Finding the Leak Like the bumper sticker says, Leaks Happen. Eventually all roofs will leak. The various available condo roof surfaces typically have different reserve fund plan expected useful lives. High slope roofs such as fiberglass composite shingles are budgeted to be replaced in 25 to 30 years while low slope roofs surfaces such as….
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The Invisible Wall: Site Walls Should Not be Out of Mind
There is no condominium community asset more overlooked than its site walls. They literally become part of the landscape and seem to disappear, yet they are vital to the health of the community. They are sometimes called retaining walls or sometimes simply landscape structures, but in the hilly interiors of Maine or the rugged slopes….
Is Your Condo Breathing? Why Building Ventilation is Critical
If your condo board is planning for a re-roofing project, remind the board the project will not be a success without an in-depth consideration being given to the condition of the building ventilation under the roof. Inadequate attic venting will cause ice dams; energy loss; and moisture damage to the roof structure. Too often roof….
Condos and Tariffs
There is an old Chinese saying, ‘May you live in Interesting Times’. This statement is interpreted to be more of a curse than a friendly greeting, as the interesting times refer to upcoming periods of chaos or uncertainty. Ask any investor or economic forecaster what they fear most, it is uncertainty. Unfortunately, this is the….
Pests: Don’t Bug Out!
Perhaps the most dreaded sound in an HOA or condo complex, other than a fire alarm or screaming siren, is repeated unit owners calls reporting a pest infestation. Pests can come in many types of creatures, both large and small, including bats, seagulls, geese, rodents, mold spores, and wasps. For this brief article our focus….
Association Liabilities — Ignorance is not Bliss
So what keeps you up at night? If you are a condo board member or a property manager, it might be that dreaded phone call reporting calamity at the condominium. Whether it is the report of a fire; or a frozen sprinkler leak; or an injury due to a common element failure, the association’s actions in….
Repairs & Reserves
Liabilities and Risks of Ignoring Issues: An Engineer’s Perspective Question: A recent reserve study identified a number of repairs/replacements that should be addressed in the community. However, while the reserve is being funded on a monthly basis, there isn’t enough in the current reserve fund for the repairs/replacements. With inflation and knowing that owners won’t….
Don’t Use Expired Caulking!
Tubes of caulking have expiration dates. Using expired caulk can result in poor performance of the caulking material after installation. There are many reasons to use new caulking for your project including: Good performance from the caulk Preventing installation issues and troubles The high cost of removing old or failed caulk The importance of caulk….
Inspecting New Condo Buildings: Unveiling Common Issues!
Are you considering buying a new condo or have you noticed problems after moving in? As experienced building inspectors, we’ve witnessed many hidden issues that could impact your investment. Let’s explore some areas of concern: Grading/Drainage: New grading is prone to settlement. Settlement and poor drainage can lead to problems like sunken storm drain grates,….
Spring Rains are Coming- Have you checked your gutters recently?
Are you experiencing drainage issues or water intrusion at your home? Wet soil around your home is one of the most common conditions that can lead to foundation problems. When considering basement foundations, “Hydrostatic Pressure” can be described as the constant force of water pressure being exerted against the basement walls. Water weighs more than….