Urban Ore, Berkeley, CA
CONSULTATION SERVICES
Pete the Plumber, back in the 1970’s, used to DREAM of having a ‘magical’ device to use as a real-time, 2-way video camera and telephone, combined. All of his customers who had even a little mechanical aptitude could have performed many of the plumbing repairs that they were calling his attention to, IF, he had been ‘standing’ there, next to them, pointing out which of the pre-assembled tools in the collection to pick up and put where, use how. Next. Next. Next. Done. “Congratulations! And, get back to me, whenever, for other wanna-do’s.” (The client, he reasoned, would have also gotten ‘bragging rights’ that they did the job.)
Pete once did have a wealthy client who requested that he come to his enclave and sit in a chair, (upholstered; comfortable; swivel) and tell the client how to plumb a new bathroom and a kitchen addition. The client said he wanted the ‘bragging rights’ for being his own plumber. Pete sat in the chair.
Many years prior, at Pete’s first radio guest experience, where he thought he’d only have to talk about his book, "The Straight Poop A Plumber’s Tattler," the moderator opened the ‘mic’ to his listeners, to ask Pete any plumbing question they had in mind. If only this present technology were, then, available, my heart rate would have remained within three digits. Optical eyes versus mind’s eyes in such a situation would have greatly enhanced the listener’s satisfaction, I’ll wager. Pete’s first TV appearance was on a children’s Educational Channel. In the classroom, at one point the teacher told her class to ask Pete about any plumbing questions they might have. The old man was sweating a little bit, again. Kids can ask the dam nest questions. He knows. He and wife Katherine raised four.
Though the author has plumbed restaurants and commercial structures in the past, he will limit his new ‘real-time video advice’ to single-family residential questions/requests. What he sees his role as here is:
Pete once did have a wealthy client who requested that he come to his enclave and sit in a chair, (upholstered; comfortable; swivel) and tell the client how to plumb a new bathroom and a kitchen addition. The client said he wanted the ‘bragging rights’ for being his own plumber. Pete sat in the chair.
Many years prior, at Pete’s first radio guest experience, where he thought he’d only have to talk about his book, "The Straight Poop A Plumber’s Tattler," the moderator opened the ‘mic’ to his listeners, to ask Pete any plumbing question they had in mind. If only this present technology were, then, available, my heart rate would have remained within three digits. Optical eyes versus mind’s eyes in such a situation would have greatly enhanced the listener’s satisfaction, I’ll wager. Pete’s first TV appearance was on a children’s Educational Channel. In the classroom, at one point the teacher told her class to ask Pete about any plumbing questions they might have. The old man was sweating a little bit, again. Kids can ask the dam nest questions. He knows. He and wife Katherine raised four.
Though the author has plumbed restaurants and commercial structures in the past, he will limit his new ‘real-time video advice’ to single-family residential questions/requests. What he sees his role as here is:
- A plumber on your couch, in your living room, or at your kitchen table, discussing a future plumbing project /chore that is facing you (Photo 1).
- Or I can hear: “Hey Pete, I just did ‘this’ to ‘that’ and now ‘this’ is what’s happening. Now how do I fix it?” (Photo 2).
- The author can also hear: “Hey Pete, I have some questions about or need some help laying out the DWV plan for my new bath/kitchen remodel/addition.” (Photo 3)
- Or, (Photo 4) “Have you had any experience with brand ?” or “What do you think of brand ?”
Photo 1: Problems on several fronts. But, given the right information, non-professionals could make all the right moves, and be a hero to someone? (Who has been waiting six years for ‘the day?)
|
Photo 2: Sometimes a ‘little’ job turns out to be a whole another thing...and/or sometimes a person is just curious about a plumbing aspect of their home/domicile, but are fearful of becoming a victim of unscrupulous tradespeople, if they were called. Pete’s the perfect guy to get an unbiased answer from. And who knows, maybe he can guide you through the challenge when he thinks it’s appropriate. To find out, the first option, for $23 would be well spent.
|
Photo 3: From “Plumbing A House.” Pete wrote the book with a ‘cook book’ flavor in mind. Instead of recipes Pete uses Patterns. If you are thinking of a remodel-/addition-level challenge, Pete can help you get it right, the first and only time. In 30 air-time minutes, with prior e-mail and prep time, the author could help someone get ‘unstuck’ in the design/layout process. Note:
On second story remodels, vent and drain puzzles require more time. Water, not so much.
|
Photo 4: It’s not only toilets and sinks but even the supplies (see In the Pipe) used in the trade, from pipe & fittings to tools. Pete the Plumber will have some good advice for you. And...Pete has learned well from his plumbing classes that he too is still learning from his students.
|
Photos 5, 5a, 6, & 7 show how Pete the Plumber wishes he could help everyone who seeks him out: one on one. From scratch to finish. Unfortunately this is not possible for too many. However, the author sees his real-time video exchange questas ‘the next best thing.’ With sufficient e-mail preparation the author hopes he can create the best learning experience possible for his clients.
Photo 5: Pete’s ‘wanna be there’ coed students.
|
Photo 5a: “What kind’a trouble can I get us into today?”
|
Photo 6: PtP puttn’um to sleep...
|
Photo 7: It gets really busy but EVERY one (the old master included) has lots of fun!
|
With real-time video visits now possible, what is the fee structure?
The author will begin this experiment by offering three possible options:
If the reader would like to have video counsel, they should get in touch with the author through the CONTACT portal on the website, or Click Here. With a free-of-charge e-mail exchange, we can discuss your desired outcome and how to best prepare for our ‘air-time’ (using Google Duo or FaceTime apps). Time slots are then pre-paid before the actual video-call takes place and are purchased in the STORE, or Click Here.
NOTE 1:
To help solve ‘involved’ questions or to perform the bigger, scarier repairs, the author would highly suggest the reader first invest $28.00 and read “Plumbing A House.” It would greatly increase the efficiency of knowledge transfer during the call.
NOTE 2:
Since all topics of residential plumbing are on the table, if your questions involve finish plumbing, which “Plumbing A House” does not cover, the author recommends that you check with your public library for a copy of his book “Installing and Repairing Plumbing Fixtures,” and familiarize yourself with the contents.
If the library system does not own a copy, you can purchase a used copy on-line for ‘peanuts’.
Until Then,
PtP
The author will begin this experiment by offering three possible options:
- The first is a quick, 15 minute slot which is enough time to answer many fundamental questions, for $23.00. If your needs are instructional in nature, there are two additional choices:
- For simpler repairs, a 30 minute session is available for $45.00.
- For more challenging topics, a 60 minute (1 hour) session is available for $90.00.
If the reader would like to have video counsel, they should get in touch with the author through the CONTACT portal on the website, or Click Here. With a free-of-charge e-mail exchange, we can discuss your desired outcome and how to best prepare for our ‘air-time’ (using Google Duo or FaceTime apps). Time slots are then pre-paid before the actual video-call takes place and are purchased in the STORE, or Click Here.
NOTE 1:
To help solve ‘involved’ questions or to perform the bigger, scarier repairs, the author would highly suggest the reader first invest $28.00 and read “Plumbing A House.” It would greatly increase the efficiency of knowledge transfer during the call.
NOTE 2:
Since all topics of residential plumbing are on the table, if your questions involve finish plumbing, which “Plumbing A House” does not cover, the author recommends that you check with your public library for a copy of his book “Installing and Repairing Plumbing Fixtures,” and familiarize yourself with the contents.
If the library system does not own a copy, you can purchase a used copy on-line for ‘peanuts’.
Until Then,
PtP