now have 25 employees

[Sylvan]

I hope that you are doing ok...

I have a brother in law that just had his prostrate removed and it appears that he is hanging up
his spurs .... going to give up working at 71..... he seems to be having troubles with it and also he
is a big worrier

Before he decides to stop working, he may consider being an expert plumber (If he were licensed) to give him something to do and keep his mind from worrying

It will not be steady work, but when he is called, he can charge to go to the site of the accident/flood, etc, and charge sending in an affidavit of what he witnessed for XXXXXXXXXX

Then going to a deposition, he charges XXXXXXXXXX (same as above)

Then, if he has to go to court, he charges XXXXXXXXXX a day or any part thereof

I started by accident as I owed a lawyer $100. and the judge asked, "Are you getting paid"? I said yes $100 he asked per hr.?

I said no for the day. The judge placed his hand over the microphone called me to his desk and said "YOU'RE BEING SCREWED "

Now, after 30 years, I am getting $3,500 per call and work for over 38 law firms

The majority are personal injury cases. I get a 1099, and there is NO tax charged to law firms (They have a better lobby than we do)


The building I went to yesterday for a scalding case I worked on that building as an apprentice back in 1972, small world. They have 2 valve shower valves plus a diverter . No scald protection, and the water temp yesterday was 145.5 deg

Tracy towers

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.879...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[Sylvan]

Here's a question for you Sylvan. What should a landlord do to prevent these scaldings? Is there a single device that would do the job? I have thermostatic valves and tempering valves, but I hadn't contemplated the situation of someone turning off the cold water only. Wouldn't the shower slow to a dribble or stop in this situation with a tempering valve?

This can be a loaded question. I have a case in Brooklyn where a 2-year-old was scalded by hot water at 191°F DEG F

The mother was washing her 2-year-old in the kitchen sink, and the child kicked the single lever handle, and it went to hot, and the child was severely scalded instantly.


This is the problem.

I could argue that the "codes" state 120 degrees. Max for a shower or bathtub, unless it is for children or the elderly, then it is 105 -110 degrees F,

It is ambiguous because there was no maximum in the NYC code for other fixtures.

Deep inside the code books, I found that if the water heater or tankless coil is used for HW and hydronic heating, the temperature shall not exceed 140 degrees. Shame, even the plumbing inspectors will not give an opinion; they say, "Check the code."

I only install Delta. I tried Moen, but Delta proved easier to maintain



Delta showers often feature either Monitor valves (for pressure balance) or TempAssure valves (thermostatic) to control and maintain water temperature. The 17T Series with TempAssure uses a thermostatic cartridge for precise temperature control, while the 17 Series with Monitor uses a pressure-balanced cartridge to maintain a consistent temperature despite pressure fluctuations.


We have been using these in many locations that can afford the great protection this offers but it is NOT Cheap

https://www.heat-timer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/059305-00_ETV-Plus_Rev-B.pdf

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Sylvan]

I was called for both of these cases different law firms


These cases are heartbreaking, and the radiators did NOT explode

Exclusive: Parents of 11-month-old boy killed by steam radiator in Brooklyn apartment push for change

Alex and Bessie Kuravsky put their bouncing baby boy to sleep and woke up to an unthinkable tragedy in their Brooklyn apartment.

www.cbsnews.com

This case just settled out of court after 5 YEARS

2 Young Girls Dead After Apparent Radiator Steam Blast In The Bronx

It happened around noon in a first floor apartment on Hunts Point Avenue in the Hunts Point section.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Sylvan]

Here's a question for you Sylvan. What should a landlord do to prevent these scaldings? Is there a single device that would do the job? I have thermostatic valves and tempering valves, but I hadn't contemplated the situation of someone turning off the cold water only. Wouldn't the shower slow to a dribble or stop in this situation with a tempering valve?

https://www.heat-timer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/059305-00_ETV-Plus_Rev-B.pdf

 

[Sylvan]

This can be a loaded question. I have a case in Brooklyn where a 2-year-old was scalded by hot water at 191°F DEG F

The mother was washing her 2-year-old in the kitchen sink, and the child kicked the single lever handle, and it went to hot, and the child was severely scalded instantly.


This is the problem.

