Help! Emergency Plumbing Needed
Help! Emergency Plumbing Needed
Blog Article
First thing Saturday morning I decided to fix the washing machine. This decision had not been reached lightly. The cold water pressure was weak so I had checked with two experts at work (i.e., they had both owned washing machines at one time or another) and determined that it was a sticky solenoid. I grabbed my toolbox and told my wife what I was planning.
If there isn't' anyone you trust who knows a good Trustworthy plumber, check websites that will you show a list of available plumbing experts in your area. You'll find that there are so many web directories that you can use and you just have to know how to utilize these sites efficiently.
Look at the plumber's reputation online. Do they look like an experienced plumbing company with a good reputation? See if their website is up to date with relatively new content. How a plumber on Long Island treats all aspects of their business and the level of care put forth could be an indication of how they will work with you too. First impressions do count!
To repair this internal shut-off valve you need to shut the water off to the whole house. When repairing the valve be aware that they are factory sealed and are not easy to take apart. Make sure to be careful when attempting to take them apart so that you don't put too much stress on the solder joints. Use two wrenches in opposite directions holding on to the body of the valve and the section that you are attempting to remove. Make sure to grab the hex shaped spot below the packing nut. Removing the packing nut won't get you to the washer you need to replace.
Frozen Pipes: When water in pipes freeze they expand and may even burst the pipe. Close the loud toilet 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.
Sometimes repairs do not need to be immediate, but they should be quick. When you do not need emergency repairs, but cannot wait days for help, you should find a plumbing company offering same day services. This means you can call in the morning and have someone there to make the repair within hours. Since some companies do not offer emergency services, same day service may be the next best thing, so you should look for this offering if it is the best your Local plumber has.
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.
Never rush in choosing a plumber. If someone knocks on your door for any plumbing services, be very cautious. A professional plumber will never go door to door to get business. This could be risky. Find a plumber who guarantees his work and asks about the charges before he starts working. A better idea is to get some free quotes in order to compare costs before you decide on a plumber who could work for you. This can help you save money and time.