Kat K.
05/07/2019 12:00:00 SA
The house's main water pipe (middle pipe shown in the pictures) burst. MVP Rooter was one of the plumber companies who not only responded to Yelp's Request a Quote service, but also was able to come to the site location and assessed the issue on the same day (May 1st). Eddie B. was the technician assigned to the case. He replaced the old steel water pipe with a copper one for $475 (on May 1st), and he was also hired to replace the kitchen faucet for $285 (done on May 2nd). I really appreciated Eddie's hard work and honesty. He was honest with me about his experience. He mentioned he has 3 years of experience as a plumber and is continuing to always grow in his profession.
Eddie kindly notified me that I needed a pressure regulator to be replaced because the high pressure of the water system combined with old age of the pipe was what caused my main water pipe to burst in the first place. However, I couldn't afford MVP Rooter's $425 fee for the pressure regulator replacement after already spending a total of $760 for the first two cases (pipe replacement and kitchen faucet replacement). I searched for another second party to not only consult about pressure regulator replacement but also to find a more affordable option. It wasn't until today, May 7th, this second party came over and noticed/inspected Eddie's work. I didn't know what a check valve is until the second party saw that there was no check valve on the new pipe installed. I still kept the old pipe parts, and the second party was the one who showed me what a check valve is as shown in the attached pictures. I was told that it was against city code to not have a check valve, which prevents backward flow of the water entering back into the city's water line. This is where I am grateful for MVP Rooter's warranty service. Eddie returned and he apologized, which I appreciated.
Unfortunately, due to misunderstandings I was not aware of between Eddie and the second party (who was still on site), I felt very confused and stressed. I had to step in and try to de-escalate the situation between the two men. Eddie asked me to sign an avoidance agreement, but then changed his mind by leaving the site and leaving the check valve replacement with a pipe that's still disconnected. It was disconnected because the new pipe had to be cut/sawed in order to put the new check valve in. It wasn't until after Eddie left, that the second party brought to my attention that Eddie was going to crimp the pipe, but the second party wished that Eddie would weld the pipe because not only would it be a more long-term solution, but it would be exactly as close as possible to the original setting/conditions of the pipes. Second party explained to me that crimping the pipe would, yes, be faster-and cheaper but it is not the long-term solution; welding would be the preferred alternative. Because Eddie left, I had to resort to another plumber to help finish the connection by welding, and perform a pressure regulator replacement.
Throughout this experience, I learned that the standard pressure range for the whole house's water system is supposed to be between 60-75 psi. Eddie was the one who showed me on May 1st/2nd that the pressure was at 90-95 psi by using his pressure gauge meter on the front yard hose faucet, and this was how he came to suggesting a new pressure regulator. It wasn't until a new plumber came and saw that the front yard hose faucet is actually connected to the city's line and comes BEFORE the pressure regulator as shown in the picture below. I was told by the new plumber that this means that Eddie was actually reading the city's water pressure, not the house's water pressure. So new plumber used his meter pressure gauge on the backyard's hose faucet, ensured that it was at 60 psi. And new plumber said, I wish I had noticed that before I placed that new pressure regulator because maybe you didn't need a new pressure regulator in the first place. But the labor was done, and I had a new pressure regulator.
I'm sad to say that the disagreement between the two men escalated enough for Eddie to leave the site and not finish the work, but I'm grateful that it didn't escalate any further. I had to witness heated words be exchanged among the two parties, and it made me really uncomfortable and worried for everyone's safety. I only hope going forward, this business will continue to grow when it comes to professionalism and communications skills. Eddie, if you're reading this, I'm sorry that today's job ended on a bad note. I can understand what it means to have to always learn on the job, and that not all cases/assignments will be the same. I hope reading this will help you grow professionally and personally. I can't say that I had a bad experience throughout this whole ordeal, but I didn't have a good one either. Hence, the reason why I put 3 stars out of 5.