One way or another, all homeowners will find themselves in need of a professional plumber. Whether your toilet is backed up, your pipes groan every time someone turns on a faucet, or your water pressure is so low it’s in the negatives, you’ll need the experience and expertise of a licensed professional in the field.

Unfortunately, most plumbing problems occur unexpectedly. In some cases, minor plumbing issues may even lead to major ones—especially if they’re not addressed immediately. When that happens, you might find yourself on Google, desperately searching for ‘the best plumbers near me.’

It might be a little too late, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t sound. Finding a local plumber right within your area—one that can get to you in fifteen minutes or less—can be the difference between a minor fix and an all-out overhaul. That being said, here are some tips to finding the best plumbers near you.

Don’t Wait for an Emergency

Admit it; the first thing you do when encountering a plumbing issue is to try and fix it on your own. It’s not a bad practice, but it only really creates stop-gap measures for minor problems. You, like most homeowners, probably don’t call in the cavalry for anything less than a full flood in your bathroom or kitchen.

That needs to change.

Never wait for a dire emergency before you start looking for a plumber.  You don’t want to just settle for a mediocre contractor half a block away just because the issue has to be resolved ASAP.

Your best defense is to check for potential problems before they get worse. This gives you enough time to carefully review profiles of plumbers in your area and select someone more qualified.

Figure Out your Plumbing Needs

It’s always good to figure out what your needs are before hiring. Plumbing companies and professionals have different specializations. They typically let customers choose from a host of services such as maintenance, repair, and installation. Most companies may specialize in at least one or two of those.

The last thing you want to do is hire a local plumber and then find out he can’t do what you’re asking of him. Call the plumber you are planning to hire and be sure to discuss your requirements with them. Experts also suggest approaching a company that promises to have extensive knowledge of your specific problem and asking for a free quote or consultation.

Utilize your Network

Before turning to Google and quickly typing up ‘best plumber near me,’ remember that you have your own easily accessible referral network. Referrals from friends and family are a lot more reliable than online reviews because they know you personally and are therefore more likely to recommend companies that they had a good experience with.

Reaching out to people who are close to you is a quick and effective way to find a quality plumbing service. They can tell you which companies to avoid if they have bad experiences and suggest better professionals that match your needs.

Find Plumbers Who Are Licensed

When creating a list of good plumbers, the first thing you need to do is prequalify your candidates. You want them to bid on your repair job. How do you do that? Check if the plumber has a license to operate in the state.

There are specific states that require professionals to get a plumbing license. The plumber provides his fingerprints, goes through a background check, and is tested for general plumbing competency. All of this contributes to a good start on your prequalification process. Of course, you also need to verify that the plumbing professional you are hiring is qualified. Ask for a physical copy of their license or call your local licensing agency.

Finding a reliable and skilled plumber near you matters a lot. That’s why you shouldn’t just hire the first result of a ‘good plumber near me’ Google search without checking their track record and credentials. Get services from trustworthy and experienced plumbers if you want the best results, and use the tips mentioned above to guide you with your research.