Unfortunately, the stress and urgency of a plumbing emergency leads many homeowners to make quick, hasty decisions about whom they hire to fix their problem resulting in less than desirable outcomes. While you may get lucky just hiring the first person in the phone book or the first result that appears on an Internet search engine, you could also end up entrusting your plumbing to someone who will cause more harm than good or leave you with additional hassles and stress resulting in more expenses.
Even though you need your plumbing emergency handled quickly, it’s important to still be choosy and fussy about your plumber. By following these tips, you can ensure that the plumber you select is a trusted professional and that you’ll receive the best service possible to the homeowner.

Who answers takes the call? If you call an emergency plumber and receive an answering machine, be sceptical. A true professional emergency plumbing service should greet you with a live person no matter what time of day it is. Having a live person answer shows that the company cares about service and that they want to help you as quickly and professionally as possible. Additionally, while some plumbers may check their answering machine messages frequently, you always run the risk of your call not being returned until the next business day.

Does the company have the proper credentials and insurance?
Although you would like to think that every emergency plumber who advertises their services online and in print is reputable, some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of 24/7 plumbing services. Knowing that homeowners are likely to make fast and uneducated decisions to receive timely service, companies that are unlicensed and uninsured often advertise overnight, weekend and holiday services. Make sure you ask the plumbing service if they are licensed and fully insured before you let them come to your home or business. Without a license, there’s no guarantee that the company has the correct skills to handle your problem. With no insurance, you could find yourself footing the bill if the plumber’s work inadvertently damages your home or business.

How fast will the plumber arrive? An emergency service that will not visit your home until the following day is not truly offering 24/7 service; they simply answer their phone all day, every day. Look for a company that will handle your needs as soon as possible, no matter when you phone them for service.

Are timely follow-up services available? Some 24/7 plumbing business is limited service providers who perform only emergency repairs. Look for a company that can return to the scene if necessary in the future to complete full repairs. Often, there is an underlying cause for a plumbing issue that may need additional work to remedy. For example, a toilet may have a sudden clog in the pipes that needs removed but also have a weak flush due to tree roots in the pipes that will need to be removed.

Reminder: just because you’re facing an emergency, you shouldn’t be any less careful about whom you choose to make your plumbing repairs in your home or business. The extra minutes that you spend in a crisis choosing the right professional can save you hours of hassle down the road and a lot of money.