Building Systems
Eco-friendly condo upgrades
Reaching net zero by 2050 means sustainability targets for new and existing condo buildings will need to change quickly.
Managing water leaks 101
The causes of water leaks are often related to materials, installation, maintenance and operational issues.
Helping condos stay afloat during a flood
The immense flooding that occurred recently across the GTA led to massive evacuations and widespread power outages and is just one example of the increasing severity of natural disasters.
Residents figure into fire safety knowledge gap
The province also saw the total number of fatal fires rise to 109. Within many condos, there is a critical gap between fire safety and resident knowledge.
Tips for hiring independent contractors
With costs on the rise, many condominiums are choosing to retain independent contractors to provide superintendent and/or cleaning service.
Keeping plumbing maintenance from plummeting
As time and usage take its toll, plumbing systems deteriorate and improper and deferred maintenance lead to disastrous results.
Responding to elevator entrapments
Elevator entrapments are one of the many risks facing high-rise buildings in Ontario. Occupants need to be educated on best practices and what to do during an emergency.
The intricacies of EV infrastructure remain at odds with condo legislation
The electric vehicle landscape is complex, ever-changing and at the cutting edge of technology. For condominium corporations and their owners, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Addressing hidden damages in condominiums
Condo managers who understand a condo’s life stages, hidden damages, and inspections are more likely to develop effective reserve fund plans with logical budget allotments.
Considerations for deferring capital project work
The industry panel discussed what capital repairs and replacement costs could potentially be deferred by prolonging the life of various building components and what professional resources to seek for guidance.
Reducing embodied carbon in capital projects
Condo owners now have the opportunity to understand the embodied carbon impacts of capital replacements work at their buildings.
Overhauling reserve funds in Ontario
As the landscape of aging condos continues evolving, the need for adequate reserve funds to pay for these repairs assumes greater importance.
A guide to understanding noise in condos
Resolving noise complaints requires an understanding of how sound moves through a building and the obligations of a condominium.
Unintended consequences in capital repair planning
Capital repair planning in the condominium market is a crucial aspect of maintaining and improving aging buildings. However, it is essential to recognize that decisions made in this process can have unintended consequences.
Actuaries garner new insight into condo finances
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ latest insight statement on the longevity of condo infrastructure explores several risks.
Putting HVAC maintenance in the spotlight
What HVAC contractors do, or don’t do, during maintenance has a significant impact on the repairs, service calls and utilities consumed by mechanical equipment.
Updating your condo’s emergency response plan
As spring temperatures arrive and snow and ice finally recede, condominium managers often face property maintenance issues that arise or were neglected during the winter