Message from the Siena Board President
Recently we have experienced incidents where water heater tanks have failed, causing flooding of the affected unit, and potentially other adjacent units. This is a good time for two reminders:
- Be sure you (or your renters) know where the water shut-off valve for your unit is located. Be sure it still works. The original plastic valves installed by the builder may be frozen from mineral buildup and inoperable. If you can’t shut off your unit’s water, the entire building’s water has to be shut off in order to make repairs. Many unit owners have upgraded to metal valves, which are generally more reliable and easier to use.
- Be sure your water heater is still within its normal life expectancy. Typically water heaters are expected to last 10 years; many last longer, but they all wear out eventually and that usually involves catastrophic leaks. Please be pro-active in considering whether it’s time to have your water heater replaced. If you still have your original water heater, it’s approaching 20 years old now.
(PS: when replacing water heater tanks, please be sure the plumber agrees up front to haul the old tank away. We’ve found tanks in our dumpsters in the past, which is absolutely prohibited.)