Pat the Plumber: Evil rises it's head again
 

My neighbor who is not well versed in mechanical type things called me this morning. He stated he had a leak in the water service line between the water meter and his home. He asked which plumber he should call, I advised someone who has a good reputation like Torri Plumbing. My neighbor went further to state that this leak was in the identical spot of another leak about a year ago. I asked who made the repairs for the first lesk, he said PAT THE PLUMBER. Red flags went up everywhere, this particular plumber has a horrible reputation in the Villages. Lather this afternoon I stoped by my frioends home, I found that Torri had been out and made the repairs. The Torri plumber told by friend the first repair was very poor and there was insufficient glue on the pipe joints. I knew it being a Saturday, there would be additional cost . I asked how much and was told $190. Now for the kicker!!! I asked my friend what PAT THE PLUMBER had charged for the simple first repair, my friend dropped his head and said $600. I then asked how long did that first repair take, he said less than two hours, maybe an hour and a half. This is just another horror story about Pat the Plumber. I recall there was another posting on the Talk of the Villages where a 80 plus older gentlemen called Pat the Plumber out to fix a broken flush lever on a toilet tank. As I recall this poor old guy ended up paying something like $1200 before Pat the Plumber ended the rip off...

The last information I heard was that Pat The Plumber was out of business. I did check the BBB and they rate the business as a "F" with 36 complaints on file over the past 3 years. His advertisement no longer shows up in TV phone book. His web site no longer takes you to info about his company. He does have, according to the BBB, some "doing business as" names that he uses - Federal Energy Savings and Absolute Best Plumbing. Apparently, his business in Wildwood is closed but a new business address in Lady Lake is showing up. When the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is checked, the owner (Patrick M. Walsh) still has current Certified Solar Contractor and Certified Plumbing Contractors licenses but both are marked "Inactive" by DBPR. DBPR also notes that a new license application for him is "in progress". When was the last time you saw one of his gaily painted "Irish" plumbing repair trucks running around TV? If he is not out of business, he is sure staying below the radar for now.

Pat the Scammer
 

I love what your comments. This guy has ripped off so many Villagers it's a shame. Sadly I did see his work truck just a week ago and assumed he was still ripping off people. The downside regarding these guys like PAT, it that they seem to reappear under a different name to do their deeds:wave: all over again.

It is important that we try to protect each other from such contractors.

I have seen the "Irish" truck recently in the southern end of TV. This summer.

Was it parked at O'Shea's?

Not Funny
 

This is a serious issue to those who have been taken financially by this guy. Not a place for a comedian to try to be humorous.:jester:

It was at the intersection of BV & 466A, pointing south, so you're probably right.

Down boy!chilout
There is always a place for humor...even in a foxhole.

Pat the Plumber 'new name 'Vortex'
 

I have heard that he is operating under a new business name, 'Vortex'. It's important to find out the names of operators, as changing a business name can conceal a poor past reputation.

:coolsmiley:

I once called Pat for a leak in my water heater. He said it needed to be replaced(for a small fortune). I got a second opinion from Torrey and they told me I only needed to replace the small tank above the heater. Cost me about $200 instead of a few thousand. I have used Torrey several times since. They are A+ rated in my book.

If you can ,always get several quotes.