How robust is your reserve fund when it comes to unplanned expenses and capital improvements on your Chicago residential building? A reserve study can help you determine if the money set aside for the emergency repairs and capital improvements of your building is adequate or if it needs to be increased.
How durable is the plumbing system of your multi-unit residential high-rise in Chicago? While most plumbing pipes are designed to last between 20 and 70 years, the installation, pipe material and composition of your municipal water can have a negative or positive effect on the lifespan of your potable water and drain lines. Let's take a close look at each of these plumbing pipe liabilities.
Epoxy pipe lining can be used to stop leaks in all types of drains, including potable water lines, sewer lines and drain lines. Recently, we had a homeowner call us about a leaky roof drain in a residential home in Highland Park. She told our technician that every time it rained, she noticed water spots along the wall that encased the drain. She wondered if we could apply our residential pipe lining technology to her water leak problem. Needing more information on the condition of her pipe, we agreed to send a a licensed plumber from partner company, Althoff Industries, out to perform a camera inspection.
When the plumbing pipes of your residential highrise building in Chicago reach the end of their useful lives, you may be torn between traditional method of pipe replacement and trenchless pipe restoration. The type of plan you choose for your pipes will largely depend on your budget and the benefits and drawbacks for your building, residents and board members.
When it comes to restoring the integrity of your aging plumbing system, it’s best to start thinking about and implementing a plumbing restoration plan before your pipes start systematically failing. The first step usually involves talking to your board members, who may or may not be onboard for an expensive repair project. Thankfully, there are ways to present the idea to increase your odds of getting the approval you need.
According to the EPA, household leaks, by themselves, waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water each year. Now imagine what the water waste would be if multi-unit residential buildings and commercial buildings were added into that statistic. It is estimated by the EPA that homeowners can save 10 percent on their water bills by finding and stopping leaks through leak detection and plumbing repair or replacement services. It is quite likely that you could save at least 10 percent on your water bills by fixing all the leaks in your building.
Could your apartment building, condo or co-op benefit from pipe retrofitting? Retrofitting simply refers to the process of installing or modifying a piece of equipment with parts that were not available or not installed at the time the product was manufactured. For plumbing pipes, this could mean installing epoxy liners in order to increase the durability and longevity of your existing pipes.
As a Chicago property manager, it is imperative that you stay on top of your water supply and drain lines. Failure to have your pipes inspected, repaired, restored and replaced in a timely manner could lead to catastrophic consequences, including pipe blowouts, extensive water damage and high water bills.
As a Chicago property manager, it is very important that you stay up-to-date on your building's infrastructure. While water supply lines and drain pipes do last decades, they do not last forever. This has never been so relevant as it is today. America's aging infrastructure is a huge problem in all states. The entire country averages a D when it comes to drinking water and wastewater. A “D” means that the system is poor and at-risk for a failure. The state of Illinois received a C- for drinking water and a D+ for wastewater.
Before you hire a Chicago pipe lining expert, you should ask a few questions so that you fully understand the process, benefits and potential drawbacks. Here at Nu Flow, our pipe lining experts are always ready to answer all of your pipe repair and restoration questions.