3 Ways To Deal With Commercial Rentals and Dated Piping

9/26/2021 (Permalink)

Scheduled, regular maintenance of old pipes, regardless if they are polybutylene, ensures your Boca Del Mar, FL, business remains operational.

An older commercial rental can require special considerations regarding maintenance. The pipes could consist of outdated materials such as polybutylene that are no longer used because of longevity concerns. Even worse, you may not receive your landlord’s permission to do any systematic overhaul to prevent future problems. Here are three ways you can maintain the property during your tenancy.

1. Maintain a Dialogue With Your Landlord

Depending on the lease agreement, some responsibilities may lie with the landlord. You should immediately inform your landlord of noticeable problems, such as leaky pipes, so the issue can be remedied or documented. By practicing diligence, you can stop the blame from being misattributed to gross negligence.

In addition, you should take photographs of the damage when it’s first noticed. You can then forward these on to the landlord to show the situation and potentially urge her to act.

2. Evaluate Risks and Watch Weak Areas

Even if you don’t own the building, you should still familiarize yourself with its structural risks and flaws. For example, your utilities could be connected with polybutylene pipes that deteriorate from the inside when exposed to tap water.

You should recommend replacing the system with the landlord if you notice multiple rusted, flimsy, old, weak, or damaged pipes. By keeping on top of your rental’s wellbeing, you can prevent costly repairs and shutdowns.

3. Know Your Insurance and Responsibilities

In case your landlord is cleared of responsibility due to your lease or your own provable negligence, you should familiarize yourself with your renter’s insurance policy. By knowing your entire policy, you can utilize it effectively in dire situations. It is beneficial to evaluate and adjust your policy’s coverage to compensate for your lease’s exceptions.

Scheduled, regular maintenance of old pipes, regardless if they are polybutylene, ensures your Boca Del Mar, FL, business remains operational. In the event that water does seep in, a damage restoration service can remove the flood and restore damaged assets. With your best efforts to maintain the rental’s condition, however, you can mitigate the risks of water damage.