So I employed a Thai plumber ...

[Crossy]

Yes, I know this is the DIY forum 🙂

 

We started out with an occasional drip from the valve on the wall under our bathroom sink. It developed into more of a dribble so it was going to need sorting.

 

This is absolutely something I would fix myself but the space is tight and I'm not as young (or slim) as I was, so we got in a recommended "plumber".

 

The guys (three) rolled up on Saturday.

 

The Boss noted that our sink tap was actually a hot-n-cold mixer but hot was isolated (the tube had failed long ago), he asked if I would like the tap to be replaced and hot water restored to the sink. I like warm water to shave so I said yes (mistake number 1).

 

Off they went to get the parts.

 

A couple of hours (and nearly 10k Baht including parts) later the job was done.

 

Excellent!

 

Then!

 

Later in the evening Madam said that the floor was full of water!!

 

We had a definite gush and it was from up near the actual tap.

 

Turned off the water at the wall and it stopped, phew!

 

I was less than happy (ok totally pi55ed off).

 

Madam called the plumber and sent them the video. Sorry cannot come until Tuesday!

 

We had warm water at the sink so no real problem although cleaning your teeth with warm water is pretty yuk.

 

Tuesday arrived, as did the guys.

 

I'd assumed that they simply hadn't fully tightened the tubes against the O-rings and it would be a 5-minute job.

 

After an hour they determined that the new tap from Thaiwatsadu was faulty.

 

So, they went and got a replacement.

 

It seems Thaiwatsadu wouldn't replace it as faulty, it's not clear why. The reason is never going to get clarified although I suspect that failure to RTFM is in the mix somewhere ("I wonder what these black rubber things are, oh well we don't need them").

 

So, they've just left, no leaks at present!!

 

We shall see ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Which brings us back to DIY...

[GreasyFingers]

As far as I can gather from experience here that there are no "plumbers", only handymen that think (that is too strong a word) they know what they are doing. An extension 4 years ago still has problems in the new bathrooms.

A recent upgrade of the original bathrooms led to water leaks in the wall (though this was probably due to the original construction) and a new vanity that is not secured to the wall so moves if I lean on it, and the tap (faucet for the Americans) twists when turning off and on.

In younger times I would have fixed all these things myself but as you noted the body is not what it used to be.

[BritManToo]

Higher water pressure at night, so it always leaks after the plumber goes home.

Had this happen back in the UK.

[proton]

10k baht seems over the top. Had a blocked drain this year the usual resistance from the mrs to get qualified people in. After me, the BIL and a handyman had tried to fix it and several weeks later she eventually agreed to phone wortan plumbers up. Turned up on time, three blokes in uniforms with power snakes. Hour later all done 1500 baht, they even put a new u bend pipe in under the sink for no charge. 

 

[Thingamabob]

After more than 40 years I am fortunate not to have ever had problems with plumbing work done on three houses in Thailand. 

[johng]

18 hours ago, Crossy said:

So, they went and got a replacement.

 

It seems Thaiwatsadu wouldn't replace it as faulty, it's not clear why.

Who paid for the new tap  if the "unnamed" company  would not replace it ?

Edited October 16 by johng

[Crossy]

A post that does not meet AseanNow Community Guidelines has been removed.

[digger70]

So I employed a Thai plumber ...

 

You mean a. Wannabe Tradesman. 

[CM Dad]

I have lived in Thailand for more than thirty years and consider myself to be extremely blessed to have never had to endure all of the horror stories I continually read about on this forum.

[MalcolmB]

19 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

As far as I can gather from experience here that there are no "plumbers", only handymen that think (that is too strong a word) they know what they are doing.

That is not true. 
There are tradesmen that specialize in plumbing.

But handymen will also take on the job. 

 

https://www.phuketplumbers.com/en/

[Crossy]

19 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

I have lived in Thailand for more than thirty years and consider myself to be extremely blessed to have never had to endure all of the horror stories I continually read about on this forum.

 

Famous last words

[PattayaParent]

I once had a so called "plumber" install two lever type taps in my bathroom to replace old ones that were leaking.

 

I was at work and when I returned home one tap was in the correct 180 degree position and one in a 90 degree position. Told the missus to call the guy and get him back to fix it.

 

Returned home the next day and no change. It's not possible was what the "plumber" (my arse) had told the missus.

 

Tell her to get him out again and show him the installation instructions. No change, not possible, the drawings are wrong.

 

She gets him back again but I'd told her how to fix the problem, just get the "plumber" (my arse) to unbolt the tap, rotate it 90 degrees herself and get the "plumber (my arse) to bolt it up again.

