LATEST INSIGHTS
The Most Expensive Bucket of Water
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
It's Not the Cartridge... It's the O-Ring
To keep the dust down during a hardwood floor removal, the installer poured water onto the floor.
The result? Water penetrated the floor assembly, damaging the suite below and turning a routine renovation into a costly insurance claim.
Takeaway: Experience isn't just about doing the job—it's about understanding the building you're working
To keep the dust down during a hardwood floor removal, the installer poured water onto the floor.
The result? Water penetrated the floor assembly, damaging the suite below and turning a routine renovation into a costly insurance claim.
Takeaway: Experience isn't just about doing the job—it's about understanding the building you're working in.
Need an experienced second opinion?
Michael David Thompson provides practical consulting for strata corporations, property managers, and residential communities.
It's Not the Cartridge... It's the O-Ring
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
It's Not the Cartridge... It's the O-Ring
Sometimes the smallest parts cause the biggest problems.
This leaking shower cartridge wasn't caused by the cartridge itself. A brittle O-ring had simply reached the end of its life.
Replacing aging cartridges before they fail—and applying a little plumber's silicone grease during installation—can help prevent leaks and extend the life of
Sometimes the smallest parts cause the biggest problems.
This leaking shower cartridge wasn't caused by the cartridge itself. A brittle O-ring had simply reached the end of its life.
Replacing aging cartridges before they fail—and applying a little plumber's silicone grease during installation—can help prevent leaks and extend the life of the seals.
Takeaway: A few minutes of preventative maintenance today can save thousands in repairs tomorrow.
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
Did you know that Canada Post may install a parcel locker and community mailbox in eligible condominium buildings at no cost?
For many buildings, it's a simple way to improve parcel security, reduce missed deliveries, and make life easier for residents.
Takeaway: Good building management isn't always about spending money. Sometimes it's about knowing where to find the right solutions.
Safety Starts on the Roof
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
A Free Amenity Many Buildings Don't Know About
Most residents never notice them, but rooftop safety anchors are a critical part of keeping window washers and maintenance workers safe while working at height.
These anchors are designed to support fall protection systems and should be inspected and certified annually by qualified professionals to help ensure they remain safe and complia
Most residents never notice them, but rooftop safety anchors are a critical part of keeping window washers and maintenance workers safe while working at height.
These anchors are designed to support fall protection systems and should be inspected and certified annually by qualified professionals to help ensure they remain safe and compliant.
It's one of those essential maintenance tasks that residents rarely see—but one that protects the people who help maintain our buildings every day.
Takeaway: The best safety programs are the ones you never have to think about.
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
Water is the single biggest enemy of any condominium building.
On July 7, 2022, a washing machine supply line failed in one suite, sending water into 11 homes. It took until May of the following year to complete all of the repairs, with dozens of trades working in and out of the building for months.
The photo shows a nylon-braided rubber s
Water is the single biggest enemy of any condominium building.
On July 7, 2022, a washing machine supply line failed in one suite, sending water into 11 homes. It took until May of the following year to complete all of the repairs, with dozens of trades working in and out of the building for months.
The photo shows a nylon-braided rubber supply line that failed after only three years. Heat from the adjacent discharge hose had slowly weakened the material until it eventually gave way.
For washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, and faucets, I strongly recommend stainless steel braided supply lines. They're inexpensive, readily available, and provide a much greater level of protection than rubber lines.
Takeaway: A $20 supply line can prevent hundreds of thousands of dollars in water damage.
What Lies Beneath
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
One Washing Machine. Eleven Flooded Homes.
While our P1 parkade membrane replacement project continues, work is also underway on our third-floor podium membrane replacement.
Once the old membrane was removed, years of hidden deterioration were uncovered—water trapped beneath the membrane, tree roots growing through drains, and irrigation lines obstructed by root intrusion.
These ar
While our P1 parkade membrane replacement project continues, work is also underway on our third-floor podium membrane replacement.
Once the old membrane was removed, years of hidden deterioration were uncovered—water trapped beneath the membrane, tree roots growing through drains, and irrigation lines obstructed by root intrusion.
These are the kinds of issues that remain invisible until the surface is opened up. Left unaddressed, they can lead to leaks, structural deterioration, and much more costly repairs.
Takeaway: The biggest building problems are often the ones you can't see.