Plumber Rec and Plumbing ?
Ok, I have already contact and rejected all the typical brownstoner plumbers (alladin, gateway, and many others). Has anyone worked with a licensed plumber that is comparatively inexpensive? Note, I do not think that Alladin and Gateway are inexpensive or reasonable in their prices. I need to fix a leak in a union joint and…
Ok, I have already contact and rejected all the typical brownstoner plumbers (alladin, gateway, and many others). Has anyone worked with a licensed plumber that is comparatively inexpensive? Note, I do not think that Alladin and Gateway are inexpensive or reasonable in their prices.
I need to fix a leak in a union joint and a broken gate valve from the water supply line coming into the basement.
One plumber quoted me $250, but he’s unlicensed, as it ends up. Another licensed one that I have verified is licensed says it’ll be about $750. He also is going to do it without freezing any of the water in the pipes, but on the fly, so they’ll cut the pipe open, hold a bucket under it, and try to get a ball valve on it before it spills too much.
Thoughts on whether freezing versus “on the fly” is better?
And any non-typical brownstoner plumber recommendations where the price was reasonable? We are on a super tight budget at this point, as we’ve already overspent our budget on almost everything else!
Thanks!
To answer the question of comparing freezing or “on the fly”..if there’s room to freeze, do it!! Water can be coming in from the street at pressures of 40 psi or greater, a bucket isn’t going to help if there’s problem getting the new valve on (threads could break. Under certain circumstances, we’ve had to do “on the fly” valve replacements where there is no other choice. Freeze if you can, let the Plumbers take their time to do it right the first time. It may be a little more money than you want to spend, but it will cost less than having to call a water main company to come out for an emergency shut down in the street and to have your Cellar pumped of water.
What was his plan for all the water that will come out of the the pipe on the other side of the valve? Pipes are full and in Physics class they taught us that gravity is a downward acting force…..
Good luck.
-SteamMan
I wouldn’t touch the original gate valve. You have to freeze it. The risk of it breaking in the off position is also a possibility.
Try Tommy (917- 907-2315), I’m forgetting the name of his company but he is licensed. His estimates were spot on…he installed my water meter and has fixed some leaks for my brownstone rentals. I highly recommended him, tell him Allan – friend of Jennifer Flores recommended him.
Allan S.
Yes. I highly recommend Nu-Lite in Maspeth. They do it all, heating and plumbing. If I recall correctly, the minimum is $150 ($140?) for one hour, which is not that different from the companies mentioned above. However, they are very fast and reasonable for big jobs. They charged $6500 to install a boiler, which is par for the course, and they did a beautiful job. They quoted me $2000 to install a gas stove line from the cellar to the the top floor. We didn’t end up doing it, but the price was very reasonable. They are very fast and know what they are doing.
I would guess you are talking about your water main coming from the street? If the supply has a gate valve it might just be too old to repair without taking chances of further failure. What’s the condition of the line itself?
If the gate valve is the first device on the incoming line and is broken in the on position just leave it in place and place a ball valve directly in front of it. Then you can repair or replace the union or whatever is ahead of it.
If the old valve can’t be left in place for whatever reason, and if this is the main, freezing or partial freezing is the only way to go. It will be really hard to put on the valve at full flow. You’ll also chance getting a basement full of water. Bucket huh?
Anyway, if the licensed guy is willing to do that work for $750 go for it. That’s relatively inexpensive for main valve replacement. However, doing it on a live main is risky.
However, for not much more you could have the line frozen and the valve properly installed by a licensed company.
-AlexSPK