2009 Nov
2009 November Vol. 7 No. 11
Focus on...Building Maintenance
Maintenance Deferred
If something’s broken, you fix it. If it's worn out, you replace it. It sounds like a simple equation, but when it comes to construction in
cash-strapped times, it can be a case of easier said than done.
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Healthy Building Systems
A building is, in many ways, like a body.If its residents are the soul, then certainly the mechanical systems that keep it running are at its heart. And just as one cares for one’s body by eating right and exercising, so too must management care for those mechanical systems, ensuring they function efficiently and well throughout
their life span.
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All Hands on Deck!
A building is, in many ways, like a body.If its residents are the soul, then certainly the mechanical systems that keep
it running are at its heart. And just as one cares for one’s body by eating right and exercising, so too must management care for those
mechanical systems, ensuring they function efficiently and well throughout
their life span.
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Slipping and Sliding Preempted
With the arrival of the snowfall season in New England, most community
associations are hurriedly pulling out their snow blowers and double checking
their plowing contracts. At a few condominiums, however, the arrival of winter
is being greeted with a little less urgency.
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Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier, Vermont is not a big place. In fact, residents proudly explain that
it is the smallest capital city in the United States. They will also patiently
point out that, although only a couple hours from French-speaking Quebec, the
name of their town is pronounced Mont-peel-yer. Just a few miles away, the twin
city of Barre (pronounced “Barry”) is the working class adjunct to the white-collar, legislative Montpelier.
These two cities are the center of Washington County and the center of “Central Vermont.”
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Unwanted Guests
These 12- to 15-pound birds were once migratory animals, but they lost that instinct when they were employed as live decoys by hunters. In the 1930s, live decoys were outlawed and the captive geese were turned loose, multiplying exponentially ever since.
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Environmental Issues
Saving money by going green sounds great, but who has that initial capital in these tough economic times? The average person can’t afford the luxury of buying solar panels or driving a hybrid car, however, there are many energy-saving changes you can make that are relatively inexpensive and have a fast return on investment. Below are ten strategies for cutting utility bills and carbon footprints that have a pay back period of less than two years. Read More
Maintenance Issues
When it comes to the windows in your complex, like most people, you’re probably focused on energy conservation – keeping the air conditioning inside in the summer and the cold air outside in the winter. While you’re probably aware that not all replacement windows are created equal, when it comes to energy savings, there are other “green” alternatives that your board may wish to evaluate when selecting replacement windows. Read More
Q&A: Who Pays for Soggy Alarm System?
I live in a top floor apartment of a condo building. There has been a leak from the roof for a few years. The condo has been trying to stop the source of the leak over that time period, but to no avail. They have now hired a roofer, who has broken through my ceiling and found just where the water is coming in (from 3 different places). Read More
