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Author:
woberkrom (MO)
A contractor you work for calls you to turn the cold water back on to a unit where one of his employees turned off the cold water supply. The contractor's employee turned it off, thinking it was the valve for another unit. The contractor wants a plumber to turn it back on because there have been problems in the unit before ( the unit where the valve has been turned off before accidentally).
The valve in question is about six inches off the floor, is probably 80 plus years old, it is going into a lead service on one side and galvanized on the other side. The waste nut has been removed by the contractor's employee several days earlier when he shut the water off. The valve doesn't shut off all the way either. The tenant of the unit has had cold water, it has just been really slow. The basement is unfinished. There are a few empty boxes right next to the valve. There is a bunch of other boxes about 5 to 6 feet away piled and stacked half-hazard.
It is Saturday. The tenant of the unit is present and another one of the employees of the contractor is present.
What do you do?
--Will
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
I would have whomever is in charge sign a waiver saying I am not to be held responsible for any damage that has already or may arise due to this old valve and piping being disturbed. After which if signed I would go ahead and turn on the water.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
and be prepared to repair/replace that valve
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
Lead and galvy better plan to replace a lot.
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Author:
ramplum (CA)
ll I can say is "you don't bury survivors" and I don't know if any will exist.
Sorry I am so cryptic, I just read the original post and thought it was like the story about the plane crash on the border.
I am a 30 plus yr. licensed contractor and I wouldn't touch that one with a 48 rigid Pipe wrench ! I am a Calif. Boy never seen lead service.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
Ram, I have been it this that long too, but have learned not to worry about the little crap, that's what wives are for.
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Author:
hj
You give a lot of apparently useless information, unless there is something we do not know. What does it matter what is stacked nearby or HOW it is stacked. Tell them that if the valve breaks when turned back on, it will have to be replaced, then reinstall the drain cap, (although if it is still off and the tenant has ANY water the basement should be flooded), and turn the water on. Then make out an invoice for the minimum charge for a weekend call. Lead and galvanized have nothing to do with it.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
my contract has in it 'not responsible for the condition of existing piping'.
im covered...Id turn it on and stick around for a bit to look for leaks and problems..
id also charge ALOT for Sat. Work...i basically double my hourly rate...most people who really need me pay it.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
First, I hope this has by now been resolved on way or another!
The fact that he called you in on this, to me screams that he KNOWS that there is likely to be trouble. But if you don't settle the terms in advance, he will love to blame you!
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Author:
woberkrom (MO)
Without sounding overtly cryptic, I'm just thinking if I should have done something different from a technical standpoint.
I think I have always done a good job managing expectations of customers, and explaining what it is I am and not doing, as well as what will be covered and what will not be covered by a warranty.
I think the back of our invoices will have to have a lot more "legalease" on them in the future, unfortunately.
I still don't think I would have done anything different than what I did.
How is that for overtly cryptic?
--Will
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Author:
hj
Unfortunately, unless it has been changed, the UCC does not recognize "stuff" on the back of a form as legally binding.
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Author:
woberkrom (MO)
It will be binding when they sign the back as well as the front. Sadly, no matter what people sign, it doesn't prevent their lack of understanding of:
A. what they signed
B. the situation
C. what is fair and reasonable
Everyone has their right to bring suit. If they are of a mind to, right or wrong, the courts will hear them.
My mother in-law had to go all the way to trial to defend herself against the buyer of her old home when they wanted the home sale rescinded. She disclosed that the basement got wet several times in the past when it rained and the sewer backed up. The people moved in, it rained, the sewer backed up, it ruined stuff, they brought suit.
I don't know how there wasn't a summary judgement in my mother in-law's favor, but there wasn't. $10,000 later, and a trial, she was finally found free of fraud and wrongdoing.
Yeahhhhhhhh!
Good times. Just because our customers sign waivers and give us the high ground, don't think it won't still cost you, even when you are in the right.
--Will
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Author:
hj
quote; I don't know how there wasn't a summary judgement in my mother in-law's favor, but there wasn't. $10,000 later, and a trial, she was finally found free of fraud and wrongdoing.
Because judges were lawyers and if there were a summary judgement the attornies would bill less money. How many people are asked to sign the back of an invoice?
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
?????????????????????
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Author:
REALROMEO (MA)
I watch alot of court cases on tv, and the people that win
always get there court costs and money spent on proveing the case.
THe only thing thing the judges don't allow compansation for is there missed work time.
If your mom won the case her lawyer should have been paid by the
defendent.
IT dosen't make sense to win and loose $10.000.
Maybe she should get a lawyer who will work PERDIUM
and go after the people that cost her the $10,000 even if
she recovers half the money its better than what she has now.
BILL
Edited 2 times.
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