Angie's List has this advice to keep a plumbing disaster from ruining your holidays.

TAMPA - “Plumbing is one of the most requested categories on Angie’s List," said Angie Hicks, the Angie in Angie's List . "Some of the common requests we hear are for fixing running toilets, overflowing toilets and clogged toilets.” A plumbing disaster is one of the worst things that can happen, especially during the holidays when your home is filled with friends and family. Angie's List asked highly rated plumbers about the most common toilet issues and how to fix them.
 
Toilet clogs:

• Plunge the toilet: Use a plunger as your first line of defense with a clogged toilet. Turn off the water valve first. There must be some water in the toilet for the plunging to work. If there isn’t enough water, add some until it comes up about halfway on the rubber cup of the toilet plunger once it’s placed over the drain hole.
• Prevention is the best medicine: That means not flushing items down the toilet that are likely to cause blockage. The most common toilet-clogging culprits include excess toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine products and toys.

Overflowing toilet:

• Locate the shut off valve: Turn the valve until the water shuts off to prevent additional overflow. If your toilet does not have one, open the tank and rig the float to stay in its position and not let any more water fill the tank. If a clog is the culprit of the overflow, grab a plunger and try plunging it free.
• Regular checkups: These valves should be inspected to ensure they are working properly.

Leaky toilet:

• Grab some food coloring: Here’s an easy test to determine if your toilet has a leak: add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and leave overnight. If the color shows up in the bowl after about a half hour, you have a leak. Be sure to clean the bowl afterwards so it doesn’t stain.

"Many times when you need to hire a plumber, let’s face it, it’s in an emergency situation – there’s usually water going somewhere. The key here is to build a relationship with a plumber ahead of time so that you can check them out and feel like you have a good relationship and you can trust their advice. That way you are not picking in an emergency situation,” Hicks said.

Choosing the right professional for the job can be the difference between quality work and flushing your money down the toilet. Angie’s List offers these tips for hiring a plumber:

• Word of mouth: You want to choose a plumber who’s reliable and has a great reputation – and there’s nobody better to give you a recommendation than a friend or family member. If none of your friends or family knows anyone you can use, do a little research online. Angie’s List offers the best of both.
• Experience: Choosing a less experienced plumber can result in a lower cost, but saving money doesn’t always mean saving money. If the job isn’t done properly the first time you could end up paying someone to come back and fix the problem again later and have an even bigger mess on your hands. Choose a plumber that’s been in business at least five to 10 years.
• Ask about rates: Plumbers will either charge by the hour or job. Plumbers tell Angie’s List that the average hourly service charge ranges from $70-$160. For weekend or after hour calls, expect to pay time and a half. Obtain two to three estimates before hiring.
• Licensed and Insured? All states with the exception of Kansas, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Wyoming require plumbers to be licensed. Check that the license is current and look to see if there are any complaints against the license. Any plumber you hire should have liability insurance and a current workers’ compensation policy.
• Once you find a good plumber, keep him/her: Understand that not all plumbers accept emergency, weekend or holiday calls. It may be wise to know which do before an emergency. Once you find a plumber you are satisfied with, keep his/her number handy in your cell phone.

Hicks added, “When you’re having plumbing repair work done don’t be afraid to get multiple estimates, especially if you feel like the estimate is pretty high. One Angie’s List member got an estimate for repairing a leaky toilet that was going to be $800. She then decided to call another plumber who she worked with before and that estimate came in at $100. It’s important to push back if you feel like the quote you are getting is too high.”