Page 13 - NY Cooperator Expo April 2019

COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — APRIL 2019 13 The Premier Cooperative, Condominium Condop & Management Firm In New York “I would welcome your inquiry to learn how AKAM can be of service to your building” Michael Berenson , President 212.271.0318 mberenson@akam.com akam.com Our reputation speaks for itself. For over 35 years we have been committed to maximizing home values and enhancing quality of life for our clients. At AKAM Associates we employ true cost saving initiatives: •Analysis of staff overtime •Five year capital and preventive maintenance plans •Bulk purchasing power •Preferred rates from various industry vendors •Discounted rates on energy & gas •Review of service and management contracts Live AKAM fi nish it at one time,” he advises. Landmarks Landmark buildings, common in all cit- ies, present special challenges for facade restoration. “Matching materials is espe- cially important for landmark buildings, though we try to do it everywhere,” says Bon. “Local landmark authorities will insist on at least somewhat similar products for repair. For instance, if you have a terracotta building, they want you to use terracotta for any needed repairs. Th ere are other materi- als that mimic terracotta and that the Chi- cago Landmarks Commission will approve, but for the most part offi cials want us to use the same materials.” Janczyk details the process: “If it’s a land- mark, when the architect fi les for a permit with the Department of Buildings, they must also fi le plans with the Landmarks Commission. Landmarks reviews it, and you need to follow their guidelines. Th ey are looking for the aesthetics, and may specify that they want materials approval. We then have to give them samples.” Bon adds that “even when a building isn’t a landmark, a good architect or engineer will attempt to match materials to keep a facade looking uniform and attractive.” He also points out that due to weathering and normal aging, no brand-new brick will ex- actly match the patina of the old brickwork. And Then There’s Cleaning... In addition to damage that might need to be repaired, facades should be cleaned at regular intervals to remove dust, pol- lution stains, and other aging factors that dull its original brilliance. Victor Cruz, a former account manager with Cliffh angers, a Massachusetts-based fi rm that provides cleaning services for facades and windows throughout New England, said: “Diff erent surfaces present diff erent types of cleaning problems; the most diffi cult surface to clean is stucco – but even glass can get perma- nently stained. Th e frequency of cleaning depends on the owners, but we believe it helps keep up curb appeal.” Bon mentions that glass buildings should ers should keep in mind when it comes to major systems, it’s vital to keep your capital also be inspected for facade damage on a facade maintenance and restoration is that reserve adequately funded against a major regular basis. He says that when a replace- ment piece is needed, “we use the same type cade must be keep intact and properly main- of glass if available to get the same kind of tained. Not doing so can only lead to more sheds – they’re there to keep you safe. refl ectiveness from the street. You don’t serious problems – and early signs of those want the replacement to look like replace- ment glass.” What co-op and condominium own- like any component of your property, the fa- problems are rarely noticeable to the un- trained eye, to say nothing of the diffi culty of seeing them from street level. As with all problem, and to have inspections done reg- ularly. And stop harping on those sidewalk n AJ Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for Th e Cooperator, and a published novelist. “Exposure to the elements – sun, wind, rain, and snow – im- pacts sealants, making them age more quickly. Th e sealants can be- come ‘gummy.’” — Eric Janczyk See us at Booths 224, 226