South Side Plumbing & Heating

We had a horrible experience with this company several years ago.  So bad that I tell people about it still.  The line from our house to the sewer was backed up because of tree roots from a neighbor's tree.  South Side thought they could just snake it and fix the problem.  When they broke the snake in the line (which we were later told by other plumbers was a HORRIBLE idea), the insisted it was our fault and wanted to bill us in the neighborhood of 10K to dig up our driveway and repair the damage.  We ended up paying someone else around 6K to do the job.  Unbelievable.  And they were rude and unresponsive to boot.

Yeah, five stars, which I never give to anyone, but judging from my exceptional experience and service that I just received from these people for my air and plumbing I just have to do it.  They are just that good.  The customer service is excellent and their techs are top notch.  The real clincher is that their prices are competitive and fair, amazing!  You will get real value for your money.  I am not sure why they have negative reviews.
 I highly recommend hiring this company for any needs including plumbing, heating and air conditioning,

The bypass valve in our water softener failed. We haven't used the softener in about 25 years, so we just had Southside Plumbing and Heating remove the bypass valve and place a regular valve in its place. They were prompt and very professional, I would recommend this company.

The office staff seemed competent enough but the plumber they sent in the field Gary was the most miserable negative complaining drama queen I've run into. They did get the job done but it took many phone calls much cajoling and me standing over him for three hours to make sure he didn't leave an incomplete job. his boss said that they would stay and connect the lines inside an additional 20 minutes of work maybe but it was so miserable dealing with this guy and he complained and said he wasn't gonna stay o just let them go and I'll hire somebody else.
I don't know about the other plumbers I would just stay away from this Gary guy :(

I was told over the phone to get estimates were free I explain the situation that I am pregnant and have a 10-year-old and I needed to get my hot water fixed the woman put it in as she told me as a priority so that I would get in sooner before Christmas. I chose this company because they said their estimates were free And The gentleman did not come the day that he said he would, so I wasted a whole day of work waiting then when he did come he didn't come till that next week when he came he was there for 17 minutes exactly he did no work and charged me $125  I tried to talk to them in the office the guy was so absolutely cutthroat rude.  I paid with tears welling because this Southside company I believe I could trust Did me so wrong. The way it was handled felt like I was being treated unfairly I want to worn anybody who may deal with them to be careful. Oh yeah and the Cherry on top of the cake was the worker left his toolbox in my basement and I don't want him to forget his tools so I carried them up from my basement before I locked my front door I was thinking to myself this is a huge expands to lose, I didn't want to have that guy have to come back or lose them tools, he did say thank you but in the end i feel like nice guys finish last and I lose out. I'm hurt by the whole thing.

SSPH accepted an emergency call from American Water to replace my main water line from the street to my house. 1 full week later I still have no water. BEWARE if you pay for insurance through American Water for your water line DO NOT HIRE SSPH, they will not work overtime and do not communicate with you to tell you what's happening with the job. I have chosen to pay out of my own pocket to hire my plumber to complete the job since I still have no water after 1 full week. Extremely disappoint and frustrated with SSPH wasting my time!

Totally take care of all of our needs Jake is awesome responds promptly pricing is fair quality workmanship pleasure to do business with them

Had a plumbing emergency two blocks away from where they are located. After 4 calls in the middle of a Thursday, I couldn't even get someone to pick up the phone in the office.

The first guy from Southside Plumbing they sent out seemed to know what he was doing, but when my part came in, and the second guy came out - he first told me that he was told he just needed to replace the part.  I informed him that I needed the gas line for the pilot line replaced and the igniter checked out, he informed me he had no paperwork from the initial service call.  He cut the old tubing, that was leaking, and used it to make a shoddy line connection to the pilot and igniter, dumb me I assumed they would use a new piece of tubing.  Then he had me come down and look to see that he was getting any kind of spark from the furnace or any kind of gas, and without the wiring diagram he couldn't figure out what the 24v line was, thought that was strange I can use a volt meter, but I don't get paid $120 an hour either.  He told me he would have to go back to the shop, and they would be in touch.  I waited several days and contacted them, they informed me that they technician says I need to buy a new furnace because mine is almost 30 years old.  I was shocked, because the furnace had worked perfectly last winter and on the initial service call told everything looked good.  So I went down turned on the power and the gas and set the thermostat, it lighted up perfectly and worked just like it always had.  Then I assumed that maybe this technician didn't turn on the power or the gas when he showed me nothing was working, I told him when he came in they were both off and showed him how to turn them on.  I was very angry at this point, because  they were obviously trying to sell me a new furnace, so I called them back told them it was working fine and didn't appreciate the fact that the technician was obviously not aware how to work on a furnace or was trying to mislead me.  I told them I still expected the pilot light gas line to be replaced properly, and the igniter still needed to be adjusted or replaced - they told me a technician would be in touch with me.  I finally got in touch with the gentleman returning my call, I guess the owner, he asked me if I was certified to work on furnaces, I told him no, he said that means I don't know anything then and have no right to tell them how to do their job!  He told me that he hires only the best technicians, I inquired how come he can't use a volt meter, or figure out how to turn the gas valve on.  He told me that since they can't find a wiring diagram for my furnace, the manufacturer doesn't offer them anymore, and therefore it is unsafe to use and he will not guarantee any of the work done on it.  He would replace the pilot gas line tubing on his dime, but any other work would be priced heavily and without any guarantee of my safety.  That is what I call good customer service, you get caught trying to take advantage of someone, then belittle them for questioning it and threaten their safety.  On the initial service call the technician checked all of the burners and the heat exchanger, he informed me that everything was in good working order, I only needed to replace the flame sensor and fix the leaking pilot line, and would have to wait and see if the igniter needed replacing or adjusting - then I went to an unsafe system with no guarantee of any work done on it, and all this for $600 - what a bargain?

