How to deal with emergencies in your home!
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
The Arbor's after-hours emergency number (703-476-3639) is actually a service of NRP, and is meant to be used when our office and NRP's office is closed. It's not known to many residents that each time they call the emergency number it costs the Arbor $75.00. So it makes sense that any after-hours call placed to the call center should be a genuine emergency needing immediate attention. This first section of this page will deal with what constitutes an emergency and how it should be dealt with. The remainder covers general maintenance tips, useful in preventing service calls.
When to Call:
Sewer Back-up: If you experience a sewer backup, immediately contact your plumber of preference. Ask neighbors in your row or building to use as little water as possible until the line is cleared.
Water Leak:
Fire:
Call 911 immediately, then when it's safe, call the Arbor's emergency line.
Destructive Damage Inside or outside of your Unit:
If injuries or worse are involved call 911. When safe, call the Arbor's emergency line.
Suspicious persons etc:
Call 911, do not call the Arbor's emergency line.
Raucous neighbors or others:
??????????
Loss of electrical power ????
When to Call:
Sewer Back-up: If you experience a sewer backup, immediately contact your plumber of preference. Ask neighbors in your row or building to use as little water as possible until the line is cleared.
- The Arbor has had a successful relationship with All Plumbing Company at: 703-525-7973, they have a 24 hour emergency service line. It's important to identify yourself as a Fairlington Arbor resident. The Arbor may or may not be responsible for any charges incurred. The homeowner is immediately responsible for paying the bill but may be reimbursed for the charges depending upon the distance of the blockage from their unit. Ask All Plumbing, or your plumber of preference, to specify in their bill the distance from the clean-out entry to the blockage.
Water Leak:
- If the water leak is caused by rain or snow, call management during operating hours.
- If the leak is caused by the home's water supply....
- Turn off the water at the shutoff valve. In most unit types the water shutoff valve is located near the hot water heater, and in the apartment units it's in the ???????. Be sure to familiarize yourself with its location.
- Call All Plumbing (emergency number above), or your plumber of preference.
- Do not call the Arbor's emergency line.
Fire:
Call 911 immediately, then when it's safe, call the Arbor's emergency line.
Destructive Damage Inside or outside of your Unit:
If injuries or worse are involved call 911. When safe, call the Arbor's emergency line.
Suspicious persons etc:
Call 911, do not call the Arbor's emergency line.
Raucous neighbors or others:
??????????
Loss of electrical power ????
Maintenance Tips
Tile and Grout: Tile surrounds in tubs and showers are typically made of ceramic, porcelain, or stone tiles affixed to a rigid surface. The joints between the tiles are filled with a material called grout. Grout is a semi-porous, brittle material. Movement of the building or settlement can cause cracking, which leads to voids or open joints. Cracks and missing grout allow moisture to seep behind the tile, damaging the surrounding areas. Examine your tile joints for cracks/voids and correct them using the manufacturer's recommended procedure. This typically includes removing any loose or cracked grout before applying new grout.
Caulking: All tubs and showers have caulk joints at material junctions and in corners. The sealant protects the joints between surfaces and the materials behind the surface from water penetration. Some are subject to constant water exposure when bathing or showering. Soaps, water, personal products, and some cleaners can break down the sealant and may require you to re-caulk as often as every year. Inadequate or open caulk joints will cause water damage to your home. Using the appropriate sealant and proper surface preparation can significantly reduce the frequency with which you need to maintain these joints. Follow all the manufacturer’s application recommendations when performing this maintenance.
Cabinets: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets (or vanities) should never be cleaned with harsh abrasives. Use a detergent solution for a cabinet made of laminate wood or metal. Clean wood cabinets as you would clean any other wood furniture, unless they are plastic-coated. Occasionally, check the cabinet hinges and screws to make sure they have not worked loose.
Heating and Air Conditioning: Preventive maintenance is the key to reliable comfort in your home.
