Water is an essential resource for any household, facilitating various activities from cooking to hygiene. Disruptions in water service may be planned as a part of routine maintenance, repairs, or upgrades, or occur unexpectedly due to infrastructure issues or natural disasters. Planned or not, knowing how to handle these situations efficiently will help minimize the impact to your daily routine and prevent damage to hoses, fixtures, and appliances. Below are some essential steps to follow during a water service disruption and what to do when service is restored.

Before The Outage:

STORE WATER – If you have prior notice, fill clean containers with water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes. Stock up on bottled water. Even if you don’t use all the bottled water, it will safely store for future use. You can also fill your bathtub with water and dip it out as needed for handwashing and flushing toilets.

SHUT OFF YOUR MAIN VALVE – Closing the main cut off valve to your home prior to an outage will help keep the water in your lines from draining back out and prevent air or contaminated water from entering.

*** There are additional steps to take when completely draining your home’s plumbing system, but that is rarely necessary for a short-term disruption. ****

During The Outage:

SHUT OFF YOUR MAIN VALVE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO – If advance notice was not available, go ahead and close the main cut off valve to your home now. (If you do not know where your main valve is located, please contact the property consultant for assistance.)

 AVOID USING ANY WATER – As creatures of habit, it is easy to forget about the outage and reach for a faucet or flush a toilet. Doing this in an outage will introduce air and/or potentially contaminated water into your lines. If this happens, it’s not the end of the world, but things will be much easier after the outage if you can avoid it. Alternatively, you can shut off the individual valves under sinks and behind toilets as an extra layer of protection. *If you have an icemaker, turn it off.

TURN OFF YOUR WATER HEATER – This one will require use of your own judgement. If your main valve was closed before the outage and you haven’t used any water since, you are probably ok to skip this step. However, if the main valve wasn’t closed, you aren’t sure if any water has been used since, or if the duration of the outage is unknown, it’s probably a good idea to shut it down. Often the easiest way is to do this is simply flip the breaker (for an electric water heater), or cut off the pilot light (for a gas model). This will prevent damage to the heater caused by it running and overheating when not full of water.

CONSERVE REMAINING WATER - In case of a prolonged disruption, conserve any remaining water you have stored in containers for essential purposes like drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Minimize flushing toilets and avoid activities that require large amounts of water, such as laundry or washing dishes.

STAY INFORMED - Keep yourself updated on the progress of the restoration efforts through communication channels provided by your HOA and/or the water utility company. They may provide updates on the situation, estimated restoration times, and any necessary precautions to take.

After The Outage:

SLOWLY TURN YOUR MAIN VALVE BACK ON – The key word here is “SLOWLY”. If your cut off is a ¼ turn lever, you should take about 5 seconds to turn it completely back on.

SLOWLY OPEN YOUR FAUCETS – When water service is restored, open faucets slowly to allow air to escape from the pipes gradually. Sudden bursts of water pressure can cause damage to hoses, fixtures, and appliances. Start with the faucet closest to the main cutoff and gradually work your way up through each faucet in the house. When possible, open larger faucets like tubs or spigots first. These are less sensitive to dramatic changes in pressure and less likely to burst or become damaged than hoses or smaller diameter lines and tubing.

CHECK FOR LEAKS - After water service is restored, check all faucets, hoses, and pipes for leaks or signs of damage. Pay particular attention to all connections on any appliances that use water. Look for any dripping or pooling water around fixtures and inspect pipes for cracks or bursts. Toilet tank hardware is especially sensitive to water pressures and may begin to leak or continuously run if damaged. Address any leaks promptly to prevent water damage to your home.

FLUSH PIPES - Run cold water from faucets for a few minutes to flush out any air or sediment that may have accumulated in the pipes during the outage. This can help ensure that the water running through your pipes is clean and clear before using it for drinking or cooking.

*** Exercise care when using any appliance with a water line for the first time after a shutoff. This can include icemakers, water filters, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers with a steam function, direct connect coffee makers, etc.

Water pressure regulators are essential for maintaining the water pressure in your home's plumbing system at a safe and consistent level. These handy devices, typically found near the main shutoff valve where the water supply enters your home,  ensure that the water flowing into your house isn't too high, which can lead to costly damage and plumbing issues. Even if you're not familiar with these regulators, understanding their importance and basic functionality is crucial for maintaining a well-functioning plumbing system.

When the water pressure from your municipal supply is too high, it can stress and damage your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and appliances. Excessive pressure can cause leaks, bursts, and even reduce the lifespan of these critical components, resulting in costly repairs. Some early signs of excessive water pressure may include noisy pipes, leaking faucets, running toilets, leaking or burst supply lines, and trouble with washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, or ice makers.

Water pressure regulators work by reducing the incoming water pressure to a safe and manageable level. They consist of a spring-loaded diaphragm that controls a valve. When the pressure exceeds the desired level, the diaphragm pushes on the valve to restrict the flow, lowering the pressure. When it's below the desired level, the diaphragm allows the valve to open more, increasing the pressure. This mechanism ensures a steady and safe water pressure throughout your plumbing system.

To test your water pressure regulator, you can attach a pressure gauge to an outdoor hose bib or any accessible point in your plumbing system. Turn on the water, and the gauge will display the current water pressure. The recommended pressure for most homes is typically between 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi). If your gauge reading is significantly above or below this range, it may indicate an issue with the regulator.

If you would like your unit's water pressure checked, free of charge, please contact the property consultant here. 

The test will be performed at your outdoor spigot and results sent back to you. You do not have to be home at the time of the test.

Boxelder bugs, scientifically known as Boisea trivittata, are small, black insects with distinct reddish-orange markings on their wings. They are commonly found in North America and primarily feed on the seeds of trees. Though rarely noticed in the warmer months, they become quite prolific around our homes once the temperature begins to drop and they are seeking a warm, dry place to overwinter. You will often find them in clusters along south and west facing walls, working to absorb the heat radiating from these surfaces. 

While boxelder bugs do not sting or bite and are generally harmless to both humans and pets, they can become a nuisance when they enter homes in search of shelter during the fall and winter months. If you are seeking to get rid of these bugs, just be aware that crushing a boxelder bug will cause it to emit a foul smell (similar to a stinkbug) and leave a reddish stain behind on whatever surface it was "unalived" on.

Below are some alternative methods to help eliminate and repel these bugs:

• Seal Entry Points: Start by inspecting your home for potential entry points such as cracks, gaps, and holes around doors, windows, and foundation. Seal these openings with caulk, weatherstripping, or screens to prevent the bugs from getting inside.

• Vacuum: If boxelder bugs have already entered your home, use a vacuum cleaner to safely and easily remove them. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister outside to prevent them from returning.

• Soap and Water Solution: A mixture of 1 gallon of water and 2 tbsp dish soap can be used as a natural insecticide. Spray this solution on boxelder bugs to kill them on contact. Be cautious when using this method indoors, as it may stain surfaces.

• Traps: You can create DIY traps using a light source and a shallow pan filled with soapy water. Place it under boxelder bug-infested areas, such as windows or doors. The bugs will be attracted to the light and fall into the trap.

• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around potential entry points and hiding spots. This natural substance damages the bugs' exoskeleton, leading to their dehydration and eventual death.

The next two methods are intended to repel the boxelder bugs, but involve an oil based product and SHOULD NOT be applied to the Dryvit exterior. Instead you may choose to apply these to door frames and window trim, decking and railing, patio furniture, etc.

• Neem Oil: Neem oil is an organic pesticide that can deter boxelder bugs.

• Essential Oils: Boxelder bugs are naturally deterred by the scents of peppermint, clove, and eucalyptus.