Since no one I asked had any recommendations for reliable plumbers, I made the enormous mistake of contacting A-1 American based on yellow pages coupons and ad familiarity, and desperation born of the inability to use toilets, shower, washer, or dishwasher due to a clogged main drain line.
The technician arrived half an hour late, reeking of stale tobacco smoke. Upon arrival, he began speculating that the tree in the yard was causing all of our problems; he didn't do any inspection or analysis to arrive at this determination.
He poked around a bit, between smoke breaks, and asked if there was an outside clean out pipe. My husband showed it to him, but he said that wasn't what he was looking for, assuring us that it wasn't the drain pipe (we later verified that it is). He removed the toilet and snaked the pipe, charging us nearly $800.00. I know it was stupid to accept this—please don't do the same. It should be a $350 job at most. He also told us we needed to replace everything at a cost of $8000-$15000. He left a terrible mess, using not only the towels he requested (don't plumbers have their own shop towels?) but also another that was in the bathroom and is now ruined. The bathroom floor is filthy, and mopping didn't help. His equipment left black marks that will have to be removed on hands and knees with a brush.
After all of that, he accomplished exactly nothing. The pipe is still clogged (shocking, since he didn't bother to recognize, much less use, the outdoor pipe). I called the company and was assured that a manager would call right back. An hour later, I called again and was put on with the manager, who said she'd send the plumber back out today. Still waiting...
DO NOT use A1 American Plumbing.
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