There is nothing thrilling about making a call to an emergency plumber on Christmas Eve or as the clock rings in the New Year. In fact, there is nothing fun at all about calling one it at anytime. Yet, with many households and even businesses, this is a reality. It makes little difference whether the residence and plumbing is new or dated – emergencies can occur. The best a homeowner can do is to learn to prevent what he or she can possible prevent. In other words, the home owner or resident needs to be proactive.

Act Proactive

Do not wait for a plumbing emergency to occur. Work today to establish a relationship with your local plumbers. Ask about whether an emergency plumber is something the plumbing company has. Talk to several companies and ask about:

• Availability
• Cost
• Reliability
• Service times
• Emergency services

Have a plumber come over to check out your plumbing system. He or she can talk about the basic components of your system and can answer questions about the overall condition of your plumbing

Need to Know

You need to know or be aware of certain aspects of your plumbing. This is true whether you are talking to a plumber or an emergency plumber. You should know:

• How old the plumbing system – specifically pipes and sewer lines
• How old specific fixtures are – they have expiry or best before dates that will affect their performance
• The location of your sewer lines in relation to the trees and other potentially harmful items or materials

These are the basic. They may help you be more aware of any potential problems so you can avoid that emergency plumber call.

Taking Steps

Awareness is one matter; being proactive is another. To truly avoid emergency calls, you need to adopt regular maintenance. This means checking toilets, taps and drains for any indication of wear and tear. Be prepared to repair them on your own or, if the matter is more complex and/or you do not have the skill or time, to all in a professional.

Take note that certain plumbing problems are more common than others are. These include:

• Clogged sinks
• Plugged or backed up toilets
• Dripping faucets and shower heads
• Pipe leaks

An emergency plumber is there to handle any plumbing emergency that may come your way. If you can avoid it, do so, Take steps to ensure your system is under good repair. Maintain it on a regular basis. Call in a plumber to take care of the basic issues or handle them yourself. By being proactive you may well avoid that midnight call to an emergency plumber.