For many years, laate-resident Kemp Roll freely disseminated, in the Kemp’s Korner column in the newsletter, tips on how to deal with common household challenges. In January 2003, he organized much of this material, and the Board published it in the form of a booklet titled “Self-Help for the Self-Reliant.” This section of the website reproduces, with only minor editing, the wisdom contained in that booklet, retaining most of Kemp’s inimitable style and outlook on life. It includes, however, additional material generated since that date; such additions have necessitated some minor changes in organization. You can click on the colored type to link quickly to related material.
The website text was further lightly edited in 2011 to make it conform with the section labeled “Self-Help for the Self-Reliant” included in the revised Handbook.
Clues to a Water Break–Pressure Drop, Venturi Effect, Water Disaster Prevention, Filtered Water Pressure Drop
After a Water Break–After a Deep Freeze, Milk from Your Faucet?
Other Water Problems—Water on the Kitchen Floor, The Uncommon Commode
Faucet and Sink Fixing—Where Has All the Hair Gone?, Solving Diminished Flow, ‘Harden’ Faucet Fixtures
Strange Sounds—The Ear-Numbing Sound Attack, Smoke Detectors, The Woodpecker Sound
Garage Door Care–Door Won’t Operate, To Reengage the Garage Door
Electrical Problems–Don’t Be Shocked, The Mysterious GFI, Short Circuit, –New Bulb That Won’t Light, Security Lights Are Out
Bugs and Beasts–Inside Invaders, Got Mice?, Look Out for Ladybugs!, Getting Antzy?, Spider Webs?
Heating and Air Conditioning–Beware the Monoxide Scare, Water Too Hot?, The Smell of Humidity, Catch That Air Conditioner Condensate, Don’t Mess with Mold
–Frozen Hose Bibs, To Drain or Not to Drain, Relighting Your Fireplace Pilot, Fleeing Snowbirds Heed
More Condensate Water–Look at Your Ceiling, Ceiling Exhaust Fan Condensate
Home Appliances–Avoid the Washer Flood, Winterize Your Dryer Vent, Clean the Kitchen Vent, Care and Feeding of the Disposall, Hot Water Dispenser–Live or Die?
Odds and Ends—Your Gate Opener Calls, Hot Water Forever, The Radon Scare, Need a Better Bib?, Fishing at Beaverdam Run, Pest Control Modus Operandi, The Screw Loose
Before You Plunge Ahead
Let’s assume you’ve still got all your marbles– even though you may not always remember what game you’re playing. And you’re tired of writing checks to plumbers, electricians and others who seem to possess Harry Potter’s skills at whisking away your financial resources. And who, too often, must legitimately charge megabucks for replacing a faucet washer or pressing a GFI button. Therefore, must you accept these as the vicissitudes of life one must deal with in the absence of a handy(man)(person) around the house or, as often is the case, with one around the house who’s as well coordinated as a fourth-grade orchestra and whose enthusiasm for such tasks flickers like a candle in the wind?
No, you do not! There is hope. You can do it yourself; “it” meaning the repair or maintenance of practically any of the facilities you use every day in your home at Beaverdam Run–including those that fail when you need them most. The self-help information you’ll find in this Board-approved document will not help you parallel park an 18-wheeler or understand how a computer chip works, but it will give you a sense of self-reliance and pride in your ability to cope with those challenges that prompt fear and confusion. Nor will it terminate the lucrative careers of plumbers and the like. You need no longer pity them any more than they pitied you and your helplessness.
Most problems encountered at Beaverdam Run involve the use (or misuse) of the common conveniences we all depend upon most–water, plumbing, electricity, appliances, etc. How to deal with them has been reported in newsletters for the past several years. Sadly, most residents usually discard newsletters after reading and in doing so discard the answers to some of the problems they encounter, such as fixing faucets, avoiding floods, sources of strange noises, etc. This document is a collection of solutions to such problems, all based on actual events here in Beaverdam Run. Some are deadly serious. Some, as you might suspect, are not. Yet all contain a pearl or two worthy of reference when disaster strikes. Which it will.
Remember, you can become more self-reliant than you may think. So when you encounter a problem and find a solution, let someone, like the Building Maintenance Chair, for instance, know about it. This way everyone will benefit from your experience. And, often, the Association–that’s you– can be spared unnecessary costs. Meanwhile, read on.
