Most good reliable will recommend replacing a gate valve regardless of its condition. The time to discover if it will work is not during a flood in your bathroom. If you have it replaced with a ball valve then check your water heater and laundry valves, too. Have them replaced at the same time with premium ball valves. Ball valve laundry bibbs make it easy to shut off the water to the washer after each use which may help to prevent floods in the future.
When you get to the house stand if front of the toilet and locate the water shut off valve. Should be down below the toilet on the wall. Just turn it off (righty-tighty) completely and flush the toilet. All the water should have left the tank, well at least most of it. If there is remaining water line repair get it out with paper towels or a rag. The important thing is that no more water came in. If it did then your valve is not shut all the way or not working and you need additional help.
The con to time well spent is only if the fix or installation works. Suddenly, when a pipe is squirting water or the dishwasher is leaking all over the floor, that time seems wasted instead of well spent. Now your time is wasted, plus you have to pay for a professional plumber to come over and fix the mess. That time could have been spent doing something else, like golfing or swimming or gardening.
The location of a plumbing contractor is a key factor. This is because he or she will not only charge you an hourly rate, but travel costs will also be charged. This can add a significant amount to the final bill if the contractor has to travel from the other side of town.
Check that your plug holes and waste outlets are clear of hair and solidified soap also check the "U" bends or traps under your sinks for potential blockages. Occasionally pour boiling water line repair down your sinks and shower wastes not forgetting the washing machine trap. Look outside too for any weeds or leaves that may be blocking gutters, gully's and waste outlets.
The way a toilet plunger works is by filling up with water and then pushing that water through the stopped up drain. When unclogging a clogged toilet, the idea is to plunge up and down a couple of times so the plunger fills with water and then jam the open end, sometimes called a force cone, into the waste outlet in the plugged toilet and start plunging. You may have to pump the plunger up and down several times to clear the blockage.
A large plumbing job, such as re-piping or installing additional fixtures, may require a permit. Check with your city's department of building and safety before asking for estimates, and avoid any plumbers who are reluctant to comply with regulations.