

That was the case for Classic Plumbing last weekend. 

“The current crisis has caused people to rush for a service that they don’t have to rush for in some ways,” Classic Plumbing’s owner Tim Culver said. “My phone was very active.”

Because of the demand of his business and family, Classic Plumbing was not able to tend to every call over the weekend, but was able to connect with them at the beginning of what normally would be the work week.

Culver said the increase of need comes from people being at home during the Illinois “stay at home” mandate that was instituted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on March 20, 2020.

“People aren’t using the restroom at work they’re using the restroom at home, and they’re using it now, a lot more than they had before; a family of four or five, and everyone’s home all day,” he said.

Specializing in toilets to sink, bathtubs to concrete, dripping sinks to main lines, Classic Plumbing continues to have its heart set on serving customers with quality products and services backed by licensed professionals. 

“Every plumber has a license issued by public health,” Culver said. “Whether you’re an apprentice or you’re a licensed plumber, you have to have that public health valid ID on you at all times.”

The license is issued and monitored by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

“If our customers asked us to show them our license, we will be happy to,” he said.

Licensed plumbers are required to follow code that is established for the safety of homeowners and the general public.

“Everything that we do as plumbers ties into the health of the user,” Culver said. 

The joke that plumbers just wait for the waste to run downhill and check in on payday is false, Culver said. 

“There is a system, a network of pipes, water distribution and drains, that are all designed in a way to go and separate the user from the waste,” he continued.

Classic Plumbing installs these systems often, especially as they help install commercial kitchens.

“Every restaurant has to have their dishwashing sink, has to have a pre-rinse, a wash, and a post rinse,” he said. And then, how the drains are hooked up underneath is all designed to prevent water contamination.”

Everyone from the plumber to the inspector is following code to make sure that the health of the public is secure in the water supply. 

“We’ve just had a code update that has changed the length that will allow for a dead end run, an unused run, an unused waterline, in order to prevent bacteria from building up in that area, and possibly going and flushing back into the water,” Culver said. “When a person pours a glass of water, takes a drink, they know that there’s not harmful bacteria.”

The assurance of safety only comes in working with the licensed plumber, though. 

“A handyman is not a plumber,” Culver said.

“People think it’s easy, but there’s a lot that goes into protecting the health of people,” he said. “And right now it’s more apparent than ever.”

Over the last few weeks, Culver has seen an appreciation for plumbers; he said it was there before, but today people understand the risk that the profession is taking in ensuring problems at home are fixed and the public water supply is safe.

Like many businesses, Classic Plumbing is taking precautions, though. 

Culver said that Classic Plumbing, an essential business, plans to stay open during the “stay-at-home” mandate.

Plumbers are wearing nitrile gloves while they are on the job. Culver also said that they ask customers if anyone in the house is sick, and if someone is, Classic Plumbing will hold off on the repair until everyone is better.

“The last thing I want is for them to go into an unhealthy environment and then that goes and spreads amongst our team,” he said.

“All of our plumbers have families that are behind them: there are wives and children.”

When Classic Plumbing is on the job, though, Culver wants to ensure that the plumber that responds to the call is forthcoming.

“I want people to know that we’re going to be open about the why behind the problem,” he said.

“I think that we live in a world that is symptom-based on its thinking. And our plumbers are great at explaining things, and talking about why this problem is happening.”

Plumbing problems can range from outdated plumbing systems to users disposing of items other than water, bodily waste and toilet paper down their drains.

Culver said that all plumbing problems are difficult to diagnose over the phone. Instead, a licensed plumber needs to come to the home to inspect to find the root of the problem.

“We’re more than happy to help,” he said. “We have a two-year warranty and we’re putting in quality parts and products.”

No matter what parts are used or how the system is built, if users do not take care of it, it will eventually break down.

While Classic Plumbing refers customers to Schoonover Sewer Service to clean in-home drains, Classic Plumbing has been knee-deep in main sewage lines, clearing out clogs. 

Culver said anything other than toilet paper in the drain will eventually cause a back up in the sewer lines. 

“If you have the wet wipes and the towels, they are so heavy that they can’t be moved down by the volume of water,” he said. “That’s often what causes the city drain to backup.

“Now more than ever, people just need to be aware that these products are not helpful to our local infrastructure.”

Saving water is just as important as having water to use right now, Culver said.

Classic Plumbing is also fit to fix a faucet or toilet leak or install a tankless water heater now that people are using hot water more at home. 

Water use has gone up in recent days with people working and learning from home.

“The people who have been maybe on the fence about a tankless endless hot water heater, now might be a really good time to explore that option to have endless hot water,” he said.

Culver said that in his home, a bath with candles is a great way to unwind during these uncertain times.

“Now more than ever would be a great time for people to really, maybe take a step back and not chase the carrot, and just ask themselves, “This is my house, my home; am I enjoying being here?”

Classic Plumbing is running a 10-percent off special for any job up to $200 through April 30, 2020. They can be reached at (217) 586-7473 or office@classicplumbinginc.com.