Water Leak in Your Condo - Who Pays?

When a water leak occurs in your condo, who should pay a professional to determine whether it is coming from an owner's pipe or one that is in a common area - you or the condo board?

You may have to contact your association to find out, as the answer varies by case. The first step is requesting an inspection and contacting your insurance company to determine
The answer may be different for each case. The clear answer is what should be done immediately: Contact your association and request an inspection and contact your insurance company to find out if your policy will cover the cost of a professional inspection.

The next step is locating the source of the leak. Typically, if the source of the leak is within a unit and the owner is not maintaining the property according to association guidelines, the owner will most likely be responsible. If the leak is occurring in a common area such as a pool, the responsibility may fall on the association. 

Wherever responsibility lies, you must contact your homeowner's insurance company immediately. Failure to do so can result in denial of coverage later. Be sure to also notify the condo association immediately and alert them that action needs to be taken immediately. As an extra precaution make sure that all correspondence is in writing and pictures are taken of the damage for your records.

Remember, for any leak, give GreenTeam Plumbing a call!


Source: Sun-Sentinel

Plumbing Vocabulary - Part 2

Here are just a few more plumbing terms to keep you up-to-date on your plumbing vocabulary!

Useful words	Meaning
NVQ	National Vocational Qualification (abbreviation) Job applicants will need to have achieved a suitable NVQ at level 2.
Overflow	An outlet that allows water to escape (noun) A dripping overflow is a warning that repair work will need to be carried out.
Pliers	A small hand tool (noun) Pliers are used for holding small objects and bending wire.
Plumber	A person who installs and repairs water supply apparatus (noun) The plumber installed the new central heating system.
Plunger	A tool for clearing drains (noun) Nadia removed the blockage in the toilet by using a plunger.
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment (abbreviation) Equipment designed to protect you. PPE includes items such as helmets or safety goggles.
Pump	A device for shifting liquid (noun) The pump speed was set at maximum.
Radiator	A room heating device (noun) The radiator was cold because it had an airlock.
RIDDOR	Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (acronym) If you witness an accident on site you may be asked to complete a RIDDOR form.
Screwdriver	A small hand tool (noun) A screwdriver is a tool used to turn screws.
Sealant	Substance used to seal something (noun) Sealant was used to form a waterproof seal around the bath.
Solder	An alloy for joining metal (noun) Solder joints are used to make joints in domestic hot water and heating systems.
Spanner	A small hand tool (noun) A spanner is used to turn nuts on bolts.
Specification	Written instructions telling you what material to use (noun) The specifications indicated that a 5 amp fuse was required.
Supplier	Someone who provides (noun) "I will contact the supplier and ask if he has any of these screws in stock."
Thermostat	A temperature regulator (noun) A thermostat was fitted to the radiator in the spare room to save using unnecessary energy.
Torch	A small hand-held lamp usually powered by batteries (noun) The plumber needed a torch in order to properly inspect the tank in the attic.
Ventilation	The movement or circulation of fresh air (noun) Good ventilation is very important when dealing with hazardous materials.
Washer	A small disc that keeps a screw or bolt secure to prevent leakage (noun) The dripping tap was caused by a worn washer.
Waste	Contaminated or used water (noun) Blocked waste pipe in a sink can sometimes be cleared with a plunger.
Wrench	A small plumbing tool (noun) A wrench is a spanner-like tool used for gripping and turning.

And don't hesitate to contact GreenTeam with any and all plumbing related questions or concerns!


Source: Skillwise

Plumbing Vocabulary - Part 1

When dealing with plumbing, knowing what the parts are and what the plumbing terms mean can make a big difference in getting the job done correctly and efficiently!

Here are some key terms and definitions to help!

Useful words	Meaning
Airlock	An obstruction to the flow of liquid in a pipe (noun) Airlocks often occur when a radiator is taken off for redecorating and then replaced.
Appliance	Device or equipment for a specific task (noun) Washing machines can be found in the electrical appliances department.
Ballvalve	A valve which responds to changes in fluid pressure (noun) The ballvalve in the cistern was repaired by replacing the washer.
Blockage	An obstruction (noun) Nadia removed the blockage in the pipe by using a plunger.
Central heating system	A system designed to heat a building (noun) The old house was very cold in winter because it did not have a central heating system.
Cistern	A tank for storing water (noun) A cistern is usually connected to a toilet.
Combination boiler	A boiler that provides both central heating and instant hot water (noun) Combination boilers are best suited to smaller houses.
Consumables	Items to be used and then thrown away after use (noun) Washers and other consumables were kept in the store room.
Corrosion	Wearing something away (noun) Leaks in radiators can occur as a result of corrosion.
Cylinder	A tank for hot water (noun) Cylinders are usually insulated and supply domestic hot water.
Diameter	The width of something, especially something round or cylindrical (noun) Josie measured the diameter of the pipe.
Drainage	A system that channels away water or sewage (noun) The bad smell had been caused by a block in the drainage.
Estimate	To give an educated guess or approximation (verb) The plumber estimated that labour costs would be about £300.
Expand	Enlarge, get bigger (noun) Plastic pipes expand when hot.
Fault	A defect, when something is not working properly (noun) The washing machine could not be plumbed in because it had an electrical fault.
Hacksaw	A small hand tool (noun) A hacksaw is used to cut metal.
HSE	Health and Safety Executive (abbreviation) HSE inspectors have wide powers to assist them enforce safety legislation.
Installation	The fixing or establishing of something (noun) The plumbing installation was going to take about two weeks.
Inflammable	Easily set on fire (adjective) When using a blowlamp care should be taken to protect inflammable surfaces.
Joints	The place where parts are joined (noun) If a joint in the pipework develops a leak you will need to make repairs.
Leak	Accidental escape of liquid (noun) The radiator leaked as a result of corrosion.
Measurements	Dimensions, the size of something (noun) The drawing showed measurements to the exact millimetre.
Millimetre (mm)	A unit of metric measure of length (noun) There are one thousand millimetres in a metre.

Remember, whether the job is big or small, GreenTeam is here to help!

Source: Skillwise

The Importance of Water Audits

One of the many services we offer to both residential and commercial customers is Water Audits.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

• You can save money!
• You'll be conserving water!
• You can learn to conserve without drastically altering your lifestyle!
• You can pass along this knowledge to your friends and family to help them save and conserve too!

Remember that was usage can vary greatly through the year, especially from warmer to colder months. The American Water Works Association estimates that the average indoor water use per person is 94 gallons per day - not including washing the car or watering the lawn. 

If you are overwhelmed with enormous water bills in your home or office, call GreenTeam Plumbing to perform a Water Audit which can help you conserve water and save money.


Source: Private Land Owner Network