Fort Septic Service & Tesmer Plumbing

Review: On 05-28-2014 we hired Eckmayer/Ft Septic/Tessmer plumbing to do some septic work on our home. They needed to replace 40' of septic pipe from the home to the septic tank. The pipe was replaced and during the replacement they realized that the original cast iron pipe was cracked directly at the entrance to the house so they needed to remove that cast iron pipe and replace it 4' inside of the home all the way to the tank. I questioned if the pipe would leak because it did not appear to be sealed around the entrance to the house. You could see direct. a very young employee (male) took one tube of caulk and was told by another middle aged male employee to caulk around the outside of the pipe after it entered the house and that would stop water from entering. On 06-30-2014 we had a heavy rain. Water came through this area like a turned on faucet. I video taped this leak where Eckmayer came through our home with the new septic pipe. This hole was not sealed. I contacted Eckmayer and sent them the video of the leak. I was advised they would review the video and get back to me with what they thought and repairs of any. On 07-01-2014 I received a email simply signed "**" and it was from [redacted] The email is long and it states that basically there was no contract (which is true) and that they are not basement sealers they install sewer and water pipes. It says they will not pay to fix the water leak around the septic pipe they installed because in 2008 I hired [redacted] who sealed around the old pipe back then and that they will not pay for them to return. ** continues to say they do not fix basement leaks. I contend that before they put in the new septic pipe, which was requested by me, that they did tell me that they were not worried about water leaking around the new pipe because they would not disturb that area and that is not what happened. Prior to these men coming into my home and fixing my septic pipe, the pipe did not leak. After the men left and we received a larger amount of rainfall, the pipe leaked terrible. I asked for some adjustment to the original bill so I could then hire [redacted] to return and fix the area around the septic pipe entrance and I was told they would not do any adjustments, even though they agree that the new septic pipe is the reason the basement is leaking again. I have photos and video of the septic people installing the pipe and after the install when the pipe leaks. I just want Eckmayer to agree that they should have adjusted the bill to reflect me having to hire the basement company again to fix the water leak they created by7 installing the new septic pipe. I did have [redacted] fix the leak yesterday and it cost me$173.00 (time material. I would even be happy with 1/2 of that returned by Eckmayer septic.Desired Settlement: $173.00 the cost of time material for [redacted] to fix the area around the leaky septic pipe that Eckmayer created. or some $$$ portion of it.

Business

Response:

When we were called to [redacted], we found that the pipe was broken in the wal l. The

homeowner, [redacted], expressed how important it was that it be sealed properly as she had several

problems in the past with it leaking due to a large amount of pressure around the pipe. She further

explained that she had contacted Badger Basements who had been out prior to seal it due to flooding

problems. I explained to her that the product we use is not the same product that Badger Basements

uses. I further explained, after removing the old sea lant, that it was a very good product and the

product that we use is not of the same quality, but we do our best to seal the pipe. At that time, she

seemed happy with the work as we went above and beyond by replacing the soil that had been

removed .

Shortly after the completion of the work, we were contacted by [redacted] stating that she was having

issues with leaking around the pipe again. I explained to her that, as discussed when the work was

done, that we did not have the same type of product that Badger Basements had. The customer

requested that we hire Badger Basements to repair the leak. The customer did not request that we

remedy the problem; she simply requested that we incur the cost of another contractor make the

repair.

This is a very unique problem that we have not encountered in the past. I feel that we were very open

with what repair we would make on our initial service call and took the time to explain that we did not

have the same sealing product. Eckmayer, Inc. sincerely apologizes for any miscommunication that may

have taken place . We have mailed a check for $173 with a copy of this letter to [redacted] Ravenscroft to

cover the cost of the sealant as customer satisfaction is our number one priority.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I just want it to be known that although Eckmayer has paid for the sealant and the issue has been taken care of as requested, it certanly did not have to rise to this level. Had Eckmayer just suggested in the very beginning that if we did incur leaks around the pipe, they installed, they would come back and try and remedy the issue, versus just leaving and suggesting no rememdy or fix by them because they simply install septic systems, not water leaks around the pipes they install.

I sincerely appreciate the fact Eckmayer has stepped up to the plate and fixed the problem they created and I thank them for it, I'm just never calling them again for any septic issues.

Thank you Revdex.com for also stepping in and mediating this issue.

The property my wife and I own in [redacted] had an accepted offer to purchase . The buyers had a septic inspection done by Eckmeyer Sewer Service. The report gave a number of reasons the whole system should be replaced .The report also stated replacement costs that were very low as to work that was to be done. The realtor called Eckmeyer Sewer Service to ask if numbers given were estimates to this project she was told no that numbers were ( averages ) and would not be honored as true estimates. I contacted two companies that install septic systems and each stated a soil test would need to be done before a true estimate could be given. Systems vary depending on a number of factors but most Importantly the soil test.Why is Eckmayer Sewer Service giving estimates on septic reports . I had another septic inspection and it came back the opposite . The report stated that it was a working system that was dry at the time of inspection even as it has rained 4-5 inches the week prior to inspection . The situation could be that Eckmeyer Sewer Service does the installation of septic systems and needs work The company that did the second inspection only does pumping and inspections. In the interim the sale of our house is on hold costing everyone money. We will be having a third inspection done .If the inspection report comes back concurring with second report all parties involved will be filing a lawsuit against Eckmyer Sewer Service for money lost during this transaction.