When you have a plumbing disaster, it's essential to know what will happen when you call for emergency plumbing services and, more importantly, what you should do to make the process work smoothly and effectively for you. The first conversation you have with the plumbing company sets the whole thing in motion, and the dispatcher who takes the call has a critical job to do. He or she must take in and record a lot of vital information about your plumbing problem so that it can be passed on to the plumber who will come to your rescue. If you can, you should relay your information in a clear, calm, and concise manner to avoid misunderstanding and ensure that the right stuff is on hand when the plumber shows up.
After making the call, it is just as critical to be informed about what comes next. The plumbing company will usually give you an estimated arrival time, which is nice to know. Of course, you can also manage your expectations better when you know approximately when someone will show up. Sometimes, the plumber or dispatcher may take it a step further and help you do a few preliminary tasks before they arrive, like shutting off the main water supply or mitigating the problem. That's really useful and goes a long way toward providing peace of mind in a situation that can feel chaotic. And "not knowing" can be such a stressor in these times.
In the end, knowing what comes next when the plumber arrives helps make the whole situation more predictable and far less intimidating. The first thing the plumber does is assess the situation and communicates a clear plan of action, which, along with a second pass at estimating the costs, gives the home or business owner much-needed clarity. The first assessment goes a long way toward establishing trust. At that stage, both you and the plumber know what is being done and why. This is far better than being in the dark, both about the situation and the costs, especially in the case of an emergency. From there, most plumbing processes are quite straightforward, and your confidence should be boosted by knowing what happens after the initial assessment.