StopS! In the Name of Love
Show Your Condo Suite a Little TLC This Winter
If you’re a condo owner, chances are good you already know the joy that comes with shared responsibility. The roof? The boiler? The parkade membrane? The strata has it handled. It’s one of the things we love most about condo living.
But there’s a small part of your home that doesn’t fall under the building’s umbrella — and if left unchecked, it can cause heartbreak worthy of a Motown ballad. So today, we’re channeling Diana Ross & the Supremes to bring you this important message:
“StopS! In the name of love… before your suite breaks down!”
That’s right — we’re talking about stops (shut-off valves) and connector hoses. Not glamorous, not romantic… but absolutely essential.
❤️ Why These Little Parts Matter More Than You Think
Every toilet, sink, dishwasher, and laundry machine in your suite connects to your plumbing with two key components:
- Stops (shut-off valves)
- Connector hoses
These are wear-and-tear items — not permanent fixtures. Over time, they corrode, seize, crack, or fail entirely. And when they fail, they don’t do it quietly. A burst connector hose can release hundreds of litres of water in minutes, flooding your unit, your neighbour’s unit, and sometimes multiple floors below.
And here’s the part many condo owners don’t realize:
Inside-your-suite plumbing is your responsibility — not the strata’s.
While the strata manages building-level systems, everything from your drywall inward is typically yours to maintain. When a failure inside your suite floods others, your home insurance, not the strata’s, is on the hook.
❤️ A True Story (and a Common One)
Just recently, my own family member received a notice from her strata:
Every unit must complete stop and hose upgrades — or risk being non-compliant with the building’s insurance conditions.
This isn’t unusual. Many strata corporations now have insurance policies that require owners to proactively replace aging hoses and shut-off valves as part of flood-prevention protocols. A single multi-unit water loss can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and insurers in the Lower Mainland are increasingly firm about risk management.
❤️ Why This Matters So Much in the Lower Mainland
Condo and homeowner insurance rates in Vancouver and the surrounding area have climbed dramatically over the past decade. Claims involving water damage — especially those that impact multiple units — are among the most expensive and most common.
What happens if your unit is responsible for a leak?
- Your condo insurance deductible may skyrocket
- A water loss will appear in your claims history
- Future premiums may increase
- You may be responsible for the deductible for the entire strata (often $25,000 to $100,000+)
- You may owe for damages to neighbouring units
In other words, replacing these parts is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy. And unlike other insurance, this is an investment that you can also use.
❤️ Show Your Suite Some Love This Winter
We know these maintenance tasks often come up at awkward times — like right after the holidays when everyone is recovering from December spending.
That’s why this January and February, we’re offering:
💧 $45 off the first hour
When you book your Hoses & Stops appointment with us.
💧 Strata-group savings
If three or more units from the same building book on the same day, we’ll charge based on a pro-rated daily rate, keeping things fair and affordable for everyone.
💧 Building-wide pricing
Property managers or councils looking to update an entire building? Contact us for special project pricing.
❤️ A Little Love Today Prevents a Lot of Heartbreak Tomorrow
Think of your stops and hoses as the backup singers to your home’s plumbing system — they may not take the spotlight, but when they fail, the whole performance collapses.
Replacing them:
- Protects you from expensive water damage
- Protects your neighbours
- Keeps your strata’s insurance compliant
- Keeps your own insurance premiums manageable
- Gives you peace of mind
So take a moment this January to book your appointment for stops, in the Name of Love!
