I live in the Village of Kenmore.
My air vent in the front yard of my house (where they do the “snaking”) traps are broken due to them being made of clay and old. My house was built in 1930.
I am looking to get quotes to have the traps/piping to be replaced to PVC. The trap/piping is 6ft deep.
Need someone that is insured, get permits, etc.
Any recommendations?
---------- Post added at 09:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 AM ----------
Opps, I spelled contractors wrong…
I just used Rainbow Plumbing seemed ok
876-7610
Mark’s Plumbing in the City of Tonawanda 694-6711
Although I have to ask - if you’re snaking it frequently, why aren’t you replacing more of the sewer? sure you’ll be able to clean it easier but it sounds like you’re not looking at the root of the problem [pun]
(edit: I read this as if you only want to replace the riser and the trap)
This is what Mark’s Plumbing told me… I was looking for more opinions and quotes.
I could see why he’d say that… I’m his son lol
+1 on Mark’s
NYSpeed discount??? 
Plus, they will be having a company do this for them and not your father.
It’s been a few years since I worked for him. He’ll oversee everything and warranty the work just the same. weather you go witg him our not, don’t hire some asshole with a business degree and trucks with $3000 in vinyl advertising on the side. Word of mouth is all you need to stay in business if you’re good at what you do.
You are correct, my grandfather recommended him for me and I met your father in person the first time he snacked my house, right after I bought it. He suggested to do yearly maintenance since it was a double and has the old clay piping. It is just that I feel when the person came to snake it, he really didn’t look into the main problem and just gave me a quote and wasn’t able to perform the snaking. He then tried charging me for the job he couldn’t do. I feel that Mark’s plumbing “in general” doesn’t know the main issue and the person trying to do the snaking just contacted your father for a quote is not the best method for a diagnostics…
I called another company for a quote, they came over, and did a free snaking to get a camera down their to see the issue. They were able to snake it and placed the camera down their and told me the issue.
I also agree with you that just replacing the riser and the trap is almost like placing a band-aid on it and by not sticking a camera down their to look at both sides of the trap might not see the “whole problem” that I might have.
WOW - I’m sorry to hear that and I think I know the guy you’re talking about. He has had a few bad/unmotivated employees - all of which have moved on now. Sucks that he took good care of your grandpa just to have his reputation shat on by a slacker.
Anyways, ask if they can slide new pvc out to the street inside of the old clay pipe. If the clay is still pitched properly and open enough, this can be an easy way to replace 90% of the sewer without disrupting the sidewalk, curb, etc. :tup:
Nice idea!!! Thanks!!
Just got the job done today by R.I.C. I highly recommend them!!
They did the trap and total of 36 ft of 6 inch PVC to the sewer main for 2200. This was cheaper than any quotes I got for the trap replacement itself.
Got a phone call a few days ago from Mark’s secretary asking if I ever received a bill. I told her yes and I told the plumber I wasn’t going to pay for a service that couldn’t be completed. Also, I told her that I wasn’t provided with good service when it came to investigating the real issue while other companies actually used a camera to determine what work needed to be done. I told her I shouldn’t be charged for a job that couldn’t be done but if they wanted to charge me a service call, we can discuss an amount. The call ended there.
Got a bill today from Mark’s that was asking for payment of a service that couldn’t be completed but looks like it was 65 dollar service call. Called her and gave them the petty payment to keep them from whining.
I hope they are glad they lost a yearly customer that pays 100+ for the service every year over 65 dollars because their plumber doesn’t perform their job well.
In the end, they were going to contract the work out to replace the stack alone for 2800.00 dollars but I fortunately, used R.I.C who replaced the stack plus the sewer line to the main for 2200. Still made out at the end of the day.
Rant ended/
Good info, I’ll keep that RIC company on my list of good contacts. I use a guy named Gary for small stuff but if I need something big RIC it is. Thanks for the updates.
Here is another update to the mess for Marks Plumbing
I authorized a payment of 65.25 over the phone and I just checked my credit card statement, and they charged me 65.25 dollars for the service charge because I wasn’t going to pay for the service they couldn’t perform but they still charged me 179.44 for the job they couldn’t perform back in December on the same day as the 65.25 charge. I received the receipt payment for 65.25 a few days later but never the “so called” 179.44 payment that I never authorized. I have filed a fraud payment on this 179.44 transaction with the credit card company and will be using this forum for time stamps as proof for what I had to go through and experienced.
File print/
File save as/
I would never have given them authorization to charge my card, for just that reason.
Received my money back.
Once the case is closed and receive a letter from the Credit Card agency, I am going to the BBB.
Good to see you got your money back. Update your BBB status and let me know what happens. Curious.
man, I don’t know where to start. I tried to offer you some useful advice, tips, a few things to look out for regardless of which company you chose to work with. I didn’t know you needed so much more…
Chapter 1: Service
Let’s say you develop a weird cough or rash. You go to the doctor and he offers you a shoulder shrug and some advice. You then pay your copay at the front desk.
Assume your vehicle is running like shit so you procure several cans of seafoam and use them. Your car still sputters afterwards. You cannot take the empty cans back for a refund.
More to the point. Let’s say a plumber comes to your house, as they have in the past to try a temporary fix on your sewer. They confirm the clay sewer tiles have shifted, and that it is not worth risking your sewer or their equipment to continue. They offer some advice and send you a bill.
…you refuse to pay it.
Chapter 2: your quote
Go back and re-read your quote from Mark’s Plumbing’s perspective. Its not customary to offer a discounted rate after having a payment refused for a service. See why the number’s slightly higher than the other guys now? If you were a reasonable or a loyal customer, a portion/all of the service calls would have been applied to the balance. But you’re not. You’re just another frugal, expert homeowner on NYspeed with his eye on the bottom line.
P.S. 6" pipe… 4" is code, and the most common pipe used on a dwelling. 6, 8, and larger diameters are usually used in commercial places or apartments, hospitals and group homes. I see how your address could be mistaken for the latter if the car in your sig was parked in the driveway. Anyways they either did it wrong (bigger isn’t always better) or fed you a line of shit. A 6" line of shit.
Chapter 3: I ain’t payin’ fo dis
Taking all we learned about the service industry in Chapter 1, you behave much like an undesirable client at [name a chain restaurant] bitching about the bill and taking their food home in a box
Lastly, this might have been avoided if you paid your bill the first time around, you know when it was due. lol@ your internets proof
See, all better.
Cliffs; Mark’s plumbing made a mistake in the office. They fixed it.
Maybe he needs bigger pipe for personal reasons.
---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 PM ----------
Rare disease? Fecalus Gigantus. Couldn’t resist.