Plumbers Vs. Handymen By Klark Byrd kbyrd@suntelegraph.com SIDNEY - It was back and forth with long discussions on water heaters at Sidney City Council’s regular Tuesday session as the council, city inspector, plumbers and handymen hashed it out over a proposed new ordinance limiting the work a handyman can legally do. An issue between the plumbers of Sidney and the handymen was first brought to council’s attention in July 2008 when representatives of both groups appeared before council to discuss a 20-year-old plumbing ordinance. The ordinance outlined who needed a license, the requirements of the licenses and what plumbing projects required a permit. City Inspector Jim Pelster presented council with a draft ordinance on Tuesday, upon which action was tabled pending further revision. Steve Weinholtz of Day and Night Plumbing asked for further definitions of fixtures in the proposed ordinance. Vaughn Russell of Russell Repair asked that there be a test for handymen to take so that they could still perform their duties. The plumbers are saying the handymen are taking on plumbing work and some of them are not doing it correctly. The handymen are asking that the city not edge them out of business, especially regarding simple tasks such as changing a sink or faucet. The plumbers say certain portions of the current law’s language creates difficulties in determining what types of plumbing work can be conducted by non-licensed handymen. In July, the plumbers felt the handymen are allowed to do too much plumbing work, which is encroaching on their business. According to Sidney’s current ordinance, a non-licensed person can remove stoppage in soil or waste pipes or replace broken or damaged fixtures, traps and piping. Russell, who was a part of the discussion in July, previously told council that handymen don’t want to rebuild plumbing systems, but he believes they are capable of repairing or replacing plumbing lines that are already run. At Tuesday’s meeting, he said he believed the proposed ordinance was too stringent. He said it would lead to creating more illegal activity as the handymen continued to work behind the scenes. Pelster said his main concern was safety and he had no problem with handymen. He said for safety reasons, handymen should obtain a permit and submit their work for inspection, which many currently do not do. Russell said his main concern was that the city not close the door on people like him by outlawing the work of handymen. Some language in the new law would require plumbing contractors to carry insurance and be bonded. Dave Weimer of Dave’s Plumbing asked that handymen be required to carry the same insurance and bonding. Weimer said his main concern was safety, especially working with toilets in which a sanitary seal can be broken which would lead to fecal matter building up and spilling out if the job was not done correctly. In the end, handymen, plumbers and city officials wanted an answer to the same question - where can they draw the line? A lengthy discussion was held on water heaters and whether the job required a plumber or handyman. Russell said replacing a water heater could be done by a handyman. Moving one, Councilman Dave Weiderspon said, would be more complicated and would require a licensed plumber. The new law would allow a homeowner exception in which the homeowner must live on the property, but they can obtain a permit and do the plumbing work.