For Homeowners
Who Do You Actually Call When Something Weird Happens in Your House?
Something's off. There's a brown spot on the ceiling, or the furnace is making a new noise, or one outlet in the bathroom just quit. You know you should call someone. You're just not sure who.
That's most house problems, honestly. They don't come with a label. Here's the cheat sheet I'd give a friend.
First: is it an emergency?
A few things skip the line:
- Gas smell (rotten eggs): leave the house, then call your gas company (Spire or Kansas Gas Service) from outside. Don't flip switches on the way out.
- Sparks, smoke, or a hot or buzzing outlet: turn off that breaker if you can safely, and call an electrician. If there's smoke or fire, call 911.
- Water pouring in: shut off the main water valve (usually basement, front wall), then call a plumber.
- CO alarm going off: everyone out, call 911.
Everything else can usually wait long enough to figure out what it is.
Water problems
| What you see | Who to call | Check this first |
|---|---|---|
| Drip under a sink | Often nobody yet | Dry it off, put a paper towel under it, and see where it's coming from. A loose slip nut is a hand-tighten fix. |
| Toilet keeps running | Usually nobody | Lift the tank lid. Most of the time it's the flapper, a cheap part from any hardware store. |
| Stain on the ceiling | Depends on what's above it | Under a bathroom? Plumber. Under the attic or roof? Roofer. Draw a pencil line around the edge and check it after the next rain or shower. If it doesn't grow, it may be old. |
| Water in the basement after rain | Start with the gutters and downspouts | Most KC basement water comes from downspouts dumping next to the foundation, not from the foundation itself. |
| Slow drain | Try a plunger or hand snake | If several drains are slow at once, that's a plumber (it's the main line). |
Electrical problems
| What you see | Who to call | Check this first |
|---|---|---|
| One outlet dead | Usually nobody | Look for a GFCI outlet (the one with TEST/RESET buttons) in the same bathroom, kitchen, garage or even a different bathroom. Press RESET. |
| Breaker keeps tripping | Electrician, if it keeps happening | Is something big plugged in on that circuit, like a space heater? Move it and see. |
| Lights flicker in the whole house | Electrician | One flickering bulb is usually just the bulb. |
| Warm outlet or switch plate | Electrician, soon | Don't wait on this one. |
Heating and cooling
| What you see | Who to call | Check this first |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace won't come on | HVAC, after you check | Thermostat batteries, the light-switch-style switch near the furnace, the filter, and the breaker. |
| New banging or squealing | HVAC | Note when it happens (startup, running, shutdown). It helps them. |
| AC running but not cooling | HVAC | Check the filter and make sure the outdoor unit isn't blocked by plants. |
Outside the house
| What you see | Who to call | Check this first |
|---|---|---|
| Missing shingles after a storm | Roofer (get two opinions) | Be cautious with anyone who knocks on the door right after a storm. |
| Gutters overflowing | Gutter service | Stand back during a rain and watch. |
| Crack in the foundation wall | Depends on the crack | Hairline and not growing is common in KC clay. Wider than a quarter, letting in water, or with doors starting to stick: foundation specialist. |
The honest answer: sometimes you don't know
Plenty of things don't fit neatly into a table. A smell you can't place. A noise that comes and goes. A "this doesn't look right" feeling. You don't want to pay a plumber's trip charge to find out it's an electrical thing, or let a contractor who sells big jobs be the one to decide what you need.
That's exactly the gap Son in Town fills. We come look first, handle what's small, and tell you plainly which kind of pro you need, if any. And if it turns out to be nothing, we'll tell you that too.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call a plumber or a handyman?
For a running toilet, a loose faucet handle or a slow single drain, a handyman or a capable helper is usually enough. For leaks inside walls, water heater problems, main-line clogs or anything involving gas lines, call a licensed plumber.
Why does one outlet stop working when nothing else does?
Very often it's on a GFCI circuit that tripped. Look for an outlet with TEST and RESET buttons in a nearby bathroom, kitchen, garage or outdoors, and press RESET. If it won't reset or keeps tripping, call an electrician.
How can I tell if a ceiling stain is an active leak?
Trace the edge of the stain lightly in pencil and check it after the next rain or the next few showers upstairs. If it grows or feels damp, it's active. If it stays the same for a few weeks, it may be an old leak that was already fixed.
What does Son in Town do if I need a licensed professional?
We explain what we saw, tell you which kind of pro to call, and can help you find one in the Kansas City area. We don't take referral fees or mark up their work.
Not sure what your house needs? We’ll help you figure it out.
A Son in Town Home Checkup is a $99 visit, usually 1–2 hours. We look over the house with you, handle the small safe tasks, and leave you a simple written report. You stay in charge of every decision.
Request a Home CheckupNo sales pitch. Nothing is charged until after the visit. Just have a question? Call (816) 710-3271.