The Problem
Any property owner knows the risks and rewards of ownership. One of the biggest downsides is the drain on current cash flow due to costly repairs. Jess Bradburn, president of the Savina Homeowners Association, indicates the 20-year-old, seven-unit condo had experienced multiple hot water slab leaks, and the walls and floors had been jack-hammered to remove and replace pipes. After the last leak repair, two of the HOAs had upgraded their kitchens and baths at a cost of $30,000 to $50,000 each. Now a new hot water leak was active.
The Solution
San Diego Plumbing and Pipelining’s Water Epoxy technicians investigated the active hot water leak, which was underneath the floor of one of the recently remodeled bathrooms. Typical plumbing repair would have required taking out the tile and tub. Water Epoxy exclusive “stop leak formula” avoided that problem by cleaning and sealing the pipes from the inside.
While investigating the initial problem, San Diego Plumbing and Pipelining’s men discovered a second leak under the kitchen sink in the same unit. San Diego Plumbing and Pipelining’s fixed that leak as well. And with its whole building approach to detecting and stopping water pipe leaks, the HOA engaged San Diego Plumbing and Pipelining’s to shoot and seal the pipe system in the entire complex without opening walls or jack-hammering the floors. Doing the whole building at one time lowered the cost per unit.
Bradburn investigated three different epoxy lining systems. San Diego Plumbing and Pipelinings’ competitors offered a thinner liner which fell short of high temperature tolerances. “Potentially the thinner, shell-like product could break down and clog the pipes,” he said, “and if that happens you cannot recoat the pipes.” He said the San Diego Plumbing and Pipelining’s Water Epoxy blue epoxy was twice as thick as the competitor’s thinner coat. “Water Epoxy is like have a new PVC pipe inside the old leaky copper pipe,” he said.
“We have found the home insurance companies are giving a break on rates to people having their pipes relined,” Bradburn added. “That’s another plus.”
