It can be tempting to try to fix a plumbing problem yourself. Television shows can have you believe it’s a breeze to fix a leaking faucet or a clogged drain. Some people think that all you need to do is get under the sink and tinker around a bit and you’re all set. Or, if you have slow-moving water, just get a bottle of that liquid solution that’s made specifically for clogs and your problems will be over.

Unfortunately, it’s not always this simple. As a matter of fact, your attempt at repairing pipes could result in a bigger mess than you ever imagined, costing you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. To be safe, only trust a professional to handle your bathroom and sink issues. Find an expert in four, easy ways.

Start with people you know

Oftentimes, getting a recommendation through someone you already know is usually better than walking into a situation blind. That’s why when you need an expert to help fix your plumbing issues, trust a friend or family member to lead you in the right direction. The great thing about this is that you’ll get good insight to how well they completed the job and if there were any problems. Plus, since the expert knows you were referred to him or her, they are most likely to strive to do a good job for you since this could mean more business for them.

Go online

Next to friends and family, one of the easiest ways to find a plumbing professional is simply by doing a search online. Just be sure to specify your location, since you can literally end up with millions of options when using a search engine. Also, once you get a few choices, be sure to read reviews about this person or company, visit their website if they have one and read customer testimonials. Furthermore, see if they’re with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), since this can help vouch for their validity. Some sites even place a BBB seal on their home page, which is another good sign that they’re legit.

Try the trusty phone book

With the Internet age, phone books may seem obsolete. But don’t count them out too fast since many small businesses or independent contractors may not be online. That’s because some plumbing experts haven’t taken the time to invest in a website. Others simply thought it would be cheaper to start out by just listing their business name and number in the phone book. Whatever the case, you could potentially find a dependable professional via the phone book. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t assume the large, flamboyant ads guarantee customer satisfaction. Often times, they may be more expensive than their smaller competitors and it could be difficult to get an appointment, especially if you give them short notice.

Don’t forget newspapers

Believe it or not, plenty of people still advertise in the newspaper. It’s relatively easy to place an ad and you might find a new plumbing professional that is willing to give you a good deal in exchange for a few referrals. Just be sure to only give small jobs to the inexperienced.