
I called Tony (owner) and he sent Evan - who was very professional, knowledgeable, and informative. He not only explained that the (very) old sump pump had completely failed, he showed me why: the very very old iron outlet pipe had cracked and then sheared off, forcing the pump to work non-stop 24x7 until it burned out. Evan removed the old pump, float and pipes and then installed the new pump, float, and pipes. The water, now 3 inches deep, was all pumped out in under an hour.
The price was reasonable, and I have confidence in the work in part due to the effective explanations Evan provided.
Fortunately, a year before we had emptied the basement and there was nothing on the floor to be ruined by the storm water.
I called Plumbing Excellence for a second opinion. Jocelyn answered the phone and was very pleasant and helpful. She got me on the schedule the very next morning. The technician, Justin, arrived on time and ran the camera, identified the issue AND the location, and only charged me the $89 service call fee. The issue is not under my basement but in the yard and won't require them to tear up my basement floor. The estimate was very reasonable for the size of the job. They also gave me a narrated video of the camera work that explained the issue and what needed to be fixed.
I was very pleased with my experience with Plumbing Excellence. I highly recommend them. They will be getting my plumbing business from now on.
After speaking with the manager, he explained that it's routine for them to give additional options for appliances and services. The technician quoted me an electric anode rod install and membership.
It did make me feel a little overwhelmed by the price after these quotes, so I did decline them. I think it would be a better approach to print out pamphlets or email them to customers to review and look into upgraded parts or options. That way they can do their own research and decide if they want to go with them before spending the extra money.
I do recommend this company if you have plumbing needs, and the manager said he will take my advice about the pamphlets and look into doing that.
How do I know I need Garbage Disposal Repair or Replacement?
Weird Noises
Normally, your garbage disposal will whir contentedly. Clanking, a sound like grinding gears, or thumping mean that something’s wrong. Perhaps a stray utensil fell in? If nothing fell in, then it could be that certain parts, such as the bearings, are worn out. Never ignore any of these sounds because not only could your disposal sustain damage, but you could also wind up with severe clogs or even a broken pipe.
Speaking of Clogs ...
Your disposal is supposed to chop the food waste into tiny pieces that won’t clog your pipes. So, it stands to reason that if you start to experience clogs, something’s wrong with the chopping blades or the disposal itself. Additionally, dull blades mean that the motor will experience extra wear and tear.
Pungent Odors
Generally, these happen for two reasons: stuck food and/or worn parts. If it’s the latter, then it’s most often the motor itself, which happens frequently because of the extra stress when you have dull blades. In the case of the former, the smells come from food that’s rotting inside either the disposal itself or in the sink’s pipe.
Leaks and/or Pools of Water
Disposals shouldn’t leak at all. If there are water droplets, or there is water pooling beneath the disposal, then it could have a crack. Or, if there is no crack, then the seals could be failing. In any event, you shouldn’t use your disposal at all until you have it repaired.
Faulty Food Grinding
Even in situations where the pipe doesn’t clog, if your disposal doesn’t grind food into tiny bits, then it’s time to have it checked. In such cases, a major problem is never far away.
Constant Resets
Disposals have a fail-safe that will engage in certain situations for both your physical safety and to prevent fire. Most of the time, such frequent resets show an electrical problem that needs immediate repair.
Of course, your disposal could just be too old. Eight years is a normal timeframe for most disposals, though lightly used models can last 10 years or more. We’ll be able to advise you whether you need repair or replacement. Rest assured that, if you do need a replacement, we’ll recommend a top brand that fits your needs.
Why Buddy's for Garbage Disposal Repair?
We’ve served the city of Akron, Ohio, and its surrounding areas for nearly 20 years. Our experience in the industry, our undeniable skills, and our dedication to exemplary service are the foundations of not only our business philosophy but also our A+ rating and full accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.
Do you need immediate assistance? Then, you should have no fear because we believe in plumbing at the speed of NOW. Through our conscientiousness and attention to detail, we strive always to be your fixed-right-the-first-time-plumbers. In fact, you can always count on our motto: You call. We come. It’s fixed. Guaranteed. You might say that we’re in the peace-of-mind business. So, when you need to have us repair or replace your garbage disposal, call us right away at Buddy’s Plumbing Excellence to set up an appointment.