Updated 6 March 2014
Maintenance Happenings Archives 2014
posted 11 December 2014
December Maintenance Happenings:
Broken Brick Wall
 The brick wall at the entrance to Grunion has several broken bricks. It's been over a month since the broken bricks were first noticed. It is not known for sure what caused the damage. Could be a car hit the brick wall or a Board Member suggested the damage was caused by the shrubbery growing behind the wall. The Board asked Action to get a second proposal for the repair since they thought the first proposal they received was too expensive.
Cabana Spa Is Closed
 The Cabana spa is closed due to a problem with the heater. It has been closed for close to a week now. Several residents have come to use it only to find the spa is not working and closed. Action has a work order to have the problem fixed and the spa working again. ■
Editor Note: The Cabana spa was finally repaired on January 21 and is now operational. |
|
posted 22 November 2014
November Maintenance Happenings:
DUCKS IN THE MUD
 Our ducks could not swim in the stream along the 4861 Lago building because the water level had  dropped so low they were walking in the mud. Due to the high winds blowing leaves and debris in the streams and ponds the little waterfall by the Lago gate no longer ran.
Previous Problem
Another problem occurred with the waterfall by the 4831 Lago building and the Cabana Garages. First  water over flowed the bank of the stream. Then the water to the water fall stopped completely with the water level in the  stream and large pond dropped.
Two Cleanup
Action Property Management was notified and Diversified Waterscapes came on their regularly scheduled day to clean out the leaves and debris and empty the filters. The waterfall by the 4831 Lago building and the Cabana Garages worked again. However they didn't clean the stream along the 4861 Lago building and get the water flowing to the waterfall by the Lago gate. Another call was placed to Action and Diversified was back out on their regularly scheduled day. The stream was cleaned and the waterfall was again working. Our ducks can now swim in these stream.
 Pump Failures on the pumps so water does not flow to some of the streams. Other things that can cause the filters to clog is the over grown plants and vegetation in the streams. Besides causing a problem for the flow of the water they can possibly cause cracks in the cement bottom of the stream. If this occurs it would be costly to repair. One solution for this problem would be to have Diversified come three times a week during the fall when the leaves are turning and falling from many of the trees. ■ |
|
posted 5 November 2014
October Maintenance Happenings:
ANOTHER BROKEN PIPE
The Cabana and 4861 Lago buildings had the water shut off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. recently for repairs to another leaky pipe. While water shut off notices had been posted telling residents the water would be off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m - the repair took longer. The leak was from the backflow valve located by the Lago gate. Scott English plumbing  broke through the cement to expose the pipe involved only to find a second layer of cement slab further down. It took significant time to break through and remove the second layer of cement. The leak was caused by an aging connecting thread to the water main line from the water meter. The water was finally turned back on around 7p.m. This type of metal pipe installation that broke is no longer allowed by current city building codes. ■ |
|
updated 30 September 2014
September Maintenance Happenings:
A REALLY DEEP HOLE
 In response to backed up sewer lines in the 16542 Blackbeard building, a six foot deep by six wide hole was excavated in the sidewalk. Scott English Plumbing was able to get the sewer line open quickly. But the next day, it backed up again. Using a video camera they ran from the Blackbeard building, they located plant roots intruding into the pipes. Excavating for a couple of days down to more than six feet , they located the failing sewer pipes. Broken and shattered by roots, the pipes had not been properly glued when installed. They rebuilt the line and have added some cleanout traps to the lines to improve efficiency if this problem occurs again. Located buried at the same depth as the failing pipes was a crushed Core Beer can. Go figure.
CABANA POOL WAS CLOSED
 A notice was posted at the Cabana pool notifying residents the Cabana pool area was closed for maintenance/repair of leaking pool filters. The repair took 2 days. Luckily the pool filters were repaired by the weekend. Residents could enjoy the pool during the "HOT" weekend.
