Quality Plumbing & Drain Cleaning

Review: Iown a small four-plex and a small house here in Soap Lake. Both properties have mineral water pumped into the bathtubs from the mineral water lake. The city had a major leak in the main pipeline; in order for the restoration of the "flow", each connection to the property is required to have a backflow. I called Quality Plumbing to install the two backflows. This was done on Oct. 26th, 2012...but the city had not turned the mineral water back on. When [redacted] was installing my personal backflow, (He put in two backflows for a sum of $1400, he said I needed all new mineral water pipes under my house; I agreed and paid him $2800 for the new flexible piping (Feb. 13, 2013 a check for $2000 and on Feb. 14, 2013 for $800, paid in full). My water bill increased over $100 per month; [redacted] (owner of Quality Plumbing) said I needed all new potable water lines...for another $2500! I hired a handyman to look for the leak...which he could not find...so the handyman dug up the new mineral line and discovered a kink in the new line...which made the water meter spin ...and the backflow had been removed by Quality Plumbing (it was located in the crawl space of my home).Desired Settlement: I would like [redacted] to replace the backflow; it is required by the City of Soap Lake. I paid for it, as well as went through the plumber's fast-talking lingo and at least 5 "appointments" that he didn't keep. The backflow is about $700 and I paid the handyman $750 to find the problem.He fixed the new mineral line that [redacted] the Plumber installed (via apprentice). I have left five messages asking the status of the backflow; no reponses.$1500 or replace the required backflow.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Business

Response:

The following comes in response to the letter received from the Revdex.com on 6-16-2013. Quality Plumbing did preform the work as described in the received letter.

A reduced pressure back flow assembler was installed at the above residence. The water line at this time was in such back condition it crumbled in my hands. This was then explained and shown to [redacted] and a new bid submitted and signed for this project. Approximately two weeks later a call was received from customer stating she heard water. We immediately went to home to find the back flow discharging water. This was due to the fact that the [redacted] water system was failing almost weekly. When the water system is shut down by the city, a leak repaired and turned back on rust, dirt, rocks, etc destroy the RPB (reduced pressure back flow). A technician then must dissemble, clean, repair and install replacement parts as needed to correct. This process is costly and time consuming. We then removed the device as it was not operating due to this fact and advised [redacted] that rather than flood her home we would reinstall as soon as the city was able to repair the system permanently.

Weeks later I received a call from [redacted] that the city of Soap Lake water department advised her that she had a water leak in her domestic water. I arrived investigated and gave [redacted] our company value to replace. We also discussed the back flow, the re installation, the problems with the system and scheduled the replacement of the main waterline. The job was moved twice as [redacted] stated,although she forgot to mention that due to all the problems she had had and financing being tight I agreed to due the job of replacing the waterline, the concrete at the city sidewalk and all permits, for payment of 100 dollars a month for the next 2years and 1 month. I agreed to no interest, no money down. This would give [redacted] a new waterline and Quality Plumbing almost no profit, but I felt it the best way to help and to pass on the good fountain our company has had.

I was on my way with a concrete saw, materials,and a paid employee. The employee arrived as scheduled she sent him away. I called [redacted] she advised me that she had to get somethings in her life in line and let me go.

At this point I am now losing money. A destroyed rpb I can not install, a rented saw I have to pay a full day rental on, a employee paid for two days work he couldn't do. Finally I get a call from a friend of [redacted]'s that explains to me [redacted] has hired them to replace the waterline and they are lost. I don't believe [redacted] even knows that her handyman, were on the phone with me the entire job, to the point where finally I drove to the home with [redacted] there and repaired a bend in my brand new waterline that appeared as the two hired men had with shovels and picks to expose. Within all these calls from her handyman, I diagnosed that it wasn't the potable waterline leaking but a gate valve installed between the potable water and the soap lake mineral water. This valve was installed in the 1950s and due to all the rust and age failed creating a cross connection between systems. I then repaired it as I repaired the mysterious bend at again charged no one. Why after I had fixed the leak the handyman ran a newline and charged [redacted] 750.001 do not know. Had we started the waterline as [redacted] hired,then fired, then hired us though her handyman again we would have found the cross connection and I would have charged her nothing. As I said I was doing the job in 26 payments over two years. [redacted] called 7 days ago to have the RPB reinstalled I have been busy and on a break with my kids. I have not called her back as of yet. I just got home.

I am not required by law to tell all of my customers when and where I vacation. She left a message just like the 78 other customers that week and no one else has called the Revdex.com. I would love to install the RPB, but do not wish to flood a home so as I have stated to [redacted] I will supply another brand new back flow and now have to re pipe the device inside the home in the mechanical room to get it above the flood rim and to a good drain. This will again cost me a days work and much more material.

In short I believe that you received this letter due to no one comprehends the job and Quality Plumbing being the only licensed trade . [redacted] is not sure what she has purchased even though it has been explained over and over. She hired a unlicensed and bonded handyman, who had to call us to do the job he was hired to do. A bend discovered as the handyman was unable to solve the problem. I was fired. Then hired due to inability of handyman. I fixed problem. I have spend more time and money than I could ever imagine, and though all this have still helped to the best of my ability, at no cost to anyone. [redacted] broke our verbal contract. I am well within my rights to seek compensation for all this. I believe [redacted] is very lost and misunderstood as to what has taken place. We will reinstall the device as soon as we are sure it will operate within the devises ability. I will call [redacted] as soon as this can be done. That has always been the agreement.

Review: Quality plumbing of Ephrata, WA came out on 6-24-15, to put in a new pump and clean up sewage, he charged me 5000.00, which to me was to much for his work, since my son did a lot of the work. we finally agreed on $4750.00, which I paid in full. He was supposed to come back and adjust the pump. He never came out. We called and called and left messages. He finally called said he was out of town which was not true, since I went by his shop and saw him pass by, he saw me and called me that he wasn't coming out, and good luck. The pump wasn't working properly by then, the basement was flooding with water. We had to call out another plumber who came out and adjusted the pump, My son discovered that some screws to the pump were loose, that's why the basement was flooding. He is neither honest nor dependable like his ad says. He should have come out when needed and guaranteed his work. We have since found out that he has done this to a lot of people. People need to be aware of this.Desired Settlement: He needs to come out and adjust the pump when needed, we should not have to call another plumber when we paid him a lot of money.