After two failed attempts at booking a plumber who would not call us back, we finally settled on South Side Plumbing. I called early in the morning and was impressed that they'd be able to schedule an appointment that afternoon!

I ended up taking the next morning. I was happy to have them call me a 1/2 hour before they came, which they promised they would. The dude hooked up our gas dryer in about 40 minutes and was on his way. I even appreciate that he kept closing the basement door as he went in and out, as I had asked, because of our cats. Very courteous!

Although the bill was higher than I had thought, at $200. They provided all the equipment we did not have to do the job, so I assume it was a solid deal. As this is our first experience with a plumber, I'd definitely hire them again.

No more dirty laundry, yay!

As an out of town landlord I can't tell you how good it is to know that SS Plumbing is there!  I had a situation where, while on vacation and literally out of pocket, I had to trust their on line reservation request service . . . and when I finally woke up the next day half of the world away I found out the problem was completely taken care of.  Thanks guys.

Scheduled a sewer cam inspection and watched Gary struggle to get the camera 5 ft past any drain while he complained for two hours. Didn't get any feedback on the sewage system. Wasn't going to post this but when I took my cancellation notice because I need someone else to do the work they called me a scum bag and thanked me for being a piece of crap. ‍

I have interacted with South Side Plumbing & Heating twice. I rent, so I can't speak to the financial/billing side of things, but the service itself has been great. Over the summer, my air conditioning was not working properly and Jake from SSPH came to check it out. I received a heads up call from the office about 30 minutes before he was coming, which was appreciated. After assessing the situation and determining that the AC unit outside needed cleaning, after getting my landlord's okay, he had it cleaned and the job finished very quickly. The second occasion that I needed the services of SSPH was because the heat broke on a blustery winter day and after receiving a time window from the office first thing in the morning (they were able to come same day, thank goodness!), I received a second call an hour before someone was going to come take a look at it to confirm that I was going to be home. Dominic showed up and quickly figured out that a faulty thermostat was the issue and, after getting permission from the landlord, expertly replaced the thermostat (he had the part in his truck) and had the house toasty warm in about an hour. I appreciated that he was a good sport about my cat running around him like a maniac, laughing about it instead of getting annoyed. Everyone I have spoken with on the phone or met in person from South Side Plumbing and Heating has been professional and friendly and the technician show up when they say they will, complete the job and don't leave a mess behind.

We used South Side Plumbing at the end of September and were grossly  overcharged.  The work was messy and average to say the least! I will NEVER use South Side again and will be sure to tell everyone I know! Save yourself a big headache and use a PROFESSIONAL company!

The service that SS plumbing and heating provided was beyond exceptional. All of the employees I dealt with courteous and polite. They were able to work to replace my water heater in a fair amount of time and under less then ideal circumstances. Will definitely return for future needs.

Bad customer service. I had been a repeat customer, having used the company several times at my rental properties.  I scheduled an appointment for installing a water line to a refrigerator. They said they would be at the property between 8 and noon on the day of the appointment, and that they would call me ahead of time to confirm the time. They call mid-morning.  I miss the call.  I call them back two minutes later - as confirmed on my cell - and am told that since I didn't pick up the phone my appointment has been canceled but I can reschedule for another day if I like.

I had used this company numerous times in the past for my rental property and called them for a for a heating issue in late 2008.  They came to the property relatively quickly and immediately got to work.  Once they diagnosed the problem, they told me what needed to be done, procured the parts and completed the job.  I paid for the job in its entirety as soon as the work was finished.

A few weeks later they sent me a bill for an additional $75 trip charge that was never mentioned.  I told them I would not pay it since it was never  disclosed that this charge existed.  They fought with me and insisted that they did tell me about it.   In my mind, had they actually told me, why was it not part of the original invoice?  They kept sending me invoices once I told them that I would not pay a fraudulent charge.  I then complained to the Better Business Bureau about their fraudulent business practices.  I thought the dispute was settled and then found out a few months later that they had sent me to collections!

