Need Plumber/Contractor opionion

[pmui]

Hi Everyone,

I need some advice on a plumbing issue. I'm in NJ and own the house.

Here is the background, about a month ago i had to change the washers on my Tub/shower unit it was dripping. I was able to change the hot water w/o much problem, i then proceeded to change the cold water handle. When i open the cold water handle i discover that the seat had a divot in it. I tried to remove/replace the seat but it was pretty corroded and in the end I pretty much stripped it (i used the seat remover, then the flat head screw driver method, then the easy out still did not get it out). Now the drip from the cold water side is even more faster.
I had a local plumber swing by to take a look and he said that the only thing that can be done is to replace the entire "shower block". and it would take approximately half a day of work to do.

My question(s) are: 1.) is the only option i have. 2.) whats the estimate cost to do the work. the person quoted me $900 for material and labor. Is this a fair price?

Thanks for any input on this.

 

[NewfiDog]

Most likley you used a universal seat remover and it stripped it(they suck). If you know what brand get the right tool for it unless you already did to much damage. Replacing the valve with a better single lever is good advice for the long run. If you really dont want to do that you have a couple of options, they make a seat grinding tool which i never use but it may help you , you can get them at any hardware store and im sure homedepot, next you can take a close quarters saw blade and by hand cut the seat. You should make 2 cuts then with a screwdriver pop out the peice and the rest of the seat will come out. This would be difficult if your not handy, and you need to be careful not to damage the valve body. You also would need to know what faucet you have to get the right seat.

I suggest you change the valve body. The price i wont comment on because it depends alot on what it includes.

 

[thirty5]

I am not a licensed plumber or contractor. But I did all the plumbing work on the 2200 sq ft addition on my house.

If I understand what you are explaining is that you actually damaged the part of the plumbing in the wall. Those are sealed units (for the most part) and really the only way to fix it is to replace it. And yes it would most likely require the removal of it from the wall, so if you have tile the tile would need to be removed, the guts in the wall replaced, and then put back together.

Half a day is a short time, if i was to guess it would take a full day. But again I am not pro.

The only recommendation that I make to people when it comes to shower fixtures (not sink) is buy the best that you can, you usually get what you pay for, so a cheap fixture has a better chance of failing.

But to answer your question $900 for the job, complete with parts and labor, I would say that is not that bad of a price. Figure if you called a plumber to just fix the leak they would charge you a couple hundred most likely.

Hopefully others will chime in...