Don't Do Business with Michael & Sons!!!

[MarcSpaz]

More Michael & Sons BS drama! I have been trying to get M&S to resolve a problem they caused for 3 months. The pipes are banging like crazy, several times a day. It literately started hours after the new plumbing work was done.

I complained on the phone yesterday, telling their managers that if they don't fix it ASAP, I am going to fire them, higher another company, and then sue them for the repair, lost wages and any other expense I have. Today, a 3 man team of 2 managers and the same tech that came out the last 5 times showed up to try to resolve the problem.

Now, before I get to the "Best Part", I have to tell you, the tech who came out the last 5 times is not a bad guy. He fixed a ton of stuff the first tech completely F'd up on the original install. However, yesterday I told the managers that I didn't want the same tech to come out and do nothing but turn the line pressure up, like he did the last 3 times he was here, and tell me the problem should be solved.

Now... the BEST PART!!!
They sent the same tech today as all the other times. Not a problem on the surface, but both he and the managers are trying to tell me that the tech is a totally different guy!!!! Are you kidding me?!?! I'm so stupid that I won't recognize the same guy who has been to my house 5 times!!!!! Same name, same glasses, same complexion, same age, same accent...., but its a different guy??? Oh, yea... I played along and started telling him where the water fixtures are and he said... and I quote "Ok, I know where everything is.... even though I have never been here before." HAHAHAHAHAHA!

I called out the tech and the manager twice and they stuck to their story. One of the managers said "They are from the same country in Africa. That's why they look and sound the same. This (persons name deleted) is actually a king for his tribe. The other (persons name deleted) isn't royalty". Can you believe this crap?!?!

I guess the black manager and black tech think that since I'm white, I must think all black guys look alike. This company is the sleaziest bunch of a$$hats I have ever seen in my life!!!

[WRW]

Look up "water hammer". Go from there.

http://www.theplumbinginfo.com/tracing- ... arrestors/

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[SHMIV]

One of the nice things about small town living; you know who to call, and who not to call. And, many projects can be handled on a Saturday, by calling a buddy and buying a six-pack.

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That water hammer solution looks like a quick and easy fix. I've seen those capped off pipes, before, and wondered what they were. Now I know.

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[MarcSpaz]

Bill... thanks for the lead. I'm going to read into that some more.

H. I know what you mean. Been a long time since I was living in a small town. Now a day, I have no idea who to trust anymore.

[MarcSpaz]

Look up "water hammer". Go from there.

http://www.theplumbinginfo.com/tracing- ... arrestors/

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

So, any idea what these guys could have done to cause this problem? It didn't exist until they installed a PRV and expansion tank. I think it is one or both of those part contributing to it. I skimmed a few sites real quick and they all say the same thing. Its appliances that use water or caused by a valve or faucet being closed quickly. The problem is, it happens 1 to 4 times a day, when nothing is in use. Especially at 3 or 4 AM while everyone is asleep.

We put dye in all the commode tanks and there are no leaks. I shut off the water supply for all appliances and that didn't help. No valves or faucets are leaking. All I can think of is the PRV is defective or expansion tank is sucking air back into the system as the hot water cools.

In either case, It's should not take a massive plumbing chain 3 months to figure it out.

[BlackKnight]

When I had a problem with our shower they were the only ones who would work out a payment plan. It was a credit card that I had to apply for but I had a reply in less than 5 minutes (approved). They fixed the problem even though the shower valve was in a nearly inaccessible location from the back. We have never had any problem with the repair or them at all. it sounds like the office you are dealing with is run by some jacklegs who have no idea what they are doing. They need to be given a serious wake up call. If you do decide to file suit also file a formal complaint on their business license. No service company want a black mark on their license, and after so many such marks their license will be suspended or revoked.

Nearly 30 years ago my parents had some problems with a contractor doing some renovation work for them. When I showed up I informed the contractor that I was a registered Private Investigator in Virginia and was on my way to the licensing office at City Hall to file a formal complaint against their business license. They changed their tune before I got out the door. That contractor went out of business a couple of years after that.

[jdonovan]

I've always got the I've been shafted feeling for ANY hvac/plumbing work at home. Except the 1 time my work commercial guy did an at home job for me.

Got hit a week or so back for a cool $200 for a $40 capacitor. But my choice was wait 2 days for amazon, and have no AC, or pay the man on a weekend who had it on the truck. The joy of an aging system that has enough life that I can't justify a replacement, but that needs a bit of care and feeding.

almost sounds like your PRV is sticking, and when it unsticks you get the water hammer.

In general, a PRV and expansion tank are good things to have in your plumbing system.

[WRW]

By "PRV" do you mean "pressure relief valve" ? When this happens, is the pipe from the pressure relief valve on the water heater hot, as though hot water had just passed through it?

IANAP, but I am willing to confuse the issue in an attempt to help.

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[jdonovan]

PRV pressure release valve.

Say the PRV is set for 70 PSI, but is stuck at 25.

Family does evening wash up, and doesn't flow enough water long enough to notice the lower pressure levels. At 2 am, the valve 'un sticks' and water from the street comes in at 70 PSI, the incoming pressure causes the pipes in the house to jump, residents hear a bang.

Not a great theory... but perhaps a part of the problem?

[MarcSpaz]

By "PRV" do you mean "pressure relief valve" ? When this happens, is the pipe from the pressure relief valve on the water heater hot, as though hot water had just passed through it?

IANAP, but I am willing to confuse the issue in an attempt to help.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I am referring to a pressure regulator valve (what I beleive they said it stands for), not a pressure relief valve or blow-off valve. There is a pressure control system and an on/off lever in the front of the house that is the corporate demark. The main shutoff inside my house was broken. No matter how much we turned it, it made zero impact on the gate. They insisted on replacing that valve with a lever valve that has an integrated PRV.

They also replaced my hot water tank that day. I don't know if the expansion tank they installed on the hot water tank plays into this at all.

PRV pressure release valve.

Say the PRV is set for 70 PSI, but is stuck at 25.

Family does evening wash up, and doesn't flow enough water long enough to notice the lower pressure levels. At 2 am, the valve 'un sticks' and water from the street comes in at 70 PSI, the incoming pressure causes the pipes in the house to jump, residents hear a bang.

Not a great theory... but perhaps a part of the problem?

The guys from M&S are thinking the same thing. They are going to install a new one tomorrow. The had to order a new one for us.

[Reverenddel]

I wouldn't hire them simply because their vehicles cause such issues with traffic... 7 outta 10 times down my way? It's an M&S vehicle blocking the passing lane, or causing some such nonsense...

My thoughts? If your employees are such basketcases driving, and careless in that endeavor? You ain't touching my plumbing. Period.

[allingeneral]

IANAP, but I am willing to confuse the issue in an attempt to help.

haha

[MarcSpaz]

that's funny