A/C damage

I live in a townhouse and it's common knowledge that the owner is not responsible for the roofs. To make a long story short... Our property management company hires companies to do specific tasks. Well, someone drilled a screw into the coil of my A/C unit, which happens to be on the roof. I'm guessing about a year ago a company was hired to put screens around our air conditioners to keep the pigeons from getting in a small gap or whatever. The screw that was drilled was done to hold the screen in place. I live where it's now 110 degrees outside. I have 2 boys. And I have a home with no air-conditioning because the refrigerant just leaks out. Who is responsible for the repair and am I out of line by asking for whoever is responsible to put us in a hotel room until it's fixed?

Sorry, doesn't matter who is responsible for the A/C unit. If the vendor, hired by the HOA, damaged your unit the HOA is responsible.

My suggestion, please with your insurance agent, explain the situation, and have them work with the HOA to get this resolved.

Lynn,

A by the way ... "common knowledge" is not a substitute for knowing what your documents say ... recommend you take the time to get a copy, read and understand ...

And, contact the HOA/Management Company and start working backwards on the HVAC issue - it is pretty obvious if a hole was drilled into a refrigerant line.

Why does it say 9:36 pm as the time I posted? It's only 1:40 pm here.

Most likely the server is in Europe, possibly the United Kingdom.

If you would have read the OP's statement, someone was putting netting around their A/C unit and drilled into the coils. It doesn't have to be roofing people, most likely someone that pigeon prevention. The HOA hired the contractor. It is their responsibility to make sure the contractor fixes the issue for the homeowner, NOT pass the buck.

NO hiring a contractor does NOT make you responsible. The CONTRACTOR who does the work is responsible. What kind of logic makes it the HOA's? Just because they paid them? No. My HOA we hired lawncare. That lawncare company had to be insured and licensed. If they did damage while mowing, they made a claim against their insurance. In no way is the HOA responsible. If so, then would the OP not be responsible being that they are a member?

It is the REAL world. I pay a contractor, they do damag, they pay for damages. I do not pay. What is logic I pay for damage a contractor did?

What? Did you visit Colorado recently? Your putting words and a scenario that we don't even know that happened. First of the HOA is responsible for contacting the contractor who did the work. They are NOT responsible for paying for the work. They paid the bill already. Did not know about the issue till just now. Which is a YEAR later! So they just need to call the old contractor and have them come out to determine/fix the issue.

My issue with the OP is they are making their own drama. Sorry going to call it as I see it. Can't leave your teenage kids alone in a house? Really? Won't take yourself to a hotel as suggested? I spent an entire week with 4 dogs and my entire electrical system ripped out of my house. Did I mention it was during Alabama's Summer? 110 degrees outside? A limb fell onto my electrical connection. The utility department disconnected my electricity till it was fixed. Would NOT connect it back again till it was fixed and passed inspection.

So for me I agree with the MC/HOA when they say they need to go through the roofing contractor to get this fixed. The ball is in their court. Although maybe not "A/C" experts. It depends on what the company is licensed for. They do have the right to come out to inspect if it was their work that caused the damage. It is up to them to contact their own contractor to do the work if necessary. The repair could be simple or complex. It's not up to the OP to decide if they not licensed. They may want a new coil. The fix may be that one can re-seal the coil. Either way, the OP needs to let them do their job. Stop getting in their own way with "My kids can't be by themselves".

Reminds me of this story:

A hurricane is coming and a man is in his house. Fireman come by to evacuate him. His reply? "I will NOT go, God will save me". A few hours later, the waters rise. The National Guard comes by in a boat. The man again replies "I will NOT go, God will save me". The next day the man is on his roof. A helicopter comes over. The man replies "I will NOT go, God will save me". The man drowns and dies. He gets to Heaven and meets God. He asks God "Why did you NOT save me?" God replies "I sent fireman, the National Guard, and a Helicopter".... Sometimes the hand of God doesn't reach for us from the sky. He sends us people to help us in disguise.

In case Fox didn't tell you, pot is now legal in California.

That is obvious...

Do we even know if the OP is an owner or a renter? Since we are making so many ASSUMPTIONS. What about a few things like their relationship with the HOA? Just living there doesn't mean they are a member. Plus there is some time limits of which one can report damages. This has been about a year. So why now running the A/C and finding the problem? Who found it?

Sorry but as a former President, these are the questions should be asked BEFORE taking money out of my member's contributions. A HOA is ONLY funded by the owners. Think the HOA members have the right to know how their money is being spent and the responsibility associated with it. Does the membership want to agree this is their responsibility? If so, how best to handle it?

It does sound like they were offered to stay in a hotel while contractor could come out. They passed that up. Why? What else were the MC/HOA responsible for than offering them a hotel stay and contacting the vendor?

WOW

It shouldn't matter if it's the owner or renter! Nobody said anything about being a member. Time limits are usually 2 years and up for contractor liability. Seems she had someone find it.

