Shame on OJ Plumbing

Tom_35

So many times, we read or hear questions from our customers and then don't provide an answer that they can begin to understand.

Mark not only provided an answer, but he provided hope, a person to contact, instructions on how to get others involved from the co-op. I'm betting that Sarah feels a lot better about their problem after reading his post.

Thanks Mark, your answer was a good reminder that we need to listen better to customers and our fellow workers.

Tom Atchley

Sarah_5

Shame on OJ plumbing

We are experiencing extreme water hammer in our 5th floor apartment. We live in a coop, and we found OJ Plumbing through this website.
They required payment upfront, and then they didn't fix the problem. They have hemmed and hawed about returning to the building, and the boiler is back on, the banging as loud as ever.
Dan, you should think about removing them from your list, unless they get their act together and finish what they've started. They claim to be pros, but their professionalism and their skill is noticeably lacking.
I am exhausted at the prospect of another winter of sleepless nights.

RoosterBoy

did they pipe your heating in copper and use copper bell hangers or copeper to hang the pipes with.

if so change to plastic it will stop the banging

Constantin

Well, perhaps some of the luminaries here can help.

Would you mind sharing some of the particulars to your system? The more information the folk here have, the more they can help you. Venting about a contractor probably feels pretty good, but it won't get your water hammer fixed. Plus, it might make the remaining pros apprehensive about stepping up to the plate to fix your system.

Jim S

sounds like

a steam piping problem,not plumbing.

jackchips_2

I'm with you

Constantin. Always better to get both sides. The plumber should not have been listed.

Jack

Sarah_5

point taken

I wish I knew the particulars. As we live in a coop, we're kept in the dark. My understanding is that the company, which claims to specialize in water hammer problems, promised in writing to fix the problem. Now they are not returning calls from the building staff. The original agreement was signed more than six months ago, before the boiler was turned off for the summer. It's now back on again.
I will try to find out the specifics and post, but I'm a lay person. I have tried to understand the plumbing, but it's very complicated. Hence, I rely and place my trust in the professionals to figure it out. What are a consumer's options? My husband and I keep reading this sight, which is very helpful, but we're not in a position to tell the professional how to do their job, besides being reliant on the coop, the actual consumer.
My frustration largely comes from six months of constantly interrupted sleep. For a while we slept on the floor in our front room.
Would insulation around the pipe deaden the noise? We're desparate.
And if a company has been negligent, and I willingly acknowledge that I don't fully understand the other side, when do paying customers have a right to inform other potential customers?
If this is supposed to only be for technical stuff, my apologies, and I won't post again.

[Deleted User]

Valid points for sure...

Sarah, It sounds as if you and your coop (is that pronounced coop or co - op...?) have been fidle fadeled by the fickle finger of fate...

As for the soloution to the problem, I'd suggest you hire a consultant from here by the name of Frank Wilsey. His total cost divided by the members of the coop will see a return on thier investment immediately.

As for the "bad guys", purchasing the services of ANYONE selling ANYTHING off the internet requires substantial background checks to make sure they're for real and worthwhile. Even from this web site.


You can't control the work in the field from a website.

In regards to your problem, is it the heating system that hammers (most probably) or the domestic water plumbing system?

In either case, certainly there is resolve. One thing though, in order for it to work, the WHOLE coop has to be in for it. Otherwise, it is for naught. It has to be done completely under a "campaign". If done properly, you will see an immediate reduction in energy consumption, and an increase in the overall comfort levels, and a SUBSTANTIAL reduction in noise generation.

And you too may get a good nights sleep:-)

If what your plumber did was necessary, and was of value, then move on, it would probably have been necessary any way. It's kind of like buying a junker to get around with. It breaks down on the highway. Noise and parts a going every which way. Smoke, almost fire...

The mechainc fixes the engine only to find out that the transmission went during the break down too. He fixes that only to find that the rear end has locked up as well..

Finally gets that fixed only to discover that your tire is flat too... Will this thing ever hit the road???

The same thing is happening with your system.

You will eventually find resolution...

Good Luck!

ME

bigugh_4

And there it is again,

Communication! The reason for so many of our ills. From war to teenagers to marital problems to water hammer to the next problem. Communication, a two way two person endeavor. Listening,feedback,Telling. Will we ever learn to communicate effectivily?

DanHolohan

I've made

the contractor aware of this thread, Sarah.

jim lockard

B-4

We build a gallows. Allow me to suggest we get all the facts from all of the parties involved. Nothing less will do. Best Wishes J.Lockard

Steamhead (in transit)

Sarah, check your e-mail

Thanks, Mark!

Ken_8

Sarah...

I do not know of any ethical contractor who demands full payment before any services are rendered. Perhaps a deposit, but not all up-front.

However, I know of no client who would be so naieve as to pre-pay the entire amount, without some form of evidence that the job was done properly...

Are we correct in asuming a "Board" of some sort, collectively made the decision to have this contractor be the one to do the work? Or was the work for your condo alone - allowing you to engage his services one on one, and not as part of the condo group?

Can we assume there is one big steam boiler in the building, and each co-op owner is assesed a portion of the maintenance fees?

We've been to Brooklynn more than a few times in the past month. We're in Rahway, about 10 minutes from the Goethals Bridge and S.I.

If we can help, drop us a line

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