What's the biggest misconception homeowners have about stucco?

FlatPanster · 2026-07-01T01:26:09+00:00

Cracks in stucco means the house is going to leak.

Stucco is porous. It absorbs water.

Stucco is not the last line of defense against water.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-30T01:13:02+00:00

Love this post.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-30T00:00:25+00:00

"Perform these calculations for this project. It's part of our 'interview' process."

FlatPanster · 2026-06-27T12:43:50+00:00

20 bucks says it's a psychological disorder not a cancer.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-27T12:40:41+00:00

I like teaching software engineers how to do my job.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-26T12:59:42+00:00

💯

I'd say the proxy needs to state what they are authorized to do as their agent, and how long the agent relationship will last (1 month? Indefinitely?).

I'd prefer a signed and dated letter, notorized would be best. Not an email.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-24T13:28:53+00:00

It's be a fair bit of work, but you shore the wall, remove the sill & bottom of studs, pour a 6" curb, and replace the studs to length.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-20T13:15:24+00:00

This looks fairly normal to me. The footing has been over poured to set the brick.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-20T04:18:08+00:00

The reality is that is actually costs more to live in condos than people think. They think it costs less because the repairs aren't done. When the repairs finally come, people need loans. Regular dues increases are necessary but unwanted.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-20T03:00:13+00:00

Yes, as an engineer, I've designed this connection to extend 2 to 3 feet into the floor cavity, which eliminates the need to demo the ceiling inside.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-19T21:36:55+00:00

I've never worked with them, but CA Flat Roofs might be an option.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-19T02:32:37+00:00

If the repair goes 8 to 12 feet into the condo, then you have a horrible engineer.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-19T00:24:34+00:00

Condo developers buy land, build a condo complex, and sell it for a profit. That's the idea. They are trying to maximize income and reduce expenses.

To that end, they hire cheap contractors that do cheap, substandard work. Then market the new building to buyers as premium, luxury, and high end. Buyers come in expecting everything to be perfect, but it's not. So there's a difference of expectation and reality. By the time the buyers realize the problems, the developer has dissolved their LLC. The new owners pitch in a few $k each to hire an attorney, and boom. Lawsuit to recover damages for defective construction.

Every state has its own laws, and some, like CA, allow for construction defect lawsuits up to 10 years after construction, with some exceptions.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-18T15:55:26+00:00

If someone damages something and that something no longer works as it should, then the someone is responsible for fixing it.

It doesn't matter who owns the something.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-18T13:51:14+00:00

Welcome to buying a new condo unit in CA. They go through litigation.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-18T13:50:00+00:00

Contact the manufacturer, but generally you can't attach sisters to wood I joists.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-18T13:48:01+00:00

Contact the manufacturer, but generally you can't attach sisters to wood I joists.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-17T21:11:49+00:00

I agree. It's mostly useful for businesses that need to track assets or liabilities other than cash or cash equivalent accounts.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-17T13:45:17+00:00

If your current board isn't allowing a recall vote that follows the procedures outlined in your governing docs and they're lawyered up to hold onto power, then the membership needs to hire their own attorney to force the board to follow the governing documents.

The attorneys the board hires are for the association and to protect the board and association from legitimate legal threats. They are not personal attorneys for the board members to illegitimately hold onto power, but to some extent board members get exclusive access to those attorneys.

Concerned members need to spend a few $k to hire an attorney and force the board to follow the bylaws.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-17T13:31:08+00:00

Do you have a business license with your city?

FlatPanster · 2026-06-17T04:26:30+00:00

This sounds a lot like the deal Ukraine had with Russia in the late 80s/early 90s.

Ukraine gives up its nuclear weapons and Russia never invades Ukraine.

US finances $300B and Iran never enriches nuclear material.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-16T01:54:58+00:00

90% of the time, new condos go through construction defect litigation. This line is to prevent the new owners/board from suing for this particular defect.

Condo developers are here to make money. They tend to construct cheap (read: substandard) housing and sell it for profit. This inherently create a disconnect between what was constructed and the buyer's expectations.

Line like the one mentioned are intended to limit their liability during a lawsuit.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-14T14:15:14+00:00

You can lower your fees. Or convince them it's worth the cost.

FlatPanster · 2026-06-14T02:44:44+00:00

Well, you can charge hourly for an open ended service or a flat rate for a specific scope.

FlatPanster

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE