VIDEO EDUCATION CENTER

Inspect Your Decks

DIY Series Episode 1: HOAs and individual homeowners should inspect their buildings regularly for safety and to catch damage early. In this video, Jens goes over what tools to use as you inspect your buildings, as well as a detailed look at what you'll find as you inspect your decks: Algae, Deck to wall interface, Attachment to foundation, Joist and beam attachment

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Common Issues with Hillside Buildings

DIY Series Episode 2: How to Inspect Your Hillside Building HOAs and individual homeowners should inspect their buildings regularly for safety and to catch damage early. In this video, Jens goes over the common problems we see with below-grade buildings.

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Inspect Your Staining & Flashing

DIY Series Episode 3: How to Inspect Building Envelope Flashing and Staining HOAs and individual homeowners should inspect their buildings regularly for safety and to catch damage early. In this video, Jens goes over the visual clues we see on the exterior building envelope. We'll look at staining on siding, peeling paint, fogged windows, and sealants.

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What a Repaired Building Should Look Like

DIY Series Episode 4: What a healthy building should look like. If you've seen our videos of damage and thought, "my building's not that bad," then this video is for you. Jens shows us what a healthy building looks like when it is up to date on sealants, flashing, and weatherproofing. If your building doesn't have all these components, you may want to jump back to Episode 1 in the series and catch up on your DIY Inspections. 

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T1-11 Siding

DIY Series Episode 5: How to inspect your T1-11 siding. HOAs and individual homeowners should inspect their buildings regularly for safety and to catch damage early. In this video, Jens inspects the symptoms and causes of water damaged siding.

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Roof Ventilation

DIY Series Episode 6: How to inspect your roof vents (from the ground!) In this video we'll look at common signs that your roof and attic might be under-ventilated. Jens will also show you how to assess your roof penetrations like skylights and plumbing vents, and when to be worried about moss and leaves on your roof.

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How to Inspect Base of Wall Siding

DIY Series Episode 7: How to inspect your siding for water damage. Symptoms like staining, moss, and cracked concrete are all indicators that we can look for to identify water intrusion. Even if you don't own the building, a DIY inspection is a great first step to send documentation of water intrusion to your landlord.

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Decks, Chimneys, and Roof Sheathing

DIY Series Episode 8: Jens shows you how to inspect your decks, railings, chimneys, and roof sheathing. Quick tip for today: When you're getting in or out of your car, look up at the carport roof sheathing. Do you see a "line of shiners"? If you do, it may be a sign that your roofing is not attached to the structure.

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Head Flashing & Sealant

DIY Series Episode 9: How to identify proper head flashings and failed sealant around windows, doors, belly bands, and other building components. We'll talk about how you can identify the proper waterproofing techniques and how you can install flashing where it's missing.

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How to Document Your Building Inspection

DIY Series Episode 10: In this episode of our DIY Inspection Series, we'll talk about this community as a whole, what we saw, what we're most concerned about, and how to document problems and categorize them. Sometimes, HOA board members or property managers know there are issues with the building, but don't know where to start to handle the repairs. Fixing everything at once would be costly, and prioritizing new head flashing instead of a paint job is a tough call. We challenge you to inspect your building and use this guide to start prioritizing the safety of your residents and making repairs!

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How to Waterproof Your Stucco

DIY Series Episode 11: How to inspect your stucco building and identify signs of damage. We'll look at cracks, drips, stains, and efflorescence for clues that there may be damage underneath the stucco, and we'll talk about how to coat your stucco building to extend its life.

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How to Inspect Your Stucco

DIY Series Episode 12: Testing moisture levels in stucco. We find that water tends to get trapped at the bottom edge of the stucco system, which leads to rotting sheathing beneath the cladding. We'll also address causes of cracks, brown spots on your stucco, mossy exterior walls, and signs of water intrusion from inside.

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Flat Roof Leaks and Drains

DIY Series Episode 13: How to inspect your flat roof. If you have a flat roof on your building, you should know how to identify problem areas on your vents, penetrations, and drains so you can diagnose excess moisture. This 20-year-old roof is covered in patches from years of chasing leaks.

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Inspect Your Roof Shingles!

DIY Series Episode 14: Episode 14 of the Do-It-Yourself Inspection Series: Jens shows you how to inspect your roof shingles from the ground level and up close. At first, it seemed like this 20-year-old roof still had some useful life left in it. The mineral top coat looked intact and still had a good amount of sparkle in the sun. When we got up on the roof to take a closer look, the shingles themselves were riddled with spider cracks across the entire roof, and the shaded areas of the roof were cracked and mossy.

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What is EIFS?

