Page last modified on  09/14/2022

 

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Water Damage Control

Water damage leads the list as the biggest problem affecting individual owners at Northface.  Damage primarily comes from water entering from other units due to water heater or washer hose failure. 

Take a step back in time - the below was posted in 2002 - but holds true still today.... 

The June 2002 newsletter related the message that our insurance carrier declined to renew the associations current  policy.  The rationale was "Primarily it was because of the number of losses (claims) filed against the Northface Master Policy"  These claims were mostly water damage claims.  "As a result, a new policy with a new insurance firm had to be sought.  The new policy will be about $2,500 over budget for 2001-2002.  In addition, the Association's deductible had to be increased to $2,500 per occurrence in order to keep the premiums increase to a minimum".  So as a unit owner, $5 a month, forever,  of your monthly association bill is now being diverted to pay for the increased insurance bills we now have...to date.

To help limit future problems, the Northface Board conducted an inspection (re, May 2002 Newsletter) of the water heaters and washing machines in each unit.  Owners with failing equipment were notified and follow up actions being monitored.

Click on any of the links below for additional information

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Washing Machine recommendations to owners 

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Water Heater recommendations to owners; including leak less tank

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Results of Unit Inspection (conducted May 2002)                      

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Washing Machine Recommendations

 

 

Bad situation

Hoses fail.  The pictured hose is a time bomb (although luckily it has a shutoff switch in the off position).  But many units do not have shutoffs...hopefully not one adjacent to your unit.  The Association inspections identified such defective hoses and tasked the applicable owners to rectify the situation immediately.  Does that mean if you were not notified that you are all set?  NO.  It means that all looked good at the time of the inspection.  Cracks and bulges can develop at any time.  If you have old equipment, perhaps you should consider replacements.  

 

Recommended Setup

1.  Hoses:  If you use rubber, replace them every five years.  Better yet would be to invest in Flex Steel hoses ($12.99 per hose at Chick Lumber in 2002)

2.  A water shutoff eliminates constant pressure.  It provides peace of mind that regardless of hose condition, there will be no leak (assuming the shutoff in the off position when not in use)

3.  Original black plastic hoses are 15+ years old.  Some have cracks at the bend entering the drain pipe.  Replacement cost is $5.99 at Chick Lumber

 

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Water Heater Recommendations

 

 

You should replace your tank at a minimum ten year interval.

 

 

Or... purchase a new technology lifetime tank.  One such tank offered by the New Hampshire Electric Co-op is the Marathon Water Heater where the "Technologically advanced plastic inner and outer tank design is clearly differentiated from short lived steel water heaters - It will not rust or leak" and carries a lifetime warrantee.  This was featured in March and April 2002 Co-op Consumer Report (The paper newsletter you get along with your electric bill) as well as numerous subsequent reports (e.g., Jun 03).  To find out more about the tank, plus tap into the Co-ops network of plumbers for installation,  click here.  The cost of these tanks is slightly higher but would seem prudent to give peace of mind as well as savings over multiple tank replacements.  The cost of a 40 gallon tank (as of June 03) was $475.  Also at the time they were promoting a 20% discount or purchase price of $380.

 

The January 2005 edition of the NHEC Consumer Report described how the condo association at Golden Eagle Lodge (Waterville Valley) voted for everyone to change out their water heaters for the marathon tanks due water damage

Current information on this particular model can be found at https://www.rheem.com/innovations/innovation_residential/marathon/

 

 

 

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Unit Inspection

Initially conducted on May 7, 2002

 

Unit Washing Machine Water Heater Wood Stove
Y/N Type of Hosing Condition Type/Size Year Made Type/Location of shut off Y/N
1 Yes Steel Flex 2001 50 gallon 2000 Back Yes
2 Yes Steel Flex Good Bradford White 2001 Side/Visible Yes
3 Yes Rubber Flex Good 49 Gallon 2000 Back No
4 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 1999 Side/Visible Yes
5 Yes Rubber Flex No Good 40 Gallon 2001 Side/Visible Yes
6 Yes Rubber Flex Good 49 Gallon 2000 Side/Visible Yes
7       Yes
8 Yes Rubber Flex Good 53 Gallon 2001 Back Yes
9 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 1996 Back Yes
10 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 1996 Back Yes
11 Yes Rubber Flex   40 Gallon 2001 Back Yes
12 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 50 Gallon 1998 Back Yes
13 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 2000 Back Yes
14 Yes Rubber Flex New 40 Gallon 1996 Back Yes
15 No     40 Gallon 1996 Back Yes
16 No     40 Gallon 2000 Back Yes
17 Yes Rubber Flex Bad 40 Gallon Old Back Yes
18 Yes Rubber Flex Good 50 Gallon 1999 Back Yes
19 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 1995 Back Yes
20 Yes Rubber Flex Good 49 Gallon 1996 Back Yes
21 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 48 Gallon 1996 Back No
22 Yes Rubber Flex Good 40 Gallon 1999 Back Yes
23 Yes Steel Flex Good GE 40 Gallon 1999 Back Yes
24 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 40 Gallon 2001 Side/Visible No
25 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 50 Gallon 1997 Side/Visible Yes
26 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 2001 New Back Yes
27 Yes Steel Flex New Yes
28 Yes Rubber Flex O.K. 50 Gallon 2001 Side/Visible Yes
29       Yes
30       Yes
31 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon Old Side/Visible YES
32 Yes Steel Flex Good 40 Gallon 1996 Side/Visible YES
33 Yes Rubber Flex Good 50 Gallon 2001 Side/Visible YES
34 Yes Rubber Flex Good 40 Gallon 1998 Side/Visible YES
35 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 1998 Back YES
36 Yes Rubber Flex Good 40 Gallon Old Back YES
37 No     40 Gallon 1998 Back No
38 Yes Rubber Flex New 40 Gallon 1999 Side/Visible YES
39 Yes Steel Flex New 40 Gallon 2000 Side/Visible No
40 Yes Rubber Flex Good 40 Gallon 1996 Side/Visible YES
41 Yes Steel Flex New 82 Gallon 1992 Side/Visible Fireplace
42       Fireplace
43 Yes Steel Flex New 73 Gallon 1999 Side/Visible Fireplace
44       Fireplace

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Page Last Updated:  09/14/2022