In a multifamily building with scores, possibly hundreds of people living under one roof, cooking, cleaning, dusting and breathing, it’s no surprise that the airways, chutes and garbage rooms of these buildings can get clogged and dirty over time. Waste material, debris, and allergens can build up in a building’s airways and passages, causing everything […]
Live Long and Prosper: Life Spans of Building Systems
Nothing lasts forever, and though you can’t predict the moment a piece of building equipment will break down, you can prepare for it. Even the toughest boiler, HVAC unit, or elevator will eventually tucker out and need major repairs, or just give up the ghost and have to be replaced. Read more…….
HOA Project Roll-out
Winter is the time of year that a homeowner association board should be soliciting and reviewing proposals for fair weather renovation projects like painting, fencing, pool replastering, asphalt sealing and roofing. There are several practical reasons for starting the process early: Read more…….
Can You Hear Me Now? Better Neighbors Through Soundproofing
When walls are the only separation between you and your neighbors, privacy sometimes goes out the window. People hear their next-door neighbors talking, footsteps from above or even music blaring through the walls. Sound transmission between units is one of the biggest complaints among condo dwellers. Noise can also come from ceilings, doors and windows, […]
What Lies Beneath: Maintaining & Repairing Building foundations
They say a house is only as strong as its foundation. A bad roof or shoddy plumbing can set your building back a lot of money, of course—but a foundation in disrepair can put the entire building structure at risk. It can also cost tens of thousands of dollars. Since it’s literally underground, it’s easy […]
Side by Siding: Caring for Your Building’s Exterior
After years of wear and tear from the elements—or just the impact of a single catastrophic event like Superstorm Sandy this past fall—the siding on the exterior of a condo, co-op or townhome can start to look a bit under the weather. Read More……
Keeping the Rain Off: Maintaining the Roof Over Your Head
After the four walls of a given structure, the roof is sometimes referred to as the “fifth plane”—and just like the walls that hold it up, the roof is an all-important structure that can make or break a building’s performance. New Jersey’s changeable climate, which as we all know ranges from sweltering humid summer heat […]
Green Exteriors: Upgrading for Lower Energy Costs
More often than not, when boards or associations broach the issue of their buildings “going green,” images of bamboo flooring, hemp drapes, or solar panels on the roof suddenly spring to mind. The impression seems to be that in a condo, green upgrades are difficult and costly—if not impossible—to do. Read More……
Clearing the Air on Questions Related to Radon Mitigation
Question: A condominium unit tests high for radon. The radon report shows that the radon has entered into the unit through the concrete floor; therefore, the owner asks the association to mitigate it. Is the association responsible for mitigating radon found in the unit? Read More……
Masonry Requires Regular Maintenance
What many co-op and condo associations don’t understand is that there is a fair share of maintenance that goes into brickwork. From repointing and caulking to cleaning and sanding – brick walls are an investment and if taken care of appropriately can last beautifully for generations. Read More……
Bed Bugs and Boards: The Steps One Co-op Took When Suspecting Infestation
When a resident in your co-op or condo reports the possible presence of bed bugs, quick response is important because the board, ultimately, has the legal responsibility to deal with this issue. Read More……
Sewer-Pipe Primer: Two Engineers Explain When to Repair or to Replace
Sewage backups, which can occur primarily in your co-op or condo’s basement, pose health risks caused by contamination from harmful bacteria and mold. A blocked or broken sewer line is the obvious culprit. Here’s what you need to know about your co-op’s or your condo’s sewer lines so that you can make an informed choice […]
Deck it Out: The Importance of Keeping Your Deck Safe and Secure
When you consider all the different exterior components that a condo association has to deal with, decks are sort of like the Rodney Dangerfield of the list—they rarely get any respect. Read More……