In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from around
the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it is
probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I asked how much
that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not be over
$100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.

Bob-tx

On 2011-07-28, Bob-tx No wrote:

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I asked how much
that cost. "$300"!!!!

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Sounds like a rip-off to me.

First, I'd call the city and ask if it is, in fact, "the law", and
second, I'd ask if I could do my own smoke test. Can't be too hard.
Just find your cleanout and insert smoke bomb. Also, you might try
calling a couple more plumbers.

nb

--
vi ...the heart of evil

On Jul 28, 10:51*am, notbob wrote:
On 2011-07-28, Bob-tx No wrote:

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. *He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). *I asked how much
that cost. *"$300"!!!!
Question: *Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Sounds like a rip-off to me. *

First, I'd call the city and ask if it is, in fact, "the law", and
second, I'd ask if I could do my own smoke test. *Can't be too hard.
Just find your cleanout and insert smoke bomb. *Also, you might try
calling a couple more plumbers.

nb

--
vi ...the heart of evil

If you do your own smoke test, suggesting you put it into a small can
with a wire through holes in the sides. Otherwise, the bomb can melt
a portion of a plastic pipe.

Redneck smoke test. Light a sealed pack of cigarettes, and
drop in. If that doesn't show any leaks, have Clark Griswold
pour in a gal of gasoline.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Michael B"
wrote in message
...


First, I'd call the city and ask if it is, in fact, "the
law", and
second, I'd ask if I could do my own smoke test. Can't be
too hard.
Just find your cleanout and insert smoke bomb. Also, you
might try
calling a couple more plumbers.

If you do your own smoke test, suggesting you put it into a
small can
with a wire through holes in the sides. Otherwise, the bomb
can melt
a portion of a plastic pipe.

On 7/30/2011 12:02 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
Redneck smoke test. Light a sealed pack of cigarettes, and
drop in. If that doesn't show any leaks, have Clark Griswold
pour in a gal of gasoline.


It doesn't solve the problem of building occupants and FD panicking, but
'smoke' doesn't actually have to be smoke. On TV, they show them using a
fog generator, similar to what DJs used to use for parties, and what
they use shooting movies, to blow non-toxic fog into whatever system
they are testing. Mebbe local DJ/party supply store still has such
devices available to rent. Google shows small ones available for
purchase pretty cheap.

--
aem sends...

"Bob-tx" No Spam no contact wrote in message
. ..
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I asked how
much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not be
over $100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.

Bob-tx

If you are willing to pay to pull the toilet and re-install with a new wax
ring, why do you need a smoke test. The only use it could have is to
identify a leak in the piping or the wax ring, but it would seem more
logical to do the test AFTER replacing the ring, to ensure that the seal is
good. Also, wouldn't the responsibility to call the fire department belong
to the plumber not you. I would call the plumbing inspector to check if they
have such a crazy law and the reason for it, it sounds rip-off to me.

Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing
it is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job
myself.
I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department
they were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I
asked how much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not
be over $100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.


I vote for rip-off. (Can I cast two votes?)

Just for grins, call the fire department and ask whether a so-called
"smoke-test" is normal to test a toilet.

Just where in Texas are you?

On 7/28/2011 10:05 AM, HeyBub wrote:
Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing
it is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job
myself.
I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department
they were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I
asked how much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not
be over $100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.


I vote for rip-off. (Can I cast two votes?)

Just for grins, call the fire department and ask whether a so-called
"smoke-test" is normal to test a toilet.

Just where in Texas are you?



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote:



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.


Couldn't you determine whether the sanitary sewer system was connected to
the A/C ductwork by some other method?

Where I used to work, our facilities manager chunked a smoke bomb into the
A/C return air handler. Immediately HUGE volumes of smoke shot up through
the bottom of the three mainframes in the computer room. Smoke detectors
went nuts. Operators pulled the emergency power-down handles. About a
zillion fire trucks surrounded the building and demanded the release of the
hostages. Confusing and contradictory instructions were bellowed out over
the PA system. People screamed "Run for your life" and "We're all gonna
die!". Some sat at their desk and wept.

