I recently hired a plumber to fix a few leaks and drips. He spend about
45 minutes trying to fix my leaking bathroom sink, but failed and said I
am SOL. He couldn't get the seat out because it was stripped, and
smoothing it out didn't do the trick. The drip is getting worse daily.

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of labor
even though he failed to fix the sink?

I'm also now stuck facing a costly remodel of my bathroom. The sink is 50
years old and the vanity is custom. If I replace the sink, I will have
to tear out the vanity, the ceramic tile splash-back, and put in new
flooring because there is nothing else on the market that fits. Not
something I want to do. The plumber said it is possible to pull the sink
out of the wall so that the faucet valves can be replaced, but this would
likely be more expensive than installing a new vanity sink.
Sigh...

Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's competence...

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of labor
even though he failed to fix the sink?

Do you refuse to pay your doctor when he can't cure an incurable disease?


Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's
competence...

I would call a 2nd plumber, but explain the problem ahead of time. If he
thinks he can fix it, let him try. Ordinarily I wouldn't suggest that, but
in view of the cost for not being able to fix it...

Some things can`t be fixed and he tried , If you like it remove it and
replace the plumbing. He put in the time so he should be paid. If you
don`t trust him you could pay someone again for likely the same answer.

Call a second plumber. There are ways to get the seat out. Tom

"pgg" wrote in message

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of labor
even though he failed to fix the sink?

Sure. You asked him to come out and he did. He tried, but evidently it
cannot be fixed. Sometimes that happens and you don't know until you try.



I'm also now stuck facing a costly remodel of my bathroom. The sink is 50
years old and the vanity is custom.


Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's
competence...

I question your ability to understand thing mechanical. Sure, call the
second ;plumber and be prepared to pay him not to fix it. After 50 years,
things wear. He cannot add metal to a worn seat. Washers only take up some
much slack. If a bearing wears out on a motor, do you fix it or replace it?
If the rings on your car engine wear out, do you fix them or replace them?
If the soles of your shoes sear out, to you fix them or replace them?

Only way to avoid the re-model is to buy a new house. This one is worn out
already.

pgg wrote:

I recently hired a plumber to fix a few leaks and drips. He spend about
45 minutes trying to fix my leaking bathroom sink, but failed and said I
am SOL. He couldn't get the seat out because it was stripped, and
smoothing it out didn't do the trick. The drip is getting worse daily.

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of labor
even though he failed to fix the sink?

I'm also now stuck facing a costly remodel of my bathroom. The sink is 50
years old and the vanity is custom. If I replace the sink, I will have
to tear out the vanity, the ceramic tile splash-back, and put in new
flooring because there is nothing else on the market that fits. Not
something I want to do. The plumber said it is possible to pull the sink
out of the wall so that the faucet valves can be replaced, but this would
likely be more expensive than installing a new vanity sink.
Sigh...

Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's competence...


It sounds like the faucets come out of the wall and not up through the
back rim of the sink.

Or maybe they are coming up through the rear rim of the sink but the
plumber thinks there's nothing made today which can replace them?

Is that what's making just replacing the faucets such a big job?

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"

"pgg" wrote in message
news
I recently hired a plumber to fix a few leaks and drips. He spend about
45 minutes trying to fix my leaking bathroom sink, but failed and said I
am SOL. He couldn't get the seat out because it was stripped, and
smoothing it out didn't do the trick. The drip is getting worse daily.

I haven't had one stuck like that even on an old house. Try penetration oil
if that doesn't do it try a little heat - that always worked. Careful not
too much or you'll have to re-solder the fittings - assuming you have copper
pipes.

OP-


Is it the sink that leaks (unlikely) or one of the faucet valves?

I've seen a lot of bathrooms & I'm having trouble imagining how a bad
faucet could require a "a costly remodel of my bathroom" to remedy.

How about a picture?

cheers
Bob

pgg wrote:
I recently hired a plumber to fix a few leaks and drips. He spend
about 45 minutes trying to fix my leaking bathroom sink, but failed
and said I
am SOL. He couldn't get the seat out because it was stripped, and
smoothing it out didn't do the trick. The drip is getting worse
daily.

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of
labor even though he failed to fix the sink?

If your boss gave you a job and you spent the day working on it and
found out that it could not be done, would you expect to be paid?

If the plumber was charging you based on a fixed fee for the job, then
no he should not be paid, but if he was working by the hour, the answer is a
clear yes, he should be paid and if you don't, you may rightly end up with a
lien on your home.


I'm also now stuck facing a costly remodel of my bathroom. The sink
is 50 years old and the vanity is custom. If I replace the sink, I
will have
to tear out the vanity, the ceramic tile splash-back, and put in new
flooring because there is nothing else on the market that fits. Not
something I want to do. The plumber said it is possible to pull the
sink
out of the wall so that the faucet valves can be replaced, but this
would likely be more expensive than installing a new vanity sink.
Sigh...

Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's
competence...

I see nothing that would indicate your first plumber needs replaced.


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia's Muire duit

Thas a custom vanity alrighty.

So rip it out or fix it or hire another pro or leave it alone take yur
pick

On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 02:34:29 GMT, pgg
wrote:

I recently hired a plumber to fix a few leaks and drips. He spend about
45 minutes trying to fix my leaking bathroom sink, but failed and said I
am SOL. He couldn't get the seat out because it was stripped, and
smoothing it out didn't do the trick. The drip is getting worse daily.

First question I have is should he have charged me for 45 minutes of labor
even though he failed to fix the sink?
Yes the plumber should be paid for his time.



I'm also now stuck facing a costly remodel of my bathroom. The sink is 50
years old and the vanity is custom. If I replace the sink, I will have
to tear out the vanity, the ceramic tile splash-back, and put in new
flooring because there is nothing else on the market that fits. Not
something I want to do. The plumber said it is possible to pull the sink
out of the wall so that the faucet valves can be replaced, but this would
likely be more expensive than installing a new vanity sink.
Sigh...

Any advice? Should I call a 2nd plumber? I question the man's competence...


I would call a second plumber just because it is worth another minimum
fee to be sure that the faucet can't be salvaged. Everyone has
different experience and the second guy might have a trick the first
one doesn't know about.

Why can't you just replace the faucet? Even in a custom sink you
should be able to find something new that can be made to work.

Steve B.