What Resources Exist to Help Boards Cut Costs? Can't See the Forest: Tree and Plant Issues at a Building How to Form a Committee to Get Stuff Done Don't Cut Cost Corners Do you know what your problem is? importantly, do you know if it’s actually your problem? In the world of condos and co-ops, understanding who is responsible for what in an apartment or in a building’s common areas isn’t always clear to apartmentDuring the process of purchasing a condo unit or shares in a co-op, buyers are often so engrossed in the buying process itself that they don’t invest the effort needed to understand the ins- and-outs ofThis can lead to confusion, even anger, when the need for repairs So it’s important for boards and management to help owners understand just what it is they are responsible for in terms of the maintenance and repair to their apartments. important for the board of directors of a co-op or a condo to know exactly

what their duties are to shareholders and unit owners. Ultimately, what a unit owner is responsible for and what the building management is responsible for, will be determined by the proprietary lease or governing documents. The usual standard is that the owner owns, and is responsible for repair and maintenance of everything from the walls in. In general, that means that when it comes to painting, repairing damage to walls, the unit’s plumbing and all appliances,wall mounted ac unit dimensions the owner has to foot the bill. should a window ac unit be levelThere can, of course, be exceptions.changing ac unit filter According to Marc H. Schneider, an attorney based in Garden City, if there’s a pipe or line in an apartment that services parts of the

building aside from the individual unit, the condominium may be responsibleif so, the governing documents would point that out. Other things can vary, depending on the particular condo or co-op community. Schneider points to limited common elements as anLimited common elements are common elements, but are used primarily by one shareholder: a deck or terrace, stairs leading to an apartment, and so forth.Vitt Heating and Cooling Is your home uncomfortably warm, even thought the air conditioning is running? Does your home feel damp or clammy inside? Does your AC seem to be cooling, but you’re experiencing a spike in your utility bills? Has it been a while since your last AC check-up? An AC repair from Vitt’s is the answer! Whether you need an annual tune-up, a bit of AC troubleshooting, or a full-on repair, Vitt Heating and Cooling can help. For decades, we’ve specialized in St. Louis AC repair and we can fix all of your AC problems. 60 Years of AC Repair in St. Louis

At Vitt Heating and Cooling, we know AC units; in fact, we’ve been ensuring that the residents of St. Louis and St. Charles counties can enjoy both a comfortable temperature and superior air quality inside their homes since 1954! After all, it can get pretty hot and humid in the midst of a St. Louis summer, so keeping that AC unit running smoothly is a must. With 60 years of experience under our belts, our professional team of highly trained HVAC professionals will diagnose whatever it is that’s troubling your AC unit. And, as St. Louis AC repair experts, our goal is the same as yours: - A consistently cool, comfortable indoor temperature - An AC unit that runs smoothly and quietly - An AC unit that’s energy efficient and saves on utility bills To achieve these goals, we offer a full range of diagnostic services and AC repair in St. Louis. In addition to repairs, we also provide regular maintenance services to keep your unit’s coils, filters and fins working smoothly and efficiently.

For fast, dependable AC repair in St. Louis and St. Charles counties, simply call Vitt Heating and Cooling at 314-351-5580 to schedule your diagnostic appointment or maintenance visit. Vitt Heating and Cooling St Louis, MO 63116 8 AM - 6 PM Monday through FridayRemember those kitchen cabinet pulls I installed at Fred and Kim’s house? Did I mention that their air conditioning wasn’t working that day… and that it was 100° outside when I did those? Well, it was miserable. The Fauth family came to our place to cool off that night, and I told Fred and Kim how a while back our HVAC quit working because the condensation drain was clogged. They went home and checked, and sure enough, found their drain line full of dust, rust, and other gunk. Water pooling inside the drain pan of the air handler was preventing the coils from cooling down, ultimately robbing cold air from the rest of the house. Fred took a temporary measure and cut the drain pipe, then directed the water into a bucket which had to be emptied every 12 hours.

It’s a better solution than having interior temperatures reach 90°, but it wasn’t a permanent solution. When my HVAC unit was replaced, the pros installed a clear plastic trap so we can see when it needs to be cleaned. I thought it should be simple enough to install one at Fred’s and Kim’s house. Unfortunately, none of the big box stores carry that component, so I improvised. You can do this project too, if you find your air conditioner giving out due to a condensation line clog. My goal was to piece together a new drain line and use some clear flexible tubing to recreate the trap. The trap would collect any gunk, and adjustable clamps would allow access for cleaning. I had a gift card for Lowe’s so that’s where I picked up my supplies — ¾” PVC, various fittings, 1′ of clear tubing, a pack of metal clamps (the kind you tighten with a screw driver) and PVC cement. Since this was a drain line and wouldn’t be under pressure, I didn’t need to use any PVC primer (that purple stain you often see on PVC).

Here’s a picture of the existing PVC. The drain goes to a small pump. Here’s a pic of the old drain removed. Using the old drain as my template, I began dry fitting everything together. Working the tubing in place. The old drain had a removable cap. I’m not sure if it was to introduce some air or another reason, but I recreated that too. If you’ve ever worked with PVC before, you know that it’s important to make clean, straight cuts and to remove any burrs and debris. We had a miter saw handy and it worked well. Disregard my lack of safety glasses. When I was satisfied that everything fit together, it was time to start gluing. PVC cement is a chemical solvent that melts the two pieces together making a super strong bond when it cures. Be sure to fully seat the PVC inside the fitting. It’s also a good idea to give it a little twist to ensure good coverage. Keep everything in the right orientation, otherwise you’ll end up with PVC going in the wrong direction.