Living in our 1984 build house since 2011, previous owner completely finished the basement (drywall) ceilings etc.... so everything behind our walls somewhat a mystery for us. Last week, my wife noticed a very small (less than a dime) soiled wet spot showing up on our basement drywall ceiling. Over the course of this past week, the spot grew in size (water staining) and continued to cause me concern. Checking pipes and drains in the kitchen above; no sign of a source from our kitchen - I finally took the plunge and carefully cut an exploratory hole in my drywall ceiling in the basement to reveal the issue. A cold water supply line (under pressure) to our kitchen was less than an inch from the drywall ceiling under it - and it appeared to have been soaking up the sweat from the pipe (less than a leak) for some time - but the drywall likely couldn't absorb it anymore and the issue finally revealed itself to us underneath. Recognizing that this was a supply line (under pressure) and that this could have been VERY much worse - with the basement flooding - if it had given way altogether; I felt I couldn't wait and that it would be wise to seek professional assistance rather than trying to fix myself in this tight space up on the joist.
Searching through HomeStars.ca as I have done in past for tradesman that I hope I can trust.... I came upon ANTA Plumbing; its reviews were strong; and its rating with Better Business Bureau were A+ as well; I decided to check out their website. Once I got on to their website; within moments, a popup chat window opened (this being a Sunday morning) and an actual knowledgeable person from ANTA was on the other end! Not some call centre robot...
I explained my findings, and Eugine immediately tried to provide me a solution; being a Sunday, being that I opened up a chat around 11am, he did indicate that all their plumbers working today had full schedules... I told him I'd be flexible; he thanked me for that and said he'd do his best to fit me in.... and then a couple moments later... he indicated that based on my location, he'd try calling one of their plumbers on their day off! To my surprise, Rulin, one of their plumbers on his day off, took the job assignment from Eugine; and within 90min, Rulin was in my basement!
Rulin was very pleasant; covering his shoes each time he entered my home and coming the basement floor and piano in the area with plastic before beginning any work. He confirmed my suspensions and isolated micro pin defect in a copper 90 elbow joint; actually not a solder joint; but a defect in the elbow itself - which Rulin educated me in saying copper, 30+ years old, can develop micro weaknesses over time; that this was not unusual considering the age of the home. He asked if he could repair with PEX versus copper, considering how tight the area was in the joist with an exploratory hole in the drywall under it. In short order, he removed a section of copper and replaced the section with PEX using copper-to-PEX fittings and 'bob's your uncle' the repair was complete.
No surprises on the estimate or the final invoice; Eugine's estimate in the chat was exactly what Rulin estimated before he started and charged after the job was complete. Rulin even telling me that his work with ANTA was warrantied for a year; should I have any further concerns with this issue.
Eugine.... Rulin.... Season's Greetings to you. An impressive 'cold call' on a Sunday morning yielding a fix 2 hours later.
