HELP! MY BATHROOM WALLS ARE SWEATING!

Dear Boardie, every time I take a shower, my ceiling and walls become wet, even though I took great care to close the sliding shower door.

Q. Why is that?

A. Most obvious reason: Your vent is dirty.

Q.  Are you saying that box with little slats above my toilet is a vent?

A. Yes.

Q. How come it isn’t working?

A.  It’s dirty.

Q. What should I do?

A. Clean it.

Q: How?

A. Get a small ladder and a vacuum cleaner with a long hose. Or you can dig out that hand-held vacuum your sweet, romantic hubby gave you for Valentine’s Day.

Q. Any other ideas?

A. A broom is better than nothing.

A. Use a computer dust spray can.  

I’ve cleaned the vent and my walls are still wet after my shower! 

Q. How does the damn thing work?

A. The vent looks like a chimney inside. On top, on the roof is a fan which draws the dampness out of the vent chase.

Q. How can I test to see if my vent is drawing?

A. Place a Kleenex over the front and let go. If it stays, it’s GOOD, the vent it’s pulling air out.

Q. What if the Kleenex falls to the floor?

A. Make sure your windows and doors are closed and your stove vent is off. Test again.

Q. Why can’t I replace my old vent with an electronic fan vent?

A. Your 1973 vent is equipped with a Fire Safety mechanism. In case of fire, the vent will close, so the fire cannot travel from unit to unit.

A. Also, removing the vent face and peering inside the chase enables plumbers to get a view of the shower plumbing without tearing out the wall.

Q. Any other bright ideas?

A. Leave the bathroom door open a little when you shower, but in case you’re singing, remember to be considerate of others when belting out My Way. You are no Frank Sinatra.

                                    ***

Hey Board, What Have You Done Lately?

That’s a fair question.  So, here’s a short list (just the Highlights) of what your Board did from June 2015 to June 2016:

Approved all spending including: employee’s salaries, all maintenance, all repairs, upkeep and renovation of the common areas, purchasing of office equipment and supplies - ALL for $400 a month.  Yay!

The Board reviewed all Architectural Plans and Violation Reports

Hired our new employee, Jeff Jacobs-Levardo

Created a new Excel database of owners/renters, their cell #, emails

Wrote and edited your monthly Newsletter

Added to our BLOG: PacificTowerHOA.org, posted all Newsletter articles and our Rules and Regulations

Repaired spalling (concrete cracks) on every stack and balcony, pool deck, and garage

Remodeled both Gym bathrooms

Upgraded to new pool furniture and umbrellas

Upgraded to a new Rec Room fridge

Upgraded to new light fixtures for catwalk and all balconies (plus 200 lightbulbs)

Upgraded to a new cigarette disposal system for the front entry

Upgraded to a new doggie poop disposal station for the front entry

We thank our Board Members: Tom Ward, Carol Foreman, Kathleen Morgan, Bob Weber, Trish Mylet and Antoinette Hamilton

We also thank our Menas Manager Kristine Bermudaz

Thanks to all!

Karyl Miller

I'm So Board!

Your seven HOA board members are volunteers dedicated to this building and the residents for which it stands.  The board supervises our maintenance staff, oversees each and every dollar going out of this building (be it regular maintenance, repairs and upgrades), all while holding our assessments at $400 a month.  Board members also head and serve on various committees (you’re invited, by the way!) like Architectural, Executive, Building, Human Resources, Landscaping, Leasing, Legal, Repair and Remodeling Committees. If you’re interested in being a board member, you’re welcome to nominate yourself when you get your ballot in the mail.  Four board positions are up for grabs in June.

Speaking of repairs and upgrades, remember our stained, rusty, dark and creepy-looking gym bathrooms?  The ones you wanted to shower with your boots on?  Gone!  Banished.  Finito! They have been upgraded to gorgeous new light and bright!  It almost made me want to work up a sweat -- just to take a shower!  I said ALMOST.  But feel free to avail yourself after your workout. Singin’ allowed and encouraged!

This was a long way around to thank a board member who pulled the entire bathrooms remodel all together – Carol Foreman.  Carol has been a devoted building volunteer for years.  She is also a past president of our Homeowners Association and has worked tirelessly for our benefit.  Do you love the new snazzy pool furniture and umbrellas?  Thank Carol - she picked everything out and made it happen.  She was a leader in the remodeling of the entire building hallways and rec room two years ago. The list of her contributions goes on and on!

                                      

Designing the bathroom upgrade and supervising it to its completion was a very time consuming and often frustrating task.  Millions of decisions had to be made.  Teams of tradesmen had to be coordinated and supervised.  Thanks to Carol from everybody! Your efforts are appreciated! 

Karyl Miller