The #1 Cause of Water Damage in Multifamily (And How to Prevent It) with Phil DePaul, Ep. 777

Phil DePaul is a home-services entrepreneur and the CEO of Boom Zell Enterprises, which includes United Water Restoration Group of Long Island and 1-Tom-Plumber Long Island. Raised in a blue-collar household with a father who was a plumber, Phil spent more than a decade helping scale a family-owned plumbing wholesale business before leaving to build companies of his own. Today, he focuses on restoration, plumbing, and related services, with a leadership philosophy centered on action, accountability, and restoring people before properties.

 

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Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.

 

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Key Takeaways

• Understand why restoration is about restoring people before repairing property

• Learn how action and momentum matter more than perfect planning in entrepreneurship

• See why plumbing is the leading cause of water damage in multifamily properties

• Recognize the importance of proactive vendor relationships for property managers

 

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Topics

From Blue-Collar Roots to Entrepreneurship

• Grew up with a plumber father but pursued a different path early on

• Spent 14 years helping scale a plumbing wholesale business

• Hit a ceiling and chose to leave to build something of his own

Becoming a “Visionary With No Vision”

• Entered entrepreneurship without a clear end goal

• Learned by taking action rather than over-planning

• Emphasized momentum, adaptability, and execution

What Restoration Really Means

• Restoration addresses sudden, accidental property damage

• Common causes include water, fire, smoke, and mold

• Mitigation focuses on reducing damage before it spreads

Restoring the Person First

• Homeowners are often panicked and overwhelmed during a loss

• Effective restoration starts with empathy and trust

• The goal is to restore peace of mind before rebuilding property

Multifamily Complexity and Stakeholder Management

• Multifamily losses involve tenants, owners, and property managers

• Conflicting priorities create tension during emergencies

• Restoration providers must balance empathy with business realities

Why Proactivity Matters in Multifamily

• Plumbing failures are the leading cause of water damage

• Preventative maintenance reduces catastrophic losses

• Strong vendor relationships help property managers respond faster

 

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Round of Insights

Failure that set Phil up for success: Chasing too many opportunities at once. Phil learned that trying to climb multiple mountains simultaneously slowed progress and reinforced the importance of prioritization and focus.

Digital or mobile resource recommended: Audible for audiobooks, Blinkist for condensed book summaries, and Alex Hormozi’s business content for practical frameworks.

Book recommended most in the last year: 100 Million Dollar Money Models for building scalable businesses, along with Think and Grow Rich for mindset and perspective.

Daily habit that keeps him focused: Practicing stillness in the morning, even when it feels uncomfortable, to regain clarity and presence.

#1 insight for running multiple businesses: Get one business fully stabilized before launching another, and let it mature before expanding further.

Favorite restaurant in Long Island: A local gourmet deli and bagel shop near his home, valued for convenience and quality.

 

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Next Steps

• Check out Phil’s company, BoomZeal

• Evaluate emergency preparedness plans for your multifamily properties

• Build proactive relationships with restoration and plumbing partners

• Review preventative maintenance strategies to reduce water damage risk

• Prioritize empathy and communication during tenant emergencies

 

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