After spending the last three weeks of heartache trying to find a water leak in between our bathroom walls we are finally on the road to "recovery". During this time we had a plumber come out TWICE (and there was still a water leak), getting estimates to replace the cheap fiberglass tub/surround the townhouse came with, and scheduling our "vacations" so we could get all this done quickly. (picture to the left are the old tub/walls)
Condo/Townhouse Living in Hawaii..........and A Water Leak is where all this started.
We finally had the plumber/contractors here all day yesterday demolishing, replacing the junk with a nice tub, patching my walls that the other plumber cut in our closet, putting up duracast (cement like) walls, REPLACING all the plumbing for the bath/drain, and pasting over with the cement junk to prepare for today. Today they are putting in our ceramic tile walls.
I would really like to commend Yamada's Plumbing and Contracting, 1827 Republican St., Honolulu, HI (808) 845-1702 in expediting this job immediately and working as a team to get the majority of the work done yesterday. We were very impressed and everything doesn't seem like a miserable investment anymore. (picture below right is NEW plumbing/drain etc.)
No matter what, as a townhouse/condo owner we have an obligation to repair or fix our problems immediately; lest we fear repercussions for damaging another unit too. Responsible living in a Townhouse/Condo Association requires certain steps to follow during a plumbing/electrical/safety hazard problem to protect you and your neighbor from further damage and safety:- Make sure and obtain Condo Insurance Your association has condo insurance and is included in your maintenance fees for the common elements (common land, beams, foundation, stairwells, roofs, parking, elevators, main power and plumbing, ducts and whatever else as determined by the declaration) BUT it does not include the inside of your unit. Call them immediately!
- Make sure and contact your Resident Manager (Association) and you Association Management Co. Notifying them of any damage to structure or potential hazards/damages that may affect neighbors is a very important to do. You want to be a responsible homeowner and let everyone know.
- Call the appropriate contractor/plumber/electrician etc. And get the work started on to try and remedy the problem. You may cause more damage to yours (as well as neighboring) units so be responsible for potential danger and hazards to other members of the community by nipping it in the bud!
My husband and I "teamed up" to make this a smooth and fast "recovery". He called the insurance company and we both called for estimates and set appointments. I called the plumber in between and had to have them out twice to do some work (I won't call those people again). We worked hard and diligently to pick, prod and probe to get the job started before it caused any other water damage to ours or a neighbors unit. Luckily there was minimal damage and they tore out what was. (picture to left....almost complete! Ceramic tile/tub/new plumbing)
I REALLY hope my neighbors will do the same if they ever have something happen.
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
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