WTF-pics

[gear junkie]

Why plumber's have job security. This is the back of a mixing valve.

[NHMaster3015]

You can do it, Home Depot can help.:D

[drtyhands]

I am raising my prices again:mad:

[OkieBill]

NHMaster3015 has the best sarcasm:bow-down:

" No we have our furnace professionally cleaned all the time":eek:



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/billkennedyplumbing/Cleanfurnace.jpg


"If you put a drain pan under it I can get away with not changing it out right?"

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/billkennedyplumbing/waterheater.jpg


" What do you mean that is my water main in my sprinkler box? and I don't see why you can't repair it without removing all my sprinkler stuff... My sprinkler guy came very well recommended...:rolleyes:



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/billkennedyplumbing/waterline.jpg





If it is too silly to believe I take a picture they are also a little C.Y.A. for me.

[NHMaster3015]

what's that furnace, about 75,000 btu's on a 1/2" copper line.?

[Aaron91]

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4786/picture119id2.jpg

I was at a house adding a filter in, and came across this. :eek:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4093/picture122bb7.jpg

Don't worry guys, this is the commerical grade duct tape, it'll be fine. :rolleyes:

I took this whole mess out when I replaced the water heater.

[gear junkie]

Great pics guys. We should keep it going.

[OkieBill]

NHMaster3015, yep that is very common for this area.. It ends up that the copper was the demise of the gas valve. The owner was in closet and banged on the copper a few times knocking the black crust loose into the gas valve... I ended up replacing the gas valve and about 6' of copper (all) for iron.

75K btu input maybe 40 output...:shakehead:

[SlimTim]

Tile floor was raised - tile guy did his own plumbing. Told the homeowner it wasn't brain surgery. I think he needed some brain surgery. It lasted a little while.

[OkieBill]

Customer called that she had a leak under her sink...


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii264/billkennedyplumbing/sinkstub-out.jpg

The broken stub-out was repaired with calk and duct tape at some point in the past:eek:

[Jay Mpls]

What was the reason for your service call?
Stink or leak?


Tile floor was raised - tile guy did his own plumbing. Told the homeowner it wasn't brain surgery. I think he needed some brain surgery. It lasted a little while.

[NHMaster3015]

NHMaster3015, yep that is very common for this area.. It ends up that the copper was the demise of the gas valve. The owner was in closet and banged on the copper a few times knocking the black crust loose into the gas valve... I ended up replacing the gas valve and about 6' of copper (all) for iron.

75K btu input maybe 40 output...:shakehead:

Only the gas company is allowed to do that kind of work in our area.

[NHMaster3015]

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4786/picture119id2.jpg

I was at a house adding a filter in, and came across this. :eek:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4093/picture122bb7.jpg

Don't worry guys, this is the commerical grade duct tape, it'll be fine. :rolleyes:

I took this whole mess out when I replaced the water heater.

Aaron, is that rubber cement or jizm on those pvc joints:eek:

[SlimTim]

What was the reason for your service call?
Stink or leak?

It started leaking into the downstairs condo off and on because that toilet wasn't used much. Then the flapper hung up and it leaked A LOT into the downstairs condo. The downstairs owner was away and the ceiling fell.:eek:

These are some real pricey condos overlooking the Mississippi river.

[gear junkie]

Aaron, is that rubber cement or jizm on those pvc joints:eek:
looks like cpvc cement

[Devine Plumbing]

I wish I would have taken a picture, but I left the part with the homeowner. She woke up this morning with wet carpet in the kitchen. Yesterday her grandson and his wife did her a favor by replacing her kitchen sink faucet in her modular home. Good thing they had a guy at Home Depot giving them some advice. In order to adapt to the 1/2" quest pipe that he cut off, he cut the 3/8" compression ends off of the premanufactured supplies, stuck the cut ends of the vinyl supply tubes into the quest and simply clamped them together with two hose clamps.

