Finding a reliable plumber can seem like quite a hassle. Do you ask friends, ask neighbors or just pick a name out of the phone book? This situation is made even more intimidating when you're faced with a real plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe. You want to make a smart choice - but at the same time, you need that pipe fixed now.

Living in an area such as Mississauga can further complicate this issue. As one of the largest suburbs in the country, established in 1968 and swiftly growing, Mississauga has many reliable and skilled plumbers.

Thankfully, with the help of Handy Canadian, you can screen out the bad apples. A great deal of the work has been done for you. Read through the customer reviews and check for crucial factors such as licensing and insurance.

Here, we'll walk you through the most important aspects of choosing a reliable Mississauga plumber.

• Licensing - In Mississauga, a plumbing company must be owned and operated by a licensed Master Plumber. In addition, the company or plumbing contractor must be licensed to work in Mississauga. Don't fall for plumbers who tell you they’re licensed in Ontario, or licensed in Canada. If they're not licensed in Mississauga, you risk voiding your homeowner's insurance. Besides insurance, there's the important question of why they're not properly licensed for the area in which they're operating. This is a big red flag.
  
  Ensure that the plumber who will actually be performing work on your home is either a Master Plumber or will be supervised by one.

• Insurance - A plumbing contractor should carry adequate insurance coverage. This needs to include coverage for all workers and any damage done to your home. Don't take their word for this - ask to see proof of insurance.
  
  Bonding is a different form of insuring that a job or person is covered. Bonding a person involves a background check and generally indicates that the individual is trustworthy. Obtaining a bond on a specific job or project is a different matter, but just as important. Ideally, you want a company whose employees are all bonded, and you'll want a bond covering your project.

• 24/7 Availability - When a plumbing emergency strikes, you certainly don't want to wait until 'normal business hours.' You need help right away. For this reason, it makes sense to seek out licensed plumbers and plumbing contractors who are available at any hour of the day or night.

• Local Experience - Everybody has to start somewhere. However, it's in your best interest to find a plumber who has been working in the Mississauga area for a while. Areas which experience extreme cold have different plumbing issues than warm areas. Frozen pipes are a great example. A plumber who's new to the area may have little to no experience with this issue, which has the potential to cause severe structural damage. Local, licensed plumbers will most likely be very familiar with fixing (and helping you prevent) the situation.

• Permits - For larger jobs, the City of Mississauga requires that a permit be obtained and approved before any work is done. Don't skip this step; you could be fined. According to the City of Mississauga Residential Building Permit Guide, a permit is required for the installation, replacement or repair of plumbing, drain and sewer systems. Contact municipal offices to determine if your particular project requires a permit. If so, be sure to see this permit before work begins.

As you can see, finding reliable plumbing contractors in Mississauga is as simple as knowing the local regulations, asking the right questions and using all the resources available.

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