Page 18 - amm3

DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN
Continued from page 16
you need them to work.
2: Locate and clearly mark the main electrical panel.
3: Locate and mark the main sewer clean-out. Run a mainline snake or hydro jet at least once a year. (A Friday evening main back-up is a disaster.)
4: Locate and mark the main gas or fuel oil shut-off valve.
5: Write down and post this information in a public area of your apartment building, including emergency phone numbers and how to get hold of management. Alternatively; Post this information on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door in each rental unit.
Dear Maintenance Men:
I want to create a seating and relaxing area in the middle of my building’s courtyard. My thoughts are to use decomposed granite and eliminate the current grass area. How do go about installing the surface without making a mess or a future headache for myself.
- Bryan
Dear Bryan:
Decomposed granite or DG for short is a great way
G
to add a durable, natural and water wise surface. A few things you need to know before you get started. The key word in DG is “Decomposed”. In other words, this granite is decomposing. There are three options: raw DG for flower beds, stabilized DG for walkways and resin-coated DG for driveways. For your purpose you need to use a stabilized DG for walkways. It has a binder mixed into the DG. Non- stabilized DG is much cheaper, but will of course decompose, create dust when dry and slush when wet. To properly install DG, dig down three inches overall and use a wood, rock or brick border to keep the edges of the DG from crumbling. As an option, lay down a weed barrier cloth under the DG. Apply DG in one and a half inch layers, water down (don’t flood) and tamp or use a heavy roller to compress the DG. Wait eight hours between layers to let the DG settle. Repeat the above for each subsequent layer. When installed properly, the DG surface will be rock hard, stable, dust free and will allow water to drain.
WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!!!
If you would like to see your maintenance question in the “Dear Maintenance Men:” column, please send in your questions to:
DearMaintenanceMen@gmail.com
Frank Alvarez is licensed contractor and the Operations Director and co-owner of Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. He has been involved with apartment maintenance & construction for over 20 years. He is also a lecturer & educational instructor and Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Apartment Association of Orange County as well as being Chairman of the Product Service Counsel. Frank can be reached at (714) 956-8371 Frankie@ BuffaloMaintenance.com For more info please go to: www.BuffaloMaintenance.com
Jerry L’Ecuyer is a licensed contractor & real estate broker. He is currently on the Board of Directors and Past President and past Chairman of the Education Committee of the Apartment Association of Orange County. Jerry has been involved with apartments as a professional since 1988.
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18 NOVEMBER 2021 - APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE AMM3
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