some landlords just don't get it

Bill_24

happy holidays to all!

Just got a call from a person looking for a price on
an lp. fired hot air furnace. So I ask him how many btu's
he needs. Says he's not sure all the tags are gone off his
existing furnace, so I tell him that without doing a proper
heat loss for the house I can't size the furnace. AH, but
he is insistant on me selling him one that will do 1200-1300 sq. ft. I promptly tell him i will not size the unit that way. He then tells me he is leaving for christmas vacation this afternoon and he can't get me the info to size the system until after christmas.

Now comes the real good part, wonders if we install the units or just sell them? I tell him we only sell them as we are a supply house, wants me to recommend a contractor. So i ask if this is a new install or an existing system, he tells me it is a existing system but he has problems with the duct work. Seems it is shooting flames out the duct. I PROMPTLY tell him to IMMEDIATLY shut down the system. Says he can't because he has tenants who need heat!!! I tell him to shut it off anyway and find the tenants alternate housing for now. He doesn't think it will start a fire. I go on to explain the entire CO problem and that his tenants might not wake up for christmas.

His response was he'll think about it. "THINK ABOUT IT", I said, do it and do it NOW!!!!!! Said he'd think about it but had to go catch his flight. Sorry I didn't get the B@#$^%S name, I would be on the phone as I type this getting someone overthere a.s.a.p.

I know this is a rant&rave but i needed to vent. Again happy safe holidays to all.

Bill

Dave DeFord

Caller ID?

If you have caller ID this should ID the scum. If not since this is a public safty issue you might be able to get the phone company to help you out. They will say that they don't have that information but the fact is that they do - for billing if for no other purpose. Good luck.

jp_2

call fire marshall

I would relay this story to the fire marshall, you could be saving someones life.

Mad Dog

You aren't ranting...you are saving lives

It's nice to see a wholesaler who has some good knowledge, some guts, and a genuine concern. God Bless Ya....Yeah I would turn him in if you can find his number. Most landlords don't listen. Mad Dog

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

kevin coppinger_4

I hear you...

I went to do a no heat call about a month ago and found this steamer out of oil AND out of water...asked the landlord when the last time he blew it down was....said "I have owned the building for 12 yrs....its NEVER been done...I couldn't belive it...I hopefully will be replacing it cone spring...kpc

Steamhead

In most areas

if you want to get the last number that called your house/business/whatever, just pick the phone up and dial *69. You will hear the number being read back to you.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

[Deleted User]

it's not only landlordes

The stand-by guy went on a call of heavy black smoke from the chimney of a school. He found the chimney fell into itself and blocked the flue causing a draft problem. Flue gas was also leaking back into the boiler room due to this and no make-up air. He called me on the radio and said he and another person felt dizzy with a slight headache. I told him to shut down the boiler and get out of the building with the others and write up the work ticket to say what he found. He did so and and now he may pay the price. The boss and the people in charge of school boiler maintenance are taking a fit. They say he should not have put that in writing and it would get them in trouble as this has been going on for two years and why couldn't he just fix it. He now is afraid he will lose his job because the city threatened to not re-new the contract. I made the call so, I guess I am the guilty party. I at least can go to sleep with a clear conscience knowing no one was hurt. In my opinion, if nothing was noted on the ticket that there was something wrong and someone got sick or worse, a court would see that as negligence. Any of you guys with kids in school, as stupid as it may seem, take a look around the boiler room. You would be amazed at what you might find. Any Comments?

kevin coppinger_4

Tell your friend that...

if he does lose his job to go to the newspaper /TV station in town w/ his story ...could be pretty interesting... he was protecting himself and others...kpc

Bill_24

GOT HIM!!!!

Just got another call from my unknown landlord. Stupid idiot had yet to turn off the furnace. Sweet talked him enough to get the address, and his name. Gave the fire marshall a call who promptly went over and turned it off, YEAH!!!!!!

Landlord called back after he got call from tenant about the visit from the fire marshall, they are getting alternate housing till the unit is replaced. Guess the tenants got well informed from the fire marshall about CO and come to find out they all had been experiencing bad headaches the last week or so. Landlord actually thanked me in the end, and bought the new unit from me too.

Also got call from tenant, he too thanked me very much!!!! Glad this one came to a good conclusion. Now I will be able to sleep tonight, made my holiday season!!!

Again happy holidays to all!

Bill

MikeB34

definitely

The media would have a hey-day with a story like that. I would think the school officials would (should) lose their jobs.

Mike

Luke Lefever

Hey if you install a barometric draft diverter horizontally on an oil fired boiler, in series with the flue, right on top of the flue collector... will it vent right? Flapper door pinned shut by flue collector. Not installed in side of vent.. intalled in vent! New install, customer fired it up, went to work, came home to find the house completely sooted up. they called us because they "think there might be something wrong". I wish I knew who installed it... they should be shot. Just my rant for today. Merry Christmas everyone.

Luke Lefever

MikeB34

Einstein was right

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its LIMITS!

Shooting would be too quick for whoever did that! lucky no one was home and hurt.

Mike

Unknown

EVERYBODY wins.

I wish more would turn out well like this one.

Noel

George_10

Chalk one up for the good people

You really should enjoy your holiday season as it seems to me you did the right thing. Stories like this should be made public so others may be made aware of the dangers. If more people were aware, fewer people would die of gross negligence or ignorance. The story's ending made it all the better. Merry Christmas

MikeB34

THANK GOD!

Well done. I am glad the landlord saw the good in what you did. You saved lives. Thats the best present to give.

My eternal respects to you SIR!

Mike