Management Information

Management Information

Extended Leave? Are you prepared for Winter?

With the arrival of the Winter season, many residents will be leaving their homes for extended periods of time. All the items listed below should be attended to when leaving for an extended time away and some even apply when taking a short get away. Water leaks especially seem to have a tendency to surprise residents even after being gone for a few days.

	Lock all windows and doors
	Manually lock automatic garage doors
	Ensure your alarm system is working
	Set thermostats according to instructions
	Empty your refrigerator
	Clean all portable appliances - remove crumbs from toaster to prevent ants
	Sweep or vacuum all floors to remove crumbs and dirt
	Do not invite bugs to have a feast while you are away - remove any flour, crackers, bread or pasta products stored in cupboards.
	Disconnect phone service and your cable TV's. from outlet
	Place plastic wrap under the seat of the commode - this prevents water evaporation and traps sewer gas
	Forward your mail and cancel your newspaper
	Bring in patio furniture
	Turn off the water supply to the washer to prevent pressure damage to hoses
	For absences of a month or more, turn off the water heater. For shorter periods, turn the thermostat to the lowest setting
	Turn off the main water supply to your Unit
	Have someone check your Unit once a week
	Write a change of address to Surf Site Management, LLC

Frozen Pipes

Your carpet's soaked. Your furniture's ruined. You have to walk through six inches of water to get across your kitchen. You've fallen victim to a catastrophe, but it wasn't a flood or hurricane. You could have avoided this disaster. You can prevent frozen pipes.

Frozen pipes aren't just an inconvenience. An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter…all because of water pipes that freeze, burst and destroy.

And if you think recovering from frozen pipes is as simple as calling a plumber, think again.

An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day, wrecking floors, furniture and keepsakes. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes may burst.

Imagine if your pipes were to freeze and break while you were away on vacation: Your homecoming would be a soggy one and your fix-it plea to a plumber would have to be accompanied by calls to a contractor, carpet-layer, painter and furniture store. Damage might be so severe that you and your family would have to move out of your home while repairs are made.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause. Here are a few simple steps to protect your home or apartment:

Before the Cold Hits

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

heat tape on pipes

Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.

sealing water pipes

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

disconnect water pipes

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the Mercury Drops

A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

If You're Away

Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 degrees (12 degrees Celsius).

Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing, or…

Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If Your Pipes Freeze

Don't take chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)

Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.

Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

Association Management

Rely on Surf Site Management, L.L.C. to free yourself from the endless maintenance and organizational details of running your community association. Let Surf Site Management, L.L.C. meet all of your needs.

Property Management

Surf Site Management, L.L.C. provides management to owners of condominium units, single-family and multi-family homes. Quality service and support for property owners is provided giving them the comfort of knowing their property is being cared. Inquire about the personalized management services available for your property.

Home Guard

"Home Guard" services offered by Surf Site Management, L.L.C. are designed for the owner who needs management services during times when the residence is not occupied, such as extended vacations or temporary absences. Call today and prevent your home from going unwatched!

Winter Tips & Tricks

	If your car is stuck in snow, your floor mats or an old carpet, stored in the trunk, can be placed under the rear wheels for traction.
	Save old milk cartons and fill with sand to carry in your car in case you get stuck in the snow.
	Fill old milk cartons with old melted candles and/or parawax, insert a wick and keep in your trunk of your car in case of winter emergency.
	Preserve your garage floor, particularly in the winter, by placing carpet remnants on the area where the tires come in contact with the floor.

	Snow will slide off a shovel which has been sprayed with furniture polish or vegetable oil.
	Rub your snow shovel with parawax or candle wax before using. Even wet snow will slide off without buildup, keeping the shovel light and easy to maneuver.
	Use your fertilizer spreader to scatter sand on icy walkways.
	To remove dangerous ice off your steps, sprinkle with salt.
	Kitty litter can be used to de-ice your sidewalks and steps.
	Throw salt on fireplace logs once a month to prevent soot in the fireplace.
	To prevent your fireplace from smoking, raise the fire grate by placing bricks under the legs.

	If your water taps have a tendency to freeze during a cold spell, leave your taps on slightly. Running water will not freeze.
	Frozen water pipes can safely and easily be thawed out by using an ordinary hair dryer nozzle directed at the frozen pipe.