Maintenance Tips

Your Garage Door and What to Do When the Power Goes Out

Originally written in May 2014

Did you know you can open your garage door, even during a power outage? We certainly didn’t, and we weren’t able to help our neighbor when the power went out a couple of weeks ago. She had an important appointment but couldn’t get to her car because she couldn’t open her garage door. Thankfully, a knowledgeable Good Samaritan neighbor climbed through the garage window and pulled on the emergency release cable to unhook the door from the chain-driven trolley that electrically opens and closes the door. He then manually lifted the door open, and our neighbor was able to make her appointment.

What do you do if the garage window is inaccessible or you aren’t as spry as our Good Samaritan? It turns out you can open the garage door manually from the outside, subject to a couple of caveats explained in the next paragraph. You may have noticed on the outside of your garage door there is a keyhole lock high in the center of the door. Your garage door opener was designed so that the same key that opens the door by the electric power lift fits in that keyhole and turns a lock connected to the emergency release cable inside the garage. Turn the key a quarter of a turn and pull. The lock and the cable can be pulled out through the door. Once the slack is taken up in the cable, a good firm pull should release the trolley and the door can be lifted manually by pressing both hands against the door and pushing up. Once power is restored, activating the electric opener will cause the chain-driven trolley to move on its track and reconnect to the door.

If the key won’t turn the lock, try spraying a lubricant such as WD-40 or silicone spray into the keyhole. Gently working the key back and forth should loosen the mechanism enough to allow the key to turn. You may find, however, that the key won’t fit the lock. That could mean at some time in the past, the lock was changed. If you can’t find the correct key among that bag of miscellaneous “lost” keys you have been keeping (or if the lubricate doesn’t work), you need a new lock and cable set. A call to Berkeley Property Management (919-448-5150) will give you the name and number of the garage door company that can install a new lock and cable set. Then, come the next power outage, you’ll be able to reach your automobile, should you need to.

WSG Webmaster

Announcements, Governance

Message from the WSG Nominating Committee

At the Annual General Membership meeting scheduled for Sunday, November 4, from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Gathering Place, Weathersfield residents will elect members from our community to serve on the Board of Directors.  There will be two (2) positions to fill, and those elected will serve two-year terms.

If you would like to serve in this capacity and have questions regarding what is involved, please contact Jo Bolig, jobolig@gmail.com, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 17th to let her know of your interest.

You will find more information about the duties and responsibilities of Board and Committee members HERE.

There are many ways to serve your Weathersfield community in addition to being on the Board of Directors.  Check out how you can contribute: YES YOU CAN!

Announcements, Services

Pruning Is Getting a Late Start

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ruppert Landscape has been delayed in its pruning plans.  Full scale pruning in Weathersfield will now begin on Monday, July 9, beginning with the common areas.  Your patience  is appreciated.

Colored tape has been placed  in each Close (on a bench or table).  If tape is missing, call or text Berkeley at (919) 448-5150 to have more tape set out.  Please use this tape to clearly mark any plants or shrubs you do not want pruned in front of your home.  Remember to remove the tape once your Close has been pruned.

Community News, Fun Stuff

The History of Weathersfield

Because of the efforts of several of our fellow Weathersfield residents, we have expanded the previous “Beginnings of Weathersfield” to a more complete and even more interesting “History of Weathersfield.”  What’s more, lots of historical photos now illustrate the story.  Check it out: The History of Weathersfield.

You can participate in further expanding our historical documentation.  Send you stories, ideas, and especially photos to the Weathersfield webmaster at weathersfieldsg@gmail.com.

 

Services

Spring Pruning

Common area spring pruning has begun in WSG.  Currently, the Ruppert crews are focused on the common areas only but will begin to move on to residential units following completion of these areas.  Colored tape will be placed  in each Close (on a bench or table) this week.  Please use this tape to clearly mark any plants or shrubs you DO NOT want pruned in front of YOUR HOME ONLY.   Remember to remove the tape once your Close has been pruned.

Services

Turf and Shrub Management

With all the rain lately, the turf has been growing quickly, but it has been very wet and mowing has been tricky.  Most of the larger common areas (along the roadside) have been addressed but the smaller turf areas where the mowers may damage the new growth have not been mowed weekly.  The crew assesses the turf each week and checks in with Nancy or Patsy with their mowing recommendations.

Shrubs throughout the community are growing as well, and certain areas look like they could use a good pruning.  However, we do not want to prune during prime growing season as it can damage or even kill a plant.  Spring prune date is yet to be determined but will likely fall at the end of spring or beginning of summer when the plants go dormant in the heat.  Of course, this is subject to change and is based on the weather and growth rates.

Announcements, Community News

Spring Fling is May 9th

Gallery

Have you completed your reservation for the Weathersfield Spring Fling?   If not, you need to do it now.  Return your Spring Fling Flyer and $3.00 cash to Dese Simpson (528 Weathersfield) no later than Monday, April 30.

The Spring Fling will be:

Wednesday, May 9th, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Grove.

Bring your favorite hors d’oeuvre to share, chairs, and house guests.

In the event of rain, we will hold the Fling at the Gathering Place, same date, same time.

Announcements, Services

Pressure Washing and Roof Blowing to Begin Monday, March 26

Pressure washing of building siding and sidewalks is scheduled to begin March 26.   Roof blowing of leaves and other debris will be done at the same time.  The work will take about two to three weeks to complete, depending on weather.

The Greg Tilley crew will follow the house numbers starting with the lowest numbers first.  They will blow the roof debris and wash each building as they go.

Be sure to follow these guidelines to ensure a successful project:

Pressure Washing
  1. Please remove furniture, baskets and plants from your front porch.
  2.  Please keep windows closed when the crew gets to your close.
  3.  Greg Tilley will also pressure wash your deck for a fee. You may contact him directly at 919-812-3536.
Roof Blowing
After clearing the roofs, debris on decks and sidewalks will be blown into wooded common areas. Homeowners are not required to make any special preparations, but, of course, you should use your own judgement about what items you may wish to temporarily cover or move.
Questions?  Please call or text Berkeley Property Management at (919) 448-5150 or email officemanager@berkeleychapelhill.com.

Official website of the Weathersfield Service Group