Originally Posted by handieman (Post 369664)

Good questions everyone. I'll try to bring you up to speed on this issue. April 2010, this issue (copper line sets) was brought to my attention. Being a Rep. for the VHA I brought it to the attention of the warranty department. For the next 9 months the most the VHA could accomplish is a extended warranty of 5 yrs from house closing. That makes homes built in 2006 near expiration. The problem exists in newer homes and now has been discovered in designer homes (previously patio villas).
The developer is well aware of this and the home warranty department continues to "blow smoke" in my face.
After much soul searching I and another Rep of the VHA decided to hand our research papers over to the POA. If you read the article you will see they wish to pursue a fair rebate to the hundreds of homeowners that have paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

IF YOU HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, please fill out the questionaire and send it to the POA. You may have noticed that patio villas now have the AC compressor located along side the villa instead of behind. This is on purpose. They realize that the length of the line is increasing the odds of failure.

ALSO Do not under any circumstances use vinegar to flush the condensate line. The AC copper lines are enclosed in conduit along with the condensate line and IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. After digging up 6 abandoned underground lines, we found them sealed with publix shopping bags, pepsi cans, roofing, and bubble wrap. I'm not kidding I have the pictures to prove this. The Vinegar is 5% acid and will seep down to the exit of the copper lines and copper and acid don't get along. DUH !
I actually suggest you extend the condensate line away from the compressor area. Other wise this area is constantly moist.

handie
J-Wharton@comcast.net

Originally Posted by golfnut (Post 369723)

I agree, Kudo's to Handie, as a VHA rep turning information over to the POA is occupational suicide, yes I know technically it's not an occupation but I think you know what I mean. Hijack, Russ how's it going up north....gn

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston (Post 369951)

Always envisioned a time when POA and VHA could work together for all of us.

Hijack back - Doing well GN but home sales are slow up here. I'll be there 8/27 to 9/5 for a quick visit to check on the house etc.

Originally Posted by handieman (Post 369664)

Good questions everyone. I'll try to bring you up to speed on this issue. April 2010, this issue (copper line sets) was brought to my attention. Being a Rep. for the VHA I brought it to the attention of the warranty department. For the next 9 months the most the VHA could accomplish is a extended warranty of 5 yrs from house closing. That makes homes built in 2006 near expiration. The problem exists in newer homes and now has been discovered in designer homes (previously patio villas).
The developer is well aware of this and the home warranty department continues to "blow smoke" in my face.
After much soul searching I and another Rep of the VHA decided to hand our research papers over to the POA. If you read the article you will see they wish to pursue a fair rebate to the hundreds of homeowners that have paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

IF YOU HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, please fill out the questionaire and send it to the POA. You may have noticed that patio villas now have the AC compressor located along side the villa instead of behind. This is on purpose. They realize that the length of the line is increasing the odds of failure.

ALSO Do not under any circumstances use vinegar to flush the condensate line. The AC copper lines are enclosed in conduit along with the condensate line and IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. After digging up 6 abandoned underground lines, we found them sealed with publix shopping bags, pepsi cans, roofing, and bubble wrap. I'm not kidding I have the pictures to prove this. The Vinegar is 5% acid and will seep down to the exit of the copper lines and copper and acid don't get along. DUH !
I actually suggest you extend the condensate line away from the compressor area. Other wise this area is constantly moist.

handie
J-Wharton@comcast.net

Originally Posted by handieman (Post 369964)

Hi Russ!
Take a look at the VHA website "www.thevha.net" and click on the history tab and look at the founding of the VHA. it will give you some incite on how the VHA was born and the conditions on how it operates.

Handie

Originally Posted by drdodge (Post 369603)

any copper that is run underground and comes up thru the concrete should be in a conduit to prevent the concrete eating away at the copper. There are chemicals in concrete that will cause the copper line deterioate and therefore fail after a few years. I eas a construction superintendent for 25 years and we would never bring copper up thru concrete without some protection
drd

Originally Posted by handieman (Post 369325)

Originally Posted by MaryEllen (Post 389641)

Handie,
I am in New York and i was just informed that my a/c unit is not running. Can you recommend someone that is fair. I know air conditioning,but i am not there until october 1 st
John Blankenberg

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 395021)

In todays (9/16) Daily Sun, there is an article announcing that the reimbursement plan has been extended to a full 10 years. There is a copy of the extended service agreement signed by the developer H.Gary Moorse also in the article. I could not find this information anywhere on a website.