No homeowner wants to deal with a burst plumbing pipe. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a pipe to burst causing severe flooding and damage. There are many reasons why a pipe can burst such as corroded pipes, crack in the pipe that had too much pressure, and a pipe that froze and expanded and then burst. If you have a burst pipe, it is important to know what to do to prevent more damage and expense.
An unqualified plumber will charge usually high service fees and provide substandard service and poor quality parts. After the plumber has completed the job, check the work. You can check to see if everything is put back together and there is no mess on the floor. As well, you should turn on the taps and flush the toilet to see if everything is running properly.
Some faucet repair valves do not take washers and therefore you cannot repair them. If you have a washerless shut-off valve that leaks it will need to be replaced. You will need: a propane torch, solder, flux, sandcloth, a wire fitting brush, a small section of copper pipe (most likely 3/4" I.D.), a slip coupling (again probably 3/4") and a shut-off valve. I would highly recommend installing a ball valve with a drain on it as opposed to a washer style valve. If you purchase a decent quality ball valve it will last a very long time.
Trustworthy. The best way to find a Trustworthy plumber is to ask a close friend, family, or a good neighbour for recommendations. They're the best people to ask because they've experienced the services first-hand and they will never lie to you about it. This works in the same way they won't let you hire someone who has worked for them and delivered bad service.
Call a Local plumber to set up an appointment for an inspection. You will need to be home for this service and when the work is complete, you want to be available to find out what the professional found out. If there is work to be done, depending on the severity, it might be a good idea to go ahead and schedule the next appointment for repairs.
Before you hire a plumber, ask questions. Find out what kind of experience they have and if they offer service 24 hours a day. You can prevent many problems by fixing a plumbing issue before it gets worse. You should also find out if the contractor is reputable and check their references. Compare plumbers until you find one you can trust.
Start off with disassembling the faucet head. Inspect each part to see which are still OK and which ones will need replacing. In some cases, you only have to replace a washer or two, which will save you a lot. However, if you have to replace the whole faucet, make sure that you are getting the same model so that you don't have to worry about compatibility and familiarizing yourself with how to use it.