Page last modified on 09/14/2022
Home Worth Knowing Frequently Asked Questions Board of Directors Northface History Seasons at Northface Area Activities/Attractions
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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Water Heater recommendations to owners; including leak less tank |
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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.
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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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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 |
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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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Home Worth Knowing Frequently Asked Questions Board of Directors Northface History Seasons at Northface Area Activities/Attractions
Page Last Updated: 09/14/2022