Some of those Monday morning stories we hear about do-it-yourself projects break our hearts. But the stories that really bother us are the ones about companies charging people serious money for illegal plumbing work that has to be done again.
We get no satisfaction from these situations, other than knowing that when we leave things will be done right and in compliance with code. Here are some offenders that particularly offend us.
Unlicensed Home Handymen
First is the jack-of-all-trades, unlicensed home handyman. He may be able to unclog a drain or repair a leaky faucet, but look out if your job requires anything more demanding, such as repairing a bad gas line. Be especially wary if he says he can do it in a flash.
There are reputable handyman services, but always be certain you understand the limits of their capabilities and what licenses they have.
If you have a general contractor make improvements or additions, be certain that contractor uses only licensed plumbers. Failure to do so could leave you vulnerable to legal action if you sell your home and don’t disclose this work. And when you do disclose it, the value of your home will be diminished. Not a very attractive choice.
Home Warranty Companies
Home warranty companies are high on our list, too. What looks like a good deal that offers homeowners protection from faulty items not detected when they purchased their homes, or that go bad later, all too often becomes a source of frustration instead.
Usually, the warranty companies have only a casual relationship with the repair people they send to your home, if they know them at all. The warranty companies look for people who will accept the lowest possible price to do the job. That’s something to think about when it’s your home.
One more thing you should consider is who will be coming to your home. Think about it: if the home warranty company shops out the work to the low bidder, to someone they know only casually at best, you’re dealing with a stranger and so is the warranty company.
[Your plumber] was the most thorough, professional technician we have ever had the pleasure of repairing any of our appliances, equipment. Extremely helpful!
Julius Cowan, Grapevine, Texas
At Berkey’s, our licensed plumbers work for us, and we know where they are all the time. Most folks don’t think about safety when they have a home repair job, but they should. We’ve worked hard for more than 32 years to earn and uphold our reputation for total and complete professionalism. Your home and your family are safe with Berkey’s.
Flooring Contractors
[Your plumber] was the most thorough, professional technician we have ever had the pleasure of repairing any of our appliances, equipment. Extremely helpful! Julius Cowan, Grapevine, Texas
We know of some flooring contractors – who are not licensed plumbers – who do more business with plumbing suppliers than the average plumbing contractor. The bulk of that volume comes in the form of wax seals for toilets. When they install carpet or tile in a bathroom, the flooring companies remove the toilet, then replace it when the floor installation is complete – and they charge you for it!
Toilets must be installed with a wax ring that rests against the flange (mounted in the floor) to keep them from leaking. Simple enough. The trouble comes when a homeowner changes to a floor covering that is thicker than the one it replaces, making a greater distance between the toilet and the flange.
The common solution is to use a thicker wax ring, but we don’t advise this. Too many times we’ve been called to unclog a toilet and find the extra wax has been squeezed down, spreading over the top of the pipe, restricting or even cutting off the water flow. The real solution is to have a licensed plumber raise the flange to keep the gap consistent with the previous installation.
We could go on, but we’ve probably already told you more than you ever wanted to know about plumbing. But that’s the point: Berkey’s knows plumbing, so you don’t need to. We look for these types of problems, and for problem-in-the-making each year when we inspect the plumbing in your home as part of our Universal Protection Plan.
Call Berkey’s at 817-481-5869 or request an appointment online for all your plumbing needs and let Berkey’s licensed plumbers put your mind at ease – and give you time to go to those soccer games. You can get more information from our Frequently Asked Questions about plumbing.
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rouble comes when a homeowner changes to a floor covering that is thicker than the one it replaces, making a greater distance between the toilet and the flange.