💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

NancyA4 (Florida)
Posts: 17
Posted:
Lots of activity in Florida with spalling on cement balconies. Has anyone had experience with nondestructive testing vs sounding for identifying areas in need of repair? We have qualified engineers on the project, but retired engineer-owners feel nondestructive testing only should be used. Would welcome comments from anyone who has had experience with this type of project.
Thank you.
PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
UUUUHHHHHHHH,

The people having experience would be

wait

wait

wait for it

ENGINEERS.

D'OH
NancyA4 (Florida)
Posts: 17
Posted:
Engineers opinions would be welcome if they were unbiased (how likely is that?!)
MichelleK5 (New York)
Posts: 161
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NancyA4 on 08/16/2017 11:22 AM
Engineers opinions would be welcome if they were unbiased (how likely is that?!)

Then why bother with engineers at all since you think they're biased. I'm sure the retired engineers in your community, who have been out of the work force for years know best.
PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
'Even money' that Nancy is an elected director.

The members WILL get exactly what they paid for and deserve.
PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NancyA4 on 08/16/2017 11:22 AM
Engineers opinions would be welcome if they were unbiased (how likely is that?!)

Therefor YOUR opinion is unbiased.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I mean this sincerely, Nancy: Why would an engineer's opinion biased. The needed repairs won't t go to the engineer, but to painting contractors like the ones who're painting our (high rise) building will care of our few cases of spalling.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NancyA4 on 08/16/2017 11:22 AM
Engineers opinions would be welcome if they were unbiased (how likely is that?!)

What makes you think they're biased in any way? If they're really qualified engineers then I submit that you are unqualified to make a determination of bias on their part. Unless they're working for someone with a financial interest in the project.
FredS7 (Arizona)
Posts: 927
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NancyA4 on 08/16/2017 11:22 AM
Engineers opinions would be welcome if they were unbiased (how likely is that?!)

Well let's just guess then. Or maybe hire a psychic.
NancyA4 (Florida)
Posts: 17
Posted:
When you do a lot of work with engineers, they will naturally favor the method they work with. If you're lucky enough, you can find someone with the experience and knowledge who can effectively step back and weigh the pros and cons of each method. Guess I should try an engineering forum rather than hoping to find a board member or prop mgr who has been thru an extensive rework project such as this is.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NancyA4 on 08/16/2017 2:14 PM
When you do a lot of work with engineers, they will naturally favor the method they work with. If you're lucky enough, you can find someone with the experience and knowledge who can effectively step back and weigh the pros and cons of each method. Guess I should try an engineering forum rather than hoping to find a board member or prop mgr who has been thru an extensive rework project such as this is.

Good luck with that. I have an engineering degree, for what it's worth. Evaluating pros and cons in relation to a job or project is what engineers do. Obviously they're not doing it in a way that meets your pre-determined outcome.

If you were on my board and saying that you know better than professional qualified engineers I'd be setting up the recall vote lickety split.

In the event you DO have a good reason to doubt their opinions, why did you hire them in the first place? Next time hire a firm that will provide an independent opinion. Hell, hire them NOW to get a second opinion. I'll bet your real problem isn't with the engineers, it's with spending money.
PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
boring .......

meter only reads 52.5%
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
The walling repairs that we need here will NOT be done by an engineer, so an engineering firm get no rift from the work. Instead our building paint contractor will do the few areas of spall work (and large cracks) that we (so far) know we'll need. The vendor is charging $60/hr + materials for vertical fields, and $125/SF for balcony parapet walls + materials.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Sorry my typo demons strike again-- "spalling."

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

  • ✓ Ask follow-up questions
  • ✓ Share your experience
  • ✓ Get expert advice
  • ✓ Access 350,000 discussions
Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here