I could argue that the "codes" state 120 degrees. Max for a shower or bathtub, unless it is for children or the elderly, then it is 105 -110 degrees F,

It is ambiguous because there was no maximum in the NYC code for other fixtures.

Deep inside the code books, I found that if the water heater or tankless coil is used for HW and hydronic heating, the temperature shall not exceed 140 degrees. Shame, even the plumbing inspectors will not give an opinion; they say, "Check the code."

I only install Delta. I tried Moen, but Delta proved easier to maintain



Delta showers often feature either Monitor valves (for pressure balance) or TempAssure valves (thermostatic) to control and maintain water temperature. The 17T Series with TempAssure uses a thermostatic cartridge for precise temperature control, while the 17 Series with Monitor uses a pressure-balanced cartridge to maintain a consistent temperature despite pressure fluctuations.


We have been using these in many locations that can afford the great protection this offers but it is NOT Cheap

https://www.heat-timer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/059305-00_ETV-Plus_Rev-B.pdf

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Before he decides to stop working, he may consider being an expert plumber (If he were licensed) to give him something to do and keep his mind from worrying

It will not be steady work, but when he is called, he can charge to go to the site of the accident/flood, etc, and charge sending in an affidavit of what he witnessed for XXXXXXXXXX

Then going to a deposition, he charges XXXXXXXXXX (same as above)

Then, if he has to go to court, he charges XXXXXXXXXX a day or any part thereof

I started by accident as I owed a lawyer $100. and the judge asked, "Are you getting paid"? I said yes $100 he asked per hr.?

I said no for the day. The judge placed his hand over the microphone called me to his desk and said "YOU'RE BEING SCREWED "

Now, after 30 years, I am getting $3,500 per call and work for over 38 law firms

The majority are personal injury cases. I get a 1099, and there is NO tax charged to law firms (They have a better lobby than we do)


The building I went to yesterday for a scalding case I worked on that building as an apprentice back in 1972, small world. They have 2 valve shower valves plus a diverter . No scald protection, and the water temp yesterday was 145.5 deg

Tracy towers

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8792388,-73.8857591,3a,90y,282.37h,118.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sWbiJo0jTKzcfuCjg2k8Z9g!2e0!6shttps://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?cb_client=maps_sv.tactile&w=900&h=600&pitch=-28.90721259567009&panoid=WbiJo0jTKzcfuCjg2k8Z9g&yaw=282.3653487215133!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

That sounds like a good gig that you have going for yourself....

I honestly dont think my brother-in-law has the ambition or communication skills
to do anything like this..... dont get me started about this,
I will leave it at that...

I would maybe consider doing this myself if the opportunity ever
arose in our po-dunkey little town here

I do not foresee this ever coming down the pike in a mid west town ...

 

[Sylvan]

That sounds like a good gig that you have going for yourself....

I honestly dont think my brother-in-law has the ambition or communication skills
to do anything like this..... dont get me started about this,
I will leave it at that...

I would maybe consider doing this myself if the opportunity ever
arose in our po-dunkey little town here

I do not foresee this ever coming down the pike in a mid west town ...

My expert Career started off as an accident BUT the odds are with me so I had to try this extra chance of getting more income as I was getting older

There are approximately 1,250 Master plumbers in NYC and less than half also have the master fire suppression license.

Now picture 1,250 LMP and think how many lawyers are here looking for an expert?

Once you start winning cases then other firm read about it and start hiring . It law there is no right or wrong it is win or lose and if the jury sees a plumber in coveralls and a flannel shirt it increases his odds the jury will identify with another working man and they could care less about what is presented in front of them.



New York City has a large number of lawyers, with estimates ranging from 166,317 to 187,656. This makes it the state with the highest number of legal professionals in the US, with nearly 10 lawyers per 1,000 residents. New York and California together account for roughly a quarter of all lawyers in the United States.


New York. 19,651,127.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

My expert Career started off as an accident BUT the odds are with me so I had to try this extra chance of getting more income as I was getting older

There are approximately 1,250 Master plumbers in NYC and less than half also have the master fire suppression license.

Now picture 1,250 LMP and think how many lawyers are here looking for an expert?

Once you start winning cases then other firm read about it and start hiring . It law there is no right or wrong it is win or lose and if the jury sees a plumber in coveralls and a flannel shirt it increases his odds the jury will identify with another working man and they could care less about what is presented in front of them.



