Page 19 - Chicago Cooperator Spring EXPO 2019

CHICAGOCOOPERATOR.COM THE CHICAGOLAND COOPERATOR — SPRING EXPO 2019 19 sound and feel. We do something simi- lar with concrete. We tap it. Dilapidated concrete has a distinct sound.” Beginning restoration work depends on what problems are found. Much of it also depends on the client and how soon they want to act – which is one reason sidewalk canopies often stay up so long. The cost of repairs can be high, and the property owner may want to protect against liability from falling debris, but not complete the work immediately. Bon says he has seen building owners and ad- ministrators delay recommended work for as long as a year, depending on the client’s financial situation and sense of urgency. For his part, Janczyk points out that it makes sense to complete all the work necessary at one time regardless of the costs, because if you don’t, each time you do some portion of the work, you will have to put up and take down the canopy, which is a very expensive proposition. “Once you’ve done the mobilization for the project, it’s best to finish it at one time,” he advises. Landmarks Landmark buildings, common in all cities, present special challenges for fa- cade restoration. “Matching materials is especially important for landmark build- ings, though we try to do it everywhere,” says Bon. “Local landmark authorities will insist on at least somewhat similar products for repair. For instance, if you have a terracotta building, they want you to use terracotta for any needed repairs. There are other materials that mimic terracotta and that the Chicago Land- marks Commission will approve, but for the most part officials want us to use the same materials.” Janczyk details the process: “If it’s a landmark, when the architect files for a permit with the Department of Build- ings, they must also file plans with the Landmarks Commission. Landmarks reviews it, and you need to follow their guidelines. They are looking for the aes- thetics, and may specify that they want materials approval. We then have to give them samples.” Bon adds that “even when a building isn’t a landmark, a good architect or en- gineer will attempt to match materials to keep a facade looking uniform and at- tractive.” He also points out that due to weathering and normal aging, no brand- new brick will exactly match the patina of the old brickwork. And Then There’s Cleaning... In addition to damage that might need to be repaired, facades should be cleaned at regular intervals to remove dust, pol- lution stains, and other aging factors that dull its original brilliance. Victor Cruz, a former account manager with Cliffhang- ers, a Massachusetts-based firm that pro- vides cleaning services for facades and windows through- out New England, said: “Different surfaces present different types of cleaning problems; the most difficult surface to clean is stucco – but even glass can get per- manently stained. The frequency of cleaning depends on the owners, but we believe it helps keep up curb ap- peal.” Bon mentions that glass buildings should also be in- spected for facade damage on a regular basis. He says that when a replacement piece is needed, “we use the same type of glass if available to get the same kind of reflectiveness from the street. You don’t want the replace- ment to look like replacement glass.” What co-op and condominium own- ers should keep in mind when it comes to facade maintenance and restoration is that like any component of your prop- erty, the facade must be kept intact and properly maintained. Not doing so can only lead to more serious problems – and early signs of those problems are rarely noticeable to the untrained eye, to say nothing of the difficulty of seeing them from street level. As with all major sys- tems, it’s vital to keep your capital reserve adequately funded against a major prob- lem, and to have inspections done regu- larly. And stop harping on those sidewalk sheds – they’re there to keep you safe. n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for Th e Chicagoland Cooperator, and a published novelist. P roPerty M anageMent S PecialiSt F ortune r estoration painting and masonry 6619 NORTH LINCOLN AVE. • LINCOLNWOOD, IL 60712 WWW.FORTUNERESTORATION.COM I I REALTY & mort a e g g Property Management Since 1906. Call Us and Ask About Our Customized Management Program. Hugh Rider 773-989-8000 hrider@realtymortgageco.com www.realtymortgageco.com “With brick buildings, for example, if there isn’t a tuckpointing program, you’ll fi nd that aft er some years, the mortar joints start to weather. Water en- ters the wall cavity, which can cause problems to the underlying steel.” — Rhocel Bon See us at Booth 202 See us at Booth 412