Note: Some of the case history calamities cited herein could have been prevented or at least minimized if the Unit owners had arranged to leave a key with neigh- bors during their absence and have their home checked out once in awhile, especially after heavy rain or snow storms. Make sure a key is left with the Association for use in emergencies (see Rules & Regulations, Sec. I.I).
Let’s start with what you should know about dealing with the occasional water problem at Beaverdam Run, since it is likely to require the most rapid response.
Clues to a Water Break
Pressure Drop. We own our own water system at Beaverdam Run. It’s City water but once it passes through a meter off Beaverdam Road we are responsible for its delivery to each Unit. So when a water problem occurs don’t waste time calling the Asheville Water Authority or a plumber. Instead call a Board member or someone on the Wataer Services Committee.
The first signal that something’s wrong is when you notice a pressure drop or no water flow at all. This will usually occur when you are in the shower and covered with soap suds. After regaining your composure and cloaking your modesty, call a neighbor to find out if they, too, are without water. If not, ask them for rinsing privileges and accept the fact that your Unit alone has the problem. Put some clothes on and look around the outside of your Unit. The most likely place is where the water service line from the main into your Unit has ruptured where a buried shut-off valve is located – usually near the hose bib. In most cases these lines enter in the front. Those on lower Clubside Drive and the odd-numbered Units on Stony Ridge enter at the rear of the building. It is to your advantage to find out where your shut-off is. This will save time and minimize water damage.
If you see water where it normally isn’t, and it hasn’t been raining, call a Board member or someone on the Infrastructure Committee. It is possible to experience a pressure drop without a break in our water system. Whenever a break occurs in the City’s large water main on Beaverdam Road, we will experience a pressure drop in some Units, beginning with 56 Stony Ridge and progressing downward through 32-22 Ridgeview Drive. The Water Services Committee can relieve this inconvenience by redirecting water from our storage tank.
The Venturi Effect. Besides the above or seeing an obvious geyser outside your entrance or finding a pond of muddy water in your lower level, there is another clue: If you have an all-system water filter and notice that it requires changing more frequently than usual, look carefully outside your Unit where the water service line enters (normally the front) for any signs of surface sogginess or puddling water. A small hairline stress crack in a PVC plastic water line can actually suck in [Venturi effect] fine mud particles when the flow rate is changed, i.e., from taking a shower, operating the washing machine. Do not stop taking showers or washing your clothes. Just keep your eyes open when you go outside. Also call a Board member or someone on the Water Services Committee so corrective measures can be taken.
Water Disaster Prevention. A water break or leak inside your Unit can wreak horrendous damage as well as being very costly. Case history: The owners were away for a few days, a break occurred in a connection to an upstairs commode, water kept running, overflowed, soaked through the floor to the ceiling below and saturated the sheetrock which collapsed on the floor and furnishings below.
The best way to prevent such a disaster is to shut off your water main anytime you plan to be away–even for just a few days. It’s very simple. If you do not know how to do this, call anyone on the Water Services Committee. Hint: Your water main shut-off valve is normally located in the lower level near your utilities and should have a red tag on it with “MAIN” on one side and “BRCA” on the other. The Water Services Committee can help you locate this valve and also provide the tag.
Filtered Water Pressure Drop. If you experience a pressure drop in your water system or no water at all, here’s a way to check out another possible cause:
- Try several faucets to see if they have the same problem. Yes = good.
- Listen for the sound of water flowing elsewhere inside your Unit. No = good.
- Go outside to see if water is flowing from the ground anywhere nearby. No = good.
- Call your neighbor to ask if they are having a water problem. No = good.
If you come up with all “good” answers it looks as though you’re alone with this problem.
Now ask yourself two questions: “Do I have a water filter?” and “Has the filter been changed lately?” If the answers are “yes” to the first and “no” to the second, find the filter and change it.
If you’ve done that and the water still doesn’t flow, you messed up the filter change. Go back and try again. (Sounds obvious, but be sure to open the valves you shut off after the filter cartridge has been replaced. Doing all that talking to yourself can make one forget little things like that.)
If you consider yourself too hydraulically-challenged to deal with this situation, don’t call a plumber or the Water Services Committee. Instead, arrange with a home service contractor to have them take care of changing your water filter on a regular schedule. Or just bypass the filter and add a dollop of scotch when you get thirsty. If you teetotal, forget the scotch and install a filter on the line to the refrigerator.