New York City has a large number of lawyers, with estimates ranging from 166,317 to 187,656. This makes it the state with the highest number of legal professionals in the US, with nearly 10 lawyers per 1,000 residents. New York and California together account for roughly a quarter of all lawyers in the United States.


New York. 19,651,127.

Thanks for the information... you got a good thing going for yourself because you are in NYC..

I got a call one time wanting me to go to some trial and be a expert witness because some nut was attempting 'to sue the person they bought a home from...
It was all a bunch of frivolous bullchit and the case was dropped
a few days before it was to go to trial..... they called me and said just forget about it.....

Most of the lawyers around here think they are doing me a favor letting you testify for them
and getting to breath the same air as they do which is a privilege I guess.

I remember they even haggled with me about what my time was worth and I dont
think they even wanted to pay me for a 1/2 days labor...... the cheap bas/ards...
I was going to be sitting around a courthouse all day long and they played that game with me

It would have been nice if they had the decency to send me a 50 dollar
gift card to starbucks. LOL...

 

[Sylvan]

Thanks for the information... you got a good thing going for yourself because you are in NYC..

I got a call one time wanting me to go to some trial and be a expert witness because some nut was attempting 'to sue the person they bought a home from...
It was all a bunch of frivolous bullchit and the case was dropped
a few days before it was to go to trial..... they called me and said just forget about it.....

Most of the lawyers around here think they are doing me a favor letting you testify for them
and getting to breath the same air as they do which is a privilege I guess.

I remember they even haggled with me about what my time was worth and I dont
think they even wanted to pay me for a 1/2 days labor...... the cheap bas/ards...
I was going to be sitting around a courthouse all day long and they played that game with me

It would have been nice if they had the decency to send me a 50 dollar
gift card to starbucks. LOL...

I never met a lawyer that I like or trusted.

The law firm who hired me said I was highly recommended by another firm and I told him that's great my fee is $3,500 in advance and when the check clears he can call me.

I met the lawyer in Brooklyn and the case was a 11 month old child was scalded to death by a radiator valve that split apart by the spud nut.

I said this is an easy case to win . The lawyer then said

" I do not think there is too much money to make" I asked him " how long have you been a low life"?

He was a prophylactic saying this crap in front of the grieving parents

Most lawyers are bottom feeders and some even have no problem asking me if I can "fudge the temperature readings"

I told them FY and the horse you rode in on

Why commit perjury, lose my licenses and lose all credibility . Lawyers get disbarred a lot most plumbers may get a fine and a few do lose their license.

I had one guy I just could not stand so I contacted the law firm he was against and told them if I can not convince the jury he is a liar and has no case then you don't have to pay me.

Try contacting law firms that concentrate on personal injury or possibly insurance companies as a defense witness.

It took lots of cases to get where I am some for defense and some for idiots who did not know that ice is slippery


I have a case now in Queens .

A building owner hired a guy to install a sump pump in a basement

The only drain line was about 16 feet away so this moron drilled a hole in a wall and pumped the waste water into an alleyway (Contrary to NYC plumbing code)

This past January some lady was walking past the alley way slipped on the ice broke her hip, ankle hurt her back

Should be going to court within a year

Another case was settled

A master plumber sent a guy to install a toilet seat in a restaurant in Manhattan, a lawyer called me asking if this seat was legal as it had plastic screws


I said for $1,200 I will answer you.

He sent a check I cashed it.

I called him and said the seat is not legal as it did not have an open front it had nothing to do with the plastic bolts

Seems an obese lady slipped off the seat and was taken by the EMT to a hospital $450,000 later he called to say "thanks"

He received about 40% . I still feel for less than a 10 minute phone call it was well worth it as he gave me more cases I do not want to kill the golden geese . Be fair but think how much a lawyer charges and per hour and charge them the same or more never less

We live in a society where everyone is a "victim" to fat, to skinny , they are picked on because of their religion ,color , religion so they sue so they can smile being a victim on the way to the bank.

Did you know "hot water burns"?

