2 Tips For Devising An Emergency Response Plan For A Broken Pipe In One Of Your Managed Apartment Complexes
Posted on: 14 January 2019
When you manage an apartment complex, you always hope that everything will run smoothly and require only standard maintenance. However, there is always the possibility that a pipe may burst in one of your tenant's units. To ensure this situation is taken care of efficiently, use the following tips to devise an emergency response plan for a broken pipe.
1. Have a Plan of Action Available for the Tenant
When coming up with an emergency response plan for a busted pipe, the first thing you should include is a plan of action for the tenant themselves. Since they will be the first one to find and deal with the issue, they need to know what they can do to handle the problem until your maintenance crew arrives.
If possible, include a written copy of what they need to do with their lease packet. Also, have a written checklist that you can review with them when they call to report the problem.
You can describe where to find the water shutoff valve to their unit, as well as instruct them on how to turn it off. You may also want to include such steps as putting a bucket under the pipe, if possible, and soaking up any pooled water on the floor so that it does not leak to the unit below or seep into the adjoining one.
2. Stock Standard Supplies on Site
After instructing the tenant on how to deal with the immediate problem, you will most likely contact whoever on your maintenance staff is on-call to repair the issue as soon as possible. However, if the pipe bursts in the middle of the night, and the maintenance person does not have the supplies they need, they would have to wait until the next day to make the necessary repairs.
To combat this possible issue, keep a stock of standard plumbing supplies on the property. Ask your maintenance personnel what types of pipes, elbows, joints, and drains are used in the complex. Then, try to keep two or three of each on site so that they are available if and when an emergency arises.
Having an emergency response plan implemented before a pipe bursts in one of the apartments can help ensure that repairs are made with a minimum of chaos and cost. To prepare for all other possible situations, meet with your emergency property maintenance staff to come up with plans of action for other potential scenarios. For more information, talk to companies like Choice Maintenance Group LLC.
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