DIY Series Episode 15: Most stucco buildings have EIFS panels added for insulation and a more interesting façade. If you have a stucco building, it's a good idea to walk around and investigate any damage or maintenance items for your EIFS panels. If you missed our stucco inspection episode, check out Episode 11 and 12 on our YouTube channel!

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Vinyl Siding and Water Damaged WRB

DIY Series Episode 16: How to inspect your vinyl siding condominium, apartment, or house. In this video, we're talking about the history and lifespan of vinyl siding, how to inspect the components, and how to check for water damage behind your vinyl siding and weather-resistive barrier (WRB).

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Vinyl Siding - Identifying Water Damage

DIY Series Episode 17: How to inspect your vinyl siding condominium, apartment, or house. In this video, we're talking about common causes of damaged vinyl siding, the best time to inspect your building, and how to identify when your vinyl siding is prone to water damage. Jens points out weep holes on your vinyl siding and shows us when to make note of concerning water drainage.

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Easy Investigation: Soffits, Gutters, Attic Ventilation

DIY Inspection Series Episode 18: In this episode of our Do-It-Yourself Inspection Series for HOA Boards and Property Managers, we're showing you how to identify potential ventilation problems and areas of water intrusion FROM YOUR PARKING LOT! We can stand in front of the building and see what kinds of roof vents your building has, where the hotspots are, and where the installation was done improperly.

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Deck Safety Inspection - No Ladders Needed!

DIY Inspection Series Episode 19: How to inspect your building's decks from the ground level. Perimeter edge flashing, sealant, interface with the wall and siding, railing safety, and drainage slope. Take notes and take a walk around your building to see if you have any of these issues on your decks.

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Concrete Spalling, Drainage, and Safety

DIY Inspection Series Episode 20: How to inspect your stair treads, railings, and concrete slope drainage in your stairwells. When concrete isn't maintained properly, the steel rebar inside can be compromised. When the steel is rusted out it doesn't take much for your stairs to collapse. Keep your residents (and building!) safe by inspecting your building codes and performing maintenance each year.

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Rotten Trim & Fogged Windows

DIY Inspection Series Episode 21: Rotten Window Trim & What to Do About It! Windows can be a touchy subject for apartments and condominium associations. Window replacements, window leaks, and fogged window panes can be a PAIN. In this episode, Jens shows you how to examine symptoms of water damaged wood window trim, critical indicators of failed windows, and what to do next when you discover these signs of damage.

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Carport & Garage Code Requirements

DIY Inspection Series Episode 22: Waterproofing Your Carports and Community Amenities Carports, sheds, and other "additional structures" don't have the same building code requirements as your living spaces, but they are still a valuable part of your property that you should work hard to protect. When your carports have roof leaks and water damage, they won't last nearly as long and you will need to spend money to repair or replace them. In this episode, we'll show you the basic things to look for to spot symptoms of water damage on your carports.

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Specialized Waterproofing at Roof to Wall Intersections

DIY Inspection Series Episode 23: Waterproofing for Roof to Wall Intersections. The roof to wall intersection is one of the most difficult areas to properly waterproof because there are so many different trades involved in one small area. On this inspection, there were likely roofers, gutter specialists, window installers, and siding contractors involved. With so many trades working in one area, one installer may interfere with the work of another in order to get the job done, and unknowingly cause a defect that allows water intrusion. In our line of work, we know all the trades well enough to ensure the job is done right, and we also know how to identify when a building envelope is failing.

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Condo Community Landscaping Safety

DIY Inspection Series Episode 24: Condo Community Landscaping Safety Although we normally inspect waterproofing and construction techniques of building envelopes, it's important to also take a look at common landscaping issues. J2 has a professional Landscape Architect on staff because improper drainage, landscaping, and foliage around a building can have a significant impact on the health of the building components.

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Responsibilities of Your HOA Board of Directors

Do you understand what your condo HOA responsibilities are? Volunteer HOA Board Members have a number of roles, including keeping members active and involved, answering inquiries from hundreds of residents, planning and implementing building maintenance, all while maintaining the association's budget. Serving as a board member becomes even more challenging when there is major building damage. Your HOA board is likely a mixed group with little to no expertise in large-scale damage remediation or construction, which indicates the need for leadership and advice from a third party construction expert. In this video, board members discuss the complexities of managing the expectations of unit occupants throughout the process, and the benefits of having a consultant like J2 on the project.

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10 Ways to Create Trust in Your HOA

If you're a board member at a condominium homeowners association, you know the struggle of providing trusted leadership to a community of homeowners. We have found that the process that works the best is when the board communicates well with its neighbors-- whether it's about announcements, rules, budget, bad news, or any other topic. J2 works with boards every day, we see the tension and disagreements that can arise from boards who do not have the trust of their community, and we have served as mediator to relieve that tension for our clients. 