[Service Guy]

I wish I would have taken a picture, but I left the part with the homeowner. She woke up this morning with wet carpet in the kitchen. Yesterday her grandson and his wife did her a favor by replacing her kitchen sink faucet in her modular home. Good thing they had a guy at Home Depot giving them some advice. In order to adapt to the 1/2" quest pipe that he cut off, he cut the 3/8" compression ends off of the premanufactured supplies, stuck the cut ends of the vinyl supply tubes into the quest and simply clamped them together with two hose clamps.

Every time I go into Lowe's I overhear some completely clueless person asking advice about how to fix something that is WAY over their heads. What you described goes through my head when I overhear some of the stupidity of some of the DIYers. :smile-us-down:(both questions and answers at the big-box stores!)

I almost want to hand them my business card and say, "Do yourself a favor and hire a pro, so you don't flood your house." But I resist because usually the types who try to do things themselves that they don't understand are super-cheap anyway.:rolleyes:

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

Only the gas company is allowed to do that kind of work in our area.

In Illinois plumbers do gas...but not in copper!

[FINER9998]

maybe they just aren't very fond of individuals who charge small fortunes for what in many cases are relatively simple projects and leave an absolutely incredible mess behind them when these alledged pros proclaim the job "Done"! i have found that many pros view a customers home as only a job and fail to realize it is where the customer lives. and the absolute disdain for their surroundings many pros demonstrate during the course of a job is one reason i believe many people attempt repairs themselves.

[haycad]

maybe they just aren't very fond of individuals who charge small fortunes for what in many cases are relatively simple projects and leave an absolutely incredible mess behind them when these alledged pros proclaim the job "Done"! i have found that many pros view a customers home as only a job and fail to realize it is where the customer lives. and the absolute disdain for their surroundings many pros demonstrate during the course of a job is one reason i believe many people attempt repairs themselves.
it sounds like you've hired the wrong "pro's", and it may seem like a small fortune to you but when its shared with fuel,insurance,advertisement,materials,and taxes there isnt a lot of the pie left, my only advice to you is get atleast 3 estimates and then make your choice

[JCsPlumbing]

FINER. Are you a plumber?

J.C.

[FINER9998]

jc...why do you ask?

[JCsPlumbing]

Because the response you gave to Service Guys post doesn't seem "plumberish":D. So are you a plumber???

[FINER9998]

jc..is this forum restricted to licensed plumbers?

[JCsPlumbing]

jc..is this forum restricted to licensed plumbers?

A licensed plumber would know the answer to that. What's your license number?:cool:

J.C.

[FINER9998]

so this is a restricted forum?

[JCsPlumbing]

so this is a restricted forum?

Tell me your plumbing license number and I'll tell you if it's a restricted forum.:cool:

Or any license number for that matter. Electrical, HVAC, Boiler, General Contractor, Engineer, Veterinarian, :)

[FINER9998]

first tell me who died and left you the forum moderator.

[Service Guy]

I am licensed and insured, educated and qualified. I legally guarantee my work in writing, and if it fails I'll redo it for free and if there is any property damage my insurance will cover it. I never leave a mess, I wear shoe covers and use drop clothes, I do top quality work and I am available 24 hours/day and most people love it.

I AM A PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER.

And yes, this forum is restricted, did you read the subforum title?
I'll remind you:
Plumbers Forum: If you are not a pro or on your way to becoming a professional tradesman please use the "Ask the Plumbing Experts" Section :trash-him:

[JCsPlumbing]

Finer. Who died and left you to judge licensed peoples' business?

Keep up the home improvement.:cool:

J.C.

[JCsPlumbing]

FINER. Where'd you go? Get another bid? 19 not enough?

J.C.

[FINER9998]

sg..never noticed that. thanks for pointing it out. i'll endeavor to restrict my plumbing questions to the appropriate part of the forum. wouldn't want to get in the way of all the pros in here patting each other on the back. and don't be so thin skinned...i'm sure there are licensed tradesmen out there who do the kind of work that customers appreciate. problem is, there are to few of them.

[Devine Plumbing]

maybe they just aren't very fond of individuals who charge small fortunes for what in many cases are relatively simple projects and leave an absolutely incredible mess behind them when these alledged pros proclaim the job "Done"! i have found that many pros view a customers home as only a job and fail to realize it is where the customer lives. and the absolute disdain for their surroundings many pros demonstrate during the course of a job is one reason i believe many people attempt repairs themselves.

