Our team prides itself on taking care of the unseen essentials on the estates we manage - those behind-the-scenes systems that keep communities running smoothly. Recently, two burst water mains provided a chance for our us to demonstrate exactly that.
Thanks to swift action and calm coordination from Phil Brown, one of our experienced Estate Managers, both issues were resolved efficiently with minimal disruption to residents.
Two separate bursts occurred in late June:
Luckily, there were no major water outages, but the supply did need to be temporarily turned off so contractors could carry out the repairs safely.
Phil was quick to assess the situation and worked closely with our trusted contractors to get everything sorted as soon as possible - carefully balancing the need for a fast fix with being mindful of costs for the residents.
“It’s about knowing when to act fast and when to hold steady. We always weigh the urgency against potential cost to residents, responding quickly, but responsibly,” Phil explained.
Managing unadopted water networks requires a tailored approach. Unlike public utilities, we have direct oversight and responsibility for these systems - appointing our own contractors, handling communication, and ensuring works are carried out to the right standard.
This autonomy means quicker decision-making and a more personal approach. While we may not have the same resources as larger water authorities, we make up for it with responsiveness, local knowledge, and a clear line of communication with residents.
“One of the biggest challenges is simply keeping residents updated,” says Phil. “But with email, phone calls and our new Places app, we’re able to keep communication open and up to date during repairs.”
Incidents like burst water mains are a reminder of why professional estate management matters, especially when dealing with unadopted infrastructure, where responsibility sits with the managing agent and resident management company.
As Phil explains, it’s not just about reacting quickly, it’s about making informed, balanced decisions:
“When a report comes in, you have to assess the severity straight away. Is this something that needs emergency attendance within the hour, or can it wait until the morning? That judgment has cost implications for the residents’ company, so it’s important we get it right.”
This is where experience really counts. Knowing when to escalate, when to monitor, and how to resolve issues efficiently means we can protect both the physical infrastructure and the financial interests of the community.
At Preim, our team is trained to make these calls confidently, ensuring that repairs are not only delivered promptly, but responsibly.