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As you know, the on/off valve in the main water line is made of plastic. The valve can be difficult to turn on and off, and it is possible that the pipe could break as it is being turned on and off. Seasonal owners know that their water must be turned off when the unit is unoccupied, and the home watch individual checking the unit will often turn the water on-and off- during the inspections that are made.

All of this raises the risk that the pipe will fracture and water will flood the unit and those underneath.

IF THE PIPE BREAKS, THERE IS NO EASY OF QUICK FIX TO TURN OFF THE WATER IN THE UNIT. In fact, the only way to turn it off is by closing a valve across the parking lot outside the condo. That turns off the water in every unit in the building.

THERE IS A PREVENTATIVE FIX THAT CAN BE MADE

A plumber can install a metal valve with a metal handle just past the current plastic shutoff. We have identified a licensed plumber that would be able to do the installation to Siena residents, and if more than five owners use the plumber, the all in cost per unit is $150.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT DENNY SPEDDEN, TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (dspedden@comcast.net) BY FRIDAY, APRIL 1.

Thank you.

Smoke alarms do not last forever, even if the batteries are replaced every year. Most smoke alarms have a useful life of about 10 years and as our buildings are about 10 years old, it is a good idea to replace them now. If they are not replaced, they will continue to beep as they fail and replacing the batteries will not eliminate the beeping.

New smoke alarms have a permanent battery built in the unit, and they will last about 10 years.

New smoke alarms are easy to install. For example, Home Depot sells the Firex Kidde model (number 20019444) for $16. There is a discount of $1.50 if more than six units are purchased.

These units come with electrical connectors to fit existing in-line connections, and the new base’s screws line up with the old base’s mounting holes.