Opening and Closing OHS 810 11/21/2014
Opening (some
of these steps may have already been done if the apartment has been idle for
only a couple weeks):
1.
The
guard gate requires you use a "clicker" (remote garage door opener)
to open the guard gate. If you don't have a clicker, for the first visit, park
outside the gate, walk in, go to the apartment and get the clicker from the
kitchen drawer nearest the window. Keep the clicker in your car during your
stay and return it to the drawer when you finally leave. Alternative: If you
know someone at OHS, they can buzz you in if you call them using the call panel
by the gate.
2.
The
key fits both the deadbolt and the knob.
A tiny flashlight hangs behind the door, if you need it while opening
up.
3.
Turn
on circuit breakers (ON is toward center of the panel). Circuit panel is in
kitchen wall, opposite the stove (sometimes under a hanging cloth decoration).
AC and water heater circuit breakers are already on.
4.
Turn
on main water valve in front of water heater.
Water heater is behind louvered doors in hall. Blue handle parallel to
pipes means it's on. Pointing toward
you means it's off. Turn on the power
switch to the water heater; it’s a foot to the left of the water valve. Run
water in the sink for a half minute to remove stale water from the lines.
5.
Open
the shutters. The ones near the front door open from the outdoors. On each,
twist the little thumbscrew and lift the latch bar, then retighten to hold it
up. Similarly, lower the upper latch bar. Now the accordion can be opened.
Reseat the latch bars into holes to lock the accordions open, and retighten the
thumbscrews. The ocean balcony works the same way, but there are no latch holes
when the accordions are open. Here, push the latch bars toward the outside
edges of their respective rails and they will wedge the shutters tightly open.
For the bedroom window, there is nothing to unlock; simply crank the shutter
open. The crank rod is to the right of the bedroom window. One end turns into a
crank (it stores straight). The crank turns most easily if you angle the shaft
in a straight line with the short shaft that comes out of the wall. If the
crank is hard to turn, you're going the wrong way; please don't force it as it
will strip the gears. The shutter comes to a stop when fully open; again please
don't force it.
6.
The
refrigerator starts making ice after you turn on the water and power, but it
takes overnight to fill with cubes. The refrigerator settings are best about
midway.
7.
Switch
the air conditioner to COOL and the fan to AUTO and set the air conditioner to
a comfortable temperature (i.e. 78), or switch it OFF if you want to open the
windows. Turn humidistat to ON. If you want heat, similarly switch the
thermostat to HEAT and fan to AUTO and humidistat to ON and set the temperature
you want.
8.
Bring
out porch furniture. The table will fit
sideways thru the door with some jockying, but you have to remove the glass
table top first. Be careful not to rest
the glass on it's edge on the cement, as it will chip. If necessary, bring out the sliding screen
door (behind the couch) and set it on its track.
9.
If
you don't want to use the screen door on the balcony, it stores awkwardly
behind the couch. You'll find window screens behind the bed headboard, if you
want them. They stop mosquitoes, but
not no-seeums. The balcony screen door DOES stop noseeums.
10.
Put
out door mat to catch sand.
11.
Remove
plastic wrap from the toilet bowls, or you'll be in for a sloppy surprise.
12.
There's
Windex and a squeegee in the guest closet. Cleaning the outside of the bedroom
window requires removing the window, a complicated affair. Using a squirt
bottle under the sink, stand on the balcony and try squirting the bedroom
windows with plain water to remove salt scum.
13.
On
the hanging keyring in the kitchen you'll find another house key, a key for the
tennis courts, which you're free to use. Another key is for roof access (nice
view).
14.
A
4th key is for the mailbox downstairs.
Contact the Post Office to activate it and take out the message from the
box asking to deny mail.
While here:
1.
Please
lock the entry door when away from the unit.
Suggestion: Just lock the deadbolt when leaving temporarily; that way
you can't lock yourself out.
2.
Two
of the West windows have a bolt screwed into the frame that, for security, can
stop the windows from opening all the way if you wish to leave them open for a
breeze. To open the window further, remove the bolt.
3.
If
you have visitors who need to drive in, have them call you from the gate (my
call number is 230-- available also thru and index there under the name Utz)
and when the phone rings in the apartment, answer it, then press 9 on your
phone to open the gate. OR, you can ust the clicker in the drawer and stand on
the catwalk and aim carefully to open the gate.
4.
Lawn
chairs and beach stuff are kept in the storage room diagonally across from the
front door. Cupboard #10 has a
combination lock. Use the area code
7-7-2 to open it.
5.
Feel
free to poke around the drawers and closets. We have maps, guidebooks, novels,
games, and extra supplies.
6.
If
you need a plunger, it's next to the water heater (big round tank).
7.
Unless
you're enjoying the view, the rooms will stay cooler and you'll save
electricity if you close the blinds and drapes when the sun beams in (early
morning and late afternoon) or when away.
8.
