Why is it that some people find the idea of contacting a new plumber to do a job, just a little bit worrying? There have being a spate of documentaries on the TV and stories in the media about "Cowboy" plumbers, sad tales of people losing their money. Yes, there are rogues out there but in truth they are few and far between.
Frozen Pipes: When water in pipes freeze they expand and may even burst the pipe. Close the main shutoff valve. If the pipe has not split yet, thaw it with hot water bottles from the end of the pipe nearest to the tap. Thawing must be gentle, never with a naked flame, to avoid thermal water expansion that too can split the pipe. As a preventive maintenance make sure your pipes are appropriately insulated against the cold months.
Make sure you get all the technicalities right and don't pay the full amount until the task has been completed. Stay in the loop and keep checking-in on the progress of the work. You have to be firm if you don't want to be cheated into accepting poor quality trustworthy plumber for high costs.
For instance if you are looking for a Trustworthy plumber, you can post a tweet in Twitter and ask for referrals. Be careful of spammers who may connect with your keywords. Trust the comments that come from within your network.
This seems like a lot to work out in the few minutes that you spend searching for a Local plumber to fix your issue, but taking that few extra minutes can really save you a lot of grief and further problems in the future. Always take the time to do some research and make sure that you are getting your money's worth before you call in a plumber. There is a lot that can go wrong when it comes to working with things such as plumbing and you have to be sure that your home's plumbing is kept safe and correct. Failing to do so could result in endangering the lives and health of your family.
It is fine to ask the qualifications of a plumber. Check out if their paperwork is authentic. If you find anything fishy, call the MPA. Various plumbers are registered with Master Plumbers Association.
Water can do more that just get everything wet. It can destroy walls, foundations, structure, flooring, and many other aspects of your home. Minimizing the damage by knowing where the water valves are located, keeping more water from harming more of your home, and having a plumber you can trust to fix your plumbing problem right and for a reasonable is key. We all have to deal with plumbing problems. Be prepared.