UPDATE: Though it took, repeated, daily calls to the property managers, when the job was finally completed, to my laymen's eyes, XTREME PLUMBERS did excellent work, including running the emergency temp release valve pipe outside the unit and the apartment building, as well as installing a new, sturdy water heater platform. Though the apartment had no hot water for 10 days, it was eventually restored, six days after the plumber's first visit. Throughout, the XP staff were very cooperative, accommodating and friendly.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
FULL DISCLOSURE: The Property Management company for my landlord engaged Xtreme Plumbers (XP), which means XP works for THEM, and, not ME, thus significantly limiting my interaction with XP. My sense is, XP's "hands" may be tied. It's hard to know, though. So, this disappointing review is being posted reluctantly, and, with a measure of regret.
XP has a VERY affable, calm, articulate and attentive office staff (...I have never met any of the plumbers, who, in response to my calls to the property manager's emergency repair line, and, in response to the written Maintanance Requests I submitted along with the photos I'd taken, did the work while I was away from the apartment, dealing with my late parents' estate).
Evidently, XP left the job site, telling the property managers that the repairs to a malfunctioning water heater were complete, even though the water heater has not been restored to working order and remains non-operational, four days later.
In fairness to XP, it seems, 1) they may be limited to do ONLY those repairs authorized by the property managers (I am merely the tenant), which may put XP in a terrible pickle, if it has to leave behind a non-functioning water heater; and, 2) XP is dependant on property managers to forward my daily reports, asking when will the job be completed, and when will hot water be restored?, but those messages never make it to XP.
All this to say, think carefully before you choose to use Xtreme Plumbers. The evidence appears to indicate they left a repair job, saying that the repairs were complete, when evidence indicates they were not. The control unit on appliance itself continues to indicate the water heater is not working, and, it goes without saying that there is still no hot water.
Of much greater concern to me, is, it APPEARS that the water heater was turned ON, and set to "HOT", but that the Pilot Light was NOT lit. (Did that mean there was an open gas line/leak? I've since had the appliance turned OFF. In a phone call to report the possible gas leak to So Cal Gas, the rep I spoke to, did not seem to think it was an emergency.
Again, in fairness to Xtreme Plumbers, evidently, the property manager decided it was ok for me to be without hot water, and to take very cold showers for three days, before Xtreme Plumbers were even scheduled. I can tolerate cold showers. I had much greater safety concerns about whether the stability and integrity of the platform supporting the 40-gallon tank had been compromised, and might collapse, since the appliance had suddenly discharged very hot water directly onto the floor and the platform supporting the tank, and the tank began to lean to the side. (If the platform collapsed, would it sever a gas line and cause an explosion? The tank is 8' away from an oven/stove with 6, burning pilot lights.)
It's now been 4 days since Xtreme Plumbers supposedly completed the repairs, but still, no hot water. If XP was my company, I would think professional integrity and reputation would dictate that I would not sign-off on a job, nor allow my workers to sign-off on a job, unless I, or my workers, could say with absolute assurance, that the job was competed, and that the worksite was safe and secure.
Three days after the water heater's emergency discharge pipe spewed water all over the floor, I had to leave town to join my siblings, working to settle our late parents' estate. Believing I was leaving a potentially unsafe situation, I've had a dear friend being my eyes and boots on the ground. Daily reports of the unfinished job and non-functioning water heater, have required me to redirect my limited resources to conduct daily follow-ups, phone calls and emails with the property manager and, finally, directly, with Xtreme Plumber. I will return to my apartment soon, but, I'll never get all the time I've lost, back from the property manager and Xtreme Plumbers. Somehow, I believe Xtreme Plumber is better than this. I'd like to think, that had I been allowed to hire them directly, I might be having a far better experience. Under the circumstances, I only have questions regarding Xtreme Plumbers reliability and unfortunate doubts about their professional integrity. read more
