Do you really need an emergency plumber? If you are building a swimming pool, you probably don’t, but if the inside of your house starts to imitate a swimming pool, you most probably do.
There are undoubtedly jobs that require the services of a licensed plumber, such as when your toilet backs up into your tubs and sinks, or when you require putting in a new pipe line. However, there are jobs that require not just any plumber but an emergency plumber, such as when water uncontrollably runs out of your faucet and toilets starts flooding the house. However, they are at a premium. How do you know if there is a need for their services or not?
Do You Really Need An Emergency Plumber?
Before contacting any plumber, you would need to turn off the water supply, or if possible the waterline that supplies the fixture. This will prevent any further water damage. This would also most likely stop the flow of water. Once you’ve stopped the water flow, assess the situation. If the problem is an overflowing toilet, you will be all right until the morning, as long as you don’t flush. You could also wait in the morning if you will be able to find alternatives, such as using the kitchen sink instead of the bathroom sink. You can then avoid paying for premium for calling in a 24-hour plumber during the night hours, or during holidays or weekend.
Calling an Emergency Plumber
However, if after turning off the water and assessing the situation, and your plumbing crisis cannot be put off, be prepared before calling an emergency plumber and have some information and questions readily available when you get hold of one.
Before calling the plumber’s number, try to identify the problems as closely as you can. The more specific and more details you can provide, the better they will be able to gauge the emergency and estimate the cost of repair.
It is also a good idea to call several plumber’s numbers if you do not yet have a licensed plumber of choice. You will be able to get several quotes of service call fees as there could sometimes be significant difference in prices.
Also ask for a quote for the service call. Some will charge for simply coming to your house, even if they would not be doing any repairs then. Make sure to ask for this amount ahead of time, and not be surprised by it in your bill.
Ask for an estimate for the total cost of repairs. Some 24-hour plumbers will not want to give an estimate over the phone, and would want to personally assess the plumbing situation first. But you may be able to get a rough estimate and an idea of the price if you come well-informed about the plumbing emergency. Picture out the scenario to your emergency plumber and ask for the usual or average cost of repair.
If you are calling an emergency service, always ask for the emergency plumber to call you first, so that you will be able to talk to the plumber personally and get a better estimate of cost.
So for the time when you wake up at night and the house starts to be like an indoor pool, don’t panic. Stop the water flow, assess the situation, and if it is an plumbing crisis that need immediate action, call an emergency plumber to come out to your house.