One of my buddies is a plumber in Oklahoma and he called me in the 1990s saying he was being sued

I asked what happened and he said he went into a house repaired a faucet and left. A few days later the homeowners son was severely burned by a water heater near flammable gasoline container by a lawn mower


I said DON'T WORRY they do not have a case


He went to court found guilty of negligence top the tune of $500,000

WHY? Because as a master plumber he should have said do not store flammable liquids near a heat source

So wayne designed the 18" support to keep the water heaters off the ground and 18" will not let vapor near the flame (Now they have flame safe guards) They also have the Wayne law showing hands being burned on a water heater and a sign about flammable fuels

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Hot water burns, I install a lot of water heaters and I always put on the invoice that the temp is set on low when
I leave the house...... and they can turn it up to whatever temp they desire after I leave

WE have never had any issues with a lawsuit yet, although I have put my stickers on heaters all
over town that I never installed in the first place....and many of them were DIY rigged up and were very questionable...
I just figure they will need to show me an invoice for the work which of course they dont have.
.

I myself have almost gotten scalded or blown up by a1948 80 gallon GE
electric heater back around 1980 that was spewing steam out of the faucets when I got there on site.....
I was not thinking about the danger and I got way too close to it before I realized what was going on.
I turned off the power, turned on all the hot water faucets in the
home and just went outside and waited for about a half hour for it to cool down .

rheem sends out their electric heaters with a check mark on each one showing that
an inspector looked at the t-stats and verified that they were sent out on the low piss water setting
because their are so many people who want to figure out a way to sue Rheem and the plumber

lots of plumbers feel that you can install the new FVIR heaters directly on the garage floor now
because they are FVIR units.. and dont need to be on stands or up 18 inches...
I am not gonna chance that and do not want to have any issues
with home inspectors down the road...

but you are correct...lawyers are mostly skum bags and have no moral code

 

[Sylvan]

Hot water burns, I install a lot of water heaters and I always put on the invoice that the temp is set on low when
I leave the house...... and they can turn it up to whatever temp they desire after I leave

WE have never had any issues with a lawsuit yet, although I have put my stickers on heaters all
over town that I never installed in the first place....and many of them were DIY rigged up and were very questionable...
I just figure they will need to show me an invoice for the work which of course they dont have.
.

I myself have almost gotten scalded or blown up by a1948 80 gallon GE
electric heater back around 1980 that was spewing steam out of the faucets when I got there on site.....
I was not thinking about the danger and I got way too close to it before I realized what was going on.
I turned off the power, turned on all the hot water faucets in the
home and just went outside and waited for about a half hour for it to cool down .

rheem sends out their electric heaters with a check mark on each one showing that
an inspector looked at the t-stats and verified that they were sent out on the low piss water setting
because their are so many people who want to figure out a way to sue Rheem and the plumber

lots of plumbers feel that you can install the new FVIR heaters directly on the garage floor now
because they are FVIR units.. and dont need to be on stands or up 18 inches...
I am not gonna chance that and do not want to have any issues
with home inspectors down the road...

but you are correct...lawyers are mostly skum bags and have no moral code

I had a call house too hot the boiler gauge showed 250 DEG and still firing......

I shut the emergency switch and ran out of the house and waited for the explosion.. The relief valve was gagged (plugged) I asked why? the guy said it was constantly leaking

Same once with a water heater T@P shooting steam

People have no idea how dangerous this profession is

Expert sewer and drain cleaning I used to sub work to him as he charged $35.00 for fixture stoppages and I charged $125.

I could not get a hold of him for a week and finally found out he went to a call asked the lady if they used Drano or other chemicals the lady said no

He started to snake the line and got splashed in his eye and face

He was rushed to a hospital and later he found out they used Sizzle drain cleaner.

NYC plumbing code in 1968 had a paragraph about how hot the water can be being discharged into a sewer line

Reason being someone emptied a boiler and the water was over 200 DEG and in the winter the CI cracked. PLUS DEP has people inside the sewers replacing the grouting in the old brick type


This happened near my home a reservoir was being serviced and a man did not follow rules he got out of the row boat and reached down

WORKER AT BX. RESERVOIR SUCKED INTO PIPE, KILLED

A city worker was killed at a Bronx reservoir yesterday after being pulled into a drain while clearing debris around it. He was sucked into the drain as a horrified co-worker tried desperately to h…

www.nydailynews.com

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

People are morons and do not have a clue about much....

I think we both know how helpless most of the population actually is.....


so what is the deal with you lately?? you are never on here all that much and
now you seem to have lots of time on your hands....
are you totally retired now??