lime wash for Mexican brick

Hello!

I am in Texas. Our community consists of 82 townhomes with brick and HardiePlank siding. We have asked our property manager to get the painting quotes, and then one board member suggested we get a quote to have the brick lime washed.

We ask the PM to do this for us. He then e-mails the board back saying that it is not recommended to have the brick painted as we have Mexican brick. We reply that we want it lime washed not painted, he e-mails back same statement. He's then e-mailed the explanation of what lime washing is. Of the all of two companies he got quotes from, one came back with a quote -- (this one a board member knew of and asked them to give us a painting quote. MGT company does not know this company) -- and no quote from the company he usually works with.

Board asked yesterday if he could have the number to the PM's usual company to inquire as to why lime wash can't be done on Mexican brick and PM replies with "It is simply not recommended as it would ruin the architectural appearance and integrity value of the property. It is a bad idea, in my opinion. Therefore, I decline on pricing for this."

I need opinions on if PM overstepped by not even asking his usual company.

At least, to me, it doesn't even sound like he asked for a lime washing quote. I know it's not a great idea to paint Mexican brick, but everything I've read about lime washing is a positive. I have called a few other companies and they have all said they lime wash Mexican brick.

How do you handle it when a PM just doesn't do what you asked?

The PM just got the quotes for the painting. PM is not doing any work.

Thank you! I've even read it's good for the brick. I don't know who to respond to the PM.

I've done that on other issues. His boss never replies. I'm the only board member that doesn't like him for a few different reasons now. This is just another screw up of his that I'm afraid if I point it out like I did in the past, I look like the bitchy one.

I agree.

I realize this may be hard for the OP. I think one of the keys to being effective on a board is dealing with the cognitive dissonance of believing a manager is incompetent while the rest of the board either (1) does not care; or (2) feels the manager is great.

Limewashing appears to be similar to painting as it gives the brick a white appearance.

Limewash does allow the brick to breath. Based on a contractor forum it is done to mexican brick.

Hard to say if the white wash (which is basically the appearance of the limewash) would be keeping with your community look or not.

That said, I do think the PM overstepped and should have provided a quote for the limewash along with the opinion of the process might change the characteristics of the development.

However, as others have said, pick your battles.

There is no reason you can't get quotes on your own.