If you live in the UK and are looking for a builder, how can you ensure you employ a good builder who is competent and trustworthy? Finding builders or tradesmen is generally quite easy. You can find a number of trades and craftsmen like electricians, plumber's roofers in local papers or the yellow pages or on the internet. But a list of companies is just not enough. Because builders have a bad reputation it is important to find a company that isn't likely to turn up on one of the television programs exposed as a poor con artist. The trouble is, anyone can set them self up as a builder so finding a seasoned expert rather than an ex window cleaner should be foremost in your mind. You also want a company that can accommodate you budge and do a professional job.
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.
After you have used this method to get a feel for the three or four best plumbers that seem the most reliable, it is time to start making phone calls and sending emails. Be specific about exactly what you want done and ask for quotes. Be very careful if you get offered a seriously low quote. If something sounds way to good to be true, it probably is not. Do not be scared of asking questions. Remember you are in the driving seat these loud toilet people need your business. Ask for testimonials from their previous customers. Make sure that they are properly trained, ask what certificates they hold and whether their work is fully insured and guaranteed.
Not all faucets have or even need interior shut-off valves. If your valve is a "frost-free" style of valve then you wouldn't need a shut off inside. Frost free valves are a style of valve in which the Trustworthy plumber water shut off for the valve is located internally in the valve inside the house. The use of a frost-free valve is best suited for locations in which an internal shut off valve is inaccessible such as a location where the walls and ceilings are all finished. This style faucet can leak over time. If you have a frost-free valve that is leaking you will need to replace the washers internally on the valve to prevent the valve from freezing and bursting.
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.
Before choosing any plumbers in your area be sure you pick a contractor that has experience with similar projects as yours. Plumbing in your area isn't the same as say New York or Chicago, unless of course you are from one of these cities. Ask for a reference or two for plumbing jobs that they have completed in the past.
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.