Why Product Materials Make a Difference - Wisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical

We’ve been using different kinds of plumbing components here at Wisler Plumbing for a long time. Over the course of more than 28 years, we’ve gained an understanding of materials that have been phased out and materials that are still in use today. So when it comes to the job at hand, how do we decide which materials are the best? It mainly comes down to all of our accumulated experience.

As an ongoing effort, one of the things we pay close attention to is the failure rate of the components we use. If we notice that certain parts have an unusually high failure rate, we’re going to eliminate them from our inventory and start using something better. It simply doesn’t do anybody any good to have defective parts that barely last the span of the manufacturer’s warranty.

As a matter of fact, we had a garbage disposal unit that was regularly lasting clients for only a year past the warranty. Even though the warranty period was clearly defined, it’s extremely frustrating for our clients if a product breaks just outside of warranty coverage. We have stopped installing that garbage disposal and made the switch to another brand. That’s one example of how we monitor recalls, callbacks, and failure rates to make sure the products we use are reliable.

We’ve also observed that plumbing products made out of metal have become thinner over the years (probably due to efficiency). We pay close attention to the product’s manufacturing to make sure all parts are made out of the most appropriate material. As another example, drains can often be exposed to harsh chemicals and cleaning products. Sometimes metals are not as resilient to a corrosive product as plastic is. There are areas in the plumbing system where plastic or metal would be better suited to stand the test of time.

Finally, there is often a substantial difference between the materials in a professional grade plumbing product and a product that you’d find in a big box store. The reality is, some manufacturers use lower quality components for retail. That’s why they are less expensive than the product you would find at a professional supplier. Even though the outside of the box looks identical, the product inside is very different. For this reason, always be cautious and purchase your plumbing materials from a professional. Not only will the product be of higher quality, but you’ll get the service to back it up.

If you buy a product like a faucet from us and we give a lifetime warranty on the cartridge, that means that we would go out and replace it if you ever had a problem. If the faucet were to ever start dripping, you can just give us a call and we’ll take care of it at no additional charge. On the other hand, what would happen if you bought a similar looking faucet from a big box store? How would you go about exercising the warranty? You could try to give the store a call and ask them to replace the cartridge. (Sadly, it’s probably not going to lead to the result you’re looking for.)

Even though you might pay more for a higher quality professional plumbing component upfront, you’re getting a product that will end up being much more reliable. Remember, you get what you pay for.

If you have any questions about the materials we use here at Wisler Plumbing, contact us online or give us a call at (540) 483-9382.