Recent post by Mr. Lamond on Angie's List about work performed by the folks at Carter's My Plumber:
Work Completed Date:
January 17, 2013
Hire Again:
Yes
Description Of Work:
Our sump pump was
replaced, and we also had a consultation over our battery backup sump pump.
Member Comments:
We had just
experienced a great deal of snow (about 15 inches in some areas), which was
melting fast. On top of that, we had rain for an entire weekend. I was on my
way to check and make sure that the battery back up was charged and ready to go
to prevent any basement flooding. When I came down, into the basement, the
battery back up was beeping. I checked the cells, and everything was good, I
heard the pump going, and checked the sump pit. Everything looked ok. The sump
pit was a bit fuller than normal, but considering all of the water coming down
into our drains, that made since. I reset the alarm, and went on about my day.
A couple of hours later, I found myself needing to go back down to the basement
to put some holiday decorations away. The battery backup was beeping again! I
went and checked the battery, and now the display showed that the backup pump
was engaged. I looked down in the sump pit, and it was even fuller than it had
been a couple hours ago. Now, I was getting concerned.
I am a data analyst for an insurance company. I will freely admit that if
there's a person who knows nothing about plumbing, he more than likely knows
more than me. So, when I saw the sump pit continue to fill with water, but yet
heard the pump going, I was confused. The only thing I could think was that the
outflow was clogged. At this point, it was pretty dark out, freezing, and of course,
our outflow goes directly into a pond in just beyond our back yard fence. I'm
not a fisherman, so I had no waders to get into the pond with. My wife and I
fashioned some make-shift waders with garbage bags and duct tape. Yes -- this
actually happened. So, I go out, into the pond -- which was less than
comfortable, and find our outflow. There was a small trickle coming out. I
reached into the outflow, hoping that I wouldn't find any dead animals that may
have been trapped in there. All I found was grass. I reached in, and pulled out
about a 2ft plug of grass clippings and dirt. Then the water started coming
more steadily. Not gushing, but certainly more than it had been. I went back
into the basement to see if we had any progress in the sump pit. We had some
progress, but not nearly what I was expecting. Encouraged, but still concerned,
I had resolved to call a plumber out during the weekend to take a look at what
was happening. For now, the water was still receding.
The next morning, I went and checked on the sump pump's progress, to find
FLOODING!!! Granted, it was not much, it had only gotten as far as a couple of
feet away from the sump it. But we had just finished the basement last year --
all was not good. We tried calling other companies in the area, such as ARS, or
Dial One, but we were told that they would not be able to make it out that day.
I had visions of bailing water all day until someone could come out -- then my
father-in-law suggested Carter's. He had seen the truck around our area before.
We called and was informed that they would have someone there soon. They
couldn't give an exact window yet, because they had just opened and hadn't had
a chance to speak with any of their plumbers.10 minutes later, we got a call
from Jason (the plumber coming out to our house), who said he should be there
in about 20 minutes. 15 minutes later, the doorbell rang, and there he was.
I took Jason down to the basement where the sump pump was, and he immediately
identified the problem. He informed me that the primary pump had died due to a
failure in the float sensor. The pumping that we had heard the entire time was
the back up (surprised me -- it was certainly loud enough to convince me it was
the primary pump). I asked Jason if there was an issue with the back up pump,
since it was clearly not keeping up.
Jason was very patient in explaining to me how the sump pit is filled by
perimeter drains that basically surround our house, and that sump pumps are
generally purchased based on square footage of the house. The battery backup
that I had purchased was the biggest that Home Depot had to offer, and he
acknowledged that, but he also showed specifications on that model,
illustrating that it was indeed not sufficient for the square footage of our
house. Considering that it was slowly overtaken the previous night, but was
still running, I had to admit, that made a lot of sense.
Now, it was time to decide on a new sump pump. Carter's offers installation of
3 levels of sump pumps. Jason was very knowledgeable about each pump, allowing
me to review each pump, while basically reciting the specs by memory. Jason
explained that I could probably get away with the smallest level, provided we
didn't have a deluge of rain, but recommended the next level up. Having seen a
flooded basement before at an old girlfriend's house, I didn't really want to
take any chances. The next level up in sump pumps was almost double the cost,
however, the level up from that was only a couple hundred more than the
mid-level.
I was ready to seriously just get the highest level based on the price
difference, just to have the peace of mind that all would be well. Jason talked
me down from that, and again, explained how everything worked with sump pumps,
and their relation to square footage vs. gallons pumped per minute. This was a
plumber trying to save me money?!?!? After several more minutes of Jason very
patiently, and politely answering my questions and concerns, I decided to go
with the mid level sump pump. The actual installation took about 10 - 15
minutes, and Jason even took my old sump pump to dispose of.
When the work is done, Jason asked if I was happy with the battery backup, and
I stated that I thought it was better than nothing, but if there's something
that could keep up better, than I would definitely be looking into it. He
advised that his company installs them, and they were pricey -- even by his own
admission and said that if we wanted to upgrade the back up, to call Carter's
and if we wanted, we could even ask for him by name. I think he said it would
have been around $2,000 (YIKES) installed. Then he said that the price was more
for the control panel than the battery. The battery is maintenance free and
good for about 5 years, as opposed to my 2-3 year battery, which requires monthly
refills of distilled water. The control panel also gives specifics as to what's
happening, as opposed to 4 or 5 LED lights that have a vague definition next to
them and this battery is good for 180 hours of continual pumping, as opposed to
my battery's 7.5 hours.
I told Jason that I am definitely interested in a system like that, but again,
he advised that I not order it right then and there -- stating that the new
pump is handling things well, and the current backup is still good, as long as
we don't have massive amounts of drainage, like we had the past few days at
that time -- which is rather rare. Jason said he would place the order if we
wanted, but said if you can budget for it, his company definitely promotes that
(saving me money again!)
When we were going over the paperwork, and making payment arrangements, Jason
took his time, and made sure I understood what I was signing my name on. While
I was re-reading everything, 2 things happened. First, he got a phone call from
another customer, and advised that he was in the area and could meet with the
customer for a consultation -- free of charge. No consultation fee?? I've never
heard of that with a plumbing company! Second, I was looking over the
statement, and found that I was given a first time customer discount of 10% --
saving me about $100! In addition to that discount, the service fee (what all
these company charge just for coming out) was waived! I honestly didn't know or
ask if that was also a first time customer thing. But even if it wasn't -- I
saw that the normal amount was $60.00. Considering ARS and Dial 1 charge around
$90 just to grace us with their presence, I made sure to remember that little
detail. I was given a comment card, and gave Jason and Carter's a glowing
review, and then a couple of days later, I received a thank you card in the
mail, hand written, thanking me for my business and mentioning Jason by name.
Also signed by the "The Carters" -- obviously, inferring ownership of
the company.
I will definitely use Carter's again, and recommend them to anyone who asks,
and probably many others who don't. Additionally, I've added them to my speed
dial list on my house phone and cell phone. I could not be happier!!!
