Category: Maintenance

 Noise is a key quality-of-life problem for almost anyone living in a  densely-packed urban environment. It’s the bane of many a condo-dweller’s existence, and over the years engineers, architects, and designers have tried  any number of w…

 Blizzards. Ice Storms. Hurricanes. New Englanders are used to being buffeted by  Mother Nature. But increasingly, it seems, the impact of such storms has  lingered long after the weather front blows through, with hundreds or thousands  of…

 As summer thunderstorms buffet condo properties throughout New England,  less-than weather-tight windows, doors, and roofs may begin to make themselves  known. And though condo boards never enjoy addressing the perennial problem of  weath…

 Visions of lounging by the pool on a hot July weekend lure many homebuyers into  the condominium lifestyle. For families, the attraction may include use of  their own, “private,” playground, swing set, tennis court or patio for cookouts. …

Freezing, thawing and deicing undoubtedly take their toll on concrete during typically harsh New England winters. Corrosion of concrete is an issue in the Northeast, and homeowner associations need to ensure that the concrete forming t…

 As the ubiquity of the condo “green” movement reaches even greater heights, many property managers find themselves  searching for new ways to spruce up their operations. And with the continual  advances in lighting technology—each more re…

 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.    “Decks are definitely something that peop…

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,…

Every condo association has its own house rules—rules and regulations (hopefully) based on common sense and aimed at protecting residents’ safety and quality of life without undue disruption or inconvenience. Most unit owners w…

 For most of us, winter is dreary enough without worrying about the grit and  grime that often accompanies it. From December through March, the snows that  fall require almost non-stop attention, from making sure the sidewalks stay  ice-fr…