Circuit Breaker: Circuit breakers and fuses protect the electrical wiring and equipment in your unit from overloading. They are the safety valves of your home’s electrical system. Every unit has a master circuit breaker. When the master circuit breaker is tripped, the electricity to the unit is cut off. Circuit breakers may be reset by first switching the breaker to full off and then back to full on.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters: The receptacles in your kitchen and bathroom should be equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These safety devices are commonly installed where small appliances (such as hair dryers) are used near sources of water, which can “ground” a person and put him or her at risk of electrocution of the appliance malfunctions or is dropped into water. GFCIs cut the flow of electricity to the appliance within a fraction of a second if they detect a change in the flow of current to (and from) the appliance. Test your GFCI receptacles by pressing the “test” button.
Bathtubs, Sinks, and Showers: When the drain pipe in a tub, sink, or shower becomes clogged, try to unclog it with a plunger. The rubber cup on the plunger should cover the drain opening, and the water should rise well over the cup's edge. Working the plunger up and down rhythmically 10 to 20 times in succession will build up pressure in the pipe and do more good than sporadic plunges. Plug any overflow outlet with an old cloth. When working on a double sink, be sure to close the other drain.
Toilets: A clogged toilet should be treated much like a clogged drain. The trap is built into the toilet, making it less accessible. Never flush down the toilet materials such as hair, grease, garbage, lint, diapers, sanitary products, and rubbish. Such waste stops up the toilet and sanitary sewer lines.
Sewer Backup: Units in each building share a single sewer lateral that connects to the County sewer line. Water from sinks, bathtubs, washing machines, or toilets exits the building through the single sewer lateral. This simple fact means that all residents must be careful about what goes down garbage disposals and toilets.
Our plumbing systems were not initially designed for garbage disposals, which were retrofitted in the 1970s onto a system built during the Second World War. The rule of thumb in Fairlington is “less is more” when using a garbage disposal. Disposals should be used only for food scraps left when working at the sink. If in doubt, place items in the regular trash. If you experience a sewer backup, immediately contact your preferred plumber. Ask neighbors in your building to use as little water as possible until the line is cleared.
Carpet: To maintain your carpet, use a good quality vacuum and change the bag or clean the canister frequently. Low efficiency leaves dirt in the carpet, which can degrade the pile and cause your carpet to wear out prematurely.
Reducing Utility Bills: Lifestyle is the most significant variable affecting your utility bills. Units on the same floor may have utility bills that vary.
Common sense activities – such as those that follow – can produce substantial savings:
Fire Extinguisher: Every homeowner should buy at least one fire extinguisher. Each member of the family should be familiar with its location and operation. Have it checked annually to be sure it functions properly and is fully charged. Be sure you and your family know how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water in the event of an emergency. Keep in mind that fires from combustible solids such as cloth and paper, as well as electrical and chemical fires, are very different. Each type of fire calls for a different type of fire extinguisher. Most home supply centers sell multipurpose fire extinguishers suitable for most small fires.
First Aid Kit: Keep a home first-aid kit or first-aid supplies in a convenient location. Buy and keep a first-aid and home-safety booklet.
Your Outside Water: As all residents know, water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes, and those pipes can break. Pipes that freeze are usually exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements, attics, or kitchen cabinets. In addition, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little to no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Frozen pipes pose a threat not only to the unit owner’s property but also to surrounding units and properties. Residents should follow the following guidelines to prevent damage to the community:
Winterize Properly. Before outdoor temperatures drop below freezing, residents should shut off water to outside faucets, remove hoses and open outside spigots, and set thermostats no lower than 60 degrees to protect indoor pipes. In some units, even higher thermostat settings may be required to protect water lines from freezing during the coldest weather. In all but the “B units” the front water spigot turnoff is typically located above the water heater and the backyard water spigot turnoff is under the kitchen sink. Lower B unit apartment front and back water spigot turnoffs are in the laundry room above the water heater. In addition, in some Arbor attics there are exposed pipes that can burst in extreme cold if the house is not properly heated and the pipes are not insulated.
Keep Homes Heated, Even in Your Absence. Make sure that your HVAC system is set to a temperature that will prevent pipes from freezing. This is especially important for vacant units, vacationers, extended absences, and off-site owners. Thermostats should be set high enough (60 or above) so that basements where the main water lines enter the unit stay warm enough to prevent freezing.
Thermostats Should Be on the Main Floor. Do not move the thermostat to the upstairs bedroom or hallway without raising the temperature setting of the thermostat. The lower floors will be 5-10 degrees colder, and the basement will be even colder due to air entering the unit through the dryer vent.
