By Tom Finley
Sometimes, in order to see where you are going, it helps to look back at where you have been. Such is the case with the future of plumbing, whose meandering history provides intrinsic insights as to where we may be headed.
Plumbing originated in ancient civilizations including Greek, Roman, and Chinese cultures as they sought to provide potable water and wastewater removal systems for increasingly dense population…
Let’s face it, as the General Manager of a condo community, you have a VERY busy job. Unit 1203 already called twice this morning due to a funny smell in the hallway, the painting contractor has parked illegally blocking a resident trying to leave, and someone forgot to clean-up after their pet again just outside the front door to the lobby. All that, and it’s not even 8:15 AM yet! Where’s the coffee?
To successfully run a building, there are literally a thousand things to keep track of, especially if you want to keep your building looking and performing its best…
By Tom Finley
Replacing failed domestic water systems results in a substantial reduction in water consumption at properties that are experiencing leaks. Depending on how long leaks go undetected, hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water are wasted per leak, and some properties we see have as many as 10-15 leaks DAILY. When replacing domestic water pipe…
By Wendy Matney
As buildings age, building components need to be replaced, some more regularly than others. The best property managers know what these elements are, and they plan for and, more importantly, communicate regarding their replacement well in advance so building owners can budget and be prepared.
Unfortunately, many building components are hidden and, therefore, easily overlooked. Some managers and owners operate under the false assumption that certain parts of a building are meant to last the lifetime of the building. This is simply not the case, especially with plumbing.
By Wendy Matney
Did you know, of all the piping systems in your building, the only system which is not pressurized is the drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping? Hot and cold water supply pipes for potable drinking water, pipes for air conditioning, most sprinkler systems, and even gas pipes for cooking all rely on pressure to move material (water, gas, or refrigerant) through the pipe, but your drain system relies on simple gravity.
By Wendy Matney
Northwest Park, an 876-unit apartment community in the Mid-Atlantic region, was suffering from severe leaks in the potable water piping system. The owner had concluded that the system required replacement and was searching for the most cost-effective solution. SageWater was asked to offer suggestions on how best to proceed. Historical Utility Data & Costs: The … Continued
By Wendy Matney
Six Signs You Have Potential Pipe Problems You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind”? Unfortunately, it often rings true for many properties when it comes to their plumbing systems. Since most of your piping is hidden behind walls, it’s all too easy to disregard the warning signs and symptoms of an impending … Continued
By Wendy Matney
Leaking pipes can be one of the more expensive and devastating challenges a property can experience. Issues lurking behind closed walls can cause significant damage to a building’s structure and resident’s belongings. Checking on the condition of your piping systems will help catch any potential problems before they become a catastrophic emergency. Whether your leaks … Continued
By Wendy Matney
Between 1900 and 1965, galvanized steel pipes were the most commonly installed pipes for domestic water supply. While the lifespan of these pipes averages 50 years, there are several factors that impact the durability and longevity of a galvanized piping system, including overall age, types of materials used in water distribution systems, as well as … Continued
By Tom Finley
Flint, Michigan’s Water Crisis: Three Lessons Learned It goes without saying that the Flint, Michigan disaster is beyond terrible for all those affected. And in every crisis there are lessons learned to prevent this from happening again. Recognizing that the lessons are numerous and the situation complex, as a company specializing in solving pipe problems; … Continued
