TL Carns Plumbing

Please see full review at [*** Link removed ***] Please note - the pictures at the end of this review do not show up in this review. Please see the full review at the link above. We met with Mr. Thomas Carns on two occasions as well as several phone calls and 4 pages of questions by email. During our first phone call and meeting, I indicated that I did not want inexperienced "kids" on this project (all plumbing for all phases of new construction) and was looking for a quality professional job. Mr. Carns (and his wife) indicated a number of times that we would be getting a substantial amount of experience and he could deliver a very professional project. Today we know that the product we received was totally unprofessional and of poor quality. To summarize some of the problems (more detail appears below including references to pictures): (1) 5 out of about 29 pipes were located in the wrong place, including some in the room (such as master bedroom) instead of the wall; (please see picture #1 and #2) (2) a furnco (rubber or neoprene coupler) was added in an attempt the fix a problem then covered with dirt; (please see picture #3 and #4) (3) the pipe exiting the house to the septic tank was deeper than my permit allowed and would probably have required a $2,500.00 septic tank pump; (please see picture #5 and #6, picture #7 shows reworked plumbing) (4) the slope on the pipes was not uniform and went from way too much slope to no slope to negative slope which would have caused serious problems in the future; (5) we had 2 former plumbers with approximately10 to 15 years combined experience to review the work and they were very, very critical of the work. (We have much more knowledge today and know-how correct they were as well as that the work should have been very routine plumbing work); (6) I was at the site clearing land while Mr. Carns and crew worked. I never saw Mr. Carns take one measurement, install a pipe, or anything else other than look at the plans. His--what I believe--inexperienced kids did all the work; (7) one of Mr. Carns’ employees was observed applying glue to a joint on a pipe evidently because they heard a noise when they attempted to fix a severe slope problem (please see details below); (8) picture #8 shows the waterline to the kitchen island laying on the ground. No attempt was made to neatly roll up and secure the water line so that it would not be damaged by other subcontractors. (9) Knowing that I was very displeased, Mr. Carns agreed to meet me at the lot; however, he never came. When I hired Mr. Carns, there were several reviews on the internet with 5 stars. I have since looked back at those reviews more carefully. The first review is from Thomas Carns. There are now additional reviews. Looking at other plumbers' reviews, it appeared to me that most reviews were much more detailed than just the words/phrases "reliable", "Awesome service", etc. I hope this review helps others. More detail of the problems follows: • When we double-checked the location of the pipes installed, we were astounded to find that five (5) of the plumbing pipes were in the wrong location, including 2 pipes that would have been in the master bedroom [please see picture #1, as an example where white couplers (rings) were added as some of the fixes to lengthen the pipe so it would be in the wall]. The drain in the shower was not centered and was 5 1/2 inches (picture #2 as another examle) from the correct location. Thus, almost 20 percent of the pipes were in the wrong location and would have caused an expensive problem to correct. • When getting the pipes ready for the inspection, I discovered a rubber/neoprene coupling (picture #3 and #4) hidden under dirt that had been installed by Mr. Carns' crew. I spoke with an inspector, who said it is called a furnco and to "get it out" since the concrete will be covering it. I have since learned from speaking to other plumbers that, among other problems that can be caused by the use of this type of fitting, the pipes can shift internally in the coupling and cause a major and repeated clogging. • When Mr. Carns’ crew began placing the plumbing pipes at the far end of the house, they started too deep, so that when the pipes exited the house at the other end they were way too deep to accommodate a septic tank installation. My permit allows 30 inches depth (possibly the maximum) in the drain field. Mr. Carns had the main pipe so deep that the septic tank drain field would have been much deeper than 30 inches. I made a call to the septic tank installer and was told I would very possibly need a $2,500.00 septic tank pump. Clearly there was insufficient planning for the layout of the plumbing in my opinion. Please see pictures #5 and #6 Mr. Carns’ work; and picture #7 which shows the plumbing raised up and reworked with a 1/4 inch slope.. • Not having much knowledge of slab plumbing at the time, I had a friend with 3 years of plumbing knowledge as a former plumber evaluate the work. His evaluation was highly critical, so I asked another friend with at least 10 to 15 years of experience who also was a former plumber to evaluate the work. He found, among other things, that there were numerous areas that the slope of the drain pipes was not uniform--they were either too steep, had no slope, or even had a negative slope. This very possibly would cause plumbing problems. Please see Florida Building Code 704.1. You do not want excessive slope as water will run away from the solids such as toilet paper and can definitely cause a clog. No slope or negative slope are also bad. No slope can cause clogging and negative slope can cause sewage to travel backward. Mr. Carns stated in a conversation on site that he had never had an inspector look at the slope as part of their inspection. • Having been at the site working during most of the time the pipes were installed, I never saw Mr. Carns doing any actual work other them looking at the plans and telling his crew the next pipe needed, etc. • I observed one of Mr. Carns’ employees applying glue to a joint on a pipe. When questioned, the employee indicated that when they pulled (to me forced) the pipe upward to correct a severe slope problem which I had pointed out, they heard a noise in the pipes. Based on what we observed later, it appears that they broke the pipe loose internally. To me the application of the glue would not have been a long-term solution and would not have lasted much longer than the inspection. The appropriate resolution should have been to replace all the pipes. • Another example of careless workmanship is shown in picture #8. The picture shows the waterline to the kitchen island laying on the ground. No attempt was made to neatly roll up and secure the waterline so that it would not be damaged. Would this have been fixed before the foundation people arrived?? • Twice, we asked Mr. Carns to fix problems. His "fix" of the problems created more problems causing us to lose all trust and confidence in his ability to deliver a professional job which would not cause any problems in the future. • I contacted Mr. Carns and asked him to come to the site. He agreed, but he never came. Additionally, Mr. Carns was provided a letter terminating our relationship. Mr. Carns was "encouraged" to respond, however, he has never responded. Picture #1, pipe had to be corrected - was 5 1/2 inches in the wrong place. We caught the mistake. Picture #2, pipes had to be corrected - was to short and in the master bedroom in the wrong place. We caught the mistake. Picture #3, this is a furnco or flexible coupling. It was placed in the slab plumbing to correct a slope problem. See picture #4. Picture #4 - furnco found under dirt in slab plumbing. (see review). Picture #5 - excessive depth and slope (see review). Picture #6 - excessive depth and slope (see review). Picture #7 - plumbing completely reworked (not by TL Carns Plumbing) - reasonable depth and 1/4 inch per foot slope. Picture #8 - water line just left scattered on the ground where it could be damaged by other subcontractors.