Questions
What people ask before they call
Short answers. For anything about your own house, call and ask.
How do I know a plumber is licensed?
Ask for the license number before the plumber comes in, and look it up on the state's lookup page. Our number is in the footer of every page, and the licenses page says where to check it.
What do I do right now if a pipe bursts?
Shut the main water valve, open the lowest cold tap, turn the water heater off, photograph the wet and call. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
Where is the main shutoff?
Where the water line comes into the house: a basement wall that faces the street, a utility room, a garage, or beside the water heater. Newer houses often have it in a closet or the garage. The winter pipe watch page has more.
What does a visit cost, and what does it include?
We tell you the visit charge on the phone. The visit covers finding the problem and a written estimate. If you go ahead that day, the visit charge is credited toward the work.
Do nights and weekends cost more?
Yes. The on-call plumber tells you the rate on the phone before the van leaves, and you can say no and call back in the morning.
Will I get a price before you start?
In writing, before any pipe is cut. Where a pipe is behind a wall we give a limit and the price of what we find.
How long does a thaw take?
It depends on the pipe and how deep the ice goes. A short run under a sink is quick; a service line can take most of a day. We tell you our guess on the phone and update it if it changes.
Do you pull permits?
Where the work needs a permit, yes, and the estimate says who pays for it.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
We say which makes sense and why. A tank that leaks from the tank is a replacement; a failed part is often a repair.
How do I know if it's a main-line problem?
If every drain in the house is slow, or water backs up in the lowest drain when you run a fixture, the main line may be the cause. We look with a camera and show you.
Is my house at risk for lead, galvanized or polybutylene pipe?
Older homes can have lead solder or a lead service line (lead solder was banned in 1986), galvanized steel, or polybutylene pipe (sold from the late 1970s into the mid 1990s). We note what we see. For lead, ask your water utility and read the EPA's guidance.
What does a camera inspection show?
The inside of a drain or service line: cracks, roots, a sag or a blockage. You see the video, and we write down what it showed.
What does your warranty cover?
The terms are printed on every written estimate, and we'll read them to you before you say yes. Ask for them.
What areas and hours do you cover?
The towns on the service area page. The emergency line is answered 24/7. Day jobs and estimates run Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Still have a question?
Call or text. A plumber will answer.