Page 10 - CooperatorNews Chicagoland Spring 2022

chicago.cooperatordirectory.com Search Enter Category or Company and Location Above Add Your Business Search By Category Search Now rain or melting snow can settle into the cracks and then, at night when it freezes, it expands.” He goes on to say that mor- tar, caulking, and sealants should all be tion, by March or April, there is some “so association staff should prepare heav- inspected for cracks. Speaking of harsh winters, Chicago’s freeze-thaw cycles, and products used to fresh corner guards and ensuring that el- residential buildings get a substantial mitigate these elements like salt, sand, evator pads are in good condition to bet- amount of damage from snow and ice and burlap have left a mess—and that ter protect the cabs. These steps can save as you can, as people are going to want to during the gnarly cold months—but roofs mess has been dragged through lobbies, thousands of dollars in repairs after the play as soon as the weather turns. If you are particularly vulnerable, says Butler. elevators, hallways, and other common moving season is over.” He explains that snow on a roof will start spaces of residential buildings for the last to melt from the heat of the building, but few months. Downed branches, leaves, with spring can often result in wet lobbies you want to make sure that you’re on the then freeze again as it moves outward, and other debris need to be removed from with slippery conditions,” so “in-house vendor’s calendar so they can do it right causing ice ridges to form at the roof’s flower beds, awnings, tree pits, and roofs. staff should replace worn lobby floor away and you maximize the value to your edge. Known as “ice damming,” this con- dition causes the melting snow to pool ing, while pool decks and playgrounds windows and doors, and confirm that and prevents it from draining, leading have gathered dust. to leaks and other problems when the weather starts to warm. The experts agree that roofs are an ex- ample of an area where specialists should the fair weather to conduct their home be left to the professionals—and includes pressure washing and painting areas that be engaged for inspections and repairs. search—it is a good time to do some “de- The distance from the ground is only one tailing”; washing windows, pruning bush- consideration. Using an under-qualified es and trees, cleaning light fixtures and tion and repaired or replaced if necessary. ty spaces. “Salt, slush, ice, and dirt have worker for such a task isn’t just danger- ous for the worker; it can void warranties, plants and art will go a long way toward going to live,” says Betoff. “People buy two or three months. Schedule them for leave problems overlooked (leading to letting the light of spring into a building. more costly repairs), and even raise issues of liability. Since “winter ice damming handled by a property’s maintenance pools and the pool equipment, as well as usefulness. Strip and wax, shampoo—do can be especially damaging to roofs,” staff—or even a group of homeowners the furniture and planters that may sur- warns Butler, “an association should en- gage a roofing expert to conduct regular mittee—others require specific expertise because now is a perfect time to repair it inspections to better identify necessary or credentials. No matter what is on the and get replacements if you need them,” repairs to avoid further water infiltration checklist or who is performing the job, says Betoff. “If you order any parts you when the spring arrives in force.” Beautification Whatever kind of weather Old Man Winter has brought to a particular loca- clean-up to be done. Wind, precipitation, ily trafficked service areas by installing window of opportunity is certainly lim- Sidewalks and asphalt have taken a beat- To welcome the change of season—as bris or blockages.” well as residents returning from winter abodes or prospective purchasers using cleaning list—another task that should pipes. Now is also a good time to start globes, repainting, and freshening lobby “Everybody has a choice where they are been pounded into your floors for the last While some of this clean-up can be or shareholders such as a grounds com- the best advice is to follow the Scout mot- to: Be Prepared. “Spring is usually busy for people mov- ing in and out of properties,” Butler notes, the checklist: “If you’re going to do some- He also adds that “the rain that comes ter—but if you have to do it in the spring, mats, inspect seals around common area homeowners.” building drainage systems are free of de- Betoff adds vents and ducts to the season. Check all your fittings and stand- signs and stanchions as elements that need touching up.” This includes lob- should be inspected for wear and func- when they like what they see.” He also mentions maintenance on and replace any that have outlived their round them. “Examine the pool furniture, need now, they will be here in time for the opening of the pool.” Dalley agrees, adding tennis courts to thing like resurfacing a tennis court, your ited, as that is a weather-sensitive project. You want to schedule that repair as soon can do it late in the fall, so much the bet- Bressler adds to the tally. “If your building has awnings,” he notes, “check to make sure they made it through the bies, corridors, trash rooms, and ameni- a deep cleaning. Inspect your floor mats SPRING... continued from page 8 continued on page 12 10 COOPERATORNEWS CHICAGOLAND —SPRING 2022 CHICAGO.COOPERATORNEWS.COM