In Wisconsin, we’re still in the rainy season, but those sunshine-filled days are just around the corner. April and May are an excellent time to conduct a walk-around of your property to look for damages that may have occurred over the winter. It’s also a good time to make sure that all owners are in compliance with the governing documents. Doing these regularly and keeping good notes will help you plan for the future. Bring your fellow board members, property manager, your landscaping or architectural committee and even your landscaper if you can. If your property is large, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes! If your building is high or mid-rise style, you should conduct a walk-around of the common area hallways, community rooms, and so on as well. Here are some things to watch for:
Landscaping. If your association has a lot of green areas, take a look at how the trees and shrubs have survived the winter. Better yet, invite your landscaping company along on your walk-around! Make notes of what plantings may need to be replaced, and areas that may need new mulch. Look for bare spots in the grass that may need to be re-seeded. Look for trees that may need to be trimmed. Check out any retaining walls to see how they are holding up. If you have a pond with a fountain, make sure the pump is working correctly.
Siding. Look for areas where siding has become damaged from high winds or come unattached. Those windy days in March can be hard on siding! Make notes of which buildings may need siding replaced.
Paint. On exterior buildings, look for areas where paint is chipping or fading. Does an area just need a few touch ups, or does it need to be re-painted? In interior hallways, look for scratches in the paint or areas where the drywall has become damaged near common area doors and elevators. Check the state of the elevator walls as well.
Roofs. Look for wind damage, missing shingles or waves in the roof. Look for nail pops (areas where shingles are raised). Look at chimneys too.
Windows. At many associations, windows are a homeowner responsibility, but some associations are responsible for the window frame, or any wooden parts on the exterior of the building. Check to make sure that windows are in good order and they aren’t “foggy” (indicating a broken window seal).
Asphalt/Concrete. Winter snow plows can wreck havoc on roadways. Look for potholes in the roads. Check the sidewalk areas and look for uneven walkways, or areas that may need mud jacking. Look at parking areas that may need re-sealing or new asphalt.
Spring is also a good time to take a look around your own condo, so when you’re finished with your community walk-around, take a spin around your unit! If you do regular spring walk-arounds and keep good notes, you’ll have an overall better idea of what items to plan on replacing from year to year. It’s a great way to take a pro-active approach to your community’s maintenance!
Prospect Management Company 