Condensation / Humidity Management In Your Suite

,

As the rainy and cooler season has begun, condensation and humidity tend to build up in the interior of the building and suites. If this is not properly attended to, it may lead to leakage of excess moisture in the ceiling and through the walls of your home.

Normal activities cause condensation. As you live in your home, your daily lifestyle contributes to the moisture in the air. Cooking, clothes washing, clothes drying, bathing, showering, aquariums, plants (etcetera) all add water to the air in your home. Your daily routine can minimize the amount of moisture in your home, thereby reducing condensation on interior surfaces.

 

TIPS TO REDUCE IN-SUITE MOISTURE

  • Do not cover or interfere, in any way, with the fresh air supply to your suite;
  • Keep the dryer exhaust hose clean and securely connected;
  • Keep the dryer lint trap clean (remove lint after each use);
  • Where applicable, keep the dryer booster fan lint trap clean
  • Keep the laundry closet doors open when the washer/dryer are in use;
  • Do not allow wet clothes to dry indoors. Dry your clothes in the provided dryer;
  • Run the hood fan when you are cooking;
  • Do not use your gas stove to heat your home;
  • When cooking, put a lid on boiling water;
  • Run your bathroom fan(s) when taking a shower or bath. Continue running the fan(s) for approximately 1 hour following your shower or bath.
  • Main bathroom fan timers must be turned on for a minimum of 8 hours per day (e.g. 4 hours sessions, 2 times a day – usually in the morning and evening when the suite is occupied and increased humidity exists).
  • If you notice condensation forming on your windows and mirrors, increase ventilation by opening a window slightly. This will allow humidity to escape;
  • Open blinds and drapes so air can circulate freely over windows;
  • Do not allow furniture/bookcases to touch outside walls – this will improve air circulation around the cooler outside walls;
  • Keep your suite temperature between 18 – 24°C, at all times; and
  • Use a de-humidifier in the cooler months, when the surface temperature of the building components (walls, windows) is close to the dew point.

If you observe condensation, ventilate your home by turning on a fan or opening a window. Next, confirm your home’s heating system is running 24 hours per day, 7 days a week (see above for temperature setting requirements).

 

EXAMPLES OF CONDENSATION DAMAGE INCLUDE:

  • Mold growing on window frames, drywall and other surfaces;
  • Cords on the window blinds swelling, making the blinds hard to operate and likely to break; and
  • Water filling the bottom window track and damaging the drywall and wood sill beside it. If your windows are fogged up or wet on the inside, you are damaging your home. You will be held accountable for the damages. Remove standing water from your window sill(s) and ensure it does not travel to adjacent drywall/baseboards. Take steps to ensure condensation does not re-occur.

This is a courtesy notice to better prepare your residence against these moisture conditions that can cause a challenging environment. Many issues are reported as leaks when in fact they are moisture-related issues from condensation and not warrantable.

/by

Your Community Needs Your Help

Cigarettes butts are often found on resident’s balconies. The risk to persons and property is real: 1 in 3 fire-related deaths in Vancouver since 2001 are attributed to smokers materials, making this a leading cause of home fires in the region.

Tossed cigarettes and lighters have caused multiple apartment building fires over the years, most recently in Gastown at the end of April 2019.

If you do smoke we look for your support and help to keep your community safe, and hope the following tips from regional fire departments can be of assistance:

• Never toss hot cigarette butts over the balcony or out a window.
• Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
• Use a sturdy ashtray with a wide, stable base or a can filled with sand to collect ashes.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away.
• Chairs and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don’t put ashtrays on them.
• Never smoke in bed.
• If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put it out.

Thank you for your immediate attention and cooperation.

/by

Summer is almost here

,

GOOD HABITS TO HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE BBQ SEASON

  • Never keep your propane gas tanks inside nor store them near to a source of heat (charcoal barbecues may not present a risk of explosion, but they may cause a fire or carbon monoxide intoxication).
  • Keep the cover open to avoid gas accumulation when you light the barbecue.
  • Always turn off the gas as soon as you’re done the cooking, and stay away from the tank if you smell gas.
  • Never cook with a rusted or damaged tank. In Canada, tanks must be changed or inspected every 10 years.
  • If you suspect a gas leak, fill a bottle with a vaporizer spout with a little bit of dish soap, and vaporize on the connections when the gas is on; if you see bubbles, it means there’s a leak.
  • Be careful when transporting the tank from the store to your home, and when riding in the car, place it on the floor of the car, with valves upward and open windows, instead of in the trunk.
  • Always be careful when using starting fluids or accelerants, wait a minute before lighting the barbecue, and make sure to store the bottles away from the barbecue.
/by

Plan, Do, Check, Act

The “Plan, Do, Check, Act” (PDCA) model can be a useful way for strata councils and section executive to approach maintenance, repairs and renewal work. The PDCA model is also known as the Deming model or the Deming wheel.

Planning: the strata council knows who is responsible for what maintenance and renewal work (strata corporation, sections, types, strata lot owners), prioritizes the work, assigns responsibilities for getting the work done, budgets, and communicates with owners.

Doing: the strata corporation approves funding and the strata council hires contractors and ensures the work is done.

Checking: the strata council ensures that the condition of common property and assets is checked, and maintenance and renewal work is inspected.

Acting: the strata council acts to revise plans and budgets, update documents, communicate with owners and continue repair, maintenance and renewal work.

The depreciation report, a maintenance manual and other documentation are very helpful tools for the strata council in planning repair, maintenance and renewal work.

/by