Why is it that some people find the idea of contacting a new plumber to do a job, just a little bit worrying? There have being a spate of documentaries on the TV and stories in the media about "Cowboy" plumbers, sad tales of people losing their money. Yes, there are rogues out there but in truth they are few and far between.
Choose a good contractor with both plumbing and construction skills who can work around tough problems because not all plumbing jobs go smoothly. Ask the contractor to see if he has met all of the city codes before in the past for your region.
Some slow drain 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.
But for more complicated issues and damages on your water system, hiring a Local plumber or contractor is the only way to go. Although, not all home insurance cover such repairs, getting the job done through the assistance of a Local plumber can greatly save you the trouble. Besides, most of these local plumbing contractors offer warranty on their work so if the issue persists, you can easily call them back to recheck the situation.
Some people would always run to the plumber who had been pointed by their friends even if they are not efficient and experienced plumbers for the reason they charge only a little amount compared to the plumbers in the union.
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.