Insulating

[dancerjodi]

Yay for good heating systems! The plumber did his thing in less than two hours, so the bill shouldn't be huge. He was impressed with the ability of our radiators to warm an area, didn't see any issues with the system, and told us that its as good as it can be (i.e. there isn't anything we can do about the clangy den radiator). Ah well - at least we know where it all stands now. Apparently he was also a huge Star Wars fan, and was impressed with Brian's collection. Mal also won him over with his abilities in playing fetch. :)

Related to heating, Brian and I have decided to hold on insulating the attic. There's too much risk in damaging the insulation if we do it before our roof is repaired in the spring. We also just don't feel like dealing with the issue now if we can avoid it. Our second floor rooms are REALLY warm, and the attic is very cool during the winter. I'm sure we're losing some heat out of there since it rises and all, but I don't think its as huge of a problem as it could be. Our ceilings are very, very thick, and that counts for something.

So, post the minor repairs that I already mentioned in my last LJ entry we're done doing major house repair until after the holiday season (I may want to paint our hallways come January - its a good winter project). I also want to reiterate that we do this stuff by choice, and that we enjoy it. Well, I enjoy it more than Brian, but that's what he gets for marrying into my crazy family! Its a genetic thing - we just can't leave our property alone! People seem to assume that when I post here a lot about house stuff that we're stressed or upset about it. Its actually kind of another hobby of ours, which is why there is so much emphasis (so people needn't be concerned about it). If I'm upset about something, believe me - you will know. :)

Comments

[missplatypus.livejournal.com]

We both love having projects to do around the house, but neither of us is that handy. We only get stressed out when the project is too big and expensive for us to do and we have to look at it going undone till we can afford it. I'm sure you understand that one. Right now we need to get the pool resurfaced/tiled and some of the underground plumbing checked. We have to wait till after christmas for that. At least the weather out here means we can do the work even in the winter.

[isolatory.livejournal.com]

So do you recommend this plumbing guy to do some maintenance on our furnace? We have a forced steam system that spits rusty water all over the basement every time it turns on.

Plumber

[dancer.livejournal.com]

Brian seemed to really like the guy, and they didn't require payment for the work (they are going to mail us a bill), but I'm not sure if that's their standard or if its because he knows my Dad (heh, I always mention it, because it can't hurt!).

My Dad told me that they were good (the owner and his brother are in Waltham, and there are a couple other guys that work for him). He said they aren't the cheapest in the area, but that they are very professional and do good work. They also have 24 hour emergency service, which is also what I was looking for. Angie's list also didn't have any bad reviews of them (there were a handful of good reviews).

We called and didn't hear anything for a week, but after calling back they called us back same day and were able to come out 2 days later. Here's the info:

Contact's Name:
STEPHEN PORTER
Address:
41 CHERYL LN
WALTHAM, MA 02451
Phone:(781) 899-4945

Business Description:
MASTER PLUMBER'S LICENSE #11432
Senior Discount: NO
In Business Since: 1992
On Angie's List Since: 6/30/2003 8:33:00 PM
Licensed: YES

Some reviews (copied from Angie's List):

Diagnosed leak in sink that my washer drains into. Replaced worn out parts.
Member Comments: I called Stephen on the strength of his reviews. Left him a message; he called back promptly and said that he should have someone out the next morning, but possibly later that day. Later in the day a tech called to say that he could come out. He was at my house in 20 minutes. He replaced worn out piping and drain parts. The job took about 50 minutes. I later recieved a bill for $85 for the hour + parts. Tech was courteous and professional. Price reasonable and customer service excellent. I would definitely use them again and rate as highly recommended.

Disconnected a rental washer & dryer. Installed our personally owned washer & dryer.
Member Comments: We could not disconnect the lines to the rental set for the life of us. The 2 employees did it with ease. They were on time, very polite and efficient. Although it's not a normal service they provide, they moved the old washer & dryer down two flights of stairs to the basement for us. I tried to tip them for their extra effort and they would not accept the money, and said, ''We're on the clock, so the boss is paying us. We're just doing our job.'' What a pleasant surprise that was. They sent the staff very quickly after our call. We are very happy with our service received.

I needed a faucet tightened, and I haven't been billed yet. I am not sure if I am going to be charged for the whole hour.
Member Comments: It must be me, but I had called 7 plumbers with no callback, and 4 of the plumbers are on this list. I called my oil guy who referred me to Stephen Porter. He called me back within the hour and had someone out the next day at 8:30. They are terrific. I am telling everyone about them.

Connected new washing machine to jammed cold water connection.
Member Comments: They also replaced my dryer vent hose rather than using the old, clogged, illegal material one for our new dryer. I asked for advice on some other small jobs that needed to be performed, such as corroded cast iron pipes and shower faucet that ran too hot and didn't mix hot/cold well. They gave me good advice that will save me money, such as buying new fixture myself, and hiring them to install it, and the fact that the corrosion was not going to leak right away. I did wish they could have done all the work I wanted them to, but understood that I should have described everything ahead of time. They cleaned up after themselves and were exceedingly courteous.

Description of Work: INSTALLED A PEDESTAL SINK AND A TOILET. REPAIRED A BROKEN PIPE BEHIND THE SINK. WE HAD REMOVED THE PREVIOUS FIXTURES OURSELVES.
Member Comments: THE WORKERS WERE PROMPT AND POLITE. THEIR WORK WAS VERY GOOD AND VERY REASONABLY PRICED. WE HAD GOTTEN OTHER ESTIMATES FOR CONSIDERABLY MORE; ONE PLUMBER WANTED MORE THAN $900 JUST TO INSTALL THE SINK, CLAIMING IT WOULD REQUIRE 2 DAYS. PORTER PLUMBING COMPLETED ALL THE WORK IN ONE MORNING. THEY CLEANED UP BEFORE LEAVING. THEY DID NOT SEEM TO MIND THAT WE DID SOME WORK OURSELVES, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE THAT INCLUDED THIS WORK.

Re: Plumber

[isolatory.livejournal.com]

I had them come yesterday before everything else. It was the son who came. He was of course professional and very courteous, nice guy he was. He cleaned a lot of crud out of the furnaces and showed me how to maintain them both. Very impressed, thanks so much for the reference!