All in all, a fun afternoon.

Ah, but was the duct system found to be in good working
order? Enquiring minds want to know.

Did the fire department hose down your computers for you,
and rinse off all the dust bunnies?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"HeyBub" wrote in message
m...

Where I used to work, our facilities manager chunked a smoke
bomb into the
A/C return air handler. Immediately HUGE volumes of smoke
shot up through
the bottom of the three mainframes in the computer room.
Smoke detectors
went nuts. Operators pulled the emergency power-down
handles. About a
zillion fire trucks surrounded the building and demanded the
release of the
hostages. Confusing and contradictory instructions were
bellowed out over
the PA system. People screamed "Run for your life" and
"We're all gonna
die!". Some sat at their desk and wept.

All in all, a fun afternoon.

On 7/29/2011 6:48 AM, HeyBub wrote:
The Daring Dufas wrote:



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.


Couldn't you determine whether the sanitary sewer system was connected to
the A/C ductwork by some other method?

Where I used to work, our facilities manager chunked a smoke bomb into the
A/C return air handler. Immediately HUGE volumes of smoke shot up through
the bottom of the three mainframes in the computer room. Smoke detectors
went nuts. Operators pulled the emergency power-down handles. About a
zillion fire trucks surrounded the building and demanded the release of the
hostages. Confusing and contradictory instructions were bellowed out over
the PA system. People screamed "Run for your life" and "We're all gonna
die!". Some sat at their desk and wept.

All in all, a fun afternoon.



I've never used a smoke bomb on a sanitary sewer system but I've used
some really big long snakes and florescent dye. The dye changed the
color of the hair clogging the drain, made me think there was a punk
rocker stuck in there. ^_^

TDD

On 7/29/2011 7:48 AM, HeyBub wrote:
The Daring Dufas wrote:



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.


Couldn't you determine whether the sanitary sewer system was connected to
the A/C ductwork by some other method?

Where I used to work, our facilities manager chunked a smoke bomb into the
A/C return air handler. Immediately HUGE volumes of smoke shot up through
the bottom of the three mainframes in the computer room. Smoke detectors
went nuts. Operators pulled the emergency power-down handles. About a
zillion fire trucks surrounded the building and demanded the release of the
hostages. Confusing and contradictory instructions were bellowed out over
the PA system. People screamed "Run for your life" and "We're all gonna
die!". Some sat at their desk and wept.

All in all, a fun afternoon.



Chortle. Some kind soul volunteered me as a Fire Warden (aka hall
monitor) at the federal facility where I work, as a 'temporary'
replacement for a fellow that fell off a ladder, working on his dad's
house. (See the AHR connection?) Well, that poor guy ain't ever gonna
walk right again, so it looks like I am stuck with it. Your lovely
description pretty much fits all the mass evac exercises they do there-
I have to be the last SOB off the floor to make sure everyone left, mark
the doors accordingly, and then make my boss call in to their 'command
center' so they can do a nose count. Said command center is in the
basement, BTW. If the building takes heavy damage, it will be very dark
down there, with no way out.
--
aem sends...

On 7/28/2011 11:32 PM, The Daring Dufas wrote:


Thanks for your advice.


I vote for rip-off. (Can I cast two votes?)

Just for grins, call the fire department and ask whether a so-called
"smoke-test" is normal to test a toilet.

Just where in Texas are you?



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.

TDD

Especially in recent times when so many places use emergency services as
a revenue stream.

In at least 3 municipalities in my area if someone were to drive by and
notice smoke and pick up their phone they would send police cars, fire
trucks, paramedics, an ambulance and a large bill.

In those towns you don't even have a choice if say your radiator hose
blows off and you safely park the car because the police are trained to
aggressively take charge of "the situation" and they will call for the
firetrucks and paramedics and you will be sent a bill.

