Finding a Licensed Plumber for Emergencies

Let’s imagine a pretty gnarly situation. You’re asleep, dreaming a peaceful and comforting dream when you hear a rumbling. Then a loud thunk, and something that sounds like hissing. A water pipe has just burst in your home! It’s one of those things you probably don’t want to think about, right? Unfortunately, it’s a real risk and one you should prepare for… Especially if you’re interested in saving money. While your mind is racing with the cost of damage and other worries, don’t panic! We can help you find a great licensed plumber!

While the water may be racking up damage, the last place you should run is the phone book. But, wait! You should take steps first to protect both your home and your wallet. Instead of going for the first plumber you find, consider this:

Not all plumbers are created equal.

First Thing to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

Instead of rushing to look for a phone number, locate your water main instead. If a pipe is leaking water in your home, any plumber will take the first step is to shut off the water. You can do this yourself and stop all the water from pouring into your home. This will give you time to breathe, think, and figure out how you’re going to handle this.

Most modern homes have their water main under a rectangular cover outside. This is usually in front of the house or the driveway. Sometimes it’s a round cover, but they are usually labeled “WATER” by the water department. If you’re unsure where yours is, it’s important to learn its location. If you know where the water meter is, it will be in the same place 99 times out of 100. Using a wrench – A crescent wrench is usually all you need – Twist until your water is shut off. You can often shut off toilet or water heater leaks at the appliance itself. Toilet shutoff valves are usually oval-shaped and stationed in the back of the toilet. Once you’ve shut things off, make sure the water has stopped. If the water hasn’t stopped, go to the next step anyway. You’ll have less time, but you’ll still want to do it thoughtfully.

Once the Water is Stopped

Gather a list of four or five plumbers. Take a quick look at their website, and see if they’re licensed. If they’re not licensed, you could run into serious trouble. Unlicensed plumbers may work for less, but they do a worse job and have access to worse tools. The “fixes” they provide can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Sometimes they can even cause damage. Without them being licensed, you may not be able to seek compensation.

Find More Than One Licensed Plumber And Compare

Start running the phone once you have a list of numbers to call. If you don’t need to use your water until the morning and no further damage is occurring, try to wait until business hours to start calling. Ask them about their rates, explain the situation, and jot it all down. Some plumbers charge for the moment they leave and start driving, while others only charge while they’re in your home. These are important questions to ask. Most will charge emergency rates to work after hours or during the holidays.

By approaching the problem with as much information as possible, you can be sure you’ve got the right plumber. To begin, you can start with our experts at Conyers Plumbing.