Common Condo/Co-op Community Plumbing & Mechanical Issues
Whether you’re a board member, unit-owner or manager, in a suburban garden style community or a downtown high-rise tower, plumbing and mechanical infrastructure failures are disruptive to all. Common problems you may experience — over and over again — include:
Leaks
- In high-pressure water systems, leaks require immediate and unplanned water shut-offs to repair.
- Leaks can cause significant damage to owner and resident belongings.
- The damage can be expensive to remediate, especially if there is extensive drywall, flooring, and cabinet damage.
- Frequent leaks can drive down property values when your community develops a reputation for having repeated or continuous problems.
Slow drains, odors, and hazardous contamination
- Wastewater leaks behind walls can create health hazards with toxic waste and odors entering units and festering behind the walls.
- Slow drains that require continuous maintenance with mechanical snakes or hydro-jetting can become costly and require frequent water shut-offs, leading to frustration across the community.
- Backups that flood units with contaminated water can be difficult to remediate. Repairs may require extensive demolition and re-construction to ensure removal of all affected surfaces.
No Heat or A/C
When your community’s HVAC fails or has to be shut down due to leaks, resident frustration is only one of the many risks you face. Tenant and homeowner safety is another. Also, when local law mandates requirements for functional climate control, you could be subject to significant fines. Local officials may also condemn your property and evict people if you don’t get your infrastructure working quickly.
Unplanned Water Shutoffs
Tenants and owners can usually work around a planned water shutoff. But tempares can flare when a system fails unexpectedly and must be shut off without warning to stop a leak. That’s especially true when shutoffs are made during peak demand like in the morning when people are getting ready for work, or in the evening when they are trying to make dinner.
Mold
Mold can be highly problematic. It poses health risks and is often undetected for weeks or months. It can start small, with a pinhole leak or seeping drain slowly soaking your drywall. By the time you see it, you may need to perform extensive repairs to remediate the damage.
