Plumbing (Need HELP)

[zac4u333]

I'll try to be brief, Sometime last year we lost pressure on the hot water side. (Pipes needed to be replaced), I called a plumber and was quoted about $1,100.00 to replumb the whole house, we don't have 1100.00, this year a main pipe busted, this will obviosly cost more to repair, we're looking at probely between 1500.00 - 2000.00. are there plumbers that do charity work, maybe they'll do it for less, or what are the chances of giving them like half up front, and pay out the rest?, someone please help. THANKS

[Optsol]

While you may not find plumbers who do charity work, you could try bartering.

Did you get more than one estimate?

Maybe you can explain to the plumber that the bare minimum in repair needs to be made -- maybe the plumber quoted "the whole job"?

As a last resort, you can try it yourself. I replaced my furnace two years ago with no knowledge of how to plumb. I bought a torch and some remnant pipe and just kept practice soldering until I got the hang of it -- then I went to work on the real thing. You may think it's way out there to try it -- but it's doable.

You can also ask your question here.... http://forum.doityourself.com/forumdisplay.php?f=124


g/l

[Ima saver]

My husband had never done plumbing in his life til we moved here. We could not find a plumber, so he learned to do it yourself.
I would say talk to a plumber and see if you could pay him so much a month, with interest of course.

[Ima saver]

My husband had to learn how to do his own plumbing. Maybe you could explain to the plumber and ask if he would accept monthly payments, with interest.

[PrincessPerky]

Do they have a plumbing school that could do it for cost?

[jodi]

Like Princess Perky said, check out local vocational schools. I just sent an application in to have body work done on my husband's car and they called us up to bring it in - a $90 savings. I know the same school also has construction, electrical, etc. students, so if there is one by you, they may have plumbing students. They will do it for the cost of the parts, no labor charges. The downside - usually long waiting lists.

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by Optsol

While you may not find plumbers who do charity work, you could try bartering.

Did you get more than one estimate?

Maybe you can explain to the plumber that the bare minimum in repair needs to be made -- maybe the plumber quoted "the whole job"?

As a last resort, you can try it yourself. I replaced my furnace two years ago with no knowledge of how to plumb. I bought a torch and some remnant pipe and just kept practice soldering until I got the hang of it -- then I went to work on the real thing. You may think it's way out there to try it -- but it's doable.

You can also ask your question here.... http://forum.doityourself.com/forumdisplay.php?f=124


g/l

Thanks for the reply, I did only get one quote so far, the whole job dose need to be done, I've been told they will probely have to take out a good chunk of the foundation, as a main pipe has busted. and the 1100.00 quote only covered replumbing "from the main pipe in", now they have to replace the main pipe as well. but thanks nonee the less.

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by jodi_m

Like Princess Perky said, check out local vocational schools. I just sent an application in to have body work done on my husband's car and they called us up to bring it in - a $90 savings. I know the same school also has construction, electrical, etc. students, so if there is one by you, they may have plumbing students. They will do it for the cost of the parts, no labor charges. The downside - usually long waiting lists.

Another good reply, this is a good Idea, what dept. would I ask for this sevice. "no labor" thats good cause I've heard Plumbers charge something like $40.00\hrs.

[flash]

1. We've had plumbing done by a retired friend of a friend for basically free. Ask at work?

2. GREAT site for do it yourself:

Huge range of projects and instructions:
http://www.homedepotmoving.com/proj_...at&prjCatId=28

Specific to replace iron pipes, etc.:
http://www.homedepotmoving.com/proj_...e&pro jId=156

3. Home Depot also offers clinics, and I've had friends hire Home Depot employees to do independent work. No idea if Home Depot has issues with that, but sometimes contractors do work there to fill in the gaps. Often they can refer you to other customers, etc., who need the work.

4. Check out insider pages to see if anyone has posted info on plumbers.

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by flash

1. We've had plumbing done by a retired friend of a friend for basically free. Ask at work?

2. GREAT site for do it yourself:

Huge range of projects and instructions:
http://www.homedepotmoving.com/proj_...at&prjCatId=28

Specific to replace iron pipes, etc.:
http://www.homedepotmoving.com/proj_...e&pro jId=156

3. Home Depot also offers clinics, and I've had friends hire Home Depot employees to do independent work. No idea if Home Depot has issues with that, but sometimes contractors do work there to fill in the gaps. Often they can refer you to other customers, etc., who need the work.

4. Check out insider pages to see if anyone has posted info on plumbers.

While I do like the do it yourself sites, this is one I'm trying not to do myself. but thanks for the reply.

[flash]

One option was do it yourself, but seriously, try www.insiderpages.com, put in your area code and see if there are recommendations for plummers in your area. Many have finance plans, and IMO any should require only a downpayment. Suggest only paying when the work is done.

A few things we have done for a similar problem on a previous house:

1. Call someone in for an estimate, and ask them to break the work down into stages or phases. Have them bid, or estimate, on each phase and on total. If the work package looks big in the long run, many will do the initial stages cheap or discounted if you are going to have more work done in the future.

2. Compare bids. Competition generally helps.

3. Since we could not get to replacing our pipes any time soon, we put in a cut off valve right before the break (ours was more like a big leak). Turn off unless specifically using the pipe, then turn it on only for emergency use, then off and mop up the leak. This would not work on a broken pipe, but you might find a plumber who would put in a temporary fix until you are able to get the whole thing done. You can always say you don't have time to have it done right now, if you don't want to imply you won't be able to pay for the whole job at a future date.

