IT'S RAINING INSIDE MY MASTER BATH!

The weather has finally begun to show signs of summer. June gloom is edging away and the sunny Southern California sun has finally begun her tour across the South Bay. The air in the mornings is crisp and clean. As I walk with my dogs through the tall Pine trees, everything smells fresh and sweet at 6:00 a.m. with temperatures in the low 60's. Lomita Pines Photos

Now it's about Noon ... the sun begins to beat down ... and beat down... and beat down... and temperatures rise and my dogs find shelter on the cool stone floors, begging not to be put outdoors. I begin to remember those hot summer days I used to frolic through when I was 10. Now they create rivulets of sweat coarsing down my back but I digress...It is definately summer. 90 degrees+ Not normal!


Here in the South Bay we enjoy very mild weather patterns. We are actually quite spoiled by the weather. The cool breezes off the ocean or the harbor (depending on which side of the Peninsula your home is attached) keep us quite comfortable. We rarely use air conditioning. We pride ourselves on our conservative use of electricity in the summer.


At 5:00 I did it! I turned on the air conditioning. I just wanted to cool things down a tad before getting prepared for an evening event. Just a few hours of air conditioning usually do the trick. About 7:00 I headed for the master bedroom to get ready to go out. I walked into the master bath and there was a new "water feature" not unlike the one in my patio, but upside down so to speak. Water was not dripping but pouring from the light fixture in my bathroom. My brain went into shock as I tried to figure out what would cause such a thing to happen. The dogs and I watched for a few seconds and then it hit me. It had to be the air conditioner. The furnace is poised right above the bath. I pulled open the attic door and sure enough, water was pouring from the condensation tubing which should have been entering the drain provided for it's collection. I rushed to shut down the air conditioner and gathered up a mop and towels and started cleaning up the new lake in my bathroom.


Since this is the beginning of the summer season for many of you, my story is meant as a reminder. Many of us have not used our air conditioner for six months or more. Many things can occur in that period of time. The drains get clogged, The tubing escapes from the fittings. Mold has formed in the tube or drain. Remember to remind your clients (and friends and husbands or wives) that summertime is a good time for a air conditioning "dust and clean." We change the filters and vacuum the vents but we don't think about the fragile mechanical parts until something like this happens. It's not a bad idea to have the air conditioning people take a peek and make sure you're ready for the season! Flooding does not help to cool the house in the summer ...



By the way, if you need a few recommendations for help around the house, check my Business Referral Directory and let them know that Charlie sent you - they'll take good care of you!


Good luck and God Bless. Let me know if you have any helpful hints for homeowners preparing for the summer season.


Charlie


Team South Bay Realty

CHARLIE'S NETWORK HAS A NEW HOME!

You can now view my Business Referral Directory
ONLINE at: www.yoursouthbayteam.com We're adding new trades and businesses every day (only from member, customer, or neighbor referrals.) Check our site for all your Home Improvement Needs or just local shopping and maintenance. We're your local One Stop Shop for the South Bay!

Help us grow by sending us an email with your personal referral of a business or trades person you felt provided great service for you. We're always looking for good people. Send it to Charlie@yoursouthbayteam.com.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

FARMERS INSURANCE

My man Sam - what can I say? Do you want an insurance agent that really cares about you? Do you want a company that is strong and will be there when you need them? Then you need to talk to Sam Martelaro my Farmers agent. He can help with everything from fire insurance to car insurance and more. He can even help you with your financial planning - setting up a 401K. Sam's the man! Give him a call and see if you get the "warm fuzzies" from him like I do...

Sam Martelaro

Farmers Insurance

3825 Del Amo Blvd. #120

Torrance, CA 90503

310-214-9481

p.s. yes, he is Sheila's husband - they share the same office space on Del Amo Blvd.

ALLSTATE TERMITE BUSTERS

How does a teensy tiny little termite eat a whole house? Answer: Very slowly... unless they are subterranean termites...then they can definately speed up that process and knock down your ouse in a few years!

(The Arid Land Subterranean Termite is a member of the family Rhinotermitidae. These are small termites, 1/4-3/8" (5-9 mm) long, that inhabit warmer parts of North America. Winged forms are black, while other castes are white or yellowish. Unlike rotting-wood termites, they have a pale depression or fontanelle, on top of the head between the eyes. they have no teeth on their jaws; the hind femora are not swollen and there are no spines on the tibiae. Most members of this family live in colonies underground. A few establish colonies in damp wood. )

Fortunately they are not as voracious here as they are in some more tropical climates, but none the less they did a pretty good job of destroying my house - thousands and thousands of dollars

worth. Don't let that happen to you. Call My Termite Guru: Allstate Termite Busters (Travis Gambino is my main man!) Tell him Charlie sent you and he will take good care of you!

310-529-9036

PACIFIC FIRST FINANCIAL

Sheila at Pacific First Financial is my rock...with connections to all major lenders in Southern California, you can count on Sheila to find you the best loan at the best rate and terms. More than that - she won't give you something you can't afford. Sheila will turn you down before she will sell you out!

You can contact Sheila at: 310-214-9299

Her office is conveniently located at: 3825 Del Amo Blvd. Suite #120, Torrance, 90503

Impressive Creations (Brian and Holly Press)

I met Brian and Holly over six years ago. They were newlyweds and planning a family...They now have 4 beautiful children, NOAH Born April 29, 2002...SHAYLA Born July 21st, 2003...JEREMIAH Born...November 12, 2004 & ISAIAH SCOTT Born February 9, 2006!

Needless to say, with all the smiling faces to capture, these folks have had some practice in taking pictures and making videos...they have now turned that talent into a successfil business here in the South Bay. If you're thinking about getting married, having a party, any type of event you'd like to remember and be able to revisit with fond memories, call Brian and Holly.

Brian and Holly are fabulous, patient, loving and kind people ... just the kind you'd like to have at your wedding or baptism or graduation party or anniversery ... They'll make it special and memorable for you. If you mention you saw it here (on Charlie's Network) they may even give you a special deal! Call them today at 310-748-0505 or visit their website.
By the way, Brian is also a terrific musician and has recorded some of his own music. You'll be in good hands with these folks!