2003 Apr
2003 Apr Vol. 23, No. 4
Focus on...Building Maintenance
It Takes a Village
Say the name "Greenwich Village,"¯ and immediately images of quiet, leafy streets lined with brownstones, or beret-clad bohemians drinking coffee and discussing art come to mind. The Village is one of New York's most famous and recognizable neighborhoods, and for the last two centuries, it's been a hotbed of cultural and social activity. Read More
To Leak or Not to Leak
Water - one of the great mysteries of life; Life itself isn't possible without it. Yet from the time of Noah and his ark, water has sometimes been a nuisance of great proportion. Read More
A Growing Problem
Mold (microscopic fungi that live on plant or animal matter) isn't a late 20th century plague. Mold has been ubiquitous since the beginnings of life itself. It is a critical part of the ecosystem, providing the enzymes that break down and recycle organic matter. The estimated number of species of fungi ranges from tens of thousands to more than 300,000. Fewer than 200 have been described as agents that can cause or exacerbate a human ailment. Read More
The Check's in the Mail
State legislation regulating the payment of contractors and allowing the withholding of payment for shoddy or incomplete construction work, was signed into law by Gov. George Pataki and became effective January 15. Read More
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Sick of stone? Weary of wood? Not to fear. There are new choices for flooring all the time. Whether any of them "stick"¯ and become mainstream favorites remains to be seen, but they certainly offer some exciting new possibilities. Here is just a sampling: Read More
Terra Firma
Used, abused, walked all over"¦Life is tough for flooring. That's why it's so important to plan wisely when the time comes to redo your floors. Given how quickly a poor floor will have to be redone, the right choice is much more than an aesthetic decision - it's also a real investment. On the bright side, a well-chosen, expertly installed floor should yield years of beautiful wear with the proper care. Read More
A Year in the Life
After a winter destined to be remembered for its snowstorms, slush and sub-zero temperatures, you may welcome even spring cleaning with open arms. But every season - not just spring - brings with it a time to take care of specific types of building maintenance. The following are some general tips to keep your building looking good and operating smoothly throughout the year. Read More
Leader of the Pack
When a building or an apartment owner embarks on a large project, they often turn to a construction manager to be on-site, keeping things to predetermined schedules, approving payments, making sure what's promised is delivered, and running interference between the board and builders. Of course, not everybody uses a "CM,"¯ but doing so can help a project progress more smoothly and eliminates a lot of pressure on board presidents, committee members, and managing agents. Read More
I Can See Clearly Now
Quiz most New York City apartment-dwellers on what the primary force keeping undesirable elements out of their apartment is, and chances are they'll say, "the doorman,"¯ or their elderly neighbor who keeps a hawk's eye on the street, or maybe they'll briefly flash to a time when their cat took command of some pesky rodent. Few will think to name their windows as the first line of defense against the uninvited entry of dirt, drafts and noise into their home. Read More
Installing Children's Playgrounds
Health clubs, fitness centers and private garden spaces are just some of the amenities a condo or co-op can provide to enhance the pleasure and convenience of its residents. However, another, less common amenity to consider is an interior or exterior play area. A well-designed, well-built playground not only draws families with young children into a building, but also creates a space for older children to keep healthy and active and spend time with their parents and adult guardians. Read More
