This review is overdue. I would give this plumber zero stars if I could.
Brief background. We are senior citizens and are relatively new residents in our townhome. Thus, we are not familiar with service providers in this area. Prior to our purchase, our home inspector suggested that we should consider replacing our water heater due to its age and also consider replacing the main water shutoff valves with ball valves. We planned on these replacements when a plumbing issue would arise in the future.
For approximately one month we had noticed a slow drip from the aerator on our kitchen pullout faucet. On 2/24/20 we noticed a leak in our kitchen cabinet. This leak was coming from our kitchen faucet below the countertop. I checked the hose fitting to the pullout faucet and noticed that there was no leak from this area or from the hose itself. We decided to call Curcio Plumbing. We thought that we would use their services since the previous owner used them to replace the water heater in 2009. Our intention was to repair the kitchen faucet leaks and replace the water heater and shutoff valves mentioned above. An appointment was scheduled for the following day.
The following morning K__ appeared on behalf of Curcio. I first showed K__ the water heater. He subsequently took photos of our current water heater and stated that he would get back to us on an estimate since it required a special order. I next showed K__ the shutoff valves that we wanted replaced. He provided us with a rough estimate for this portion of the job. We then proceeded to the kitchen. I explained to K__ want we had noticed regarding the two leaks. I showed him photos of the leaks that I taken previously. At that time, the water was not leaking below the sink, however, it continued to leak from the aerator. I asked K__ if the cartridge could be the source of the leak from the aerator and below the countertop. He responded no. Instead, due to the labor cost and involvement of checking the cartridge, he recommended a total replacement of a new kitchen faucet. I asked K__ how does that work, ie do we purchase the faucet on our own and then call Curcio? He said no. In order to have the work guaranteed by Curcio we had to purchase the new faucet from them. They would provide us with a link and we would select a faucet for Curcio to install. In the meanwhile I asked K__ to replace the shutoff valves below the kitchen sink. We agreed to call Curcio again when we would notice the leak in the future. While speaking, I again pointed out that the drip was continuing from the aerator on the pullout. K__ gave no response. Approximately 20 minutes later we again noticed the leak below the sink. We called Curcio and requested the link so that we could select a new faucet as per K__'s recommendation. We were told that he would get back to us when he returned at the end of the day.
The following day I decided to see how involved it was to check the cartridge, remembering that K__ stated that it would be involved. We were still awaiting a return call and intended to replace the faucet when we received the link from Curcio. It actually took me longer to retrieve the appropriate tools then it took to discover the source of the 2 leaks. I loosened the set screw which holds the handle in place by using an Allen wrench. After lifting the handle I noticed water on top of the visible cartridge. I then unscrewed the decorative ring. Below that ring there is a threaded brass nut which holds the cartridge in place. That nut was so loose that I could turn it with my fingers. I subsequently tightened the brass nut by using a wrench and then replaced the decorative ring and handle. There have no longer been any leaks since then.
I have provided photos in order to understand the above explanation.
I spoke to the owner, Vince, the following day in order to discuss the service call. He spoke over me, was defensive and argumentative. He stated that most customers would not want the service rep. to "take apart" their faucet. I stated that the source of the leaks could have easily been determined while waiting for the leak under the sink. Vince stated that he had recorded our telephone conversation (without me knowing) which could be found to be illegal in certain cases. Since that conversation, I realized that our home security cameras not only record 12 second video recordings, but also audio recordings. I have not reviewed all of my recordings but there are several where you can hear the discussions pertaining to the leaks.
This service call could have been easily resolved by removing the handle. It could have been done while waiting for the leak to reoccur. Vince stated that he would get back to me on 3/2/20. I have not heard from him as of this date.
I would recommend staying away from this plumber. He lost 2 additional jobs in our home. read more