The problem of mold in buildings is one that no building owner or manager can afford to ignore. Mold has been suggested as one of the possible factors in so-called “Sick Building Syndrome.” What conditions create mold in buildings? Mold typically reproduces by means of airborne spores. These spores are always present in the air…..
Maine’s license plate says ‘Vacation Land’. This summer more than ever the return of the snowbirds will be an increased challenge for the many condo communities in those areas most popular to tourists. Maine has a significant population of condominiums along its rocky coast and mountainous regions serving as primary or secondary homes for bi-latitude….
A New Dawn for Condominiums: Community Solar Farms There is some good solar power news for Maine’s condominium and HOA communities. We have spoken in past articles of the unfortunate political restraints on the development of renewable energy sources in Maine by the prior Governor Paul LePage administration. Things have changed with two new solar….
Coronavirus Webinar for HOAs: Your Buildings & the Coronavirus Managing a building in the coronavirus world is a new challenge. Criterium Engineers, building experts who have evaluated over 850,000 buildings across the U.S. and Canada in more than 60 years in business, presents this coronavirus webinar (YouTube format) for HOA managers and board members to….
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….
The time has come for your homeowners’ association (HOA) to complete a reserve study. Where do you begin? An online search presents a wide range of companies that perform reserve studies for homeowner associations and you may wonder, why hire a professional engineer? Why Hire a Professional Engineer for Your Association’s Reserve Study? Our licensed,….
Welcome Home! Maine is often called Vacationland due to the population explosion in the summer months. This traditional influx of people not only affects coastal tourist towns and inland lake villages but also condo communities. Whether your condo is self- or professionally managed, establishing policies and planning for returning snowbirds is critical to the successful….
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….
Make sure you actually need one, too They don’t teach you how to hire an engineer in school. Indeed most folks have never had the occasion to hire an engineer or an architect in their whole life. This is also true for most condominium or HOA board members. So how does a condo board go….
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….