Nobody said the HOA had to use money? Here is what the board should do- 1- Make a call to the company that installed the screening which seems they did and at that time the company offered a night at a motel but said they would reimburse her later and she didn't have the money. She could have asked for a portable air conditioner to be brought over. The only time the HOA would pay money out would be if the company went out of business which they could get reimbursed by the insurance company if they wanted to make a claim.

If the HOA did nothing on this situation the owner would take the HOA to small claims, not the contractor to get repaired or if they paid to fix it they would get reimbursed. The owner didn't have a contract with the contractor so the HOA would need to go after the contractor itself.

Good thing you are a former President you make a mountain out of an ant hill.

Guy

OK - watching the back and forth here ... time to chill and ask yourself if the folks who come here for help are going to feel comfortable with your opinions if they see all the sniping and back biting. Try and be reasonable and calm in your responses - and, respectful.

Lynn - what you are looking for is a quick fix to your a/c problem. I don't think that is going to happen unless you have it done yourself - even then it could be several days - and, you would have to pay for it and get it reimbursed - IF someone has told you to do this. However, usually that idea is a little open ended. In either case, while the HOA was responsible for hiring the contractor - they will, of course, want the contractor to pay for the damage. But, it will take time for all that to work out.

BTW - it is possible to repair small holes like you describe, assuming all else is ok ... but, only a qualified tech, who is on site, will be able to evaluate that.

Melissa, we do know OP is a homeowner. Well, a trust is, but she is the life estate 'tenant' which makes her the owner of record.

Jennifer, thank you for paying attention, and thank you all for your help. The roofing company sent someone from Vegas to repair my A/C. It took him almost 4 hours to solder my coil in two places. And, I'm happy to report that it's 78 degrees in my townhouse now! Can I get a whut whut! Lol! Thanks to all, again.

Sorry, I would take a quick fix at this time, more thorough once it cools down. It is only 100 degrees there right now, which for this time of year is freezing for them. It's normally 115-120 this time of year.

Glad it was fixed... Guess I forgot since I was babysitting at the age of 12... Must be a maturity and excuse thing that I am missing.

It could be a condo rule. She said someone 18 or older has to be with anyone younger. Anyway, no idea why this is turning into an inter-personal drama. I know that is common on the internet in general, but pretty scarce here. A 'feature' I really enjoy on here. So much drama in our personal HOAs that we come here for help with, which is quite enough for anyone imo!

Sorry - while it would be great if there was no customer involved who is hot, I’ve never seen a home HVAC team replace a unit and tell the customer they had to wait 12-24 hrs ... a couple hours, sure ...

Rich,

The actual cost of the PART is about 15% of a PROPER replacement.

Labor, if done correctly, would be juuuust about the same for a repair or a replacement.

Coil 'wholesale' = $150-$350

Labor to properly replace or repair = $950-$1,400

This is because the PROPER 'recharge' procedure is the SAME whether replacing or repairing.

One does NOT, repeat NOT, braze w/o an ongoing nitrogen or argon purge (to protect the tube interior from oxidation) and then immediately pull a 30 minute vacuum and pump refrigerant (w/o the required 1 hour PRESSURE test).

Since the OP stated the 'repair' took 4 hours, I conclude (as an expert witness) that it was NOT a proper repair, merely a temporary patch.

The issue with said temporary patch is that it, in and of itself, probably created contamination and oxidation INSIDE the system which may lead to premature compressor failure.

Never mind the evacuation and refill of the compromised (by the leak) refrigerant OIL level remaining or the WAIT time for the recharge oil to flow back to the compressor sump PRIOR to restart.

Assuming replacement oil was WEIGHED back into the system.

However, in our 'real' consumer world, the patches are done 'who flung dung and run'.

READ READ READ my post(s).

ps. the above is WHY modern A/C systems are shipped PRECHARGED by the manufacturers

precharged 'linesets' are also available

PaaN,

Again ... "how sad?" What now? Is the clueless comment for me?

When A/Cs are repaired due to leaks, they get pumped down and monitored for leakage for as long as is reasonable - would be great if they could wait overnight - no, how about a week - to see if there is a leak. Yes, there is a curve associated with the leakage over time ... and the pump down vacuum level.

Don't make this harder than it needs to be - there are curves associated with all this sort of activity. Simply because someone patched a line, doesn't mean it won't last 20 years.

I had the same sort of discussion a couple of years ago with tile professionals who insisted on building a 1000 year shower enclosure - for a device/system with a 30 year tear out cycle.

You miss the point:



The fact that the above is NOT routinely performed is the 'how sad' part.

Correct.

As long as you are AWARE that the 'specialist' will 'screw you over.

Makes no difference at this point.

Any contaminants not already removed have already damaged the compressor (albeit invisibly).

My posting was for educational purposes.

Whether the coil was 'repaired' or replaced is immaterial.

Either is a system repair requiring MORE, much more, than a new system charge procedure.

Now, y'all have been informed - look it up for yourselves

(retired NYC Master Plumber (1) & Pipefitter (638) Service Division

My point was to let the OP know so that she would know what she should do. The arguing back and forth may confuse her and cause her to not follow through with forcing the proper repair. I'm not arguing with anyone so if she reads your last post she will probably understand better now.