Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/14/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired ***** **** of ***************** Plumbing to install a new bathroom in my basement which I was having finished. The plumbing was already roughed in but some adjustments needed to be made. I added a sink and vanity, a toilet and a shower. This work took place over a period of months from November 2023 -March 2023. All seemed to be ok until first the sink started backing up and then later, the toilet and then the shower. I asked ***** two times to come and look at the issue. Each time he snaked the pipes and called it done. Each time I was charged $250.00 as a normal service charge instead of him giving me the courtesy of checking his work as a matter of follow up. He got very defensive and said that I was blaming him for the plumbing not working. I gave him the benefit of the doubt until the third time the toilet backed up.This was in April, 2024. I also had noticed a smell in the storage area where the grinder pump was supposedly installed. This time, I called ***** Plumbing because I felt the problem was not getting solved. The plumber, ***** **********, came out and inspected the work. What he found was that ***** had not installed the correct ejector pump - he had installed a sewage pump vs a grinder pump which in my case was needed in order to handle and pump the waste up and out from the basement level. It was also discovered that ***** **** had failed to properly seal and vent the pump. In the photos I've uploaded you can see the difference between the pump which is unsealed and the sealed pump which has a white sealant all around the pump. You will also see the piping which was added to vent to the outside. So not only did I pay ***** for the initial job, I paid him to come back out and check his work as we were having issues. In addition, I paid $800.00 to ***** to install the grinder pump and to add pipes to the outside(the cost to add pipes and vent to the outside was another $200.00 not reflected here because I paid cash).

  Business Response

  Date: 09/16/2024

  Good morning, in response to this complaint, I went above and beyond for this woman and her son, only reason I charged to go back was the number of flushable wipes that I got out every single time. When I consulted with her, she said it was just her and her son living there. For basement level rough ins, I use sewage pumps, and I will continue to do so. I am fourth generation plumber, and I have had NO other complaints and stand by my work. Because another plumber came out and talked her into another pump is crazy and wasn't needed but that's their job but she will continue to have issues since they didn't stop flushing things other than toilet paper. I did not charge a service fee I charged to snake out and I always came out within a couple hours and rearranged my schedule to accommodate. I don't feel I was defensive at all; I cannot help what someone flushes down their toilet in their home. 

  _____

  Just because you can flush something doesnt mean you should. One major cause of sewage backups might surprise you: flushable wipes. These seemingly convenient products can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, particularly your sewage ejector pump. In this article, well explain why sewage ejector pumps and flushable wipes are a bad combination, explore some preventative measures, and discuss why you should call in the experts if you find yourself in need of sewage ejector pump repairs.
  Many people refer to sewage ejector pumps as sump pumps. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different devices. Sump pumps are designed to pump groundwater while sewage ejector pumps handle sewage and wastewater, pumping it to the main waste line. Understanding this distinction is crucial for maintaining your plumbing system effectively.

  ______

  Sewage pumps and grinder pumps are both used to move wastewater from buildings, but they differ in how they work and what they're best for: 
  

  Sewage pumps
  These pumps are designed to handle solids and other debris in wastewater. They're typically installed in basements or crawl spaces and are best for moving large volumes of raw sewage over short distances. Sewage pumps are often used in homes with septic tanks. 

  A sewage pump uses an impeller to provide the head pressure that moves the waste vertically. There are three general types of impellers: vortex, semi-open and enclosed channel. Each type of impeller and its dimensions correspond with different head pressures. A typical sewage pump will use a vortex-style impeller to prevent clogging and efficiently move the liquid.

  Grinder pumps
  

  These pumps use a cutting mechanism to grind up solid waste before pumping it into the sewer system or septic tank. They're for moving wastewater to higher elevations, longer distances, and pressurized sewer mains. Grinder pumps are used when a building's plumbing is lower than the main sewer line, or when there's not enough slope for sewage to flow by gravity. 

  In closing this response due to flushable wipes is why she needed a grinder pump. I stand behind my work 100 percent and will not do any form or refund.

  Thank you

  *********** ****