Calling a Plumber in Spain
Reporting a leak, getting a quote, dealing with the neighbour below and sorting out who pays.
In a Spanish flat, a leak quickly becomes everyone's problem: the neighbour downstairs gets a stain, the landlord wants to know, and the home insurance may cover the damage. Plumbers charge a call-out fee plus labour, usually quoted without IVA, and many accept Bizum. The cards follow a tenant from the first phone call to the talk with the landlord.
- 1
Tengo una fuga debajo del fregadero.
I've got a leak under the kitchen sink.
- 2
El suelo de la cocina está encharcado.
The kitchen floor's flooded.
- 3
Cierre la llave de paso.
Turn off the stopcock.
- 4
¿Podría venir hoy? Es bastante urgente.
Could you come today? It's fairly urgent.
- 5
¿Cuánto cobra por la salida?
How much do you charge for the call-out?
- 6
¿Eso es con IVA o sin IVA?
Is that with or without VAT?
- 7
¿Me puede dar un presupuesto antes?
Could you give me a quote first?
- 8
El váter está atascado.
The toilet's blocked.
- 9
No sale agua caliente.
There's no hot water coming out.
- 10
El termo hace un ruido raro.
The water heater's making a weird noise.
- 11
A la vecina de abajo le ha salido una mancha en el techo.
The downstairs neighbour has got a stain on her ceiling.
- 12
¿Esto lo cubre el seguro del hogar?
Is this covered by the home insurance?
- 13
La tubería está muy vieja, habría que cambiarla.
The pipe's really old, it ought to be replaced.
- 14
Es solo una junta gastada.
It's just a worn-out seal.
- 15
Voy a llamar al casero.
I'm going to call my landlord.
- 16
¿Cuánto tiempo le llevará?
How long will it take you?
- 17
¿Me puede mandar la factura por correo?
Could you email me the invoice?
- 18
¿Le puedo pagar por Bizum?
Can I pay you by Bizum?
- 19
Hasta entonces, no use el lavavajillas.
Until then, don't use the dishwasher.
- 20
Lleva una semana goteando.
It's been dripping for a week.