First American Home Warranty Complaint - Failure to provide service - Plumbing no-service

Posted by One-Eyed Willie on 2007-08-10:

What are you trying to get fixed?

Posted by disgustedinFlagstaff on 2007-08-10:

A toilet.

Posted by old fart on 2007-08-10:

What is the problem with the toilet... Only so many things can go wrong. Describe what it is or is not doing for example, is it leaking around a fill pipe joint, is it constantly running, does it shut off prematurely, does it leak around the base or some other symptom?
Perhaps one of our members who has some do it yourself experience or is in the plumbing business can suggest some simple cure and then you'll have no need to rely on someone through Fisrt American Home.

Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-10:

Does it leak?
Is it clogged?
Is it dirty?

More info!

Posted by disgustedinFlagstaff on 2007-08-10:

After many calls and threats, I finally got some action. A "close" on this comment may be pending. They've agreed to send out another plumber. The flapper doesn't mate properly with the whatever and water slowly seeps out of the tank. If we shut the water off to the tank, it eventually empties itself. If we leave the water on, the toilet periodically flushes itself. If two visits from a plumber, neither of which fixed the problem, weren't sufficient, I doubt there's anything we could do. Flapper mechanism has been replaced and problem persists.

Posted by old fart on 2007-08-11:

Try shutting the water off at the valve and flush the toilet to empty the remaining water. lift the flapper valve and clean and gently scrape the edge of the drain hole with something made of plastic (not metal) to remove mineral deposit buildup. then let the tank refill. it doesn't take much to allow a leak of this type. for what it's worth changing a flapper doesn't require a plumber's knowledge and you probably could do this yourself by getting a replacement valve at your nearest Home depot or Lowe's with advice on how to install it. These are pretty much universal and fit almost any toilet.
Another thing to consider is the length of the chain that connects to the flapper from the flush lever, bending the flush rod that attaches to the chain in a slight downward diection might put a little more slack in the chain, thus allowing the ball to properly reseat in the drain hole when the toilet is flushed

Posted by old fart on 2007-08-11:

Give me a heads up on how this works if you decide to try it or if your plumber gives you another answer. I am really curious now as to the outcome.!

Posted by disgustedinFlagstaff on 2007-08-11:

We've already paid a plumber $55 and also paid for the warranty. Now, it's up to them. The chain is plenty long enough. We've got two pooh-bahs working on our claim now and I feel fairly confident we'll get some good action. I'll let you know if and when (and how) this problem is resolved. And I just tried scraping (with my fingernail) the thing the flapper sits in/on. It felt pretty smooth to me but I tried just in case. Stay tuned...

Posted by disgustedinFlagstaff on 2007-08-13:

FINALLY... another plumber came out, replaced every conceivable part in the tank. Problem was the crummy plumber who came out first. Time will tell if the repairs hold, but this plumber spent time, showed us what the problem was and seemed to fix everything. I'll see if all stays well and close this complaint in a few days.

Posted by old fart on 2007-08-13:

I'm dieing here... What was the problem?? Don't leave me in limbo! LOL

Posted by disgustedinFlagstaff on 2007-08-14:

Everything in the tank - flapper, what flapper goes in, bolts, handle - was kaput and had to be replaced. The whole flapper assembly had been improperly installed by plumber #1. I don't know how much clearer I can be.

Posted by old fart on 2007-08-14:

Good for you! I hope you enjoy your toilet for many years to come LOL

Posted by Anonymous on 2007-08-14:

May you fill it with many good memories.