BALCONY REPAIRS
A homeowner on Blackbeard sent in a picture to the Newsletter showing the repair/re-build of the balcony of his condo. The balcony had dry rot and damage caused by termites and was in bad need of repair. The work orders and approval of proposals for this repair and several other balconies in the complex were approved at the August HOA board meeting. If you notice dry rot or termite damage on your balcony or railings you should notify Action. ■ Also repaired/rebuild were balconies on Lago, Cabana and Grunion. |
|
posted 18 September 2014
LAGO GATE BREAKS
AGAIN and AGAIN
and Then AGAIN
 Recently residents who tried to open the Lago gate with their remote found it would not work. A line of cars backed up out onto Green Street. People called neighbors or used their gate key. A couple of residents stayed by the gate with their key to let their neighbors in. Action was notified and a Board Member used an emergency key to disable the gate mechanism to leave it open.
Again
The Gate vendor came out the next morning and replaced the receiver. The gate worked fine all day, but that evening the same thing occurred. Action was again notified. A Board member again disabled the gate mechanism.
Then Again
When the gate vendor came out this time, they replaced an antenna and ran new wiring. But this  only lasted a few days. This time the Gate vendor attributed the failure to a faulty remote control in someone's vehicle that was stuck in the on position. This prevents other remotes from working. Unable to locate the vehicle (probably in a garage). Gate vendor shortened the receiving area of the controller so the faulty remote would not interfere with other residents using their remotes. So far this seems to have fixed the problem.
 Update Your Remote |
posted 5 August 2014
August Maintenance Happenings
The Last Hive Removed
On Friday August 1st.Newport Exterminators removed the last Bee Hive from the ceiling of the stairwell in the 4861 Lago building. The other hives were removed on July 11th, however the last hive continued to leak honey down onto the stairway landing.
 In the MeantimeSome Urgency
On Friday August 1st a homeowner noticed bees around the one remaining hive and honey still
leaking. A call was placed to Action expressing the urgency of getting the hive removed. Around 4PM Newport Exterminators arrived. They closed off all  threefloors of the stairwell. Wearing protective gearthey erected scaffolding and brokeaway the stucco ceiling to reach the remaining hive and remove it.
The Next Step
All that needs to be done now is the re-plastering and painting of the ceiling on the 3rd floor. This may require approval of a quote from the vendor that will do the job.
See previous article "Honey in the Attic?■ |
|
posted 17 July 2014
| Maintenance Happenings:
HONEY IN THE ATTIC?
A strange sticky substance started appearing in the stairwell of the 4861 Lago building on June 19th. Action was notified with a series of photos
showing the spot growing larger and larger. At first it was thought it might be oil leaking from the
elevator but it was determined that it was HONEY
from a Bee Hive up by the rain gutter on the roof. According to the Pest control company, the hive does not have currently active bees, but is leaking honey from prior use.
Bee Hive Dripping Honey
 A Bee Hive in the wall of the stairwell in the 4861 Lago building was dripping honey from the roof down onto the landing of the stairwell. A bucket was placed to collect the dripping, sticky honey and red cones were placed around the bucket.
Bird Nest, Too
Newport Exterminators were sent out to remove the Bee Hive on Friday July 11th. Holes were punched in the stucco of the 3rd floor stairwell ceiling. Beside two bee hives – one small and one large, an abandoned bird nest fell with the rubble. There was a good amount of bee hive and honey. The exterminators decided they could not remove the 
bee hives from the holes in the ceiling without first putting up scaffolding for the safe removal.
For Board Approval
 The HOA Board will have to approve the quote for the removal and repair to the stucco at the July HOA meeting. Since the bees have left the hive it is not an emergency to remove the hives and make the repairs.
To be continued.....■
Note: This column is an on going. Its contents will be updated during the month. |
|
posted 30 May 2014
June Maintenance
June Maintenance Happenings
 Four New Umbrellas Another Underground Water Leak!