Lets be real here. The real issue in regards to why most people choose to do work themselves as opposed to hiring a professional is due to a percieved cost vs benefit balance. Many people feel the benefit derived from hiring a professional is out of proportion with the cost of hiring that individual. Most people know how to find a good plumber/electrician/carpenter if they need one. I do not find anything wrong with individuals trying to do something themselves. In fact, I find myself showing others in the plumbing aisles the right way to do something, after putting back everything the sales associate has already given them. However, I do wish them the best of luck with their project and give them my card in case they run into something they cannot handle. I have picked up more work, just going into the box stores and the parts supplier than I could get through any newspaper ad. As soon as people realize how affordable something can be, they are quick to ask if I can just come out and do it for them. I will agree that plumbing, like any industry, has its share of bad apples. There are those that do sloppy work, those that will walk right across the white carpet with their muddy boots on, and those that charge far too much. Just today I was just listening to a new customer of mine complain about a guy who came out to clean her kitchen drain in the evening on December 23rd. He used her plunger and her bowl to plug up the other side of the sink. Took about 5 minutes and the bill was $175. (May not seem like at lot to some in other areas, but the typical customer in this area would anticipate to pay $100 for an evening service call where the clog could be augered in less than 25' with a drill-type drain cleaner). All I can recommend to anyone considering getting work done is to get a referral from a friend, relative, neighbor before just inviting someone into your home.

[PLUMBER RICK]

All I can recommend to anyone considering getting work done is to get a referral from a friend, relative, neighbor before just inviting someone into your home.

i second that;)

it's all i've ever needed to do in all the years of working for myself.

rick.

[cpw]

Let me apologize for playing in the pro's sandbox first, but hopefully you won't mind because I realize that you all have important skills that do provide value to lots of people every day.

Lets be real here. The real issue in regards to why most people choose to do work themselves as opposed to hiring a professional is due to a percieved cost vs benefit balance. Many people feel the benefit derived from hiring a professional is out of proportion with the cost of hiring that individual.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. I could pay someone $100 an hour to do plumbing, and they would do a good job and would do it faster than I can. My take is that they aren't inherently smarter, it is just that they do it every day and know what to expect; so they won't run into the same problems or if they do, they know how to solve them, because they've solved it hundreds of times before. Even if it takes me 4-5x as long as the pro, I'm often still ahead, because I find working on my house enjoyable as long as I get a good result.

Most people know how to find a good plumber/electrician/carpenter if they need one. I do not find anything wrong with individuals trying to do something themselves. In fact, I find myself showing others in the plumbing aisles the right way to do something, after putting back everything the sales associate has already given them. However, I do wish them the best of luck with their project and give them my card in case they run into something they cannot handle. I have picked up more work, just going into the box stores and the parts supplier than I could get through any newspaper ad.
I think this is the thing that for me distinguishes good plumbers, doctors, and other service people. The ability to explain to me what they are doing to my house (or me), and why. People who just assume that I can't understand it or don't bother explaining it, aren't likely to get repeat business. Those who can, will. If someone explains to me why they are providing a valuable service, and I'm paying for it I think we both end up happy.

[NHMaster3015]

I think anyone plumbing without a licence, even in their own homes should be arrested, fined and put in jail. Plumbing is not something to be screwed around with. Improper installation and "messing about" with water supply can cause dangerous even fatal backflow conditions to occur that can not only effect the resident of the home but thier neighbors also. Improper installation and "messing around" with DWV piping can cause similar conditions. The reason people in this country don't get cholera, dyptheria, dysentary and a host of other nasty diseases can be directly attributed to the care and knowledge of licensed plumbers. Why don't you homeowners, hell bent on saving a buck, do your own by pass surgery or dental work?
Just because you own the house does not give you the right to put other people at risk. Don't think it can happen? Log on to watts.com and find their videos on backflow, scalding, and water heater explosion.

