Emergency & General
Do you really answer 24/7?
Yes. A real dispatcher answers (740) 382-2871 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4th. We don't use answering services or robots for emergency calls.
Is there an extra charge for nights and weekends?
No. A-1 Plumbing does not add after-hours, weekend, or holiday surcharges. The price you receive at 2am is the same price you'd pay at 2pm.
How fast can you respond to an emergency in Marion?
For Marion city, our goal is 60 minutes or less. For outlying areas in Morrow, Crawford, and Union counties, typically 60–90 minutes. We'll give you an accurate ETA when you call.
What should I do while waiting for the plumber?
For a water emergency: locate your main shutoff and turn off the water. For a gas emergency: leave the home immediately without using any electrical devices, call your gas company, then call us. For a sewer backup: stop using all drains and toilets.
Water Heaters
How much does a water heater installation cost in Marion?
Standard 40-50 gallon gas water heater installations typically start around $1,595–$2,200 installed, depending on unit and piping conditions. Tankless conversions run higher. Call for a specific quote — estimates are free.
My water heater is 8 years old but working fine. Should I replace it?
Marion's hard water significantly shortens water heater life. If yours is 8+ years old and you haven't had the anode rod replaced or the tank flushed, it's approaching end-of-life. A proactive replacement is almost always less disruptive and expensive than an emergency one.
What's the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater?
Tank water heaters store pre-heated water (40–80 gallons). Tankless heaters heat water on demand and never run out. Tankless costs more upfront but uses less energy and lasts longer (20+ years vs 8–12 for tanks in Marion's hard water).
Drains & Sewer
My drain is slow but not completely clogged. Do I need a plumber?
A slow drain is an early warning sign, not a minor inconvenience. Left alone, slow drains worsen and can indicate a bigger issue like main line buildup or tree root infiltration. Early service is much cheaper than emergency service.
Can I use Drano or chemical cleaners?
We don't recommend it. Chemical cleaners rarely solve the underlying problem and can damage older pipes — especially cast iron and PVC joints — with repeated use. A professional drain cleaning is faster, more effective, and won't damage your pipes.
How do I know if my sewer line is failing?
Key signs: multiple drains backing up at once, gurgling toilets, sewage odor in the yard, unusually lush green grass over the sewer line, or soft wet spots in the yard without recent rain.
Pricing & Process
Do you charge for estimates?
No. We provide free on-site estimates for all non-emergency services. For emergency calls, we diagnose and quote before beginning any work.
Will you give me a price before starting work?
Always. We provide an upfront price before touching anything. You approve the quote before we begin. No surprises on your invoice.
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Yes. All repairs carry a 1-year workmanship warranty. If something we fixed fails within a year of our service, we come back and fix it at no charge. Installed equipment carries manufacturer warranties ranging from 1–10 years depending on the product.