Mercer Island Plumbers Mercer Island, WA

COMPLAINT: Abigail Howell, Seattle

"I hired DCI Plumbing of Kent [Wash.] to fix a leak in my shower and to replace an old shut-off valve for the main water supply. When they replaced the shut-off valve, the galvanized pipe leading to the street broke and caused a major leak.

"At that point, they said they would charge me $1,000 to replace the pipe. I felt like I had no choice but to immediately agree to the repair. It was only after the repair that the plumber informed me there had been a 50/50 chance the pipe would break.

"I would have never replaced the shut-off valve had I known there was that risk. I contested the bill because I felt the plumber should be responsible for fixing the broken pipe. DCI threatened to send me to collections, so I paid the bill. But I feel very strongly I should have been informed of the risks of replacing the shut-off valve before it was replaced."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I would like to be reimbursed for the repair of the leaking water pipe to the street."

STATUS: Penalty Box

New to the Seattle Penalty Box

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