4. I'd still chat with Home Depot employees about who they know that may be looking for work, just starting their business, etc.

5. You can get jobs done "free" by businesses that are just starting up and need money coming in and a reputation. Ever notice signs "fencing by so and so" or "landscaping by so and so"? It does work with plumbing and electrical, too.

Good luck, please post how it's going!

[flash]

Originally Posted by zac4u333

While I do like the do it yourself sites, this is one I'm trying not to do myself. but thanks for the reply.

Apologies for yet another post. But I finally remembered one place we DID get work done free. Do you have a technical college or school nearby? Call and talk to the instructor for plumbers, see if there is someone who could do the job, if they would be interested in using your project for hands on training (gulp), of if the instructor would be interested in doing a job on the side.

When money was really tight, we did this for auto and a few other things, they even purchased our undriveable vehicle to use in class.

As a last resort, pay the money and transfer to a 0% interest card for twelve months. Only you can assess the risk with that.

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by flash

Apologies for yet another post. But I finally remembered one place we DID get work done free. Do you have a technical college or school nearby? Call and talk to the instructor for plumbers, see if there is someone who could do the job, if they would be interested in using your project for hands on training (gulp), of if the instructor would be interested in doing a job on the side.

When money was really tight, we did this for auto and a few other things, they even purchased our undriveable vehicle to use in class.

As a last resort, pay the money and transfer to a 0% interest card for twelve months. Only you can assess the risk with that.

I don't have or Credit Cards, but thanks for your reply \ idea.

[acezz4e_tish]

i would look online for your situational plumbing needs and your local library and do it yourself, that will save you half or more off the top. most things are like 60% labor or it is 67% i believe actually. believe you me, ive been there, a leak in my kids bedroom wall from thier bathroom and the sink in my bathroom the fixture keeps falling! im at witts end, but while learning, i use the other sink.

[AntiCost]

I grew up as a son-of-a-plumber.. Do you notice a loss of pressure in both the hot & cold water lines?

Is the loss more noticable on some faucets? Buildup of dirt in a faucet can cause this problem; either that or the "water flow restrictors" that come in most faucets and shower heads. You can remove these restrictors (usually oversized rubber washers) to increase pressure.

You may also have a buildup of sediment or calcium in your hot water heater/boiler which could cause this..

Get multiple estimates. Right now housing is on a slow down and there will be many more contractors who have to compete to keep working.

Next; if one of you main pipes burst, even underground, you would easily be able to see water rising from the ground or saturation.

-Richie

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by AntiCost

I grew up as a son-of-a-plumber.. Do you notice a loss of pressure in both the hot & cold water lines?

Is the loss more noticable on some faucets? Buildup of dirt in a faucet can cause this problem; either that or the "water flow restrictors" that come in most faucets and shower heads. You can remove these restrictors (usually oversized rubber washers) to increase pressure.

You may also have a buildup of sediment or calcium in your hot water heater/boiler which could cause this..

Get multiple estimates. Right now housing is on a slow down and there will be many more contractors who have to compete to keep working.

Next; if one of you main pipes burst, even underground, you would easily be able to see water rising from the ground or saturation.

-Richie

??? No, loss of pressure is only on the Hot side, mainly in the shower, but is noticable in the kitchen, as well as the washer,

!!! Hot water heater was replaced (used), in an attemp to currect this problem, I don't think it exist in the water heater.

!!! Last year I called a local company, was quoted "About $1,100.00 to repipe the whole house". the other day I called a smaller local company, (Refered), and was quoted "Around $2,200.00 to repipe the whole house"
.

!!! Saturation for sure, the nieghbors came over complaining that thier back yard was flooded. and we could see were the water was coming out from the (raised) foundation.

This is all new to me, my situation continues to become more critical, as the smaller company told me that even if the other company quoted me 1100.00
last year, that he would find it hard to believe that they would say that today. and the fact that I was looking at between 1500.00 - 2000.00, now I find out, we're looking at around 3000.00, (Repipe \ Replace Repair main pipe), I NEED HELP.

Thanks for the reply.

[AntiCost]

Ugh, then in your case get quotes and get the work done soon. I don't see a need to repipe the whole house, but rather just repair the line that's broken.

If you leave this unattended, this could result in longer term problems (mold, uneven settling, as well as lawsuits from neighbors for negligence) that you won't want to deal with. It sucks, but that's what you call "pride of home ownership". Sometimes it's not always what you want..

Call your insurance company to see if any of this is covered; if not, don't let it go on for too long..

-Richie

[zac4u333]

Originally Posted by AntiCost

Ugh, then in your case get quotes and get the work done soon. I don't see a need to repipe the whole house, but rather just repair the line that's broken.

If you leave this unattended, this could result in longer term problems (mold, uneven settling, as well as lawsuits from neighbors for negligence) that you won't want to deal with. It sucks, but that's what you call "pride of home ownership". Sometimes it's not always what you want..

Call your insurance company to see if any of this is covered; if not, don't let it go on for too long..

-Richie

We have turned the water off at the meter, and only use it on an emerg. basis, don't currently have H/O insurance, if not repiped the hot water problem will continue to get worse, ;-).,.,.,.,.,.,. I dunno, someone please help. PLEASE