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Author:
SwimRunPlumb (MI)
I went to a new home I am working on today to put the water heater in and other misc. things, and noticed something strange.
I had not yet called for a meter set, but the DPW had come in at some point and cut my copper main and installed their shutoff service elbow that they use. I think my copper line was stubbed up about 4' high. I would not have a problem with this, if it wasn't for the fact that they took the copper!
I called them for a meter set and had a few words for them. He said this is how they do it, and nobody has ever said anything in 23 years. I said, "so your guys sneak in, install the elbow and run off with my copper, and you come back to install a meter?" So they make 2 trips to install every meter?
He said to me "how do I know it was really 4' high?" I replied "you don't!, and that is why you don't steal what's not yours!" He says "what if it was only 6" ?" I said then you leave a 6" piece because it's not yours.
Am I being too fastidious?
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
jblanche (WI)
No, you're not.
For example the electrician put in my new meter pedestal and used a length of romex to connect it to the old overhead line. The utility crew later connected the underground line, and took the old aerial cable with them, but left the temporary romex coiled loose by the meter. Exactly what they should have done.
I suppose you could argue that the aerial cable was paid for by a previous owner, but I figured they maintain it and replace it if needed, so it's theirs, more or less.
(I would have returned it to him, but the electrician did not want his romex.)
*******************************
Links to the State of Wisconsin Plumbing Code:
[dsps.wi.gov]
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I am not a plumber.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
i probably would have taken the extra also since that goes with cleaning up after i have done my part of the job.
you dont like losing 4' of copper? then dont leave that much. i would use a piece of pvc or other material less expensive than copper to mark the end of a buried line
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
Lee (NJ)
SwimRunPlumb:
You are totally correct!
Sounds like DPW are low lifes.
Lee
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Author:
SwimRunPlumb (MI)
It was not used to "mark" a buried line, it WAS my water main.
We typically run the sewer and water lines first at the time of the basement dig. Then they do footign, walls and we do our underground. At the time of underground, we bend our copper to where we want it exactly. We leave it until it is time to call for a meter set, at which time we usually cut it down on the rough in to where we want it.
First, I am not used to them installing their own shutoff/elbow in this township, since usually we install our own service elbow and ball valve. And second, I didn't expect them to get in there before we call them and put the elbow/shutoff on.
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Author:
hj
As I told a customer recently, "When I demo a job, I also salvage the scrap. If you want the salvage, then YOU do the demo". Who is to say if they had left the copper that someone else might have taken it, then neither of you would have it.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
Your Honor.....I stole it, so no one else would?
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Author:
packy
quote, "you do the demo"..
illegal in massachusetts to demo plumbing unless you are licensed..
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
Your Honor, I picked up that tempting scrap because it was a safety hazard.. I almost tripped on it 
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Author:
SwimRunPlumb (MI)
I guess my gripe is two-fold.
First that they took it. OK, I can maaaaaaaaaaaaybe see if they took it after I called for a meter set. But..........
Second, that they came in and installed the service elbow/shutoff valve without me even knowing. In most jurisdictions, I prepare the service with either a meter bar, or with my own service elbow with a ball valve. This way, I cut my own copper.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
i guess it is time to stop leaving extra pipe when roughing in if you do not want it to come up missing. i have seen where people have hooked onto copper sticking out of the ground and ripped it all out with a truck. that stuff will net some serious cash these days
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
hj
You cannot do ANYTHING in Mass, (unless you are a politican accepting payoffs), unless you are licensed.
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Author:
packy
i'll have you know the pols in massachusetts are the finest money can buy.
remember the big dig..
[news.yahoo.com]
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Author:
hj
I don't know about that. We had some pretty expensive ones in Illinois, in fact I think they still do.
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