Again the 4831 and 4791 Lago buildings had the water shut off for repairs on June 20th. This time
it was a leak and problem at the water shut off box between the 2 buildings. The plumbing company worked all day on the problem but couldn't finish the job that day. So, water was  turned back on to the 2 buildings for the weekend. The plumbing company returned on Tuesday of the following week to finish the job. Once again the water to the 2 buildings had to be off for a second day so the repairs could be finished. The repairs were completed and water to the 2 buildings turned back on around 6PM.
Honey In the Attic?
A strange sticky substance started appearing in the stairwell of the 4861 Lago building on June 19th. Action was notified with a series of photos
showing the spot growing larger and larger. At first it was thought it might be oil leaking from the
elevator but it was determined that it was HONEY
from a Bee Hive up by the rain gutter on the roof. According to the Pest control company, the hive does not have currently active bees, but is leaking honey from prior use. To correct this problem, may require to cut into the stucco and remove the old hive. This will require Board approval.
Note: This column is an on going. Its contents will be updated during the month. |
|
posted 26 May 2014
Maintenance Happenings:
May Happenings
Ducks Look for Higher Water
 The Pond between the Lago and Blackbeard buildings once again had the water level drop on May 20th. Several residents contacted Action regarding the low water levels in the streams and pond. Action said the problem involved an electrical breaker switch. Tyler Electrical came the next day and fixed the problem. Unfortunately, as the water level sunk the ducks and ducklings in the pond and streams had to look for higher water.
Rain Gutters Cleaned
 The rain gutters on the buildings in the complex have been cleaned out, removing leaves and debris from them. All buildings, including garages, were cleaned. It is important to have the rain gutters cleaned regularly to prevent water damage to roofs and possibly individual condos or garages..
New Community Bulletin Board
 A new “Community Bulletin” has been installed at the Cabana mailboxes. Unfortunately, several residents have expressed a concern that the placement poses a safety risk. The old bulletin board was flat against a  wall. The new bulletin board is on a post and protrudes out 11 inches. There is concern that people, especially children might injure themselves on it.
This has been brought to the attention of Action Property Management for review and consideration to change the placement to avoid any possible accident.
Balcony Rebuilt
 On May 7, Island Pacific Contractors started replacement of a badly deteriorated Balcony in the 4861 Lago Building. Suffering from both dry rot and termite damage, the balcony was rebuilt from the ground up. Another balcony on the Grunion side of Harbour Vista is also scheduled for repairs and/or replacement.
Solar Heating Panels Leak
On May 6,water was spouting from the old , non-working solar heating panel pipes on the roof of  the Cabana garages. These solar panels were used to heat the Cabana pool and have not worked for many years. The water was spraying up almost ten feet and a section of the roof was inundated with water. There was water leaking through the roof of one of the garage onto a homeowner’s car parked in the garage. Several people contacted Action Property and reported the leak. Action dispatched Scott English plumbing the next morning.
Now Locked
The problem was a valve that was supposed to be turned off but had been turned back on by someone. Since the solar heating panels no longer function and the water pipes for the panels have leaks, the valve should remain off. Scott English plumbing put a lock on the valve so it cannot be turned on again. Taylor DeLauder will discuss the removal of the non-functioning solar heating panels and the repair of the holes in the garage roof (this is a recurring problem when it rains) with the Board. He pointed out that there was no budgeted money for this removal and repair of the roof in this year’s budget so the Board will have to decide how they want to handle this repair/removal.■
Note: This column is an on going. Its contents will be updated during the month–and this is only the first week. |
|
posted 30 April 2014
| Major Improvements
The Roadway Repair
On Friday March 25 starting at 6:45AM, Eagle Paving resurfaced some of the worst parts of The Harbour Vista private roadways. Approved at the last Board meeting, this repair work entailed a 100 tons of asphalt, road work equipment and a paving crew. The paving crew . worked till 3:30PM to complete this complex job which cost approximately $14,000.
