Vent, Valve & Volt
Valve: Plumbing

What to tell the plumber

A plumber can diagnose faster when you describe what you see, not what you think it is. Fill this in before you call, take a few photos, and have it open when they arrive.

Pick the fixture that was in use when you noticed the problem. Note it if more than one room is affected.

From the faucet, the shower trim, or the water heater's data plate. Model numbers on any failed part help too.

How many handles?

Faucets and showers only. One-handle and two-handle valves use different parts.

Describe what you see: dripping from the spout with the handle off, puddle under the tank, weak flow on hot only. Skip the theories.

A recent repair, a water shutoff, a cold snap, a new appliance.

Hot, cold or both?

Say where each valve is now: open or closed. Don't force a stuck valve.

Gas or electric, plus the make, model and age from the data plate on the side of the tank.

Scratch an exposed pipe with a coin: copper looks penny-colored, galvanized steel looks steel-gray. Add the year the home was built in your notes.

Have any chemical drain cleaners been used?

This is critical safety information for the plumber. Name the product if you know it.

Parts you replaced, adjustments you made, and what happened. Mention past plumbing work and keep receipts handy.

Photos and prep done

Photos help the plumber bring the right parts.

Always worth mentioning

  • What fixture was in use when you noticed the problem, and what you observe, not your theory of the cause.
  • When it started and what changed around that time.
  • Whether it is hot only, cold only, or drains only, and whether more than one room or fixture is affected.
  • The age of the home and the pipe material, especially polybutylene, galvanized or cast iron.
  • The water heater's make, model and age from its data plate.
  • Model numbers on any failed part you can see, and any prior plumbing work.
  • Which shutoffs you turned and where each one is now.
  • Any chemical drain cleaners already used. Bob Vila warns they can irritate skin and eyes and even harm old pipes.
  • What you already tried and what happened.
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
  1. PlumbingQuotes: What to do before the plumber arrives
  2. Berkeys: Is it a mistake to think the plumber will handle all the prep?
  3. Bob Vila: How to fix a slow sink drain
  4. Mr. Rooter: What causes low water pressure?