It cost you $150 because not only did you not check the tub, you didn’t check the service panel! There should be documentation of the breaker “tripped” or turned off in the panel and why you didn’t inspect it. That’s the SOP.
You also deferred it to a “licensed contractor” instead of just reporting that it did not respond to normal operating controls as stated in the SOP.
You bought it because you called it.
For all of you that call out stuff without knowing what is wrong, more of this is to come.
You “think” something is wrong (and it is not) then call someone else in to do your “JOB”!
Just another case of not knowing the SOP…
If you exceed the SOP (to beat out the other guy) you’d better know your stuff.
It turns out that it has nothing to do with breakers. The buyers agent called me and said that the plumber said I didnt fill the tub up before testing the jets and damagd the tub because there were cobwebs in the tub. I told the agent I did fill it up before testing the jets and the buyer also told her I did because he saw me do it. From now on, in the report im stating I filled the tub up with water above jets!
PICTURES solve the problem! Fill the tub, take a picture, ALWAYS on jetted tubs. I’m considering picking up a “rubber ducky” to float in the tub to prove there is water in it, and to what level. It’s sometimes difficult to tell in pictures on some of these colored units.
And in my opinion, an access cover is not considered accessible if it is caulked in place. It should be easily removed with no more than a screwdriver.
If you’re talking about accessibility, I agree with you. I actually installed my GFCI outlet in the crawl space so I wouldn’t have to removed the adhesive caulked panel just to reset an outlet. If it were beneath the tub, that would be a problem I would point out. (But then, how would you even test it or determine if it was present if it were there???)
Sounds like the cards are stacked against you starting from the homeowner. Sounds like the tubs motor was ran dry and you were last to show your hand and you got it. The homeowner knows it was broken they just want you to pay for it. Karma will get them! Always does!
Excellent post! I and others have been harping on “guessing” and assuming anything. Alwasy stick to the facts and just the facts, don’t get into troubleshooting the system or sub-system if you are not qualified to do it and then do so as your own peril. Too, many come in the board and post a question like “how would you write this up, what would you say about this” often without a picture or a photo taken from across the street, get a hundred different inputs, none based on anything other than a guess, or a maybe coulda, might be, coulda been, used to be, and dozens of other vague and nebulous reasonings. Learn your trade and if you don’t know, say so. Say what you observed, put it in writing and get a photo to back up what you said. Things are only going to get worse. There are a lot of dishonest people out there who will blame you for everything and take none of the responsibility…both sellers and buyers and realtors.
But…
Do you also have an issue if there is no access panel behind a regular tub/shower?
How many times have they forgot to brace or fasten the shower pipe ?
Tell us what you look for please ,and if your answer is leaks ,the same would apply to any other plumbing as well right?
As far as access to the pump goes, a panel that is caulked sure sounds good enough in case the pump needs repair.
The biggest issue would be no circuit interrupter access.
Leaks are another story,however they occur anywhere there is piping,which is mostly covered by drywall anyway.
I am guessing that you are concerned about “O rings” or gaskets ,which I agree can be more of an issue with a spa tub.
Jeff , just notate no access panel and be done with it.
**Eric **- This is getting REAL confusing. In your very 1st post you said the Hot Tub did NOT power on and you couldn’t get it to work
In your above post you say you supposedly damaged the JETS because DIDN’T fill the tub before TESTING the jets. In another post you call it a Whirlpool.
Whirlpools (hydro-massage tubs are in the bathrooms). Hot Tubs are USUALLY outside. Which is it??
Now you say the PLUMBER says you hurt the tub by running it WITHOUT water BUT in your 1st post you said it DID NOT come on. This doesn’t make sense at all. You’re contradicting yourself big-time / OR not paying attention to the BS they’re trying to pull off on you.
IF you should be FOOLISH enough to pay $150 to ANYBODY, you’ve learned a valuable lesson in getting $crewed without a kiss 1st.
SoP - If it DOES NOT come on with the NORMAL homeowners operating controls - Its BROKE and somebody elses problem. End of Conversation.
Be polite when you tell them to stuff it.
PS - Wish I’d seen this earlier in the week, as I was in downtown Springfield around 4th and Walnut on Tuesday / Wednesday inspecting a 4-story condo complex.
Yes, but I do not see it in the SOP, so if the inspector fails to note it the inspector than is liable to pay out? I just do not agree with David’s argument. The property should be ready to go for the inspection when the inspector arrives. The Realtor needs to get paid for doing something and making sure the property is ready is their job.
Me either (assuming I could locate it easily). GFCI’s are tripped all the time, and resetting them isn’t any big deal. (The test and reset buttons are “normal operating controls”.)