LESLIE: Joe in Pennsylvania is dealing with a leaky toilet. Can you tell us about the problem?
JOE: Sure. I have this recurring problem, actually. Underneath the tank is a valve that is leaking and I bring a plumber in, he fixes it; a year or so later, the valve starts leaking again and I’ve got to call a plumber again. I just wanted to know if there’s any way I can permanently fix this.
TOM: You talking about the shutoff valve?
JOE: Yes, the shutoff valve. Exactly.
TOM: And it leaks every year and they keep replacing it.
JOE: Well, that’s – it not’s replaced. He comes in, tightens some things up …
TOM: That’s kind of dumb because there’s a valve seat there that’s obviously loose; he tightens up and then, just through normal expansion and contraction over the course of the year, it – this is a plumber who is just trying to guarantee himself some income. You just want to replace the valve. It’s a very inexpensive thing to do, it’s a very easy thing to do and if you replace the valve – because this one is obviously worn out – that problem is going to go away.
JOE: Oh, alright. So I can just tell him to replace the valve – or a plumber to replace the valve.
TOM: Yeah. Well, fire that plumber. OK?
LESLIE: Yeah.
TOM: Don’t reward him with any more work. Go get …
JOE: OK.
LESLIE: You’ve given him enough money.
JOE: Alright.
TOM: Yeah, go get another plumber and have him replace the valve and be done with this.
JOE: Alright.
TOM: Alright?
JOE: Sounds great. Alrighty.
TOM: Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Can you believe that guy?
LESLIE: But look, I’m bending down under your toilet and I’m tightening something. Here, give me some money.
TOM: (overlapping voices) That’ll be 100 bucks. (chuckles)
LESLIE: It’s stopped leaking now because I tightened it.
TOM: I must have fixed it.
LESLIE: Done.
TOM: That’s right.
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