Jan's Helpful Hints

What You Should Know

Hint #1:

Whenever I leave my unit overnight, I always turn off my water main and also my water heater and refrigerator ice maker. If I have a leak when I'm gone, there will be minimal damage done. It's easy to do and much safer and wiser. Leaving your water main on when you're gone for extended periods could cause you major flooding and damages...

Here's how I do it:
First, I turn off my water heater and refrigerator ice maker. This protects both from possible damage if they are calling for water and the main is shut. The heater elements in your water heater could be exposed, or your ice maker's pump could be damaged. Turning your water heater off when you're gone will also save you money on your electric bill.

Go to the electrical panel and find the circuit breaker marked "water heater." Throw the switch to the off position. This will turn off the electricity to the water heater.

Then, go to your refrigerator and open the freezer door. In your ice maker unit, lift up the metal bar until it locks in place. This will turn off the ice maker.

Next, go to your water heater closet. Find the valve handle that controls the water pipe that comes into your unit. It will be right before your water meter. Don't confuse it with the valve that ONLY shuts off water to your water heater. In the open position, the yellow valve handle will be in line with the pipe--meaning that water can flow unobstructed. To turn it off, pull the valve handle so it's at a 90 degree angle to the main water pipe. This will close the valve.

When you return, turn your water main on first and then "bleed" your water lines. Go to several sinks in your unit and turn on both your hot and cold water faucets. Run them for awhile so that air is released from the lines. Then you can turn your water heater and ice maker back on. After your water heats up, bleed the hot water faucet again to be sure all trapped air has escaped. That's all there is to it!

Hint #2:

Directions to initialize your built-in fireplace (internal remote receiver) and the portable remote transmitter after a power failure.

Remote Control Initialization
This procedure is required every time there is a loss of power to the remote control in the
fireplace (i.e. power failure, breaker tripped, main power switch is turned off)
1. Ensure that power is supplied through main service panel.
2. Access the manual controls, (remove glass doors if applicable) pull the right hand steel
curtain to the outside of the unit.
3. Locate manual controls.
4. Activate main power switch, red indicator light 1 will flash.
5. Press and hold the on switch marked -- for five seconds. The second red indicator light will flash.
6. Press ON button located on the remote control transmitter. This will synchronize
the remote control transmitter and receiver.

Hint #3:
Water supply line valves should be either all the way on or all the way off. Turning the valves to any other opening can cause wear to the valve and "water hammer." The toilet supply line valves are especially susceptible to water hammer if the valves are not completely open (turned fully counter-clockwise). Water hammer can sound like the Queen Mary blowing her horn!

Valve handle should be fully turned counter-clockwise.

Hint #4:
When your washing machine is not in use, turn your hot and cold water supply valves off. This will prevent major water damage if one of the rubber supply hoses to your washing machine bursts.

Push valves left to close.

Hint #5:

Have a licensed electrician install a whole unit surge suppressor in your electrical panel. This will protect all the circuits in your home against damaging electrical spikes which can destroy digital controls and equipment. A surge suppressor in your electrical panel will protect all of your appliances such as: microwave, washer, dryer, range, dishwasher, refrigerator, fireplace, computer, and TV. And while you're at it, have a main breaker installed for added convenience and utility.

Hint #6:

Use hair snares to protect your plumbing traps and HOB drain pipes. Available at Walmart, Sneade's, Target and other stores. Use in sinks, tubs, and showers

Hint #7:

When foul weather heads our way, I always make sure I remove all items including plants, lightweight patio furniture, etc., from my balcony, so items don't become an airborne or fall over hazard. Heavyweight items are secured with bungee cords and ropes...just to be safe.

I stay prepared for emergencies by keeping flashlights, batteries, water, canned soups and other non-perishable edibles, medicines, portable radio, and a first aid kit. Remember that although HOB has a backup generator, it only supplies electricity to essential common circuits... Power to your unit will most likely go out when electric is down. There is a community microwave (powered by standby generator) on the first floor where you can heat soup, etc., in microwavable containers.

Hint #8:

I routinely check my unit's fire sprinklers for the start of any leaks. If found, I would immediately notify management for assistance, so repairs can be made before a catastrophic leak occurs. We have two different sprinkler heads in HOB.

1. Pendant Sprinkler Head:

This sprinkler head is visible. It's heat activated.

No moisture or leaking should occur normally from sprinkler heads!

2. Concealed Sprinkler Head:

This sprinkler head is recessed and concealed by a decorative plate. This sprinkler is also heat activated. The plate would fall away and the sprinkler head would then drop down in case of a fire.

It's important to routinely check all sprinkler heads. Some are out of the way in clothes closets, the laundry center, hot water heater closet, etc.

A major leak could be very expensive! It's suggested you also notify management when leaving your unit for extended periods like long vacations, etc. Although you would shut off your water main, the sprinkler supply line is still active. It's suggested you give management permission to make periodic checks as needed.

Please remember to never hang anything from a sprinkler or paint over it, hit it, etc.

This HOB helpful hints page is dedicated to the loving memory of Jan Ritter, who served HOB as a Co-Social Committee Chairperson and also the founder and chair of the HOB Communications Committee as well as memberships in the Building & Grounds and Welcome Committees.