If you are a homeowner, an emergency plumbing issue such as a burst pipe or a leaking toilet can be a major problem. Water can do real damage to your home's structure. It can also create a breeding ground for mold which can be a major health hazard. If you are standing in water up to your ankles, it may be time to call an emergency plumber. Before you make that call, it is a good idea to know a bit about emergency plumbing. You don't want to be scammed or charged exorbitant prices just because you have an emergency situation.
When the average homeowner is faced with an emergency plumbing problem, their first inclination may be to pick a name from the phonebook or the Google search results. This may not be the best idea. Plumbers often bill in different ways. Some will charge for the house, some by the job. One thing that is for certain, you will pay more for an emergency plumbing job, especially if you call in the middle of the night or on the weekend.
Before you call the plumber, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the price. First, turn off the water at the main water shutoff valve. You should do this as soon as you detect a leak to prevent further damage. Once your water is turned off, you can take the time to do some research and find the plumber offering the best price for an emergency repair.
If your water problem is with a toilet or a sink, you may be able just to turn off those without having to turn off water to the entire house. You can also individually turn off the water heater if that is where you are having a problem.
When the water is turned off, check to ensure the water has stopped leaking. Once the leak is stopped, then you can work on finding an emergency plumber. The best way to find a plumber for emergency repair and not have to spend a great deal is to obtain and evaluate bids from several plumbers. Try getting estimates from at least five plumbers, but certainly no fewer than three. You should be able to get recommendations and referrals from friends and family, along with general contractors.
It is important to take as much time as you can to find the best-qualified plumber as possible to perform an emergency plumbing repair. Do your research to ensure you are not getting scammed and are not being overcharged.