The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4 - (Page 8)

The Art of By Steve Saarman Maintenance ‘To Build or Not to Build’ Equity IN TODAY’S ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious society, recycling is a way of preserving resources for our future. Decomposition is nature’s way of recycling nutrients for the health of our planet. Many homes are built of wood, and wood, in the presence of water, will naturally decompose. This is fine in nature, but not for your homes, especially at the accelerated rate we often see today. Maintenance is the essential proactive step necessary to keep any building envelope functioning and to stop water infiltration. Maintenance postpones nature from turning your homes into compost and diminishing your equity investment. What is the building envelope? It is the entire exterior shell of a building comprised of interrelated building component systems. It is intended to form a protective shield from the elements. The building envelope encompasses the roofing system, the exterior wall system including all penetrations and attachments (e.g., stairs, fire escapes, wood decks, doors, windows, etc.), the waterproofing of any horizontal surfaces (e.g., membrane decks, plaza, shelves, etc.) and the waterproofing of below-grade structures (e.g., garages, storage areas, etc.). When these systems are correctly integrated, a building can function superiorly. To achieve the full life expectancy of each building component and to prevent premature failure and unanticipated repairs, timely maintenance is the key ingredient. The key to great maintenance programs is planning and “attention to the details.” Broad-stroked generalized maintenance programs aimed at aesthetic satisfaction often give a sense of security, until the day the guillotine drops and extensive decay is encountered. When a seemingly premature special assessment is necessary, everyone asks, “How could this happen? Everything looks so great.” Unfortunately, maintenance is an art requiring thoughtful planning, execution and often changes to some original construction waterproofing details and/or materials. Success hinges on executing a plan aimed to decrease long-term maintenance costs. This proactive approach does cost more money initially than simply repairing the problem condition in the way it was originally constructed, but you preserve the maintenance investment you are making. Once 8 • The Communicator

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4 Contents President’s Message The Art of Maintenance Deferred Maintenance – What Do We Do Now? What’s New in Paint Products and Building Materials 2008/2009 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4

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