They leak, sweat, make loud noises and freeze; no, not your kids- your pipes. When you think about your plumbing if you think about it at all, it is probably only when something goes wrong. That is usually when most of us realize that the part we cant see- the pipes can do a massive amount of damage to our homes when something goes wrong.
As a Plumber you have done your time and got your trade certificate. It wasn't given to you because you had to earn it. You now have the right to make a fair and honest living from it despite the down turn in the economic climate.
Some bathtub replace 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.
For instance if you are looking for a Trustworthy plumber, you can post a tweet in Twitter and ask for referrals. Be careful of spammers who may connect with your keywords. Trust the comments that come from within your network.
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.
This around the clock availability leads to the second thing to look for in your rescue personnel. Are they available at all hours? Saying you are and actually picking up the telephone are two different matters. Do they offer at least two numbers, one for regular business hours and one for after hours? That is what you are looking for. And if they advertise dispatch vans, all the better for speedy replies.
It is important to hire a professional for all of your plumbing needs. In order to protect your home and the investment you have made in it, you need to hire only the best contractor for any repairs.