Cooperator - Articles - Exterior

A Life in Exterior Maintenance

no@spam.com (Kathleen Blank) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:39:01 EDT

Wayne Bellet, of Manhattan-based exterior maintenance firm Bellet Construction, is getting a dose of his own medicine. At the time of this interview, it’s his own office that’s under construction, he explains over the racket of dueling hammers in the background. The commercial condo building that houses his company is currently experiencing gas line issues, and the repair efforts have made Bellet acutely aware of the inconvenience such work can impose on the tenants of the building, the majority of whom are medical professionals.

Preparing Your Local Law 11 Report

no@spam.com (Dom Diaz) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:38:08 EDT

Local Law 11 inspection is a requirement of the New York City Department of Buildings that every owner of a building higher than six stories must retain an architect or engineer to inspect their façades. Based on this inspection, a report must be filed documenting findings and making recommendations of any required repairs in order to maintain a building’s exterior in a safe condition. As part of the investigation, the architect or engineer must perform at least one scaffolding drop on a street façade, which may require the assistance of a contractor. This inspection and report is required every five years; the next cycle (Cycle 7) starts in February 2010.

Historic Buildings Need TLC

no@spam.com (Keith Loria) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:35:50 EDT

In November of 2008, New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated seven new properties with landmark status—New York University’s University Village, the Guardian Life Insurance Co. annex, the Morris B. Sanders House, the New School’s former Baumann Bros. store, Pratt’s Manhattan Campus, an ex-FDNY firehouse, and a New York City Parks Department pool complex. The new additions make bring the total number of landmarks in the five boroughs to an impressive 1,212.

Stopping the Usual Suspects

no@spam.com (Lisa Iannucci) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:34:22 EDT

Years ago, when I babysat for a young boy, I watched him create a multi-story building out of empty cardboard boxes. The lad then ran around his proud creation, flexing his muscles and crowing, “My house is indy-structible!” (He then proceeded to crash bodily through the cardboard doors, kick the walls in and lob toys at the roof. It took him a while to destroy his structure, but he enjoyed every second of it.)

New Pool Safety Mandate in Effect

no@spam.com (Greg Olear) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:33:13 EDT

It sounds like an urban legend—something that supposedly happened to your cousin’s friend’s cousin. A little girl was at a barbecue party at a friend’s house, frolicking in the pool with friends. She swam to the drain at the bottom of the pool and sat on it. The drain’s suction was so strong, it sucked the girl onto the aperture, trapping her under the water. Once the adults on the scene realized what was happening and rushed to help, it took two grown men 10 minutes to free her from the drain—which broke in the process—but it was too late to save her.

Fighting Grime Brick by Brick

no@spam.com (Stephanie Mannino) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:32:11 EDT

New York City’s co-ops and condos might vary in their architectural styles, but over time every exterior—from the ornate historic landmark to modern glass-and-steel fishbowl—experiences exterior wear due to the elements and the simple passage of time. As years go by, most facades and exterior surfaces will begin to lose their luster, and require occasional deep-cleanings, with regular maintenance to keep things looking good in between.

Running a Water-tight Ship

no@spam.com (Jonathan Barnes) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:31:03 EDT

Residential buildings are constantly under attack—not by barbarians or marauding bandits, but by a force far more subtle and insidious. The most tenacious enemy of a residential building is not fire or structural collapse—though a building obviously should be protected from such catastrophes. It’s water. Left unchecked, simple moisture can quietly infiltrate your building envelope and wreak havoc throughout.

Positive Impacts of Local Law 11

no@spam.com (Liz Lent) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:27:40 EDT

There’s more than enough to worry about living in a major American city without having to worry about being conked on the head by falling debris. That’s the kind of urban hazard Local Law 11 was created to address, requiring all buildings more than six stories in height—including co-ops, condos, hospitals, and commercial buildings—to conduct regular inspections of their exterior facades.

Keeping Buildings Dry

no@spam.com (William J. Pyznar, P.E.) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:15:32 EDT

Building owners are charged with the constant battle of keeping water out of the building envelope, but sometimes the water that causes stains, mold and decay comes from within the building envelope. Consideration to design, materials and use must be given during initial construction and reconstruction projects.

Tips for Seasonal Sprucing Up

no@spam.com (Lisa Iannucci) — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:12:45 EDT

The snow is gone, the thermometer is inching higher, flowers are blooming and you’re ready for springtime. Unfortunately, your building may not be. Thanks to winter’s sand, snow, grit and lack of attention, things may be in less-than-gorgeous shape. Warmer weather is a great time to get out and see what needs to be done to restore your building’s curb appeal. Here are a few tips to get you organized and on your way.