All posts by robertpkwhoa

Maintenance

Dryer Duct cleaning

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Every year I remove the vent pipe from behind my dryer and vacuum as much lint as I can. I also vacuum inside the dryer, sometimes removing the lint assembly or front of the dryer to fully clean it. I last did this on May 6.

Recently the dryer started to take longer and longer to dry clothes. Heavy items like bedding never seemed to fully dry.

My dryer has a flow sense meter that indicated the ducts may be partially blocked. Online troubleshooting guides advised that I may need to clean the dryer vent. Or change a few parts. Or buy a new dryer.

I decided to start with a thorough cleaning of the ducts. Since I had just cleaned the pipe from the dryer to the ceiling in the laundry room and the HOA had recently cleaned the exterior of the vent above the roof, I concentrated on the exposed vent pipe in the attic.

I removed a 4 foot middle section (it was just taped together) and cleaned the exposed pipe and the removed pipe using a special brush and a vacuum. (see photos)

I was shocked at how blocked the vents were. The section just below the roof was about 50% clogged.

This was a easy to moderate DYI project but it took some time. If you do not feel comfortable walking around your attic or if you vent is not as accessibly as mine, I would hire a professional (see hvac cleaning for one recommendation).

Uncategorized

Hose bib leaks

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All of our hose bibs have vacuum breakers attached to them. Sometimes they are referred to as anti-syphon or backflow devices. They are supposed to prevent water in the hose from going back into the water supply line and are required by code.

You might have noticed water leaking around these devices when you first turn them on or off. The leak should stop after a second or two. This is apparently normal.

If the faucet continues to leak when it is left on, you may need to replace the vacuum breaker. They are not easily removed. They top part of this device is semi-permanently attached to the faucet. My plumbing experts believe it is ‘pinned’ on. Another source said it might be fastened with thread lock.

If you can find where it is pinned, you can use a drill to loosen the breaker. If it is glued on with thread lock, you can use a torch to loosen it.

Neither of those sounded like something I wanted to do.

A third option is to separate the breaker. I was able to unscrew the bottom two thirds. I purchased a new breaker at Geo. Morland, separated it, and screwed it onto the faucet.

This was harder than it sounds, but easier than removing the whole thing and cheaper than a plumber.

I made a poor quality video explaining all of this. Vacuum breaker relaced

Send me a message if you have questions.

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community, Landscaping, Maintenance

Cleanup Day MAY 20, 2023

Update: 5/19

1 day to go. Current prediction is 62-78 degrees and sunny during our event.

Is your street represented? Current roster:

50% of volunteers are from Windwood

15.4 % from Taylor

15.4 % from Morrison

15.4 % from Rustica

3.8 % from Foresta. (still waiting to hear from Trillium)

All Peterkort Woods residents are invited to meet at the Clubhouse, 10353 SW Taylor, on May 20th, 2023 for a neighborhood work day.

If you can, please arrive at 9am.

All projects will start by 10am. We will work until noon and then gather for lunch. If all goes well, the pool will be open for use when we are done.

This years projects include:

  • Preparing the pool deck and furniture
  • Cleaning the grounds around the clubhouse
  • Neighborhood litter patrol
  • Landscaping tasks TBD

Wear comfortable work clothes, including a high visibility shirt or vest if possible.  We have some work gloves, but  bring your own if you have them.

If you have to arrive late or leave early, we can still find something for you to do.

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community

MONTHLY POTLUCK May 16, 2023

Peterkort Woods residents are invited to our next monthly potluck, May 16 @ 6pm. Bring a dish to share with your neighbors (4-6 servings). Plates and utensils will be provided.

We will meet in the clubhouse every third Tuesday of the month until the pool opens next May.

Questions? Fill out the contact form below.

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community, meetings

2022 Annual meeting recap

Peterkort Woods homeowners met for their annual meeting on August 8, 2022 at the clubhouse.

Longtime board members Harriet Linville and Robert Phillippi did not run for reelection. The community thanked them for their combined 23 years of service to the community.

Current board member Michael Hildenbrand was joined by Drake Butsch and Keith Sawallich on the ballot. All three were unanimously elected for a two-year term.

Following the homeowners meeting, the new board met to elect officers. See Board of directors for the results.

The Revenue Ruling 70-604 resolution passed 49-0.

community, Landscaping, Maintenance

Landscaping Dos and Don’t

Update April 2023: The Board of Directors recently sent a letter to all homes in Peterkort Woods, similar to the message below. It was for general instruction and not a notice of violation. If you still have questions about landscaping, please contact the Landscape Committee or a Board member.

