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
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 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 Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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Ok, had to get that one in. :) I have not been the first to comment on your post in a LONG time!
It really looks like it turned out well! I bet that your are relieved to have that done.
Steph: You're funny! Oh, yeah...we just vacuumed, shampooed and dusted/pledged everything to death. Curtains in the washer, vacuumed the blinds ...oh, geez. I'll be glad when it's over.
Marlene: It sure does! Believe me...I've already forward the owner upstairs that we did everything so if they wanted to do their plumbing at the same time...nope....okay...well, I hope their stuff is in place because they have the same fiberglass cheap tub we used to have...it cracked too!
Sally,
Nice looking job on the redo! And Quick too! Thanks, Fran
Sally,
Things look like their almost back to normal, the new bathroom is looking good! :)
Sally.... sounded like a semi horror story because of the process and because of some of the plumbers that you originally had. The bathroom looks good.
On another note, great job of your recommendation in regards to insurance when living in a condo.
Joan: Tomorrow night.. ahhhhhhh.
Suzanne: I love it!
Steph: I walked in there and one guy was wiping walls, the other on the floor wiping....I joked and told them to do the bedroom windows...and they joked back and asked if I wanted screens done too..haha.
Jeff: I'll recommend to my broker not to use them either....(we use them sometimes for property management)
Lisa: Wow.... I really am lucky to have good ones.
Hi Sally,
You make some really good points about impacting your neighbor in a situation like this. We came across a condo not long ago, looked like it had water intrusion issues, turned out it came from the neighbors side.
Now enjoy that new bathroom!
Sally,
Almost done, and looks very nice......isn't it amazing how a "Good Contractor" can ease our discomfort by the way they act, as well as the job? Happy you found this one, and your future clients will be too if they ever have a similar problem......
so HAPPY you have it all almost done.......
Sally,
I'm glad to hear that your problem is solved. Funny how a seemingly small thing can grow so rapidly. You're info on what to do as a condo owner was great too. Thanks for sharing.
Now, I just have one question. Where does someone who lives in Paradise go for vacation? Just curious!
Condo ownership can be tricky. But, you're right about attending to matters as quickly as possible. Of course, that applies to any type of ownership.
I have to advise folks around here to avoid making insurance claims when possible, though. A negative C.L.U.E. report can be as bad as a bad credit report.
Lynda: And getting homeowner's insurance will protect us if we damage others units. In your situation I hope the neighbors had insurance to cover any damage to your side.
Thesa: It's almost over....we did a lot of cleaning yesterday from two days of dust.
Kathy: It sure can...the other two estimates we got....well, let's just say first impressions make a difference too. The first one looked lazy and high on something...the second ones dressed and talked the car salesman lingo...and this family owned co. ...the owner came with one of his crew...he looked like he got down and dirty too and he gave us an estimate within the hour and told us it would take complete two and a half days. The first one said 4-6 wks for the order to come in...the second one had everything but 3k more and would take 5 days. (for what?) We are very happy and pleased and definitely worthy of naming in my post! :)
William: Yeah...well, we found out the hard way. Didn't realize we were on the verge here. We knew one day we'd replace it all...sometimes things like this work out for the better. Now I just have to worry about upstairs coming down on me.
Andrew: Yup...especially plumbing problems....sure can cause some damage quick. Vacation is what I already said in the post...home and new bathroom...haha.
Adam: I am one that will definitely get the ball rolling if the neighbor doesn't.... and that's why homeowner's insurance will help even if it's the neighbors fault...what if they don't have insurance? Where will I be then?
Lenn: It applies to all ownership, yes. The condo tricky thing is that it can affect neighbors as we're all attached. In my case, I am on the corner...someone above and all three that corner my bath are butting each other. As for filing a claim. Not so much filing a claim but reporting is necessary. We contacted our insurance co. once we found out it was US! We would be responsible if we hurt someone else's unit....but we caught it quick and just a little of our drywall was soppy and a little mildew/mold.
Katerina: I agree.....we knew one day we'd like to do it...time was a factor. We needed to take a vacation time off so here we are!
Carole: I'm also glad I don't have a big place..let alone a big bath area. You have a big job on your hands and I hope everything works out well. What got me going was reading about your mold and getting sick....as soon as I saw water...bam! Find it ....get it...
Sally, how have I missed your posts after all this time on AR! I am going to go and subscribe right now!
We once had a water heater leak and it ran all down in the unit below us. We had an insurance claim on that one! Sometimes it is better to replace when you think it might be time, not when it actually happens!
Joanne: I kept seeing you all over as well....will go check you out too. I agree! Glad we were on the bottom and didn't have to fix someone elses.... We told the owner...he doesn't want to do anything right now because his tenants have six more months on the lease.
Neal: I figured if I had to go and do the bath/walls...might as well go for the gusto...I wanted long lasting...good stuff...therefore...do ALL the plumbing, ceramic tile bath walls and gee it looks nice...they're in here doing the grout, sealer and stuff....will post a picture at the end.
thanks Pete! I sure am glad it's almost done!
Randy: We didn't like the original plumber...they were crap....
I put these good ones in the post...soooooo deserving of a mention!!!