It is clear to me that for whatever reason this firm is willing to turn their back on a repeat customer and damage their reputation in the community for a mere $75.  One of their employees made a mistake  and did not advise me of the $75 trip charge so rather than making the employee responsible, they are trying to make their customer take the fall.  I would NOT use this plumber.  There are plenty of others in the Pittsburgh area that won't rip you off and try to ruin your good credit.

This company's response is a complete lie. Furthermore after having a Trane Specialist come out to job site (South Side Plumbing & Heating is not a Trane Service qualified) it was determined that the furnace was installed incorrectly. The pipe was jammed way back into the furnace which was causing restriction inside the vent that kept tripped the switch.
I highly recommend avoiding this company and saving yourself from insults from owner.

Overall: Make sure you get EVERYTHING said in writing and know you are going to be responsible for many calls to get your work scheduled (even after paying down payment).

When I moved into my condo there was a small leak between an old copper pipe and a more contemporary metal. I found this out in my home inspection and when I went to get it looked at I emailed my inspection to SSP&H. They looked at it and told me that it would be a simple pipe fix. I tried to explain that my inspector said that the repair would require the water to be shut off since it was a main line that was leaking. They steam rolled over that and suggested that's not true, me not being a plumber said ok.

Then they show up to do the work and immediately said this is going to require that the water be shut off and we need to have someone come do an estimate. The person who showed up had also not looked at the inspection with pictures and details that I had emailed in making this appointment. Then they charged me 90$ for showing up even though the inspection would have clearly told them that it required the water being shut off and would have required an estimate. I was then told by the dispatcher that I would pay now and then if I went with them for the repair they would remove the 90$ from my final bill. Fine, I said I just want to get this done it would take another two weeks to schedule the inspection after repeated calls (and this should have probably been a warning sign, but I was trying to get this repair done).

Then when I get the estimate and ask if they will remove the earlier fee from it they said that no one had ever said that and it would not be possible. I tried to ask them to honor this and explained the story of inspection, but the dispatcher who I had been speaking with before being switched over to estimates department never responded to my emails or as part of the threads between the two parts of the company when I tried to get clarification on this. Frustrated and about 6 weeks into no repair I just decided to use these folk. I paid the deposit and then after me calling many times after not hearing from them I was finally able to get on the schedule. But, once again I had to do all of this calling and leaving repeated messages after being told that I would be reached out in a day or two.

I do not think I would use them again, and would really caution others about being misled and warn folks to make sure they are aware they are likely to need to do a lot of legwork to make the appointments happen. This place was a recommendation from a friend, but now I would not recommend them. I am still leaving two stars as at least there is no problems with the quality of the work so far.

I have had this company out quite a few times over the last few years.  Always quick to return call and set up appointment.  Always arrive promptly when they say they will.  No matter who they send, they are always extremely polite and answer all my questions.  Today it was Jeremy and Luke.  They did a great job!!!

South side plumbing claims to accept hourly work, as in paying for whatever plumbing services are rendered by the hour at a rate of 80.00 per hour.  I advised the office manager in great detail what I required and he was all in on everything I said.  he advised me that I would be the first stop of the next day, the plumbers would have all the parts they needed, and all would be great.  I had my crew digging a 20' long, 5' deep trench until 1030 at night in preparation for their arrival.  The plumber (singular) showed up at 330 in the afternoon and told me that he got the call at noon.  He then told me that he was just there to evaluate the problem and report back to the shop?  After much stomping around like a 2 year old and whining about the time of day, the work that was already done, and every other thing a grown man could cry about, the work was eventually completed.  Their office manager is a waste.  The work should have taken 10 minutes if he would have 1) listened to what i needed 2) did not lie to me and 3) did not have a Im the genius plumber and you are a dumb homeowner mentality.  after showing up, not prepared, 8 hours late, it still took him 3 hours to do 10 minutes of work.

I wrote an honest review just last week. Now it gone. But, I was a customer and been treated badly. I want others to know why other plumbing company trucks are seen on the Southside other than these people. Because word gets around concerning the type of business provided. The owner came to my house 1/2 block away holding a review i posted in his hand. He was mad because I wrote fact as I see it. As I said in the past, BEWARE. I'm standing in front of my house last week and a Souuthside plumbing truck rides by. The driver who I never saw before gave me a odd look and said how's everything. This stuck me as odd. So I head back to my outside drain. I find rags at the top of the drain. I never flush rags (pics to follow). I'm not sure what to think. But, I made a living dealing with people like this. And from a outside point of view. It looks like intimidation. I paid my bill. Took me over 2 yrs. And even a amount of $300.00 was missing from my payment. Deb, a 15yr plus employee suddenly quit after the money went missing. I see John everyday. I never used that company because  I know better. But I was stuck. End results, criminal mischief police reports were filed. And a constant patrol of my property had to be started. Advising neighbors to be on the look out for red shirts on my property. It's private posted property. I'm sorry I called these people. I've lived on the Southside over 50yrs. I will never use them again. I refuse to be a victim!!