Plumbing Emergency - Being Prepared Just Before Time

The heater may have developed a leak, which extinguished the pilot light. A leak also means the basement could be flooded, if the leak suddenly worsens.

Emergency plumbing service Before choosing any plumbers in your area be sure you pick a contractor that has experience with similar projects as yours. Plumbing in your area isn't the same as say New York or Chicago, unless of course you are from one of these cities. Ask for a reference or two for plumbing jobs that they have completed in the past.

Trustworthy plumber When you have an outside faucet that is dripping it indicates that either you don't have an interior shut off valve or that the valve is failing. Every fall, when it gets cold enough to freeze, the homeowner should shut off and drain the water going to the outside water spigots.

water heater do not take washers and therefore you cannot repair them. If you have a washerless shut-off valve that leaks it will need to be replaced. You will need: a propane torch, solder, flux, sandcloth, a wire fitting brush, a small section of copper pipe (most likely 3/4" I.D.), a slip coupling (again probably 3/4") and a shut-off valve. I would highly recommend installing a ball valve with a drain on it as opposed to a washer style valve. If you purchase a decent quality ball valve it will last a very long time.

Friends and relatives will have suggestions on who they have used in the past and they will know which ones are good and which are bad. They would never tell you to use someone that they themselves would not use. So when you don't have time to do any research, just ask a friend or relative.

The number one thing you need to check when hiring a plumber is to make sure they are fully qualified and are certified by the TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority). Most plumbing contractors are also heating contractors, therefore they need to have a valid TSSA number. Having a license is also very important. A license ensures that the plumber is following rules and standards. Do your homework when researching a plumbing contractor and try to get reviews from previous customers. Advice from friends and family who have dealt with a Local plumber is priceless. If you don`t know anyone who has had services from a Local plumber recently, online is the next best place to look for reviews of local contractors.

When planning major renovations, make sure you put a great deal of thought into the design and layout of your work. Make sure you check with your local council as a lot of work requires building permits (including plumbing). Please make sure if your work requires a permit, don't be tempted to get the work done without one, as you may end up in court.

Now use the search engine to do a background check on their names. Do not just put in the company or plumber's name as the search term but add the words "reviews","bad","good". The great thing about social websites like Facebook, Twitter, forums and even blogs, is that if anybody has has a good or a bad experience, they are willing to tell the world about it.