Drain Rescue Plumbers

We needed a new shower faucet cartridge. It's an easy DIY job so attempted it myself. We could not get the cartridge to sit properly so finally had to call a plumber.

Sadly we picked Drain Rescue Plumbers

The plumber arrived. He was very personable and seemed very helpful. He attempted to fit the cartridge and also failed. He gave me two options.

1) Cut into the DryWall and replace the whole Shower Valve.
2) "Force" the cartridge into place.

To be fair his preference was for the former, though I was told that "if" he could get the cartridge in all would be fine. He managed to do so and with some trepidation he turned the water back on. Everything seemed fine and it looked like the cheaper of the two options had worked.

Roll the calendar on two months, and the shower faucet would not switch off at all. I contacted Drain Rescue Plumbers again and the "manager" was unable to tell me any warranty details, and the owner was away but returning "sometime in June."

She got the original plumber to call me. He told me that his recommendation had been to replace the valve and that I had chosen the alternative. I pointed out that I had chosen from two options given to me by him. I had assumed that either option given by a professional would be viable. Not an unreasonable expectation!

After a free and frank discussion with the "manager" Drain Rescue Plumbers offered me a choice of a free re-install of another cartridge. (You will remember that they had made clear that was not the recommendation!), or 10% reduction on a replacement valve. I asked the likelihood of a new cartridge working and was told by the plumber that "I have no idea" (Not very reassuring). He also told me a new valve would be warrantied for only 3 months.

Now here's the thing. I no longer trust Drain Rescue Plumbers. How could they offer a free solution for something they don't recommend? Could it be just to "settle" with a difficult customer? Why did they not agree that I should have an expectation that either option presented to me would be viable?

So I no longer trust Drain Rescue Plumbers. But more than that, I have subsequently discovered from Moen and other plumbers that on no account should a cartridge be forced. Never! Nada! If it doesn't slip in easily it is always a problem with the valve itself. Apparently this is well know, though the information does not appear to have reached Drain Rescue Plumbers!

So option one was never really an option, but it certainly was a money grab! Beware!