Back to birds tomorrow. Or at least soon.
For the last week I’ve been consumed by a potentially disastrous leak in my sprinkler system. The leak was in the supply line (where it attaches to the sprinkler manifold) to my back sprinkler box, which is right next to my the foundation of my house. So my finished basement was in imminent danger of being flooded – a very big deal.
For the first few days I attempted to repair it myself, which involved digging it out to fully expose all the valves and PVC pipes so I could work on them. But with two recently “installed” metal rods and associated screws in my back, the work was agonizingly painful and slow. So eventually I gave up and called a sprinkler repairman.
That was a mistake. At least calling the specific repairman I called was a mistake – an expensive one.
This is what my supply line, manifold, sprinkler valves and pipes looked like after the “fix”. He told me to “wait until tomorrow” to use my sprinklers so the pipe glue could set completely, which I did. When I tested all four back zones – yes, the supply line leak had been fixed but now I had two more leaks below the valves. And when I tried repeatedly to contact the repairman to get him to come back and fix his botched job he had disappeared, as if by magic. He just ignored my efforts to contact him (long story, but those are the basics).
So, it had cost me $460 and a week of pain and frustration to go from one leak to two.
I was so pissed off I knew that I’d better put it out of my mind for a few days to let my blood pressure stabilize before somehow tackling it again, which I did. After a three day cooling off period I did what I should have done the first time. I visited Sprinkler Supply Company, an outfit I trust, to get their recommendation for a reliable sprinkler repairman. They recommended Malcom.
This time I’d had enough. My sprinkler system is an old one so Malcom and I decided to replace and redesign everything in the sprinkler box, including valves, manifold and pipe connections and move the whole shebang a short distance to a better location.
This is what the inside of my sprinkler box looks like after all of Malcom’s work – everything’s new, compact, neat and tidy and there are no leaks. And Malcom charged me less than I paid the fly-by-night bozo who charged me $460 to go from one leak to two. Live and learn.
Thanks, Malcom. It was refreshing to work with a real professional and as a bonus, you were interesting and fun to talk to.
Ron
Sorry your back limits your work right now. You’ll have less pain if you take care and not overdo.we learned early on to not trust most repair ppl. The often break something else and do a crappy job on the original problem.Linda
I”ve done a lot of pipe repairs and yours looked pretty straightforward compared to some wonders I’ve encountered. If the bozo can screw up something as easy as yours, its sobering to think what he has done to more difficult ones. BTW, smart move to get it away from the concrete — that is a sign that Malcolm was watching out for you in the future.
Yeah, three of the old valves were actually touching the concrete. It was a mess to try to work on them.
So funny to read all the comments of folks who’ve had similar experiences *many* years ago and they *still* feel that pain … count me in! 😠 I’m sorry about your own misfortune to pick the wrong guy, and glad you found the right guy to fix the other one’s mess! It’s definitely “live and learn,” as well as “live and let go.”
Tomorrow— birds!! 😊
Chris, “live and let go” isn’t going to be so easy for me.
I feel and recognise your pain. Hooray for Malcolms. Who would be very welcome here too.
Thanks, EC.
Yeah, I like Malcolm’s solution a whole lot better!! Sorry you encountered the first guy, seems like we all run into someone like that occasionally. I had one last week that I’m still not very happy about – and I thought I was finally getting wiser in my old age!
Good news is, no more worries about the sprinkler, you can re-focus on birds!
“If it ever springs a leak I’m selling the house.”
Knock on wood, Quentin. I hope so.
I wonder if Malcom will come to western Washington.
I have eight valve boxes, a backflow preventer at the main line, 12 zones, and haven’t been able to figure out why 2 zones aren’t working. And the one guy who was willing to come out had to get some fancy gizmo to trace the underground wires. That was about a month ago and he hasn’t been back. If it ever springs a leak I’m selling the house.
“If it ever springs a leak I’m selling the house.”
I get it, Lyle!
Glad Malcolm was able to help you. (I wonder if he travels — I’ve got some major sprinkler issues going on right now.)
Time to put the bozo “on blast,” especially as he ghosted you. We had a similar situation with our plumbing which left us minus $1500 and plus a chipped toilet, another leak, and a bunch of broken concrete in our backyard (because of course he didn’t remove the debris he made). We ended up calling the plumber my parents used and got everything fixed for half the price. It was 20+ years ago and my hubby still gets angry about it. I told a realtor friend about our experience and she passed on the message at their area realtor meeting — the expensive bozo is now on their “not recommended” list.
