Flat Chat Strata Forum Rental rants Current Page

  • This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by .
  • Creator
    Topic
  • #8662
    John
    Flatchatter

      I received a call from my tenants last night to say there was water leaking into my studio apartment in Sydney’s inner west.  On investigation, the water appeared to emanate from apartment above which was unattended and locked.

      I’m on Exec Committee of the block and called the owner for permission to enter.  This was given.  The water was flooding into my apartment and some others surrounding mine.

      We contacted the fire brigade eventually, and a plumber.  The fire brigade forced the lock, entered and discovered that the hot water tank had failed and water was flooding this and other apartments. They did a great job cleaning up the excess water.  Thank you firies !

      This apartment now needs a new carpet, and who knows what other damage has been caused.  My kitchen floor, and possibly the carpet and some fittings will need to be replaced.

      This disaster could easily have been avoided had the owner, or agent, had the foresight to install a copper tray with an outlet pipe underneath the hot water tank on installation.  I’ve done this myself whenever replacing these tanks and it seems such an obvious solution to the havoc a leaking tank can create.  

      Why is this practice not mandatory for all new HWS installations ?

    Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)
    • Author
      Replies
    • #17685
      Whale
      Flatchatter

        Under the provisions of Australian / New Zealand Standard 3500.4 the fitting of a properly drained “safe tray” below all newly installed / replacement hotwater tanks is compulsory in all situations “where water leakage / spillage from that tank could cause damage to property”.

        If a safe-tray is not installed, then any warranty provided by the manufacturer of the hotwater heater does not cover any consequential property damage, and if the provider of any contents insurance sends an Assessor to inspect the damage  then that cover too will be void.

        It’s good to see your acknowledgement of the efforts of Fire & Rescue, but I have to say that the paid services of a Locksmith would have been a much more appropriate option!

      Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)
      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

      Flat Chat Strata Forum Rental rants Current Page