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 local plumber.
You can find out what people have to say about service companies by reading reviews online. If you find a lot of negative reviews from one company, you should definitely stay away from them. There are many positive reviews online, so you should not have a problem finding a Trustworthy plumber that you can turn to for many years to come.
Preventative care is what is needed here such as using commercial products for unclogging a drain and wrapping your pipes and having them insulated. You may also want to invest in drain covers for your drains to catch hair and grease before it becomes a problem that warrants the call to your Local plumber. If you have pipes outdoors that have hoses, before fall sets in, disconnect these hoses and bring them indoors. This is just some of the preventative maintenance that can be used.
Watch what you put in your drain. Many commercial cleaners and solvents contain harsh chemicals that can damage your septic system. Always use an EPA-approved green drain cleaner. Be careful never to put grease, fat, or oils into your garbage disposal.
Once the work has been completed, ask for a breakdown of the bill before it's paid. That way, you know what you're paying for and it stops the plumbers asking for more money down the line.