CT August 2026

ENGINEERING... from page 34.

the association should engage an engineer to prepare roof replace ment specifications. Engineering spec ification and bid packages assist in obtaining comparable contractor bids and proposals that can be used for submittals to the municipality. Once the roof has been replaced, work with your insurance professional to deter mine if there are potential premium savings. Cladding Maintenance Insurance is not a warranty it is intended to respond to sudden and unexpected losses. Carriers will not pay to repair leaking façades, sid ing, or windows unless the is a cov ered cause of loss under the policy. However, policies may cover resulting damage. For example, if deteriorated window sealants allow water intrusion

during a single heavy rainstorm, the policy would not pay to repair the sealants but may cover the resulting water damage. Duration also matters, if the condition has existed for years, a carrier may deny the entire claim on the basis of poor maintenance. Every policy is different, so coverage ulti mately depends on the specific policy language and details of the loss. An insurance adjuster will determine how the policy responds. Associations should include clad ding maintenance in their reserve study. Annual inspection and regular maintenance of sealants around win dows and doors, joints and transitions between dissimilar cladding materials etc. help prevent water infiltration at critical points in the building enve lope. Sealant replacement tends to be something that is a low priority, but it can have severe consequences if neglected over time. Different cladding requires different maintenance strategies. in addition to sealant replacement. Brick or mason ry requires repointing; Wood siding requires staining and replacement of rotted boards; Stucco and EIFS require crack repairs and coating. Developing and following a clad ding maintenance program signifi cantly reduces the likelihood of claims occurring and reduce the chance of a claim being denied due to lack of maintenance. Correcting Trip/Slip Hazards Insurance carriers reserve the right to inspect properties at any time, some times conducting unannounced exteri or‑only inspections. These inspections often result in what are labeled as “loss recommendations,” but should

of any nearby leaves have fallen. While your contractor is performing this task, they should look for dam aged or missing shingles, and tears or failed seams in flat roofing, so they can be corrected promptly. This type of inspection should also be per formed after a major storm. Obtaining a written report each time work is performed each time the contractor is on site completed will provide a more accurate snapshot of the roof’s con dition, despite its age, and can help prevent having to replace the roof and have the non-renewal rescinded by the insurance carrier. If the roof has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement,

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484 S. Nulton Avenue, Easton, PA 18045-2936 duradek.com Toll Free: (800) 765-9865 Fax (610) 954-0598 E-mail: info@specialtybuildingsystemsinc.com Specialty Building Systems, Inc. Durarail powder coated aluminum rails. Duradek is a roofing approved vinyl membrane that comes in a variety of colors and patterns for decks, balconies, patios, and roof decks. Durarail products offer maintenanance free railing with a 20-year structural warranty. We specialize in high quality building products featuring the Duradek waterproof system and

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AUGUST 2026