Protecting Plants from Damage by Snow on Roofs
Last winter, snow sliding off metal porch roofs damaged many plants in the community. The HOA replaced those plants from community funds. This is a significant expense if it has to be done regularly. The Board has voted not to continue replacing plants damaged by such sliding snow but to require homeowners involved to cover the cost. It is the recommendation of the Board that affected homeowners take steps to prevent this from happening again. One way to do that is to install snow guards on the metal roofs. These links illustrate some of the available devices.
metalroofsnowguards.com
alpinesnowguards.com
The architectural committee has indicated that it would approve devices from these two sources that are Black in color. Other colors and devices may be approved subject to review.
It is noted that these sources have minimum order requirements that might exceed the needs of individual homeowners who only need to protect a porch roof. Thus, homeowners may wish to join together for a group order
Parking on Street
We have recently received further concerns from residents regarding parking on the street, especially in the region of Isabella Cannon between Kate Denson and Zaldivar that is congested. People have trouble seeing to back out when cars are parked near driveways, and some people are leaving cars parked on the street for long periods in violation of the covenants. Parking on sidewalks and grass has also been reported. Such is prohibited. There are sprinklers in the grass near the curb that can be damaged by driving over them. Residents are reminded that the primary parking is to be in garages and driveways, and in the limited offstreet spots provided. Street parking should only be for a few hours at a time by visitors or when it is necessary in order to move cars or work in a garage or driveway briefly. The streets are not to be used as a regular parking spot by residents. We have investigated the possibilities for additional parking. It appears we will not be able to create any more paved areas. Our only option would be to identify and mark areas on existing pavement where parking would create the least problem.
Grass and Weeds
Our lawns are in the best shape this summer they have ever been this time of year, but they are suffering from the heat with weeds and some Brown Patch disease as well as dog urine spots. The landscapers will make a major weed eradication effort the first two weeks of September, prior to the fall aeration and seeding. In the spring, pre-emergent and broadleaf weed killers will be applied. The HOA does not treat for Brown Patch but individual homeowners may do so if they wish. We have attempted without success to develop a plan to prevent dead spots due to dog urine. We ask dog owners to do their best to encourage their dogs not to urinate on the grass.
Sprinklers
Some homeowners have reported sprinklers not operating. The landscaping crew will be checking the complete irrigation system early in the coming week for both inoperative heads and timing. We will look at improvements to the irrigation system as budget allows in the future. Homeowners are reminded that rear lawns and plants are not irrigated and should be watered as needed.
Drainage Issues – Mulch Washing Away
Some homeowners have complained about drainage problems where neighbors have not properly maintained gutters or provided for proper drainage away from the gutters. This is in some cases washing away mulch onto driveways. We need these problems fixed before the mulch is replenished. The builder was inconsistent in the treatment of drainage away from gutter downspouts. Several homeowners have recognized and addressed such issues. Others have not. We have identified less than a dozen cases of problems. Splashblocks or gutter extensions (either above or below ground) can resolve some problems. In some cases buried gutter extensions may be clogged by grass overgrowth at the end in the lawn. If your gutters are piped underground, make sure you find the outlet end and keep it open. A few gutters are overflowing and apparently clogged. In a few cases, high-volume gutters are washing over mulch on a strongly sloping area causing it wash out. Please examine your gutters for problems and correct them where necessary.
Pinestraw and Mulch
You may have noticed the new pinestraw in common areas. The mulch areas will be replenished later in the fall. Homeowners are welcome to replenish mulch earlier but be aware we are currently using natural, not dyed mulch.
Trimming of Plants at Homes
Concerns have been expressed about excessive trimming of plants especially plants installed by homeowners. The HOA is not responsible for the trimming and maintenance of plant beds where any plants have been installed by homeowners. However, it is sometimes difficult for crews to identify these. Some homeowners simply want to maintain plants themselves. We are working on method to identify those plant beds that crews will not maintain. Homeowners will be able to choose, but the choice will apply to the total plant bed and not individual plants. For reasons of liability it is the policy of the HOA to trim plants near homes low enough that it would be difficult for anyone to hide behind them.
Plants in Common Areas
We are aware that some homeowners have installed plants in common areas behind their homes without approval from the HOA. This creates concerns about responsibility for maintenance both now and in the future when there may be another homeowner. Please do not plant anything in the common areas without approval from the HOA.
Dead Tree
We are aware of the large dead tree behind Zaldivar near Brookhaven and arrangements are being made to remove it. This is a major hit to our budget.
Snow Damage to Plants
It may be strange to talk about snow in July, but those homeowners who suffered damage to plants due to snow sliding off metal roofs last winter need to be making plans to prevent it from happening again. We were all surprised by the damage last winter and the HOA in accordance with its adopted policy replaced the damaged plants that were original plantings. However, the Board expects to adopt a rule that it will not replace such damaged plants in the future but will expect homeowners to do so. Homeowners will be encouraged but not required to install devices on metal roofs to prevent such damage, subject to appearance approval by the Architectural Committee.
Gate in Fence at end of Manassa Pope
Several people have asked for a gate to the school and Brookhaven at the end of Manassa Pope, and the HOA has recognized potential liability for injury where people are currently jumping the fence. Thus, a gate will soon be installed.
Privacy Screens and Decks
The cleaning and treatment of privacy screens and decks is a homeowner responsibility. You are responsible for both sides of any ground based privacy screen on your property, and both sides must be treated at the same time to prevent warping. This should be done within the first year or so and, depending on the products used, at 2 to 5 five year intervals thereafter. Cleaning is done with a solution of bleach or sodium triphosphate or both. Treatment can be with any number of water repellant, sealant, waterproofing, or stain products. However, ground based privacy screens MUST be treated with a product labeled CLEAR, or NATURAL, or with a LIGHT Cedar stain such as Amteco TWP Cedartone Natural. http://www.amteco.com/products_twp_100.php Darker stains must NOT be used on ground based privacy screens as this produces inconsistent appearance where the sides of two screens frame a back yard. Darker stains can be used on decks with the approval of the Architectural Committee.
Cleaning Gutters and Black Streaks on them
The cleaning of gutters including the black streaks on them is also a homeowner responsibility. The cleaning of the black streaks can be difficult unless the right product is used. Several homeowners have found the typical pressure washing will not remove these streaks. They are not a stain but an electrostatic bonding of the asphalt from the roof to the gutter. They are easily removed with a product containing a weak solution of Sodium Hydroxide NaOH that breaks the bond when used in warm weather. An inexpensive and locally available product at Lowes is Purple Power Industrial Strength Cleaner Degreaser (in the section with household cleaners). Do not confuse this with other products with the Purple Power name. This may be stronger than needed and some people advise diluting it at least 50% before use, wetting gutters with water first, and not allowing it to dry on the gutter. Another product made especially for gutters and available online is Streak Getter http://www.gutterworks.com/streakgetter.html. If you hire someone to clean the black off the gutters, make sure they know how to do it.