The
place is generally stocked with essentials like paper towels, toilet paper,
soap, laundry and cleaning products, etc.
Feel free to use them and kindly replace them if you run out.
9.
The
telephone number is 772 464 1501. It covers local and most long distance at no
extra charge. The phone system works on Ooma, a telephone-over-internet device
with blue lights in the guest room. If there is a message, the Ooma will have
an icon blinking orange. Press it for the message. If you shut the Ooma off or
if the big flower in the center of it is orange, the phones won’t work. If it
fouls up, turn it off, wait a minute, then turn it on and wait another 5
minutes for it to reset. The wireless phone takes about 12 hours to charge when
you first move in.
10.
Insects
get into everything, so seal up food (there are sealable containers) or keep
food (even crackers, cereal, etc.) in refrigerator.
11.
The
master bedroom shower works by PULLING on the handle, then turning to adjust
temperature. If you leave the shower door open after a shower, it will dry
quickly and you'll avoid getting mold.
12. Garbage chute is at South
end of building (behind a door). Please bag tightly. Paper, plastic (but not bags), and bottles are recycled and
comingled, and you have to carry them downstairs to the bins.
13. If the balcony door is open,
beware that there may be wind pressure against the West door making it hard to
open or close.
14.
The
ATT cable TV remote controls the cable, the TV, and the DVD player. The bedroom
setup is independent from the living room.
15.
If
nonperishable food or beverages are left by previous guests, feel free to use them, and don't feel
obliged to replace them.
16.
Feel
free to use the clubhouse. The clubhouse door uses a combination deadbolt. To
unlock it, punch 4230 on the keypad and then open the door.
17.
Condo rules require a parking sticker for
your car. If you don't have one, see
the maintenance man to get one (it's free).
18.
Wi
fi is available for computer users. The
signal reaches just about everywhere.
The site name is ETS-WEP2 and the encription passcode is 6135124199.
Tech support is available at 877-899-4387.
19.
Florida
Power and Light has a mechanism called "On Call" where they can
switch off our air conditioner/heat and water heater power for up to 4 hours a
day. This happens extremely rarely
(during power shortages, brownouts). If
the AC stops unexpectedly, this is probably the reason. A box just above the water heater switch
will show a red light when this is happening.
20.
If
you use the pressure cooker, do not leave it unattended.
21.
Don’t
use abrasives on the kitchen sink faucet; use only soap and water.
The white fan in the guest bathroom is handy
for drying towels and bathing suits hung over the bathtub. The switch is in the
back of the fan; the light must be on.
Closing:
If leaving
for a couple days:
If someone is going to occupy the unit within 2 weeks after you leave
(typical):
1.
Please
tidy up generally. If you collected
shells, etc., please take them with you.
2.
Do
the laundry (Start this early, the drier is slow).
3.
Vacuum
and empty the vacuum cleaner canister.
4.
Clean
the bathrooms, kitchen, and elsewhere. Empty kettle, sugar bowl and empty crumbs from toaster.
5.
Clean
out perishables from refrigerator, freezer, and shelves.
6.
Wipe
down the inside of the refrigerator.
7.
Empty
dishwasher.
8.
Bring
door mat inside.
9.
Return
one gate opener to the West kitchen drawer.
10.
Stop
the mail, if you started it, and return the message to the box to deny mail.
11.
Set
humidistat at ON, AC to Cool, Fan to Auto, Air temperature at 78°.
12.
Check
the storage room to see the padlock to
#10 is latched.
13.
Empty
wastebaskets and take out garbage and recycles.
14.
Make
sure the bedroom windows are latched. Lock the sliding balcony door.
15.
Turn
off the power switch to the water heater, THEN turn off the main water supply
over the big tank in the laundry area (when off, the handle points toward you).
This step is crucial as water leaks commonly occur and cause damage to the
units below.
16.
Run
water in the sink to remove pressure from the lines. When the water stops, you can turn it off.
17.
Draw
the drapes and close the shades.
18.
Lock
both deadbolt and door handle when you finally leave. Mail me the key and 2nd gate opener OR leave them on
the dining room table.
If closing up for a long
period (rare):
1.
Bring
in table, chairs, and all else from the balcony.
2.
Turn
off the circuit breakers, but LEAVE THE AC AND THE WATER HEATER CIRCUIT
BREAKERS (#16 & 18, #8 & 10) ON.
3.
Close
the shutters and latch them. You'll notice the balcony shutter edges fit into
each other. Although there are 2 ways they can do this, only one way makes the
latch bolts line up easily with their holes.
4.
Shut
off the refrigerator. Empty the ice cube tray.
Prop the refrigerator door open. Switch off its circuit breaker (#9).
5.
After
a while, the refrigerator's insides may be damp with condensation from being
open. Give the insides a swish with a
paper towel to soak up excess moisture.
6.
Place
plastic wrap or bag over toilet bowls, adding a tablespoon of bleach to the water.