August 2024
Delaying water-related building repairs is dangerous and can cause costs to increase exponentially.
When something is leaking in a condominium or high-rise building, repairs should be immediate. Water leaking into a building from outside, or from pipes inside the building, rarely remains a localized problem. Water travels from unit-to-unit often through common areas causing damage, accelerating deterioration, and supporting microbial growth. Until leaks are fixed and damage repaired, these conditions can damage personal valuables, put common property at risk of premature repair, and create air quality problems that adversely affect otherwise healthy individuals. Metals rust, weaken and eventually collapse. Walls and finishings get damaged.
“The condo board is responsible for any water penetration coming in from the facade or roof, and making necessary repairs” explains Jon Juffs of Egis Canada. “They may need to hire an engineer to determine the cause of water infiltration which may be a leaking wall, window, door, latent construction defect, faulty pipes, bad drains, condensate formation or mismanagement of water, or a roof that needs replacing.”
Once the source is identified, the corporation needs to hire a company to undertake repairs, conduct regular maintenance, or train staff to be alert to the symptoms for early intervention.
“Flooding in a unit always impacts other units or common areas” is a reminder by Lee Hopwood of RespondPlus Restoration Services that should not be forgotten. While unit owners are responsible for water damage occurring in their unit which damages common areas and other units, the board has a responsibility to repair common areas. They need to understand where water is coming from and ensure unit repairs are done correctly.”