 

So 4 days later I get the taps installed correctly, something which I could have done myself if I'd had the tools.

 

There is no such thing as a plumber in Thailand.

 

[notrub]

Next time give me a call Crossy.  555🙏🏼

 

 

[Mises]

I have lived here 15 years and always rent but when there is an issue or repair needed I do it myself, it is quicker and less stressful.

 

The alternative is wait at home for hours before the repairer turns up (usually 2 or 3 for a one man job), watch horrified at the lack of even a rudimentary tool kit.  They never stock anything so always have to disappear to buy whatever they need.  Then when they have finished clean up after them, they always assume we have a maid. 

 

Then wait for the repair to fail and do it properly anyway.

 

'Electricians' are worse than plumbers and, of course, dangerous.  RCD? What is that?  Metal wall light needs an earth, Why?  Ditto water pump.  Why use a junction box when you can just twist the wires together and wrap it in crappy tape.

[simon43]

On my first little hotel build in Phuket, I let my Thai brother-in-law do the blue plastic pipe plumbing for cold water, (the glued type of fixings).  He did the work, and then laid down the concrete floor and tiling over the pipes. 

 

Of course, months later it all started to leak, because he hadn't bothered to clean the pipe joints before applying the glue.... out with the jackhammer, break up the floors, replace the piping myself..

 

After that for my next hotels, I made sure that no water pipes went under the floors.  I designed the bathrooms so that all water connections for shower, toilet and washbasin came through the outside wall 🙂

[phetphet]

The heating element in my immersion heater recently burnt out.

Called the manufacturer to send a tech to fit a new one. The last ones did a good job three or four years ago. Four years isn't long, but I figure that's another problem caused by the dirty power supply we have here. Surges, regular brown outs and black outs.

 

Anyway. New lot (3) turned up, disconnected the power, then told me they would have to disconnect the whole thing and take it back to their workshop to repair as there was limited space underneath to do said repair. they said it would take three or four days.

 

Now this immersion heater is about 4' tall and about 18" diameter. Bolted to the wall with piping connected. Must weigh a fair bit.

 

I had visions of the damage caused by disconnecting and removing the whole thing for what should be a one or two hour job.

 

I told them the last guys did it in situ, but they were adamant, giving all sorts of excuses.  In the end I told them to give me the parts, I would do the repair myself, and they could return and reconnect the electrics.

 

Had to sign a disclaimer, and off they went.

 

Two hours later had removed the element, cleaned the interior, refitted new one and refilled with water.

Called the guys to come and reconnect. Answer: Cannot come today (Friday) will come on Monday. So I had no hot water all weekend. I know SFA about electrics.

 

Edited October 16 by phetphet

[GreasyFingers]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

That is not true. 
There are tradesmen that specialize in plumbing.

But handymen will also take on the job. 

 

https://www.phuketplumbers.com/en/

Thanks for that information. Do you think they will come to Khao Kho to fit a tap correctly. How much do you think they will charge.

[phetphet]

So I employed a Thai plumber... Now when I flush the toilet, the lights come on. 😁

 

[it is what it is]

 

there are trained, experienced, reliable and competent plumbers in thailand, the knack is sorting the wheat from the chaff. this would be fairly easy back home, but potentially more difficult here, depending on your awareness of thai language and culture.  though, as a local, your thai partner really should be able to find an appropriate tradesman/woman. i mean, if you were back home and needed a plumber you would't expect your thai partner to find one, you'd do it yourself because the understand what's going on!

[Luuk Chaai]

5 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

 

But handymen will also take on the job. 

 

https://www.phuketplumbers.com/en/

i find that these "handymen"  

A.. usually don't arrive with any of the necessary tools to do a job correctly

B..  they usually bring their wives , who do most of the work and usually better

[MalcolmB]

4 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Thanks for that information. Do you think they will come to Khao Kho to fit a tap correctly. How much do you think they will charge.

No.

For petchabun try these

https://www.facebook.com/p/เพชรบูรณ์-ช่างไฟฟ้า-ช่างประปา-ทำฝ้าเพดาน-ติดปั้มน้ำ-อุปกรณ์ไฟฟ้า-100069689742666/

 

[MadMuhammad]

In my 13 years coming to Thailand and 7 years residing here, and me and my business partners 11 years of hiring local Thai ‘tradesmen’ we both still have zero names on our ‘would use again list’. Zero

There is not one genuinely competent tradesman that I’ve ever come across. I can’t even get people to turn up on time when I tell them I’ll pay double or more if they come asap 

[LAtoBangkok]

On 10/16/2024 at 4:13 PM, simon43 said:

On my first little hotel build in Phuket, I let my Thai brother-in-law do the blue plastic pipe plumbing for cold water, (the glued type of fixings).  He did the work, and then laid down the concrete floor and tiling over the pipes. 

