"I'd give John Padilla Plumbing and Essential Plumbing 5,000 Stars if I could."
There are times when 5 Stars are simply not enough. This is one of those times.
Our nearly 10 yr old Noritz.tankless water heater began shutting off unpredictably in August 2013. Little did we know that we had been cursed with Error Codes 99 & 90 (too much heat generated). We had the unit cleaned and serviced by The Tankless Plumber. Also spent $1000 on revised plumbing guaranteed to fix things. The problem went away.... for a short time. A repeat cleaning was given but ultimately Mr Tankless left us with cold showers.
Visits by other plumbers resulted in various estimates for replacing the unit at a cost varying between $2,000 - $6,000.
COSTCO 's vendor gave the absurd high estimate after a telephone call - unbelievable.
As 2014 came to an end, we had had more than enough of quick showers that required lightening speed to clean the dirty parts before the shower water turned cold. I stopped worrying about wasting water (we're in a drought) because all my family took the shortest showers on record.
We chose Eli Jones of Essential Plumbing to make a final assessment before replacing the Noritz heater. We didn't have a spare $3,000 but at this point, we were ready to bite the bullet. (Routinely posting a family member by the Tankless in the garage to reset it - 3 to 8 times per shower user was exhausting). Eli was busy with other work and referred us to John Padilla Plumbing. Eli stated his concern for fixing our problem and kept himself as the principle plumbing company on our account.
Steve from Padilla Plumbing began a logical, thoughtful assessment of our system. He examined valve filters, flow rates, water temperature, exhaust tubes , beginning in December, 2014. Said that our unit was one of the cleanest he had seen; No accumulation of dust, corrosion. The unit worked significant better but still cut off with unpredictable but less frequency. Steve offered to bring in the local Noritz rep because the only conceivable repair was replacing the still-under-warranty heating element. This week Steve made a final visit because something about our unit bothered him.
The wire connecting the heater to temperature sensor had been cut and reconnected with some bare wire touching the Unit's inner casing. He remembered another unit that malfunctioned when this wire shorted or sparked under the same conditions. He respliced the wire appropriately. I began praying again to the Hot Water Gods....
Our problem has been resolved just 17 months and many cold-interrupted showers later. Just one month after Steve began assessing the problem. He was the only plumber - out of many who saw our unit - who had this insight and experience. His professionalism as that of Victor in the office- was outstanding. Not to mention that I didn't have to throw another $3 grand down the drain...
I'd give John Padilla Plumbing and Essential Plumbing 5,000 Stars if I could. Wouldn't use anyone else. Thank you my plumbing friends!!! This review was written from within the steaming friendly confines of a hot water bath.
