Leak, clog or no hot water? What to do before you call a plumber

First steps

1. Leak: turn off the water at the fixture's shut-off valve, or at the main valve. Learn where the main valve is before you need it.
2. No hot water: for gas heaters, check the pilot light. For electric heaters, check the breaker. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility first.
3. Slow drain: try a plunger. Avoid mixing chemical drain cleaners, and tell the plumber if you've already used one.

Questions to ask

• Licensed and insured in this state?
• Flat rate or hourly, and is there a call-out fee?
• A written quote before work starts?
• Warranty on parts and labour?

What drives the price

Emergency hours, access (inside a wall, under a slab), the parts involved, and whether permits are needed.

Red flags

• No written quote.
• Recommending a full repipe without showing evidence.
• Pressure to pay in full upfront.