My niece worked for a collection agency for a while and she said many of
the bills they were trying collect payment for were from municipalities
who had billed as I described.

On 7/29/2011 8:40 AM, George wrote:
On 7/28/2011 11:32 PM, The Daring Dufas wrote:


Thanks for your advice.


I vote for rip-off. (Can I cast two votes?)

Just for grins, call the fire department and ask whether a so-called
"smoke-test" is normal to test a toilet.

Just where in Texas are you?



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.

TDD

Especially in recent times when so many places use emergency services as
a revenue stream.

In at least 3 municipalities in my area if someone were to drive by and
notice smoke and pick up their phone they would send police cars, fire
trucks, paramedics, an ambulance and a large bill.

In those towns you don't even have a choice if say your radiator hose
blows off and you safely park the car because the police are trained to
aggressively take charge of "the situation" and they will call for the
firetrucks and paramedics and you will be sent a bill.

My niece worked for a collection agency for a while and she said many of
the bills they were trying collect payment for were from municipalities
who had billed as I described.


That's why I would recommend recording your phone conversations with
government agencies. You properly notify them that you're recording
with an explanation that it's for your records and get them to verify
their name, time/date and if they are the correct person to be talking
to about your situation.

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote:

That's why I would recommend recording your phone conversations with
government agencies. You properly notify them that you're recording
with an explanation that it's for your records and get them to verify
their name, time/date and if they are the correct person to be talking
to about your situation.


Many states do not requie two-party consent to record. I don't think there's
a federal law on point.

"George" wrote in message
...
On 7/28/2011 11:32 PM, The Daring Dufas wrote:

When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.

TDD

Especially in recent times when so many places use emergency services as
a revenue stream.

Not just emergency services. Anything that can be turned into a revenue
source for the municipalities WILL be turned into one. The next big
"default" is expected to come as a result of the many pension and health
care promises made to city/county employees that are unfunded or
underfunded. Just like retiring GM workers (and hundreds of thousands of
others) found out, your retirement bennies can be negotiated away in the
blink of an eye. To at least try to meet the payments due retirees, local
governments are going to charge for everything they can and have already
steeply hiked various fees and fines. Talk about anti-business
environments. The funny thing about recessions is how they tend to
avalanche.

--
Bobby G.

A few weeks ago, I would have answered as several have that most
people could easily do this themselves (especially if you take an
extra 2 minutes to separate the tank from the bowl).

That was until I (reasonably young, fit and mechanical) spent 2 days
dealing with the aftermath of pulling up a toilet to snake a drain.
Brass bolts pulled through the rotted iron flange when reinstalling,
flange broke when bolts were moved, was too close to the concrete slab
for a steel repair ring, too high for a slip in pvc flange. Finally
put anchors in the slab. 40 year old soldered shutoff valve leaked
when reopened and had to be replaced (too damaged to just replace
innards). 5 other minor things that I'm forgetting...

No, this still shouldn't have taken me two days, but I wasn't in a
position to drop everything else to do this all at once, and was
expecting a 2 hour job when I started. Luckily, we have two
bathrooms...

So, just keep in mind that the potential for "surprises" is there...


My reading of what the OP wrote is that the plumber meant that it was
their policy to do the smoke test, and that when doing a smoke test
they are required by law to inform the FD, not that they are required
to do the test. The second part sounds fairly reasonable. The first
sounds like he didn't want the job. But then maybe he's done this
before and had to deal with customers claiming he didn't fix the
problem when it was actually somewhere else...

Larry Fishel wrote:

My reading of what the OP wrote is that the plumber meant that it
was their policy to do the smoke test, and that when doing a smoke
test they are required by law to inform the FD

My first reply to the OP was that he should simply ask another plumbing
company how much they would charge to replace a toilet floor seal.

In other words - don't mention anything about a sewer gas odor. That
should alleviate any tendency for the plumbers to raise the issue of a
smoke test.

