MAHONING COUNTY Health board warns consumers about illegal plumbing business

The man is not licensed to do plumbing work in Mahoning County.
AUSTINTOWN -- The Mahoning County District Board of Health has issued a consumer advisory concerning plumbing services provided by James Durkin, who does business as Better Plumbers and Home Improvement, 2565 Canfield Road.
The health board said Durkin is not a registered master plumber and cannot obtain plumbing permits for residential work.
Further, the board advisory said Durkin "does not hold a plumbing contractor's license from the Ohio Department of Commerce to engage in commercial plumbing work."
Two attempts by The Vindicator to reach Durkin for comment Wednesday afternoon at his place of business were unsuccessful.
Judgments issued
The board noted that there are two judgment entries issued by the county's common pleas court, both of which prohibit him from offering, performing, advertising or soliciting plumbing services.
The health board said it has asked the Ohio Department of Commerce to take enforcement action against Better Plumbers and Home Improvement.
Also, in a letter to Durkin dated June 2, 2004, Richard Setty, the health board's director of environmental health, warned that if Durkin and his company do not stop advertising, soliciting and performing plumbing services, the board will begin a criminal prosecution.