Ha, so far folks want Malcom to work for them in Idaho, Colorado and now California. Poor guy is only one repairman in one truck so I doubt he’ll travel that far… 🙂
Edit: Add Washington to that list. I just read Lyle’s comment.
I’m only about 20 minutes from Disneyland — maybe that will put me in the running. 😉
Argh! Ron, we feel your pain and annoyance at the incompetent “repair” person! We hired a fellow once to repair a sinkhole in our driveway, concrete it instead of cover it in asphalt, etc. He said he was a contractor but I didn’t get his number and check it with the Oregon Contractors Board…because I didn’t yet know about it! That was a much more expensive mistake than yours was! So, now I ask the number every time, look ‘em up, see what sort if complaints they have on their record, and hire accordingly!
Today, I need to go walk a pup because until our baby Western Bluebirds fledge, I avoid letting him scare them by zooming in the back yard!
I’ve learned my lesson, Barbara. Next time I’ll be more careful and next time I need sprinkler work done I’ll call Malcom.
Oooh! I’m really sorry to hear bout your frustrations and upset. Been there, done that with horrible “pros” that were just petulant, bad tempered, badly trained children with bad attitudes towards customers and the idea of doing things properly. I am glad you got it fixed and found reliable help and your house is safe and your b.p. back to normal. Your photos and commentary are worth waiting for.
Thank you, Granny Pat.
Nothing more likely to piss off a fella is paying a bozo that does a botched job, and then disappears. Don’t ask me how I know. It was years ago and it still pisses me off thinking about it.
Thank God there are Malcoms out there.
I’ll remember this one for a long time too, Michael.
Haven’t we all been there at one point and time or another? I’m having those spring irrigation line experiences now. I like Malcolm. One for the work he did and two, my fathers name, as was his fathers name. (my gramps). Aside from family….., I’m wondering if Malcolm likes working in Colorado. Glad to see honest folks still exist, happy pipes, happy life.
“Happy pipes, happy life.”
Loved that, Deb.
No birds today, but lots of leaks. Here in Prescott we have very little grass anywhere so everything is drip instead of sprinklers. I always contact the Yavapai County Contractors Association for a recommendation before calling anyone. That way I always get a repair person or contractor who is guaranteed to be licensed and recommended. Have never had a problem with a contractor of any kind. Hope all will work well now Ron and allow you to return to birds asap.
I hope so too, Everett. I’ve had enough of that crap from shady repairmen.
UGH! Bad enough to have the problem and then to get taken by, basically, a scam artist….Glad you were able to come up with someone competent that didn’t try and bankrupt you in the process.
Can be a real challenge to come up with someone when it’s an infrequent occurance that you aren’t likely to have friends with experience in it. Have some tree removal coming up that may be interesting that way….
It’s “Miller time”. Had noticed one a few days back and when I lowered the outside shades this morning down they came……… 😉
Ahhh, millers in Montana – so many unpleasant memories.
My younger sister and I were talking about them recently when they had a miller invasion in New Mexico. She despises them. Actually, she’s terrified by them and has been since she was a kid.
Thank you for sharing. Good repairmen deserve publicity. And more young people need to learn the trades! The high school students that I know either want to be designers, influencers, lawyers… or fast food workers. :sigh:
That last “profession” on your list surprised me, Cheryl. I guess I’ve been away from teaching too long…
So frustrating, and so hard to know if you can trust that the person or company you hire is reliable and competent. Glad you found Malcolm. Certainly wish you’d found him in the first, rather the second, place. Home ownership has so many pitfalls.
Pitfalls indeed, Susan. And the two of us have experienced our share.
Ron! You’re a true story-teller. This is as fascinating as your bird posts. And, a happy ending. Pix not as beautiful though!
“Pix not as beautiful though.”
Ya think!
Thanks for the compliment aout my story-telling, Kate.
UGH! I am glad you found someone who was competent to repair your system and avert a disaster. Plus, a wonderful bonus to have someone interesting.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks, Kaye. The whole thing was quite an experience.
Sigh. Very frustrating!
Yup. And maddening.