When you have a need for plumbing work at your home, you probably don’t consider it to be a life and death decision. Many homeowners get recommendations from friends and neighbors and often skip a detailed review of the plumber’s credentials. Recent events in Manhattan show the importance of hiring a licensed plumber. The explosion on 2nd Avenue has been deemed to be a direct result of improper work by someone who was not a licensed plumber.
Unfortunately, not all plumbers are licensed, and many will try to work the system to benefit themselves. This is exactly what happened in Manhattan when a landlord hired people to install an illegal gas line and then hide the setup from inspectors. The gas line leaked and this resulted in a major explosion. On the day of the explosion, the contractor and so-called plumber “reopened the gas supply from the neighboring property and also mistakenly left the shut-off valves open, allowing gas to flow into” the Sushi Park restaurant. The explosion destroyed three buildings and killed two people in the East Village neighborhood.
When looking into the event, it was discovered that the individual who called himself a plumber was not licensed and purchased credentials off of Andrew Trombettas, who allowed him to use his paperwork to get city approval for the work. In this case, greed and dishonesty have led to tragic results. Lives were lost, property was destroyed, and five people will have criminal records for their poor decisions.
However, there is another lesson in this. Homeowners must be vigilant about checking the qualifications of those they hire to work in their home. When getting a recommendation from a neighbor, ask to see the person’s licensing paperwork, or look at their website for more information. This is especially important when homeowners need work done on any gas lines for heating, plumbing, and cooking, as the consequences can be dangerous.
We at Kew Forest Plumbing and Heating have been serving the New York City community for over eight decades, and look forward to many more. On our website, you can find our licensing information, and we are also certified, bonded, and insured. We have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offer case studies and testimonials.
When you need plumbing work done, it is tempting to hire the first person who can get the job done at the lowest cost, but homeowners must take their time and do some homework. This will ensure you not only get the job done right, but it will also be done in a safe manner. For more information, contact Kew Forest Plumbing today.
