How do you find a reliable/good plumber? Wet spot/crack in the ceiling.

[Zeze]

Every time I'm about to spend money, I can at least compare prices and check reviews briefly. Finding a good plumber is a new territory for me.

1. How do you find a reliable/good plumber? Angie's list? CL? What's the go-to here?

2. There is a small wet stain and an X-shaped crack that seems to grow larger in the first floor ceiling. The total size is about 5". There's a bathroom upstairs. So looking for a plumber for this is correct?

3. How do I know if I'm not being swindled once he visits? Can I get some time for him to come back and I can get a second opinion / price check?

Thanks.

 

[highland145]

My bro charges to do estimates. He's so slammed that he could be "turning a wrench" vs pricing a job that he might not get.

Word of mouth references. I'm in a city of 40K so I could call the local plumbing suppliers and get decent suggestions. You're in NY, right? Not so easy for you.

Could be the wax ring on the toilet is bad. You could fix that assuming the woods not damaged.

 

[SearchMaster]

To be frank, it's most likely a very simple fix that could be handled by any competent handyman. I'd be more concerned about finding someone to do a great job patching the ceiling.

Have you inspected the upstairs bathroom (assuming it's yours) to see if you can find the source? There could be a faulty trap in the sink, for example, that you would see just by opening the cabinet to see.

 

[sdifox]

Check caulking.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

This is exactly why I will never own a two story house. I'd maybe have a bonus room with no plumbing running upstairs. No way I'd want running water in the ceiling and a nasty ass toilet above my head.

 

[sdifox]

This is exactly why I will never own a two story house. I'd maybe have a bonus room with no plumbing running upstairs. No way I'd want running water in the ceiling and a nasty ass toilet above my head.

Lulz

 

[John Connor]

I needed a plumber and checked Angie's list, Home Advisor and then Thumbtack. It was Thumbtack where I found a plumber that was pretty good. He did it on the side though. His main job was working with newly built homes putting in the plumbing.

Describe and take pictures of your problem well. Look at the ratings and consider getting more than one offer.

BTW, you're in the wrong subforum. Should be in Home & Garden.

 

[Exterous]

This is exactly why I will never own a two story house. I'd maybe have a bonus room with no plumbing running upstairs. No way I'd want running water in the ceiling and a nasty ass toilet above my head.

So you won't own a two story house because there is a very small chance the toilet might leak? If thats where your risk baseline is cars, dogs, trains, pools, stairs, bicycles and deer must terrify you.