FLUSHING, NY (WABC) --

Instead of warm comfort, she has been burned by red tape and delays.

"I'm just frustrated and angry."

It's a heating issue that's burned Jo Dominguez for years. She says she's the victim of a plumber who cut corners, creating a potential hazard in her home.

"It could eventually leak have an explosion, says Dominguez.

Back in 2003 she gave more than 5 grand to a plumber who owns Stephen Thorpe Inc. to convert her home's heat from oil to gas. But a few years after the job, "I found out there was no permit filed even though i paid the contractor," said Dominguez.

ConEd never got the plumber's paperwork, meaning her furnace was never properly checked by a city inspector. And when she asked another plumber to inspect the work, "He said there was wrong sized pipe used and he was going to charge me a fee of $2,700," recounts the Flushing homeowner.

Jo's been in hot water with the city since '09, the plumbers been promising her he'd file the permit and give her a partial refund for the last five years. Tired of waiting Dominguez, "took him to court."

And in June she won, more than $2,500. And once again was promised payment on her voice mail. Dominguez says the plumber came through with a check, but it bounced. "I want my money and him out of my life," said the homeowner.

So we contacted the plumber by phone and just days later. A bank check finally arrived for the full amount. Now Jo can pay another plumber to finish the job with proper permits.

Originally posted here:
A decade-long plumbing problem

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August 28, 2014 at 3:18 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Plumber