By Wendy Matney
When your community is dealing with deteriorating domestic piping, it makes sense to ask: how can we solve this problem with minimal impact to residents?
We hear all the time from apartment owners/operators and condominium Boards that they’re considering pipe lining—rather than pipe replacement—because they think it will be less disruptive to residents and simply less hassle overall.
By Wendy Matney
The past few years have seen an uptick in multifamily properties installing or replacing their fire sprinkler systems. What’s behind this—and why are the reasons driving it more complicated than they seem?
We’ll dive into the three major reasons multifamily owners/operators and condo Boards are exploring installing or upgrading their fire sprinkler systems. But first, a little history. Fire sprinklers became mandatory in newly constructed multifamily housing in 1992 due to the passage of the Federal Fire Safety Act
By Wendy Matney
Pipe lining providers promote their product as a safe alternative to pipe replacement. But while the pipe replacement industry is subject to numerous regulations to protect resident and crew health, pipe lining is still something of a wild west.
If you’re considering lining your domestic piping system, get informed about the risks, considerations, and potential implications for your community’s drinking water before you make your decision. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
As buildings age, so do pipes. And like most parts of your building’s infrastructure, your pipes will eventually need to be replaced. When this time comes—typically after 30 years—it’s important to consider not only your piping, but other system components connected to those pipes. For many communities, replacing your domestic water heaters in addition to your repipe can lead to significant savings down the line.
By Wendy Matney
Pipe lining providers frequently promote lining your property’s domestic water piping systems with epoxy as a more cost-effective solution than pipe replacement. The reality is more complicated. Learn why lining pipes can end up being more costly than replacing them.
By Tom Finley
With domestic water pipes (think hot- and cold-water supply piping) in residential buildings across the U.S. reaching the end of their useful life, condominium Boards and multifamily owners/operators are exploring the best options to fix frequent, and sometimes catastrophic, leaks.
Epoxy pipe lining has gained a lot of attention in recent years, with pipe lining providers claiming it’s less invasive and more affordable than pipe replacement.
By Tom Finley
As summer winds down, we’re heading into what many of you with two-pipe hydronic HVAC systems in your buildings will face with some trepidation—the fall shoulder season.
You can already hear it: complaints by residents who feel—regardless of local ordinances—that it’s too warm to turn on the heat. Others will just bear it, throwing open windows and running fans to find relief. And your building engineers may be holding their breath, knowing that switching from cooling to heating can cause leaks and breakdowns—signs of systemic weaknesses in this older-style HVAC infrastructure.
By Tom Finley
With the economy in flux, occupancy rates still dropping from tenants being on the move, and rent control laws limiting their earnings, apartment owners are looking for ways to boost the bottom line. Of course, they prefer strategic investments that yield a tangible ROI—investments like installing in-unit laundry.
At SageWater, we’re seeing dozens of communities explore in-unit laundry retrofits as a near-term capital improvement upgrade. In-unit washing machines and clothes dryers are highly sought by renters and installing them can be a great way to boost revenue and improve your residents’ quality of life.
By Tom Finley
When you think of springtime, traditional thoughts of warmer weather, flowers, and sunshine often come to mind. It’s a time of renewal, a time of opportunity. But you probably don’t think about your pipes much. Afterall, what do your pipes have to do with the changing seasons?
The truth is, there are a handful of reasons to consider your pipes in the spring, some with a very strong return on investment! Whether you struggled with your HVAC system over the winter or are considering capital improvement projects like in-unit laundry, spring is a great time to evaluate the potential for these kinds of projects at your community.
By Tom Finley
From the 1960s through the 1980s, two-pipe hydronic heating and cooling systems were the standard in new construction for high-rise multifamily climate control. If you’ve ever lived in or managed one of these communities, you know they aren’t aging well.
