A Saanich plumbing company hopes to wash away the Christmas bills and blues that broken pipes and leaky faucets can create by gifting labour.
Jarod Hughes, owner of Rather Be Plumbing, said he and three of his five staff will work for free Dec. 19 to 21 to help eligible customers with their plumbing needs.
“We are trying to give back to the community,” he said, adding that the offer tries to help individuals, who are facing financial hardship. (Customers pay for any materials).
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When Hughes’ company offered this break for the first time last year, some 100 people called. In the end, it ended up helping somewhere between 40 and 50 people, who were dealing with serious plumbing issues but struggled to pay for them, such as an Esquimalt woman, whose house had lacked hot running water since Canada Day, after her hot water tank broke.
Hughes said the woman tried to fix the tank herself with rented tools, but almost completely flooded her home. Until she called for help, she had to carry water in buckets from a neighbour, Hughes said.
Another call ended up fixing the poorly draining bathtub of a woman with three children.
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While emergencies of this sort can be stressful during any time of the year, they become even more so during the holidays, said Hughes, who has found himself on calls on Christmas Day.
Hughes’ offer also has the benefit of easing present and future financial strains that end up make Christmas less enjoyable, and Hughes said he plans to offer it forever.
Interested residents can reach Rather Be Plumbing at 250-589-8555.
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