Maintenance

Electrical

The circuit breaker box located in your unit can be used for most electrical issues.

If necessary, all power to your unit can be disconnected from the electrical room located on the second floor.  If you need to access the electrical room, contact the Property Manager.  The work must be completed by a licensed electrician.  

HVAC

The majority of residential heat pumps sit on the the rooftop in several HVAC "farms".  For units with HVAC units on the roof, you must contact the Property Manager 24 hours in advance of your service call for instructions.  During extreme hot and cold weather, you can contact a board member through email.  

• Please note that jumping from the roof top deck to the roof membrane will result in an automatic rooftop violation.  The roof membrane is our single biggest investment in the building.  Unauthorized access is enforced.

• The rooftop is accessed through the staircase by the trash chute near the 507/508 units.

• Units on First and Second floor can access their units near the pedestrian entrance to the garage.  

• Homeowners are responsible to ensure that units being replaced are removed from the rooftop.  The building's camera system will be used when units are found abandon on the roof.  Homeowners will be billed back the cost of removal and recycling the unit.

• Please indicate your unit number on your heat pump.

• Homeowners should schedule regular maintenance on their air handler located in their units.  Most air handlers are above a bathroom in a crawl space.  HVAC systems pull humidity out of the air and it drains into the buildings sewer system through a p-trap located near the unit.  The p-trap holds water to keep sewer gasses from escaping into your unit.  

• P-traps can also become clogged.  Regular maintenance may help prevent water overflows into your bathroom and units below.  Water overflows will cause substantial damage to your unit and those below.  Odors can also happen during periods of extended absences the water in pee traps (sinks) will evaporate.

Plumbing

Due to HOA insurance company requirements, each unit must have a mandatory annual inspection for plumbing systems.  Throughout the country, water incidents are driving insurance claims.  This includes but is not limited to: water heaters, washers, angle stops (shut offs), dishwashers, and hoses.  This is an annual inspection and is billed back to homeowners.  

The inspection is performed by the buildings plumber of record.  Homeowners or their representative must be home during the inspection.  Timing of the inspection will be communicated well in advance.

Fines for non-compliance and missing inspections will be communicated by the Property Management Company.

Leaks

If you have a leak in your unit, review the following actions to resolve the issue quickly.  Leaks coming from within your unit or a neighboring unit are yours alone to resolve and management cannot assist unless you are unable to reach the owner or tenant of the responsible unit or the leak is coming from a common utility, such as the roof.

If the leak is coming from your unit:

• • • Follow the water shut-off valve instructions above and turn off the water to your unit immediately. 

• If the leak is coming from another unit:

  • • Get in touch with the owner or tenant of the suspected unit and have them follow instructions above. 

    • If you are unable to get in contact with the owner of the suspected unit or if you suspect the leak is coming from a common utility, such as the roof: 

      • • Call the Property Manager immediately and contact a board member.

        • Additionally, feel free to carefully disable the water of the suspected unit using the water shut-off valve instructions above and see if it resolves the issue temporarily.

  • You may be responsible for damage to the other owners or the building for water incidents. 

Shutoffs / Repairs

In the event of a leak or you need to repair a water line in your unit, a shutoff is located in the hallway typically outside of your unit.  Look for a copper pipe leading into your unit from the hallway.  This pipe is usually lined up to your bathroom.  You will need a ladder.  Ladders can be found in the staircase by the trash chute or in the garage.  When retrieving a ladder be careful around sprinkler heads. 

If your shut off valve doesn't turn spraying it with WD40 sometimes helps.  If your shut off valve is stripped, you MUST contact the property manager.  This will involve shutting down the building water supply.  

Water Heaters

Leaky water heaters can cause considerable damage to your unit and your neighbors.  Water heaters typically have a 10-15 year lifespan.  

Inspections

The Board of Directors reserve the right to schedule inspections in all units to include but not limited to structure, plumbing, windows, etc. 

Noxious odors

Residents are responsible for noxious odors that emanate from their unit to another unit or common elements.  Where an issue exists, contact the Property Manager. 

Water Connections

In unit water connections, angle stops, must be inspected and maintained.  Over time these items can fail.  A licensed plumber can assist with an inspection and replacing these items.  

Water supply lines

Plastic and rubber water supply lines were originally installed when the building opened.  If you do not have stainless steel braided water connection lines, the HOA highly recommends installing them.  

Windows

As per the condominium documents, homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of windows in their unit.  This includes the frame and/or glass.  Furthermore the windows are part of a historic structure and controlled by a historic preservation society.  Any changes to windows must be improved in advance by the HOA and the historic preservation society. 

Failure to fix broken panes of glass, will result in the HOA hiring a service to repair the window and billing the charge back to the homeowner.