On 7/28/2011 10:40 PM, A. Baum wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:32:06 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote:

On 7/28/2011 10:05 AM, HeyBub wrote:
Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing
it is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job
myself.
I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department
they were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I
asked how much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test.
He said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not
be over $100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.


I vote for rip-off. (Can I cast two votes?)

Just for grins, call the fire department and ask whether a so-called
"smoke-test" is normal to test a toilet.

Just where in Texas are you?



When we use a smoke bomb to check air conditioner duct work for air
leaks, we notify the fire department as a mater of common sense.

TDD

Now why would you do that? I could see tossing a smoker inside the heat
exchanger of a furnace to check for cracks but not the duct work.

There is actually a spray chemical we use for checking heat exchangers,
it's sprayed into the return air and if the flames on the burners change
color a leak is indicated. When I've checked out the duct work at a
large building such as a grocery store with large exposed duct work, the
smoke bombs work well to show where the air leaks are.

TDD

Bob-tx wrote:

In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming
from around the commode

Commode?

Would it kill you to just say toilet?

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a
'smoke test' to determine the problem. I asked how much
that cost. "$300"!!!!

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Call another plumber (or call the same one in a few days) and just say
that you've got a small leak around the base of your toilet and you'd
like them to come over and put a new seal on it.

Don't mention anything about a sewer gas odor.

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing
it is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job
myself.

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department
they were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I asked
how much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test.
He said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off.

I think the plumber didn't want the job and was just ****ing with you.

Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing
it is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job
myself.
I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department
they were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I
asked how much that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not
be over $100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Will they blow out the telephone line at the same time?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

I had to have the static blown out of my phone line, once.
Only cost me $575, too. The same guy offered to degauss my
computer monitor for $379. Had a sale on blinker fluid.

I think the smoking toilet routine is bunch of nonsense, and
I'd call a different plumber.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"dadiOH" wrote in message
...


Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Will they blow out the telephone line at the same time?

--

dadiOH

On Jul 28, 5:35*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
The same guy offered to degauss my
computer monitor for $379.

Wow, there's a phrase I haven't heard in years. Thanks for making me
feel old.

nate

In article
,
N8N wrote:

On Jul 28, 5:35*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
The same guy offered to degauss my
computer monitor for $379.

Wow, there's a phrase I haven't heard in years. Thanks for making me
feel old.

nate

Hey, I still find a need for my degaussing coil about every 2-3 yrs.

In the early 1970s, my Dad built a heathkit, which had some
way to degauss the tube.

That was after remembering to retard the spark, and keep
your thumb out, so the back kick doesn't break your arm.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"N8N" wrote in message
...
On Jul 28, 5:35 pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
The same guy offered to degauss my
computer monitor for $379.

Wow, there's a phrase I haven't heard in years. Thanks for
making me
feel old.

nate

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.
....

Well, if it were sewer gas, the trap should be full and block it, ring
or no. In that case would have to be something else which is what he
would be looking for...

If it is indeed the was ring that has failed, there should definitely be
at least hidden signs of some leakage if it's bad enough to have created
odor it's had to either been very small for a while or large enough to
make stinky...

I'd be looking more closely for the evidence first methinks...altho your
diagnosis/guess is likely ok, I'd think it observable.

--

dpb wrote in :

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.
...

Well, if it were sewer gas, the trap should be full and block it, ring
or no. In that case would have to be something else which is what he
would be looking for...

If it is indeed the was ring that has failed, there should definitely be
at least hidden signs of some leakage if it's bad enough to have created
odor it's had to either been very small for a while or large enough to
make stinky...

I'd be looking more closely for the evidence first methinks...altho your
diagnosis/guess is likely ok, I'd think it observable.

--



It's a bathroom. Sounds like a smoke-and-mirrors repair.

"dpb" wrote in message ...

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.
....

Well, if it were sewer gas, the trap should be full and block it, ring or
no. In that case would have to be something else which is what he would be
looking for...

If it is indeed the was ring that has failed, there should definitely be at
least hidden signs of some leakage if it's bad enough to have created odor
it's had to either been very small for a while or large enough to make
stinky...

