Welcome Spring - by Trish Kaplan, CCI (Hons), Administrator
Now, every morning starts just that little bit earlier and stays light a little longer. It is a very welcome sign that Spring is coming. Imagine, with a little warmth, masks and physical distancing, we might just be able, and certainly ready, to have (at the very least) deck visits with special people we have missed so much in our life. I know that will be an extraordinary treat for so many of us who have been in the stay-at-home mode for so many months. Spring also means that boards, managers and other experts in maintenance are already in planning mode to attend to our properties in the months ahead. It is so important for owners to share with an assist to ensure ongoing upkeep on the property is carried out as needed. Small problems can create larger ones, so timely attention to every issue is essential. The board will likely provide owners with the opportunity and reporting instructions to view exterior maintenance in and around the unit, mostly within an exclusive use area. These owner reports are significantly helpful to the board. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this reporting system especially within their personal exclusive use area, as well as any they may have viewed on the common elements. Photos of the issue being described can be amazingly helpful to the board and the contractor. There are responsibilities for boards and owners for repairs, described in the corporation’s governing documents. All hands on deck identifying any and all issues of concern will allow the board to carry out a thorough review so they can prioritize and organize the repairs with appropriate contractors within their budgets. In some cases, they might have to advise owners of their responsibility to maintain. Attending to organizing maintenance issues with the appropriate contractor in a timely manner will help them schedule the work sooner than later. Exterior inspection - what to look for • Foundation cracks or signs of stress in the walls as well as the actual foundation • Cracks in mortar joints in a brick façade or cracking stucco • Gutters for cleaning or loose from icicles • Downspouts and grading – must be set to direct water away from the unit; make sure splash diverters are set properly to move runoff away from the foundation; check for loose sections • Erosions and/or low spots formed next to the foundation, or other landscaping issues • Peeling paint • Dryer vent for clogs – make sure the vent cover is secure and flap moves freely • Caulking around entry areas for AC or cables • Caulking around windows and doors, cracks in glass, discoloration around edges of glass; mechanics of the window • Mailbox (clean inside and out – watch for spiders who like to take up housekeeping inside) • Parking space, driveway and walkways (watch for tree roots, cracks, stains on the driveway/parking space) • Trees closest to the unit – make sure they aren’t rubbing against the roofing shingles
Trish Kaplan , CCI (Hon’s) is the current part-time Administrator for the CCI- London and Area Chapter, also having served in the position from April 2003- September 2010 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from CCI National in November 2006. She served on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015 when she returned as Administrator. Trish is also a former condominium manager.
16 — 2020/2021 - 3
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