Run Water Through Pipes During Periods of Extreme Cold. Running cold water through the pipes, even at a trickle, will help prevent pipes from freezing. This strategy to prevent freezing pipes requires that someone be home to monitor the flow of water. Even at a trickle, sinks, bathtubs, or showers that become accidentally blocked can cause the same water damage you are trying to avoid!
The Responsibility of Protecting a Unit from Water Damage is the Owner’s! Co-owners are responsible for all pipes that serve their unit. If pipes burst, however, be sure to contact the Arbor Office so the Management Agent can help you coordinate with neighbors and determine whether an insurance claim should be filed on the Master Insurance Policy.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reply here. To review your payments, submit additional requests, and more, please log onto the owner portal at: https://portal.NRPartnersLLC.com.
Thank you,
Vladimir Vidaurre
Tile and Grout: Tile surrounds in tubs and showers are typically made of ceramic, porcelain, or stone tiles affixed to a rigid surface. The joints between the tiles are filled with a material called grout. Grout is a semi-porous, brittle material. Movement of the building or settlement can cause cracking, which leads to voids or open joints. Cracks and missing grout allow moisture to seep behind the tile, damaging the surrounding areas. Examine your tile joints for cracks/voids and correct them using the manufacturer's recommended procedure. This typically includes removing any loose or cracked grout before applying new grout.
Caulking: All tubs and showers have caulk joints at material junctions and in corners. The sealant protects the joints between surfaces and the materials behind the surface from water penetration. Some are subject to constant water exposure when bathing or showering. Soaps, water, personal products, and some cleaners can break down the sealant and may require you to re-caulk as often as every year. Inadequate or open caulk joints will cause water damage to your home. Using the appropriate sealant and proper surface preparation can significantly reduce the frequency with which you need to maintain these joints. Follow all the manufacturer’s application recommendations when performing this maintenance.
Cabinets: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets (or vanities) should never be cleaned with harsh abrasives. Use a detergent solution for a cabinet made of laminate wood or metal. Clean wood cabinets as you would clean any other wood furniture, unless they are plastic-coated. Occasionally, check the cabinet hinges and screws to make sure they have not worked loose.
Heating and Air Conditioning: Preventive maintenance is the key to reliable comfort in your home.
- Registers: keep registers and grills from being obstructed by furniture or interior décor.
- Change filters once a month or as needed
- Seasonal preventative maintenance checks by a qualified HVAC professional can go a long way to an efficient and durable system.
Circuit Breaker: Circuit breakers and fuses protect the electrical wiring and equipment in your unit from overloading. They are the safety valves of your home’s electrical system. Every unit has a master circuit breaker. When the master circuit breaker is tripped, the electricity to the unit is cut off. Circuit breakers may be reset by first switching the breaker to full off and then back to full on.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters: The receptacles in your kitchen and bathroom should be equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These safety devices are commonly installed where small appliances (such as hair dryers) are used near sources of water, which can “ground” a person and put him or her at risk of electrocution of the appliance malfunctions or is dropped into water. GFCIs cut the flow of electricity to the appliance within a fraction of a second if they detect a change in the flow of current to (and from) the appliance. Test your GFCI receptacles by pressing the “test” button.
Bathtubs, Sinks, and Showers: When the drain pipe in a tub, sink, or shower becomes clogged, try to unclog it with a plunger. The rubber cup on the plunger should cover the drain opening, and the water should rise well over the cup's edge. Working the plunger up and down rhythmically 10 to 20 times in succession will build up pressure in the pipe and do more good than sporadic plunges. Plug any overflow outlet with an old cloth. When working on a double sink, be sure to close the other drain.
Toilets: A clogged toilet should be treated much like a clogged drain. The trap is built into the toilet, making it less accessible. Never flush down the toilet materials such as hair, grease, garbage, lint, diapers, sanitary products, and rubbish. Such waste stops up the toilet and sanitary sewer lines.
Sewer Backup: Units in each building share a single sewer lateral that connects to the County sewer line. Water from sinks, bathtubs, washing machines, or toilets exits the building through the single sewer lateral. This simple fact means that all residents must be careful about what goes down garbage disposals and toilets.