I'd be looking more closely for the evidence first methinks...altho your
diagnosis/guess is likely ok, I'd think it observable.


The trap is in the toilet itself which is above the ring. If the trap was in
the waste pipe itself your statement would be correct. It can absolutely be
ring.

"dpb" wrote in message ...

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.
....

Well, if it were sewer gas, the trap should be full and block it, ring or
no. In that case would have to be something else which is what he would be
looking for...

If it is indeed the was ring that has failed, there should definitely be at
least hidden signs of some leakage if it's bad enough to have created odor
it's had to either been very small for a while or large enough to make
stinky...

I'd be looking more closely for the evidence first methinks...altho your
diagnosis/guess is likely ok, I'd think it observable.


The trap is in the toilet itself which is above the ring. If the trap was in
the waste pipe itself your statement would be correct. It can absolutely be
ring.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:56:23 -0500, dpb wrote:

On 7/28/2011 9:43 AM, Bob-tx wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from
around the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it
is probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.
...

Well, if it were sewer gas, the trap should be full and block it, ring
or no. In that case would have to be something else which is what he
would be looking for...

If it is indeed the was ring that has failed, there should definitely be
at least hidden signs of some leakage if it's bad enough to have created
odor it's had to either been very small for a while or large enough to
make stinky...

I'd be looking more closely for the evidence first methinks...altho your
diagnosis/guess is likely ok, I'd think it observable.


Have to respectfully dissagree here.
IF the toilet was installed with one of the better ring seals, there
will be NO water leakage unless the pipe is plugged and it backs up,
because the better rings have a tapered sheild on them that directs
the flushed water and debris past the seal - so a leaky seal can stink
and still not leak.

The trap, if you look at ANY north american toilet, is ABOVE the seal,
so can be full of water and functioning, and still alow gas to leak
past a bad ring seal.

Chances are better than 90% it's a bad seal, unless it is an old house
with badly corroded cast iron plumbing - in which case all bets are
off - and I wouldn't even waste the money on the smoke test - just get
the plumber to pull out ALL the cast iron and replace with plastic.

On Jul 28, 10:43*am, "Bob-tx" No Spam no contact wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. *It is coming from around
the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. *I am guessing it is
probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. *He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). *I asked how much
that cost. *"$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. *He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. *Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not be over
$100.

Question: *Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.

Bob-tx

Not a rip off. This is the best way to find the problem. If they just
replace the ring and that doesnt fix the problem they are going to be
the goat for not fixing it right the first time.. Assume you just have
the ring replaced and they will not guarantee the work because they
are not sure this is the cause. You agree or they dont do the work,
This will probably cost close to $200. If all goes well great if not
you are out of $200 and bathroom still stinks and its still going to
cost another $400 or more to get it done right. Most neighborhoods
usally has someone living there that can do odd jobs like the for $40
or $50. He may not fix it for you either but it wont cost $ 200 to
find out.


Jimmie.

In article ,
Bob-tx No Spam no contact wrote:
In one of our bathrooms, we have a sewer gas odor. It is coming from around
the commode, not from the shower, sinks or tub. I am guessing it is
probably a bad wax ring, but I am not able to tackle the job myself.

I called a plumber, and he told me they had to run a 'smoke test' to
determine the problem. He said I had to notify the fire department they
were going to run the smoke test, that is the law (????). I asked how much
that cost. "$300"!!!!

Then I asked how much to change the wax ring without the smoke test. He
said they won't do that unless they first run the smoke test.

I think it's a rip off. Surely, it wouldn't take more than an hour to
replace the wax ring, and even at an inflated price, that should not be over
$100.

Question: Is this a normal procedure, or a rip off?

Thanks for your advice.

