Loveland Plumbing

Linda R.

Loveland Plumbing put my family in danger and cost me plenty.

In 2014, Loveland Plumbing (Brian Gross), was hired to install a new tankless water heater (Takagi) that I had already purchased. He estimated $600 to install, taking a couple of hours. He also said it would require and additional $170 for a coupler for the exhaust system. Three days later, he brought another plumber with him who would do the installation. The coupler he order was the wrong size. He said he didn't have time to track down the right sized coupler; he cut one down instead as a temporary solution. Then he presented me with a bill for $1200, claiming he quoted my husband $800 (not $600), plus parts. He never returned to put in a proper coupler and NEVER RETURNED CALLS.

A few days later, there were high CO levels in the house, confirmed by the gas company that found the source in the tankless exhaust, plus there was unburned gas. The exhaust was very hot, and the unit was red-tagged.

Over the next three weeks, spending another $1,800 with other plumbers, and three visits by the gas company, the following was uncovered about the installation by Loveland Plumbing:

1.) There was no reason for the additional cost of installation. We could not get an itemized bill.

2.) The inlet gas pressure to the unit was twice what it should have been.

3.) The gas regulator had been adjusted to maximum but that was not the amount needed by the unit.

4.) The standard procedure is to calculate the capacity of the gas line connections and determine if the owner needs different meter and regulator installed. Mr. Gross did not do this. In this case the unit need 171% the capacity of the old gas line.

5.) The unit was placed 12 feet away from where it should have been placed, increasing the need for more piping, which reduced efficiency and delayed the delivery of hot water (which wastes water).

6.) Loveland Plumbing used corrugated tubing which increased turbulence/pressures and had to be replaced.

7.) Loveland Plumbing's temporary coupler had ends going in the wrong direction

8.) Loveland Plumbing didn't see that the fresh air vent in the crawl space needed vented siding and cleaning.

9.) The increased pressures at the gas inlet my have damaged the unit and the inadequate make-shift substitutes may have voided the manufacturer's warranty.