Plumbing
Warm floors in my bathroom were the first hint that we had another water leak under our slab. The first one was 10 years ago or so; it was expensive back then so we anticipated major $$$ this time. The first estimate didn't disappoint -$3200?!?!?! I think not.
Second estimate was less than half that. We had another company come out and pinpoint the leak(s), so the plumbing company could do minimal damage to the walls during the repair work. That was the theory anyway.
First hint that this was a big job - two plumbing trucks arrive first thing in the morning. Things seemed to be taking longer than anticipated; at about the 4-hour mark, I overhear the main plumber tell his helper, "Take it all out and start over . . ." This was after they tried turning the water back on and we had water shooting up to the ceiling everywhere.
When our house was built, 30 years or so ago, the original plumber crossed the pipes at - wait for it - not one but two manifolds. So today's plumbers did all their original work on the wrong pipes.
The good news is I think they've got it fixed, plus I have new valves for the washing machine and a new water pressure valve - and pretty copper pipes - at the front of the house. And the flooded bathroom carpet? It probably needed replacing anyway; it was at least 6 months old.
The bad news? The plumbers blew past their original estimate and we still don't know how much this is going to cost. But at least I have pretty new pipes and clean floors from mopping up all the water. How's that for making lemonade?
4 comments:
You might check with your insurance company. In GA, we had a pipe burst inside the house, and it was covered. It was much cheaper for the repairs and carpet replacement than what you are looking at, but that was also 10 years ago. Of course, if you are planning on moving in the next couple of years, it shows up as a black mark on the house when you try to sell it, which I find very stupid.
And I was going to b---- about our $1200 plumbing bill this week! You are handling this much better than I would be!!!
I am so sorry you've had to deal with this! And there I was going to ask if you got all your quilting squares done. Plumbing does get priority.
It's quite rare that we call plumber and they come with two trucks. I can realize the work importance and problems having two trucks. Anyway, the above pictures are expressing the good work as you said. Do you think the budget for anyone will cost $3200 for the same work?
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