Like most homeowners, we hate anything relating to a plumbing issue. For me especially - water and I just do not get along in a house. I've had various issues already, but this was one of the most annoying - my basement shower, elevated on a wooden frame and installed by the previous owner who did a shit DIY all around job, was a mess and as shoddy as an island shack. So when the shower started leaking at the base between the frame and the cement floor, I knew I was in trouble and that it would be a disastrous fix if it involved pulling out the frame.
Well, step one was the research what the eff I was going to do. After some friendly advice from the all-knowing Google, I knew I probably needed to call a plumber (which I hate) and that it was going to cost mucho dinero (the exact reason I hate calling plumbers). I didn't want any surprises for the plumbers I reached out to for estimates due to the possibility of tearing up the wooden base, so I was quite frank in my mass emails I sent out describing my issue. Boy, were the responses fun, and included but were not limited to:
-We don't have time for this type of job. Ever.
-We're fully booked until a month later, can you wait?
-Yeah, we're going to need to come by in order to do an estimate. That'll cost you $150.
-No response. (probably laughing at why anyone would waste their time with an annoying job like this)
No, eff you all. Luckily for me, Bill answered within a day, and said he'd check out the issue. Bill was great - personable, reasonable and professional. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. He went into the issue understanding my concern, and attempted to fix the leak without getting to the base. Unfortunately, due to the previous scumbag and his wholesome fail at DIY at using glue like some maniacal second grader, Bill was unable to pry the drain out from the top. So I gave him a miserable nod, allowing him to start the process of tearing up the frame. The more wooden planks he tore from both the base and the side frame, the heavier my heart, as I could see Bill was not expecting the layers upon layers of wood blocking his way to the drain and pipe. At one point, he stopped, stating there was a plank he wouldn't be able to get out unless he tore up the whole shower. You could imagine the $$$$ rolling through my mind at that point - my field of vision was literally green, and then a sickening blood red. But Bill, and I have to hand it to him, thought for about a minute when he saw my face, and said he may have another creative idea.
Thirty minutes later, and with a large hole slightly larger than a basketball in the wood, Bill had managed to fix the leak (which was caused by the previous owner not tightening the plastic cap underneath the drain. Have I made my point about the incompetency of the previous owner yet?). Despite having a large hole at the most inner wooden base, I was ecstatic, as Bill was able to get underneath the shower with minimal damage. And the cost? Slightly over $200 for over an hours+ work of worth, which includes the help of an apprentice he had observing and getting tools from their truck. This may be a bit expensive as this prices in labor only (no parts or supplies were needed), but due to the complexity and woodwork involved, I'm happy with the net result. Bill will definitely be my go-to guy for my future plumbing needs! Thanks Bill! read more
