M.F. from Chicago writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
A plumber from another unit closed the main pipe building water. When he reopened, all the debris came up to my unit and closed up the toilet tank, the bathtub faucet, and the kitchen faucet. The HOA called plumber and paid for everything but they don’t want to reimburse me for the kitchen faucet that was clogged and damage. Do they have to reimburse me? Or do I need to pay for the damaged kitchen faucet?
Mister Condo replies:
M.F., I am sorry that you have had to experience the inconvenience and expense of plumbing and debris backwashed into your faucets and toilet tank. One thing about shared plumbing lines is that there is always a risk of an action anywhere along the line causing problems for all connected to the same line. As for liability, that is a sticky wicket to be sure. The dollar amounts in question make lawsuits over the matter unlikely and, technically, damage that occurs inside your unit is your problem and likely covered by your insurance, if at all. As a practical matter, if it were me, I would than the association for paying for what they have and handle the final repair on my own. Unless it is an exorbitantly expensive faucet, this is an event that is unlikely to occur. The fight to get reimbursement from the plumber or HOA just isn’t likely worth your time. You can try but I wouldn’t expect too much. All the best!