Sometimes it is impossible for you to unplug a blocked sewage pipe. And, unless the problem is taken care of, the cost for repair down the road can be very costly. An emergency plumber should be called immediately if your toilet or sink is clogged and you simply cannot fix it. You should also contact a plumber if you smell an odd odor coming from your plumbing system because toxic fumes can prove to be very dangerous.

A certified plumber should be called so that if necessary, the main water valve to your home can be turned off. Plumbers have the expertise to know where this valve is and are familiar with the regulations in your area. If you have a pipe that is leaking, your plumber should then be able to find the leak and repair or replace it. As a novice plumber, you should never attempt to fix a leak because you may very well make the problem much worse. Subsequent repair work can then end up costing you much more money than if you had hired a professional in the first place.

You might have to call an emergency plumber on holidays, on a weekend or in the middle of the night. Consequently, you will likely pay more for the services they provide during these times. They may be able to do a temporary fix for you and then return during the regular work week to complete the job. In any case, a plumbing problem that occurs during off-hours can add dollars to your plumbing repair bill.

A specialized plumber has expertise in many areas including carpentry, installation procedures and piping repairs. He has to be able to look at your particular situation and determine what can be done quickly and professionally to at least prevent further damage. He has to be aware of any hazardous conditions that might occur and be able to deal with complicated and often dangerous situations. He needs to be licensed and/or certified so that the work he provides is backed by a thorough training and learning period. He generally has years of hands-on experience and has often trained as an apprentice with a master plumber.

As a general rule, you should always consult an emergency plumber for your plumbing mishaps except in very minor situations. You really don’t have the experience or knowledge necessary to work with plumbing equipment. In addition, you may actually make the damage worse and end up paying greatly for your mistakes. Hiring someone to evaluate your situation and then doing the best thing to fix it is your best option when your "plumbing woes" are at their worse!