Bob-tx


You are right about not costing more than about $100 to replace the wax
ring. But there is sometimes additional cost for cutting or drilling out
the corroded bolts & nuts, cutting away the floor to replace the
rusted out pipe flange, fixing the floor where it's rotted away over
a the years because of a leak, etc.


of

--
Often wrong, never in doubt.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:43:21 +0000 (UTC), "A. Baum"
wrote:

Any person who can follow simple instructions can change their own seal.

Unless the person has a physical conditions that prevents it.

Lifting a 75 pound toilet may be too much for folks. And
kneeling long enough to pull the hold down bolts. And,
and.....

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Oren" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:43:21 +0000 (UTC), "A. Baum"
wrote:

Any person who can follow simple instructions can change
their own seal.

Unless the person has a physical conditions that prevents
it.

In article ,
"Stormin Mormon" wrote:

Lifting a 75 pound toilet may be too much for folks. And
kneeling long enough to pull the hold down bolts. And,
and.....

And dealing with rusted-out bolts embedded in a concrete slab. All of a
sudden, a simple job gets complicated.

On Jul 28, 9:37*pm, Smitty Two wrote:
In article ,
*"Stormin Mormon" wrote:

Lifting a 75 pound toilet may be too much for folks. And
kneeling long enough to pull the hold down bolts. And,
and.....

And dealing with rusted-out bolts embedded in a concrete slab. All of a
sudden, a simple job gets complicated.

shouldn't be embedded, but you pretty much need a 4.5" angle grinder
to get them off unless the previous occupant was anal retentive and
used stainless and anti-seize... and even so, I've seen wax ring kits
w/ nylocs... WTF? how the hell do you remove a nyloc from a t-bolt?

I used sawzall, on mine. Well, those were tank bolts. Today
I cut copper tubing with bolt cutters. Do what works.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"N8N" wrote in message
...


And dealing with rusted-out bolts embedded in a concrete
slab. All of a
sudden, a simple job gets complicated.

shouldn't be embedded, but you pretty much need a 4.5" angle
grinder
to get them off unless the previous occupant was anal
retentive and
used stainless and anti-seize... and even so, I've seen wax
ring kits
w/ nylocs... WTF? how the hell do you remove a nyloc from a
t-bolt?

On Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:29:30 +0000 (UTC), "A. Baum"
wrote:

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:37:10 -0700, Smitty Two wrote:

In article ,
"Stormin Mormon" wrote:

Lifting a 75 pound toilet may be too much for folks. And kneeling long
enough to pull the hold down bolts. And, and.....

And dealing with rusted-out bolts embedded in a concrete slab. All of a
sudden, a simple job gets complicated.

I've never seen a toilet yoke being a concrete slab. All I've seen are
cast fixtures atop the soil pipe. Nuts atop the toilet base are easy to
remove. if you run into trouble then call a pro. You ****ing nutcases
are an embarrassment to the human race.

I've seen the flanges totally cemented in, with the bolts going right
into the concrete - not the way it is SUPPOSED to be done - but it has
been done that way more than once. - and a LOT of people who are
physically unable to do that kind of work don't know anyone who is
physically able and knows how, who they feel they can call on.

I know quite a few people who are just thrilled out of their mind when
they find they can ask me to do just about anything they need doing,
and I am willing and able to do it for them. No family near by, all
their old friends either in the same or worse condition as them or
dead, and their younger friends totally unprepared for the "real
world" of home repairs etc.

On Jul 28, 8:29*pm, "A. Baum" wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:37:10 -0700, Smitty Two wrote:
In article ,
*"Stormin Mormon" wrote:

Lifting a 75 pound toilet may be too much for folks. And kneeling long
enough to pull the hold down bolts. And, and.....

And dealing with rusted-out bolts embedded in a concrete slab. All of a
sudden, a simple job gets complicated.

I've never seen a toilet yoke being a concrete slab. All I've seen are
cast fixtures atop the soil pipe. Nuts atop the toilet base are easy to
remove. if you run into trouble then call a pro. You ****ing nutcases
are an embarrassment to the human race.

I hope you live long enough to regret your asinine posts. Live long
enough and you _will_ be unable to change a seal.

Harry K