Homeowner Tips

This page presents householder tips for VMHOA homeowners. Many of these tips are specific to our locale and some are based upon lessons sadly learned. And many of these tips are gleaned from VMHOA Newsletters.

Tips are organized into these categories:
· Structural
· Plumbing
· Energy
· Safety

Structural

Rafter Storage

Using garage rafter space as storage space can deflect the top of the walls inward toward center of the garage, compromising their ability to support the roof.

Garage Door

Lubricate the garage door rollers and spring with silicone lubricant every 3 or 4 months. Do not use an oil lubricant.

Insurance

All homeowners are encouraged to check their personal homeowner's insurance policy to make sure you have an HO6 (condominium) policy. When calling your insurance company to find out if they cover the $10,000 deductible, you should ask them, "Do I have a loss assessment endorsement? If so, how much?" It should be at least $10,000 to cover the deductible. See the March 2005 Newsletter.

Plumbing

Check For Leaks

Shut off all water in the house. Watch the blue triangle on the face of your water meter. It should be still. Any rotation of the blue triangle indicates water flowing through the meter to your home.

Conserve Water & Cash

• ULFT: In a typical household, the toilet uses more water than any other plumbing fixture. It usually accounts for 1/3rd of the daily household water usage. A ULFT (Ultra Low Flush Toilet) uses 54% less water than older toilets. The City of San Diego has (as of Nov 2004) a voucher program to pay $75 of the cost of a ULFT to replace the older higher-flow models. Ref: Call 1-800-986-4538; also see City Water Dpt. This program ends March 31, 2007.
• Shower head: A low-flow 2.5 gallons per minute shower head uses only about 50% of water used by older shower heads.
• Residential Water Survey Program: This City-wide program is offered free-of-charge to water customers who pay their water bills to the City of San Diego (that's us). As part of this program, a Water Conservation Representative will tour your property to identify leaks and water-saving opportunities. Ref: Call 1-619-570-1999; also see: City Water Dpt.

Valves & Faucets

Our water has high mineral content. Close/open shutoff valves (sinks, toilets, water heater, clothes washers) every six months or so to prevent ossification, and clean faucet aerator screens.

Clothes Washer Hoses

Turn off the valves for your clothes washer water hoses if you'll be away from home for a few days to prevent hose failure and flooding in your absence. Check clothes washer water hoses at least annually for signs of wear and disintegration. Replace them if they are warn or crumbling. And replace black rubber/plastic hoses at least every seven years.

Slab Leaks

If the floor slab feels warmer in one spot, you may have a hot water line slab leak. It often occurs near the kitchen sink. Follow the earlier water meter monitoring tip to determine if there is a leak. Call a plumber. [also see the Aug 2001 and Sep 2003 Newsletters]

Water Pressure

Water pressure presented to your water meter is usually about 80psi to 120psi, a pressure which can cause your water pipes or fittings to burst. Your water pressure regulator reduces it to a safer 50psi to 60psi range. With a water pressure gauge, check the pressure at the hose bib nearest your water pressure regulator. Adjust the water pressure regulator if the pressure is too high (over 75psi; over 60psi if the home as a reverse osmosis water filtration system). If the adjustments won't reduce the pressure, call a plumber. [also see the Nov 2000 Newsletter]

Water Heater

Because our water has high mineral content, sedimentation accumulates in the tank bottom. If your water heater is more than a few years old, have a plumbing professional perform a water heater "tune-up", which typically includes checking for water, gas and ventilation leaks, and flushing the tank. [also see the Mar 2001 Newsletter]

Related Links:

www.plumbshop.com
www.highlinewater.org
www.usagreen.org
www.hanovernh.org

Energy

Clothes Washers

If you're considering replacing your clothes washer, investigate City & SDG&E programs which may pay part of the cost of a High Efficiency Washer. High Efficiency Washers use 40% less water and 55% less energy per load than standard top-loading machines. Ref: City Water Dpt. and SDG&E.

Fluorescent lights

Fluorescent bulbs are generally acknowledged as more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. But to get longer life from fluorescent bulbs, use them where they get fewer on/off cycles.

Clogged Dryer Vents

When it's running, the clothes dryer consumes 50% of the energy used in a household, generating heat which needs to be dissipated, and lint which needs to be removed. Lint build-up in the dryer vent is the source of many problems. Results of improper vent maintenance include

• increased energy consumption,
• dryer damage,
• and longer drying time.
• Or worse, excessive heat buildup and fires.

Related Links:

www.sdge.com
www.eere.energy.gov

Safety

Coyotes

Walking a small dog on the lower canyon walk in early morning invites a coyote attack. [also see the May 2004 Newsletter]

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes come up from the canyons in early spring. Watch for them before reaching into bushes to retrieve frisbees and balls. [also see the Mar 2004 Newsletter]

Related Links:

Rattlesnake page
Another Rattlesnake page
Coyotes wildlife information - DesertUSA