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.
How do you determine if it is an emergency? Look at the source of the problem. If water is not moving and the sink is just full of water that isn't draining, you haven't found a real emergency. If the faucet in the sink will not stop running, and the water isn't draining, it may turn quickly into an running toilet.
Check on the plumber's licensing and insurance. You can ask about this over the phone before you even make an appointment. If the Trustworthy plumber, or his representative on the phone, cannot provide the master plumbing license number quickly and easily, that's your cue to move on.
Before you hire your Local plumber, make sure they are licensed to carry out the work. A lot of plumbing work has to be carried out by licensed professionals, you need to make sure that they are - ask to see their license. Also, ask them their hourly rate, ask friends if they can recommend a reliable, reputable tradesman. When carrying out large renovations in your home, always ask for a written quote from your plumber first, supply him with a set of drawings of the project and ask him to price from the plans.
Here's an example. Let's say you are a plumber. Will people put "plumber" into Google to try to find you? How about "plumbers"? How about "plumbing"? All of these are valid search terms, but they each reflect a different "conversation" in the mind of the searcher.
It is important to hire a professional for all of your plumbing needs. In order to protect your home and the investment you have made in it, you need to hire only the best contractor for any repairs.