[SlimTim]

The reason people in this country don't get cholera, dyptheria, dysentary and a host of other nasty diseases can be directly attributed to the care and knowledge of licensed plumbers. Why don't you homeowners, hell bent on saving a buck, do your own by pass surgery or dental work?
.


Touche!!
The last time I went to the dentist it was $100..00 to prod around my mouth and tell me what I needed to have done. The last time I went to a doctor it was $175.00 for two hours (that's 1-3/4 hrs in the waiting room-10 min in the examination room and 5 minutes with the doctor).
The only reason we don't live is squalor like 75% of the rest of the world is because of the plumbing industry here. WE DON'T GET PAID ACCORDINGLY. We usually become the brunt of jokes

[NHMaster3015]

Touche!!
The last time I went to the dentist it was $100..00 to prod around my mouth and tell me what I needed to have done. The last time I went to a doctor it was $175.00 for two hours (that's 1-3/4 hrs in the waiting room-10 min in the examination room and 5 minutes with the doctor).
The only reason we don't live is squalor like 75% of the rest of the world is because of the plumbing industry here. WE DON'T GET PAID ACCORDINGLY. We usually become the brunt of jokes

And remember, according the the PHCC, the average pay for plumbers, nation wide is $ 44,000.00 a year.

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

maybe they just aren't very fond of individuals who charge small fortunes for what in many cases are relatively simple projects and leave an absolutely incredible mess behind them when these alledged pros proclaim the job "Done"! i have found that many pros view a customers home as only a job and fail to realize it is where the customer lives. and the absolute disdain for their surroundings many pros demonstrate during the course of a job is one reason i believe many people attempt repairs themselves.

Its like any other skill...I sure as heck cant pull my well point out of the ground. I have to pay. I cannot do drywall, I pay. Dentist, I pay. Transmission work, I pay.

I also try to be as clean as possible and respect a persons home...even if it is already a mess.

Sounds like you had a bad experience, or meet the wrong type of tradesman...I know I have. They are real jerks.

[NHMaster3015]

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I could pay someone $100 an hour to do plumbing, and they would do a good job and would do it faster than I can. My take is that they aren't inherently smarter, it is just that they do it every day and know what to expect; so they won't run into the same problems or if they do, they know how to solve them, because they've solved it hundreds of times before. Even if it takes me 4-5x as long as the pro, result.I'm often still ahead, because I find working on my house enjoyable as long as I get a good

How do you know if you "got a good result"? Because it works? Lots of things "work" but are'nt correct. Do you have at least 4 years of apprentice training? How about a journeymans license? Masters? How many plumbing or HVAC certificates do you carry? Is your plumbing knowledge soley based on a book you picked up at home depot? Or from watching This Old House or the DYI channel? You weekend warriors kill me..........

[cpw]

How do you know if you "got a good result"? Because it works? Lots of things "work" but are'nt correct. Do you have at least 4 years of apprentice training? How about a journeymans license? Masters? How many plumbing or HVAC certificates do you carry? Is your plumbing knowledge soley based on a book you picked up at home depot? Or from watching This Old House or the DYI channel? You weekend warriors kill me..........
For the most part yes, and for some things that they work for me should be good enough. I replaced the faucet in my kitchen and my dishwasher. They don't leak, the pressure is fine. I can't *prove* that it is a "good result", but how would a random plumber or dishwasher installer prove it either? I don't try to do everything, I had no problem spending the $1800 on a professionally new water heater.

In another post, someone said they don't do their own drywall or transmission; that is a perfectly valid choice, but for those of us who want
to attempt it there shouldn't be a problem. Should only a licensed mechanic be able to change a transmission? What about an oil change? What about pumping gas. Everyone mentions you wouldn't do your own bypass surgery, of course not. But most of us probably engage in some self diagnosis and take a Tylenol, or apply bacitracin and a band aid.

Not a plumbing problem, but you did mention HVAC. I don't have an HVAC certificate, but I certainly respect those who do. The last time my AC broke, I gladly paid the $80 diagnosis fee. The problem was that the thermostat wire from the compressor to the attic air handler got chewed up by an animal. It would have cost almost $800 dollars to get them to replace the wire. I was able to do it for about $20. I didn't have the knowledge to diagnose the problem, but had no problem fixing it. The $80 for the knowledge and the time at my house and traveling (~20 mins) was well worth it. I also know that I'm going to call them for my air conditioning needs, because each time the tech explained what the problem was and treated me and my house with respect.

