It's a feeling we all know too well: The fear that wells up in the pit of the stomach when we flush the toilet... and the water level doesn't go down. Sometimes, it's a false alarm, and the plumbing complies with our desperate wishes ("Please don't overflow, please don't overflow, please don't overflow..."). But other times, we watch helplessly until we come to our senses and run for a plunger.

Thankfully, serious plumbing problems don't rear their ugly heads too often. But when they do, it's usually at the most inconvenient times, like when we have guests over, or in the middle of the night before the kids' first day of school. It's for times like these that we should always keep the number of a good 24-hour plumber on hand.

Here are five incontrovertible reasons to keep that number right next to the phone.

The Big Party. Imagine the scene: You've planned an evening soiree with at least 30 guests. The caterers have just arrived, and your guests are due to start showing up in about two hours. That's when you find out your toilet won't flush. In an emergency like this, it's good to be prepared. And the best way to be prepared is to have the number of a reliable 24-hour plumber available.

The Coming Storm. A pipe that bursts in cold weather is a pipe that freezes in cold weather. And in the dead of winter, when black ice coats the driveway and the tree branches hang heavy with snow, a burst pipe can quickly create a serious drain on your property value. So it's important to know a good plumber who'll come out in the bitter November chill to keep your home from singlehandedly reversing global warming.

The Unrelenting Sound. Drip. Drip. Drip. We all know the sound of a leaky faucet. And you can only turn that knob so tightly. So when that incessant sound makes sleep impossible, it's nice to know there's a 24-hour plumber you can call in the middle of the night. And then you can enjoy a good night's sleep.

The Sick Child. When you're taking care of a kid with a cold, the last thing you need to worry about is faulty plumbing. It's not a time to have a broken toilet, or a busted sink, or a broken hot water heater. So if anything does go wrong, call the 24-hour plumber, take your child to his doctor's appointment, and come home to the wonders of functional modern technology.

The Shocking Shower. Hopefully you're not the kind of person who turns the shower on after getting in. Because finding out the hard way that there's no hot water can be a memorable experience -- and not in a good way. Having the number of a talented and experienced 24-hour plumber on hand ensures that those cold mornings won't stay cold for long.

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Cocalico offers high-quality plumbing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give us a call.