How to Prepare for a Plumber Visit (Make the Most of Your Service Call)

A little prep goes a long way—for both of us.

I'm Justin Sims, and I've done thousands of service calls. The ones that go smoothly have something in common: a prepared homeowner. It's not about cleaning your house or putting out snacks (though I won't say no to coffee). It's about a few simple things that help me help you faster and better.

Here's everything I wish every homeowner knew before we knocked on the door.

Before the Appointment

Know Where Your Main Shut-Off Is

I ask about this on almost every call. If you don't know, we're both going to spend time finding it. Worse, if there's an emergency during the repair, we need to shut water off fast.

Walk around today and find it. It's usually:

• In the garage, where the main line enters
• Near the water heater
• In a utility room
• Near the water meter at the street (secondary option)

Clear the Work Area

If I'm coming to work on:

• **Under-sink plumbing:** Clear out everything from the cabinet
• **Toilet issues:** Clear the area around the toilet, pick up rugs
• **Water heater:** Make sure I can access it with at least 2-3 feet around
• **Main line work:** Clear the path from the door to the work area

This saves time (and your stuff) from getting bumped or moved.

Secure Pets

I love dogs—I really do. But a curious 80-pound Lab checking out my tool bag while I'm under a sink is a hazard for both of us.

Please:

• Put pets in another room
• Let me know if a dog tends to bolt when the door opens
• Don't worry about cats judging me silently (they're going to anyway)

Make Notes of the Problem

The more you can tell me, the faster I can diagnose:

• When did you first notice the issue?
• Is it constant or intermittent?
• Have you tried any fixes yourself?
• Has anyone else worked on it recently?
• Are there other fixtures affected?

These details often point me right to the problem.

Day of the Appointment

Be Home (Or Available)

This seems obvious, but someone needs to let me in and authorize the work. If you can't be there:

• Have another adult available who can make decisions
• Leave a contact number where you're reachable

Walk Me Through the Issue

Show me the problem yourself. You've lived with it—you know things I don't yet.

"It only does it when we run the dishwasher."

"The noise is louder in the morning."

"It started right after we had work done in the bathroom."

Gold. All of it.

Keep Kids Nearby (But Not Too Close)

Kids are curious, and plumbing is interesting when someone's tearing things apart. I don't mind questions (really), but the work area can be hazardous—sharp tools, hot pipes, chemicals sometimes.

A safe viewing distance is great. Climbing into my toolbox is not.

Plan for No Water (Briefly)

Depending on the job, I may need to shut off water for a period. Usually it's less than an hour, but plan accordingly:

• Fill a couple glasses of water before I start
• Use the bathroom first
• If you have a baby or medical needs requiring water, let me know

Questions to Ask Your Plumber

I appreciate when homeowners ask questions. It shows you're engaged and want to understand your home. Here are some good ones:

"What's causing this?"

Understanding the root cause helps you prevent future problems.

"Is this a symptom of something bigger?"

Sometimes a small issue is an early warning sign.

"How can I prevent this from happening again?"

I'll give you honest maintenance tips.

"What's the warranty on this repair?"

Know what's covered and for how long.

"Are there any other issues you noticed?"

While I'm there, I might spot things worth mentioning.

What to Expect During the Visit

Here's our typical process:

1. Arrival and Assessment

We show up on time (that window we give you is real), assess the situation, and confirm what's needed.

2. Estimate and Approval

Before we touch a wrench, we'll tell you what we recommend and what it'll cost. No surprises.

3. The Work

We do the repair, protecting your home as we work.

4. Testing

We test everything before we call it done.

5. Walk-Through

We show you what we did, explain the repair, and answer questions.

6. Cleanup

We clean up after ourselves. Your home should look like we were never there (except for the fixed plumbing).

After the Visit

Test Things Out

Run water, flush toilets, check the repair. If something seems off, tell us right away.

Keep Documentation

We'll leave you with paperwork—what we did, what we used, warranty information. File it somewhere you'll find it.

Schedule Follow-Ups

If we recommend additional work or preventive maintenance, put it on your calendar before you forget.

Tell Us How We Did

Honest feedback helps us improve. And if you're happy, a Google review means the world to a local business.

Red Flags to Watch For (Not Us, But Generally)

While we're talking about plumber visits, here are warning signs of a less-than-honest operator:

• Won't give a written estimate
• Pressures you to decide immediately
• Can't or won't explain what's wrong
• Significantly lower/higher than other quotes with no explanation
• No license or insurance when asked

You deserve a plumber who treats you and your home with respect.

The Bottom Line

Preparing for a plumber visit isn't complicated:

• Know your shut-off
• Clear the workspace
• Secure pets