I t

[Herk]

The last time I went to the dentist it was $100..00 to prod around my mouth and tell me what I needed to have done. The last time I went to a doctor it was $175.00 for two hours (that's 1-3/4 hrs in the waiting room-10 min in the examination room and 5 minutes with the doctor).

Imagine what those costs would be if the dentist/doctor had to come to you . . .

[Herk]

I think anyone plumbing without a licence, even in their own homes should be arrested, fined and put in jail.

I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do think that insurance companies should not cover a problem where the HO did the plumbing. I've seen horrific and costly damage from something as simple as an HO installing a faucet.

[NHMaster3015]

Anybody can justify just about anything. Nothing I can say is going to make a bit of difference.

[papadan]

Josh, cut this damn thread off with Finers first post so we can get back to the reason of this thread. NHMaster, you gettin a little silly now?:D

[NHMaster3015]

Sorry, got side tracked by the usual stuff that pisses me off. Though hack work was the original thread was'nt it?

[oldslowchevy]

i aints no plumbers, buts i sure dos like lookings at the pretty pictures,..... cans we please get backs to the pretty pictures
yalls.


(said in my most southern hillbilly voice)

[Alphacowboy]

NHMaster, come on, your being a little harsh. Not every person out there is a idiot when it comes to construction trades. Most, maybe, but give some of us guys a little credit. I have done many things myself on my own home and friends and parents. I do know my limits, and I will not cross them. But you have to be honest, if you do have some brains in your skull, plumbing, heating, framing, and electrical are NOT brain surgery. I am not saying all home owners should do thier own stuff, as you, I and every other tradesmen would be out of business. But, for those of us that do understand how this stuff works, and how to do it properly, give us a little credit. Plus, like I said, when I get over my head, I call the professionals that I do know that can help me out.

What makes me even more angery though is that I have fixed stuff PROFESSIONALS did, that was not correct.

Some of you guys are a little harsh on here, to be honest, if you had that mentality in front of me, and in front of a customer, I would never hire you again. Yes, you know your trade, and that is why I would hire you, but if you act high and mighty about it, that is where I draw the line. I work for a contractor doing tile for him time to time, his plumber is flat out an a-hole. He thinks he knows everything, and cant be told otherwise. He is short with customers, to the point I believe to be rude, and when a customer questions him, he acts like he knows better and that they dont know what they are talking about. He proceeded to install a mixing valve for a shower I was working on, and I called him out on it before I even put the backer board on that the valve was 1-1/2 to deep in the wall. He brushed me off like I was an idiot so I told the Contractor, and he talked to him, he blew him off like he was an idiot as well. THEN the customer noticed this (a very nice, but not so keen on mechanical stuff lady) and said she thought they were to deep (this was after I was told to put the backer up) and she called the plumber, he was rude to her and tolder her they were fine. Fast forward to trim out, and guess what, the plumber had to order extensions for the two mixing valves, at ~200 bones each if I recall correctly. And IIRC, the jack *** charged her for them.

Guys, I am not putting you in this category by any means, and hope this example would keep you away from becoming this way. Remember, you may know more about plumbing than us commoners, but dont be to high and mighty to be humbled.

Now, you contrast that with an electrician in a house I was doing low voltage for. He was packing up his stuff, and I noticed they had missed wiring two lights in a hall way. Boxes there, no wire. I ran out to him as he was getting into his truck and told him. Instead of telling me to f-off and that I didnt know what I was talking about, he was greatful.

Were all in this together, customers, contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, the list goes on, you crap in the pool, and it doesnt take long to figure out who it was...

[Alphacowboy]

I dont know what scares me more, the duck tape, or the fact that it appears that the high-voltage line is duct taped to the GAS LINE! :eek:
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4093/picture122bb7.jpg

[SlimTim]

Whoa! That heater has got be over 30 years old. Isn't that a saturn burner?