When people talk to me about why they love living in Peterkort Woods, they frequently mention how beautiful the landscaping is. When people complain about the conditions at Peterkort Woods, landscaping is also number one.

It’s hard to please 223 homeowners.

It is one of our most visible assets. When it looks nice, it increases the beauty and value of our homes. When it doesn’t, it is hard to see anything else.

This is why the builder spent so much effort in the landscape design of our community. It is why the Board of Directors spends an inordinate amount of time and resources on landscape issues.

If you want to be part of the process to improve our landscaping, here are some tips.

Do

  1. Learn about our landscaping. Talk to a Landscape Committee person or one of the Board of Directors. See landscape website for more.
  2. Join the committee.
  3. Come to a Board of Directors meeting.
  4. Fill out a landscape request form. see contact instructions

Don’t

  1. Alter the landscape yourself. see PKW CCRs especially 5.16. This means: no yard art, no planting, trimming, removing any item in the beds around our homes.
  2. Complain directly to the Landscapers. If you have an issue with them, contact the Board.
  3. Dig. Besides being prohibited (see #1), you could damage the sprinkler system or hit a utility.
  4. Trim the trees. (see #1)

Do you agree or disagree with my list? Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Let me know by filling out a contact form.

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extended neighborhood, legal

Peterkort annexation

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Owners of townhomes in Peterkort Woods should have received a letter from the City of Beaverton regarding the annexation of some property owned by the Peterkort Company.  The land in question is adjacent to but does not include any land owned by Peterkort Woods HOA.

According to the Cedar Mills News (https://cedarmillnews.com/article/1021-devt-news-west-union-gas-station-peterkort-annexation/) “The assignment of the applicable City of Beaverton zoning and land use designations upon annexation will not eliminate the existing trail or natural resource designations on the subject property.” That means any kind of development is unlikely.”

According to the article, Peterkort Company’s stated reason for the annexation request “was to consolidate all their area holdings under one jurisdiction.”

 If this annexation is approved, it will have no direct effect on PKW other than to bring the city of Beaverton closer to our property. 

A public hearing on the matter will be held remotely on October 27, 2021 at 630pm.

Public comments can be directed by email to lsmith@beavertonoregon.gov or mailboxcddplanning@beavertonoregon.gov or in writing to the project planner at PO Box 4755, Beaverton, OR 97076.

community, Public safety and crime

Community Safety and fun at the pool

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I have posted two articles in the past regarding how to act at the pool and how to respond to inappropriate behavior. You can read them here: Pool etiquette and Pool safety and security.

In the past week there have been two incidents witnessed at the pool that were not reported until it was too late to confront the violators.

Both incidents involved people climbing over the fence to gain entry, then letting others in. The first incident also involved sitting on the pump room roof after drinking Rainer beer (so 4 violations total).

I am posting security photos of the suspects. Let me know if you know them. (I apologize for the quality of the images. I will replace them with higher resolution images when I can.)

For minor violations, I would suggest talking to those involved. If you are uncomfortable doing this, report it to AMS as soon as possible with as many details as possible. If they are a resident and used their FOB to gain entry, the Association can figure out who they are and have a discussion with them.

If they did not use a FOB to gain entry and are violating other rules (like sitting on the roof) assume they are trespassing until you know otherwise.

If it is criminal behavior, including trespassing, call the Washington County Dispatch non-emergency line 503-629-0111. If it is life threatening, call 911.

This advice applies to other suspicious behaviors in our community, such as people looking in vehicles or on porches, drug use late at night in the common areas, people following delivery vehicles, etc.

Look out for your neighbors and their property by saying something when you see something.

Questions, comments, concerns?

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community, meetings

Annual Homeowners’ Meeting 2021:

updated 8/9/21 11pm

The Peterkort Woods Homeowners’ Association held its Annual owners meeting on August 9th at 630pm.

This was an in person meeting at our clubhouse.

Two Board positions were up for election.

The following candidates were elected:

  • Barb Purdy– Board member since 2019
  • Murray Jenkins– owner since 2006, current Chair of the Gutter/Downspout Committee.

Barb Purdy

Murray Jenkins

Owners also passed a resolution regarding the 70-604 ruling.

Following the homeowners meeting, the Board held a brief organization meeting to elect officers. The following assignments were agreed to:

  • President- Robert Phillippi
  • Vice-President- Murray Jenkins
  • Treasurer- Barbara Purdy
  • Secretary-Harriet Linville
  • Member at Large-Michael Hildenbrand