What They Did
 Blackbeard Lane was in the worst shape. Part of Blackbeard was resurfaced and potholes filled. Similarly, there was resurfacing/pothole repair on both Lago and Cabana Drive. Grunion Lane, which is three roadways, also had resurfacing and pothole repair. The entrance gates at Cabana and Grunion were resurfaced. The car wash areas on both sides of Harbour Vista were resurfaced.
Easier to Drive
 With these repairs, residents have noticed a difference --there is less crunching noise. The dust has lessened. The roadways generally look better.
Very Accommodating
Even though signs were posted two days prior to the work, and Action Property Management had  fielded questions and contacted many residents, this was still a surprises to many when the work started early Friday morning--even some Board  members were surprised. But Eagle Paving was very accommodating to our residents. If someone needed to move their car or have access to their garage, Eagle would move barricades and even allowed residents to drive over unfinished road work. Even though Eagle’s standard notice stated that cars would be towed if left in the work areas, this was never the intent--and never occurred. Of course it did help that only the roadways were being repaired, and not the parking spaces.
■
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Mike Peduzzi for providing the photos. |
|
posted 21 April 2014
| April Maintenance Happenings:
Cabana Drainage
 A new rain drainage subsystem has been installed at the northwest corner of Cabana Building. Residence had complained about the flooding during rain storms in this low area sidewalke. Now it shoud stay clear.
Another Ground at Lago
The 4861 and 4791 Lago buildings experienced another major pipe leak starting on April 8th. The pipe leak was from a water pipe adjacent to the boiler unit for those two buildings. Scott English plumbing came out and turned the water off to identify where the leak was and to make repairs.
Three Days with No Water
Repairing the leak took three days and entailed digging a hole next to the stream that was around 5 feet deep. Fortunately, Scott English Plumbing was able to turn the water for these buildings back on in the evening so residents would have hot and cold water overnight.
Getting Use to it
Most residents have become use to the many water shut offs that have to take place in the complex. However, it is important for residents to have good communication regarding when these shut offs will take place and for how long. For the consideration of the residents these plumbing issues should be handled as quickly as possible and with the utmost consideration for residents with clear and timely communication .
Notice Confusion
Scott English Plumbing was responsible for posting the water shut off notices. While they did  post notices for the first and second day of the water shut off correctly so residents knew ahead of time to plan for the water being off, the notices for the third day were not posted until the morning of the third day. Many residents were not prepared for having the water shut off that day. Some residents complained they didn’t have water to make coffee, brush their teeth or take a shower in the morning. One resident said he had to go over to the pool and take his shower at the common area pool showers.
Leak Repaired
At the end of the third day the leak had been repaired, the hole filled in and the water turned back on.■ |
|
|
updated 28 January 2014
January Maintenance Happenings
Announced at the January Board Meeting, two new pumps/motors have been installed for the Grunion streams/ponds. Not only do they improve the streams and fountains, they help eliminate the stagnate water areas. 
Parking Bumpers
Approximately twenty-six broken or damaged cement parking bumpers have been replaced early in January on both sides of Harbour Vista. Rebar had been exposed on some of the broken bumpers which could damage cars or injure people walking by. The new bumpers certainly improve the parking spaces.
Each bumper costs approximately $85. Over the years broken bumpers were not reported to management or replaced therefore a larger expenditure was required and board approval needed for the replacement. Now that the majority of broken/damaged bumpers have been replaced, a single broken bumper can be expedited for repair by Taylor DeLauder at Action. If you notice a damaged/broken bumper take a minute and call it in to Action.
Also, all residents should take care not to run over the bumpers when parking their cars and trucks. Damage is done when cars or trucks run over the bumpers.■ |
|
|
Called the mud pile at the 4791 Lago building, Terra Verde Landscaping has planted a new tree and added some ground covering. This mud pile was created because of a ground leak repair which involved the removal of a Ficus tree and digging out a large hole. See "
The area near the Blackbeard fire gate has some new planting installed. This use to be a very dead area and somewhat an "eye sore". This change does improve the beauty of the property■
