7 Questions to Ask Your Emergency Plumber in Toronto

Plumbing emergencies are not pleasant, and they can cause all types of stress. It’s even worse if you are not home and away on vacation when it happens. 

Finding the right plumber for your emergency sounds easy—just Google “emergency plumber” and pick the first one. However, this is not always the case. To ensure you get the right plumber, you should first ask a few crucial questions to ensure the work is done properly, efficiently, and at a reasonable price.

While emergency services will cost a little more, there are reasonable and unreasonable prices. So, after turning off the main water valve and reducing the risk of further damage as much as possible, do some research.

1. Do they cover emergencies?

While this may seem like an obvious question, if you can’t see this service on the website, ask. Do they actually provide emergency services, and is there an emergency number you can call?

Do you know if you will speak to a person to get immediate service, or do you have to leave a message and hope someone gets it later?

Many companies use automation to screen and direct calls to the right department. For emergencies, though, the last thing you want to do is press every number on the keypad before you speak to someone, so find out what their emergency protocol is.

2. Are they licensed and insured?

Reputable companies will be fully licensed and insured. This protects you and ensures that the company and its employees are properly certified and know how to fix the problem without making it worse.

The insurance will cover any additional costs incurred due to a range of events that could happen and is designed to help you and the company if needed. This extra protection shows how serious the plumber is about doing the job right the first time.

3. Do they provide warranties?

When the plumbing is installed in a new home, a warranty protects against damage, leaks, and breaks within a certain amount of time. 

While the original builder may uphold this if it’s within the time frame, any plumber coming in to do repairs, especially emergency ones, should offer a warranty on their work as well. 

Not only does the warranty mean less cost to you if something happens, but it shows that the company stands proudly behind its work.

4. Are they reputable?

Reputable companies proudly display their past customers’ testimonials on their websites and any professional boards that they are listed with, such as the Better Business Bureau, which holds companies to a high standard.

If their website does not have anything on it, ask them. If they cannot tell you about any boards they are registered with or provide you with testimonials, then you should look elsewhere.

A reputable emergency plumber in Toronto will happily discuss what past customers have said, and let you know which boards they answer to.

5. How old is the company?

Knowing how long someone has been in business will indicate how seasoned and experienced they are with emergency situations. 

This is not to say that newer companies lack the knowledge. However, they may not have the experience to handle your unique situation quickly, efficiently, and professionally. 

Plumbing companies serving the community and local areas for years will have this valuable experience to handle even the strangest of emergencies.

6. Can they communicate clearly?

When the plumber comes to your home, can they explain the situation to you in a way you can understand, or do you need a crash course in plumbing to figure out all the technical terms?

Customer service goes beyond the plumbing work itself. It also involves an explanation of what happened, what now needs to happen, and how to prevent the issue in the future.

Find out what kind of customer service you will get through the whole experience, as this will only benefit you and the plumbing service in the long run. 

7. How is the payment structured?

In an emergency, cost will be at the forefront of your mind. Will the insurance cover the damage, repairs, or replace any item that was destroyed as a result? 

While plumbing companies may not directly bill your insurance provider for emergency services (and some will deal directly with insurance companies when it comes to the repair of larger issues), you should know what you are paying before they arrive.

Before working with them, ask about fees, costs, and how to pay. A lot of plumbing companies will invoice you afterwards, but you want to make sure there are no surprise hidden fees on the invoice that were not disclosed during the call. 

Though an accurate quote may not be given until they arrive, you can get an estimate to take care of the initial problem, and then find out how to pay so that you can prepare, both financially and mentally.

Contact the Plumbing Experts

You might get overwhelmed, stressed, and financially burdened when things break down. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

With Drain King Plumbers, your emergency is handled with care and precision by a team that is licensed, insured, trained, and proud members of the Better Business Bureau. No hidden fees mean that we won’t break the bank. 

Our years of experience mean that regardless of the situation, we have seen it all and taken care of it without hesitation. We treat our customers with care and compassion and help them understand what’s happening clearly and effectively.

Regardless of the emergency, you can call us at 833-983-5663 or go online and see how we can help you with any plumbing situation at any time of the day or night.