We were able to interview our most experienced and highly praised technician, Mike Rozak.
- How long have you been plumbing?
- 25 years! I started right out of high school. Before plumbing, I was a pizza delivery boy and a cook. The two things I love are food & plumbing. I started plumbing in August, 1990.
- What was the worst work environment you had to endure?
- Oh my! During one service call, I had to crawl through a tight basement window and crawl underneath a local motel to repair a leaking pipe. It had about 2 feet of trash, animal feces, and other disgusting things you could not imagine. The ceiling was only about 3 feet 6 inches high. I wore knee high boots, full body armor, a breathing apparatus, and face protection. At that time, Carl was standing by the window helping me stay positive. There were cats everywhere. I remember one ran out the window and scared the bejesus out of Carl. I learned to stay positive when working in such awful conditions. You have to learn to enjoy and laugh in the situations presented, no matter how terrible they are! J
- What was the scariest job you have been on?
- I was working in Solon in a trench. Solon has pockets of sand and clay. Dennis was at the top of the trench, manning the hole. Even with the proper safety equipment and shoring, the trench still seamed unstable. He asked me to step out of the trench because it seemed unsafe. As soon as I got out of the hole, one entire wall collapsed. I could have been killed instantly. That really opened my eyes to the dangers of working in a trench.
- What is your favorite part of plumbing?
- I really love servicing and helping people. My favorite part of plumbing is meeting my client’s expectations. When I have fulfilled my obligations for a client and they are truly appreciative and grateful of the service provided, I feel great! I approach every job hoping to meet my client’s needs.
- During a repair to an outside service line in Brecksville, the resident watched us the entire time. I had to use all the proper safety gear to remove the existing meter set from a vault. He watched as we re-built the meter set and connected the pieces. We stayed positive the entire time. At the end, the gentleman handed us two envelopes. He gave me $100 and gave my helper $50. I couldn’t believe it. I realized his sense of appreciation was authentic and he was truly happy with the service we provided.
- What is the highest vertical distance you have performed in?
- I worked about 35 feet high in a commercial building. I installed 4 inch roof drains and ran 400 feet of 4 inch PVC pipe. I used a lift and had to run the pipe alone since only one person was allowed to be in this lift.
- Since you started, what has changed in the plumbing industry?
- When I started at Approved Plumbing Co, we were still pouring lead joints to connect PVC to cast iron or copper. We had to use brute strength. Plumbing was much more physical back then. Today, plumbing requires much more technical skills and you have to use your head. The biggest change that I have noticed is the neighborhoods themselves have changed tremendously.
- Also, the choices for homeowners were extremely small. Now homeowners have thousands of faucets to select from.
- Have you been in magazines or articles for your work?
- Yes. I have been in a few. In Garfield Heights, we repaired a water service line leak in 12 degree weather. It was freezing. We hand dug a trench 4 feet by 4 feet by 5 feet deep. We come to find the lady who hired us had written a wonderful article in a local Garfield magazine praising our hard work.
Give us a call today to request Mike Rozak. 440 – 526 – 2905
Mike just might be the most thorough plumber I have encountered in my 25 years here at Welker-McKee . It’s not a surprise to me that he is your TOP guy . Always personable and professional and a devout family man . Truly he is a one of a king person !