Plumbing Access

When Outer Drive East transitioned from rental to condominium (1973) access to plumbing and other shared services became problematic. (It no longer was possible to "just call the super.") For privacy and other reasons, many owners did not want ODE engineering/maintenance (or individually hired outside contractors) to have unrestricted access to their condo simply for repairs to kitchens or bathrooms in nearby units. (Repairing or replacing a dripping shower valve is a typical example.)

The problem became worse as the building aged and maintenance in general was "deferred." And under Habitat Company management, the single largest overseer for the Chicago Housing Authority, and its emphasis on quick-fix "rehabs," real estate churn, and subsidized ("Section 8") rentals, common area hallways began to show the effects. Clumsy, if necessary, plumbing access panels detract from the appearance of what once was a luxury building. The negative effects are least noticeable on the higher floors (where most board members reside) and most noticeable on the less desirable lower floors of the building.

Note, too, that access to plumbing supply valves (and to waste-water drains) must adhere to fire safety standards. (Plumbing openings, chases, and the like must not provide a path for fire to spread throughout the buildng.) The original, "as-built" arrangement, i.e., access holes under sinks and long-reach wrenches to operate valves within the shared common area between units, probably is "grandfathered in." Apart, however, from identical replacements/repairs ("Same As Existing," or "SAE") remodeling would require updating to meet current codes. The alternatives are a fire-resistant but unattractive panel or else a labor-intensive opening and reclosing the wall to include sheetrocking/plastering, repainting, repapering, retiling, etc. Examples of each are included below.

Photos of doors (showing unit number) are included as a help in locating the nearby plumbing access examples.

(Left-click on images below to enlarge. Use back button to return.)

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