Our plumbing systems were not initially designed for garbage disposals, which were retrofitted in the 1970s onto a system built during the Second World War. The rule of thumb in Fairlington is “less is more” when using a garbage disposal. Disposals should be used only for food scraps left when working at the sink. If in doubt, place items in the regular trash. If you experience a sewer backup, immediately contact your preferred plumber. Ask neighbors in your building to use as little water as possible until the line is cleared.
Carpet: To maintain your carpet, use a good quality vacuum and change the bag or clean the canister frequently. Low efficiency leaves dirt in the carpet, which can degrade the pile and cause your carpet to wear out prematurely.
Reducing Utility Bills: Lifestyle is the most significant variable affecting your utility bills. Units on the same floor may have utility bills that vary.
Common sense activities – such as those that follow – can produce substantial savings:
- Closing the windows when the heating/cooling system is working.
- Not running the dryer, stove or oven on a hot summer day.
- Adjusting thermostat setting to 68 degrees (or lower) in the winter and to 75 degree (or higher) in the summer.
- Opening drapes or blinds (if you face the sunny side of the building) during the winter days to take advantage of passive heating from the sun’s warmth.
- Closing the drapes, blinds, or curtains on hot summer days when the sun shines into your home.
- During winter vacations, do not shut off the heat, or you may come home and find a frozen or burst pipe.
Fire Extinguisher: Every homeowner should buy at least one fire extinguisher. Each member of the family should be familiar with its location and operation. Have it checked annually to be sure it functions properly and is fully charged. Be sure you and your family know how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water in the event of an emergency. Keep in mind that fires from combustible solids such as cloth and paper, as well as electrical and chemical fires, are very different. Each type of fire calls for a different type of fire extinguisher. Most home supply centers sell multipurpose fire extinguishers suitable for most small fires.
First Aid Kit: Keep a home first-aid kit or first-aid supplies in a convenient location. Buy and keep a first-aid and home-safety booklet.
Your Outside Water: As all residents know, water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes, and those pipes can break. Pipes that freeze are usually exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements, attics, or kitchen cabinets. In addition, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little to no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Frozen pipes pose a threat not only to the unit owner’s property but also to surrounding units and properties. Residents should follow the following guidelines to prevent damage to the community:
Winterize Properly. Before outdoor temperatures drop below freezing, residents should shut off water to outside faucets, remove hoses and open outside spigots, and set thermostats no lower than 60 degrees to protect indoor pipes. In some units, even higher thermostat settings may be required to protect water lines from freezing during the coldest weather. In all but the “B units” the front water spigot turnoff is typically located above the water heater and the backyard water spigot turnoff is under the kitchen sink. Lower B unit apartment front and back water spigot turnoffs are in the laundry room above the water heater. In addition, in some Arbor attics there are exposed pipes that can burst in extreme cold if the house is not properly heated and the pipes are not insulated.
Keep Homes Heated, Even in Your Absence. Make sure that your HVAC system is set to a temperature that will prevent pipes from freezing. This is especially important for vacant units, vacationers, extended absences, and off-site owners. Thermostats should be set high enough (60 or above) so that basements where the main water lines enter the unit stay warm enough to prevent freezing.
Thermostats Should Be on the Main Floor. Do not move the thermostat to the upstairs bedroom or hallway without raising the temperature setting of the thermostat. The lower floors will be 5-10 degrees colder, and the basement will be even colder due to air entering the unit through the dryer vent.
Run Water Through Pipes During Periods of Extreme Cold. Running cold water through the pipes, even at a trickle, will help prevent pipes from freezing. This strategy to prevent freezing pipes requires that someone be home to monitor the flow of water. Even at a trickle, sinks, bathtubs, or showers that become accidentally blocked can cause the same water damage you are trying to avoid!
The Responsibility of Protecting a Unit from Water Damage is the Owner’s! Co-owners are responsible for all pipes that serve their unit. If pipes burst, however, be sure to contact the Arbor Office so the Management Agent can help you coordinate with neighbors and determine whether an insurance claim should be filed on the Master Insurance Policy.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reply here. To review your payments, submit additional requests, and more, please log onto the owner portal at: https://portal.NRPartnersLLC.com.
Thank you,
Vladimir Vidaurre