ComplaintsforELCO Services of NY, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/30/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  Elco Septic services with owner Anton E****** Was called upon last July 2021 as our lake house septic system was overflowing. Mr. E***** proceeded to tell us we needed a new system. This system cost $10k. The system was used for August and Sept. as no one uses the lake house in the winter months. Mr. E***** was called this July as the security alarm was sounded and as per his request was called right away. They came to inspect the problem. Upon inspection he stated that the piping and dry well was full of branches and roots. He proceeded to clean out old dry well and replace piping. We were charged another another $4600 for that service. I called and tried to speak to Mr. E***** and he was supposed to return my phone call and never did. My complaint is as follows. #1-Did we actually need the new $10k system or did he fail to accurately diagnose the original problem? #2-Why were we charge another $4600 if what he did originally, did not fix the problem in the first place? I feel we were taken advantage of. He claims to be septic specialists and did not fix our problem and over charged us. I want a refund of either the $10k for a system we did not need or a refund of the $4600 which should have been diagnosed prior to installing a new system. Plus on his receipt for cleaning out the old well he stated he replaced it which he did not?

  Business response

  10/17/2022

                     In july of 2021,we visited Mrs.******* *****'s summer cottage at ** **** ***** *** ** ******* new york. The septic system was having a backup issue. due to the confined area of her property, challenging site slopes,and relative closeness to lake ontario. It was recommended to install an atu(aerobic treatment unit) to biologically remediate any biomat buildup.The atu unit also allows smaller footprint of drainage area necessary, digests any biomat without potentially contaminating any ground water or drinking water sources, or any surrounding bodies of water. The system was working properly and approx. July of 2022 we received a call that they were having a backup issue again. I sent out 2 service techs. to evaluate. We found the system was flooded, still not sure of causing an issue. I went back with technicians, with a minia excavator and terralift {soil fracturing machine}, any assumptions there may have been some restrictions from dry well not discharging. The effluent was clear and no signs of biomat buildup, as would be expected.Next we exposed the side wall of the dry well, and were surprised to see the massive root mass surrounding the dry well choking off the drainage due to the tree roots. She was never charged for a day of work for evaluation, they returned with the pump truck, dump truck with 2 washed stones , mini excavator and skid steer to correct the root mass buildup around the dry well and refurbish it for proper drainage. Upon pumping the dry well the effluent was clear and absolutely no signs of biomat buildup which confirmed the atu was working in a proper manner and doing the job it was supposed to. 

           The system worked for a year, even if the roots were removed last year it would have been at an additional cost , not a freebie like she insists.

          Due to the circumstances we have no control over natural growth of trees and roots.This is one reason why trees are recommended never to be around septic systems. 

          Elco was extremely lenient with pricing, with Mrs.***** and in no way made any profit off of her. If she was fully charged it would have been easily twice the price. There is no adjustment to discuss.

  
  

  
  

  Feel free to contact me at any time ###-###-#### Anton E*****  
  

  
  

  --
  

  Anton E******

  President of ELCO Septic Services of NY Inc.
  

  Toll free: ###-###-####

  3520 State Rte. 3, Fulton, NY 13069

  Customer response

  10/19/2022

  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. Regards, **** ***** I am sending original bills.  The original dry well was not inspected for roots prior to Elco installing a 10,000 unit!The system did NOT work for a year.  It was installed in July of 21.  No one inhabits the camp over the winter so the system was used from July to Sept of 2021.  Upon return In June of 2022 the system was used for a month before the system went into failure.  

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