Get matched with top percolation testing pros in Gardner, MA

"Topic is a home water supply Shallow Well which operates with a shallow well jet pump + pressure tank installed in the basement. I had been collecting parts over the summer, as I knew the original to house jet pump would go out soon some day and with covid parts are hard to get quick, so started collecting ahead of time. Glad I did as the pump started leaking, from the housing. Replacement needed. Not an emergency but time to get it replaced. Was a ticking clock as it also looked like the pump was twisting putting stress on piping as original owner did not mount it and other fittings had large amounts of corrosion on them. I supplied these parts for the job: new 1hp jet pump, 44 Gal. pressure tank with T package, water filter housing, brass fittings, brass check valve, brass ball valves, 1" copper pipe and some copper fitting, and 2x10 pressure treated board to mount the pump/board to the floor with concrete anchors. Called up Sila on 10/14, master plumber Dave was available on 10/16 to come quote the job of installing what I supplied and misc. parts still needed. Talked with me and received my requests for specific design wants and he supplied his opinions & additional ideas and other options like wall mounting of water filter, sensor shutoff option and different water filter all together and we worked out the plan, did not do the different filter or sensor though. Talked about brass pipe and fittings at the pump up to the pressure tank and we agreed what I had purchased was good and would last a lifetime, vs copper all the way which would still last a long time. Quoted $2800 with water filter bypassing and $2600 without the water filter bypassing. Job was scheduled for 10/22. Quote was high level line item as listed here. Came a bit late on 10/14, due to an emergency call, no big deal Dave called to let me know. Was on time for installation on 10/22, 7:30am. Two workers on Job (Dave + 1, sorry I’m horrible with names +1 was an electrician and was helping Dave) Job took ~ 8 hours to finish. What was not able to be completed: Was not able to replace old original check valve. Well started to suck air when old was started to be removed, confirming there is no foot valve on the line or a broken one, so old check valve was kept. Concern was not being able to recover from air going down the well pipe causing priming issues. At this point the job would require a well expert and was not able to be replaced by Sila. What part of job was mis-understood: Mounting of jet pump to board/floor. Ended up missing the concrete anchors to start and installing after the fact with a different method. Made it more difficult to mount the pump and did scratch the rust proof paint. But it got done. Nice and sturdy. What was complicated on the job: Something that should have not been an issue at all went wrong. I had purchased 1” brass unions. There were two unions installed. One was found to be causing leaks during the initial job installation. This caused extra rework during the initial job. After job completion and area dried with a fan, it was found that both unions were leaking. The original one that had issues in the initial job and the 2nd one. One is pre pump and one is post pump. Called Sila office on 10/23 and told them what was happening, Dave’s earliest availability to come back was was 10/26. He was on time on 10/26. Dave stated that 1 union was giving trouble and replaced it with one spare that I had also purchased. When looking at the 2nd union again he was not able to get it to seal and he made the call and changed the design to direct copper connection and no union, I did not object as at this point just wanted the job done. No More leaks on that location, but also no ability to easily break the connection for future maintenance. When left no leaks. However, after using water for a while the 1st union started leaking again. Texted Dave direct with a picture and said he could return on 10/28 and I requested him to bring a union from his supply. Arrived when he could with ~ 1hr notice and replaced the union with one of his. When looking closer at the issue unions that I had purchased it was found they were cracking. Summary: I’m a novice in pluming, reason for calling Sila. I wish Dave would have noticed the poor part / crack issue and replaced unions from his stock on day 1. I was trying to save time by collecting parts over time and ended up causing issues. Dave knew he was working with brass and seems like he did not have backup stock on site incase of issues. Wish he did as I’d have two unions… and he would not have had to come back twice to repair the leaks. The call was made to not use the brass ball valves I purchased so it was clear that my parts were recommended to use but not absolute. Overall Dave and team did a great job, it’s clean, organized, valves and drain spickets installed nice and logically, filter is at good height, job completed like I asked and planned with Dave, except for the above jet pump mounting, union issue and check valve replacement discussion above here. Dave and team was professional and focused to get the job done. Thanks Dave for your hard work. Reason for Rating: I am giving this job an A rating based on the end result, Sila stood by the workmanship and resolved the issues that arose. That is a sign of a great company. If I would not have supplied the couplers that issue would not have happened ultimately and the check valve & well priming issue was just out of reach and would have required a well specialist to complete. The pump mounting was probably just lost in the large amount of details we had discussed, again it is mounted sturdy."

"Absolute ripoff, along with shady business practices. They were prompt and courteous, but that's about it. The technician came and had to replace a $200 part on my boiler, it took him under an hour to do the work. A simple Google search showed at least 10 places to buy the exact part, all around $200. No other parts were needed for this repair, I researched what is involved. I was charged almost $1000, including their $89 diagnostic fee just to walk in the door. So apparently it's a $600+/hour labor rate? I'm obviously in the wrong line of work. This was not an off hours emergency call either, it was a scheduled appointment in the middle of a weekday. The shadiest part of the entire thing was that on the invoice (that they email you later) they bury all the cost, it's not itemized i.e. labor vs parts cost. It just says replaced (part) = $1000. A super scummy and shady way to run a "professional" business, taking advantage of people who don't know any better. I wouldn't be surprised if they also sell used cars. Never again Gervais. You've all been warned."

"Rich did an amazing job!!! Professional, helpful, thorough, and very knowledgeable. His prices are extremely fair. If you have a clog and want it cleared he’s the man for the job. "

"Went well. pumps replaced"

"Bright knows exactly what he's doing and how to fix a major plumbing issue. Very professional, prompt, has very clear communication, is hard working, very hard working, and personable. He has the proper equipment do diagnose and fix the problem in a timely manner. His knowledge of plumbing is also exemplary. It was a pleasure doing business with him and will hire him for future jobs. Thank you Bright!"

"Very professional and explained each procedure."

"We had an issue with a Dry Well periodically backing up. Damian and the D Day Plumbing team were very professional and knowledgeable and provided an estimate with a couple different options and their related costs. They installed a new utility sink, sink pump, and needed piping and valves with tie ins to the main septic. They made improvement above and beyond the initial job breakdown, all the while staying within budget. I will certainly consider them again for any future work. Thank you Damian and the D Day Plumbing Team for a job very done!"

"Many other contractors proposed to snake the sewer line, but I understand that is an ineffective way to eliminate root intrusions. These guys pressure-jetted the roots. Their camera moved to each successive intrusion as they jetted the pipe, demonstrably clearing the line. When they were finished, the line was clean as a whistle."

"We recently completed a gut reno and second story addition. After engaging 10 different contractors, MP was the most communicative, interested, flexible and competitively priced. MP has a large in-house team of experts that work efficiently and adapt to the home owner’s needs and preferences. The employees worked 6 days a week and took great pride in their work. They were personally invested in our project and wanted to make it the home of our dreams. The team includes an amazing designer, Nataly, who helped with selecting finishes. The onsite foreman, Adriano, demonstrated expertise and kindness. Seichelle and Marco did an excellent job with operations, ordering materials and problem-solving. We have been back in our home for 10 months. Anytime I have an issue, Seichelle and the team have addressed it. They have gone above and beyond what is expected. We could not be more pleased with our project. We strongly recommend MP for your next project!"

"Prompt and good service"