 

Of course, months later it all started to leak, because he hadn't bothered to clean the pipe joints before applying the glue.... out with the jackhammer, break up the floors, replace the piping myself..

 

After that for my next hotels, I made sure that no water pipes went under the floors.  I designed the bathrooms so that all water connections for shower, toilet and washbasin came through the outside wall 🙂

We had pipes put below the flooring. I would not do it again. Despite that I H*TE seeing the plumbing on the walls, I would now run the pvc pipes from the outside to inside the house where they're needed, lie Simon says (ha, no pun intended, but accepted!). Find some way to conceal them while still be able to get at them. Oh, have a AAC block with concrete skim all around. Pipes in cement are dependent on the stability of the earth below and the foundation that's sitting on it. If either shift or crack, then pipes go with them. Copper would be the only way to go then and I would not do that in Thailand, given the roulette wheel of getting a contractor that knows what they're doing.

[LAtoBangkok]

1 hour ago, MadMuhammad said:

In my 13 years coming to Thailand and 7 years residing here, and me and my business partners 11 years of hiring local Thai ‘tradesmen’ we both still have zero names on our ‘would use again list’. Zero

There is not one genuinely competent tradesman that I’ve ever come across. I can’t even get people to turn up on time when I tell them I’ll pay double or more if they come asap 

We've had 2 contractors we would use again - our *2nd* electrician and the team that installed all of our fiber cement soffits and ceilings. Excellent.

[LAtoBangkok]

A MUST HAVE for any plumbing work. Buy a bunch of them and give them to your "plumbers" - whether they would use it or not is another matter. I daydream about starting a company where all we do is go around to public bathrooms at gas stations and businesses and homes and we tighten their sink faucets. Anyone want to jump in with me? We'll make a fortune! 🤣

[PattayaParent]

1 hour ago, LAtoBangkok said:

A MUST HAVE for any plumbing work. Buy a bunch of them and give them to your "plumbers" - whether they would use it or not is another matter. I daydream about starting a company where all we do is go around to public bathrooms at gas stations and businesses and homes and we tighten their sink faucets. Anyone want to jump in with me? We'll make a fortune! 🤣

 

Bought one of them and it doesn't fit the bolt on the kitchen sink taps, way too big.

 

[PattayaParent]

On 10/16/2024 at 4:07 PM, Mises said:

Electricians' are worse than plumbers and, of course, dangerous.  RCD? What is that?  Metal wall light needs an earth, Why?  Ditto water pump.  Why use a junction box when you can just twist the wires together and wrap it in crappy tape.

 

And the best one, why do you need the shower instant hot water heater to be earthed???

[recom273]

On 10/15/2024 at 7:40 PM, GreasyFingers said:

As far as I can gather from experience here that there are no "plumbers", only handymen that think (that is too strong a word) they know what they are doing. An extension 4 years ago still has problems in the new bathrooms.

A recent upgrade of the original bathrooms led to water leaks in the wall (though this was probably due to the original construction) and a new vanity that is not secured to the wall so moves if I lean on it, and the tap (faucet for the Americans) twists when turning off and on.

In younger times I would have fixed all these things myself but as you noted the body is not what it used to be.

Just for the record, as one is here fitting out my bathrooms and tank room. The non-existent plumber is a bit of a myth. 
 

They do exist, most work in hotels or industry. My guy has been with us since the footings, planning and advising. The issue is there are no trade schools that teach plumbing, and they aren’t cheap to employ, it’s easier for a contractor to throw a handyman at the job and tell you they don’t exist in Thailand instead of doing a vented system. Even SCG have basic diagrams on their site. My man learned on the job, working in Dubai, then hotels in Bangkok - not only does he understand pipes, but also bathroom construction - putting in metal braces for floating sinks, etc

 

He comes from Khon Kaen but seems to spend a lot of time rolling out private villages in Chiang Mai, he won’t travel to Bangkok - anyone can DM for his number. Another thing about my guy, he’s the only tradesman that does the job, finishes and then after a couple of days rings and asks if everything is ok and can he send the bill - every other “trade” generally wants paying on the morning of the last day, before finishing. 

Edited October 19 by recom273

[RayWright]

I use S. Bend Plumbers. Always found them smartly turned out.