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SAVING MONEY - 16 Reasons to Repair All at Once

We understand how stressful it can be to think about the looming threat of a repair project...

Q: "Maybe it would be cheaper to just do a little at a time?"

A: We've seen this before, and we can tell you it is almost always more expensive to spread out your repairs instead of getting it over with all at once.

Check out our printable guide on this topic   

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Getting a Loan for Building Repairs | What Banks Really Want!

If your condo association is looking to take a loan out for building repairs, it's a good idea to first find a consultant to oversee the project. Banks are more inclined to lend to associations that have a consultant because we keep the project moving forward and we ensure you get quality repairs.

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How to Diagnose a Sick Building - Symptoms of Water Intrusion and Damage

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When is the Best Time to Start Building Repairs?

Every spring, we get new clients wanting to start their repair project (something about spring cleaning brings an excitement to finally repair your building!) But here's what most people don't realize: When your condominium has big repairs that need to be done, design work takes time. The best time to begin this process is usually in the dark months of November, December, and January to get enough headstart to begin by summer. 

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Hidden Damage Insurance Claims - What to do when you discover hidden water damage

Hidden Damage Insurance Claims for Condominium HOAs and Multifamily Buildings - What to do when you discover hidden water damage. If you're on a Homeowners Association and need to make repairs, get familiar with the state law for damage insurance claims and insurance coverage so you can get the most out of the premiums you've been paying for years.

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HOA STATE LAWS - Hiring a Consultant

It is against the law in Washington State to make repairs to your condominium without testing and oversight of an engineer and consultant. Lucky for you, J2 is both! (RCW 64.55.050)

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Rotten and Crumbling Condominium Decks

Invasive investigation on a deck with SSI Construction. These materials are meant to be solid, but they are crumbling to the touch from long-term moisture exposure. What would you do if you discovered your third floor deck was crumbling?

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Checking Your Foundation in 30 Seconds

*Sound up* Hear that? The sharp *ting* is healthy concrete, the dull tap sound is evidence of an unhealthy foundation. This can be a dangerous situation for your building, and can cause a variety of other long-term problems if not addressed immediately. 

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Water Damaged Condominiums and What to Look For

It's important to learn how to spot signs and symptoms of damage and know who to call when something doesn't look right. In this video, Jens shares some before-and-after photos of condominiums damaged by water intrusion that our Utah team have been seeing out in the field. Even on buildings that are only a few years old, residents are facing repair assessments. J2 is here to equip the public with education about water intrusion and exterior signs of damage. If you're worried about your building, drop a comment below and we'll take a look.

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Most Common Symptoms of Building Envelope Damage | Stains, Cracks, Leaks

Look for signs of water intrusion, which could include stained siding and masonry, discolored drips, blistered siding, bubbles in paint, cracked stucco, and condensation. These things all lead to decayed building components, collapsing decks, structural settlement, and other problems you want to avoid. By starting small and identifying those small symptoms of water intrusion, you can avoid an extensive remediation project. The point most people realize they need a consultant is similar to realizing that Band-Aids and Neosporin will not longer heal your more serious ailments.

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Identifying Building Issues During the Winter

"Should I be worried about the icicles and water overflow on my gutters?" In the wintertime, buildings begin to show signs of failure and water intrusion. Here's where it starts: During the summer, your sealants and weatherproofing bake in the sun, causing cracks and breaks. When the first good rain comes in the fall, you will notice some leaking. Then with the first freeze you will get your next indication that water isn't flowing correctly, because you'll see ice damming, icicles, and staining. A consultant can diagnose the cause of these problems and help you make a plan to fix them before things get worse.

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Pooling Water From Bad Footing and Tight Line Drains

Ken, our Landscape Architect and Senior Project Manager explains a tight line and footing drain area and some initial issues he's seeing with the installation. Take a walk around your building, do you see pooling water where your downspout enters the ground? This could be symptoms of a problem with your footing drain or tight line.

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Springtime Tree Trimming - Protect Your Roof!

Here's your reminder to trim those budding spring trees! Del Gray, our Registered Roof Consultant, has seen his fair share of roofs damaged by shrouding trees. Don't let a common maintenance item be the downfall of your roof's life.

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Bathroom Fans Not Working - How to Fix Airflow Problem

This condominium was getting a new roof installed when the contractor discovered something strange inside the roof cavity. There were pipes coming from below that ended before reaching the open air. The contractor notified J2 as the consultant overseeing the project, and we determined the pipes were coming from bathroom fans in the units below. 

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Asbestos Testing - Stucco and Roof Membranes

AHERA: The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act requires that we test for asbestos when disturbing potentially hazardous materials. Materials that could contain asbestos are ANY materials not made entirely of wood, metal, or glass. That means roofing sealants and membranes, drywall, insulation, window caulking, backer for tiles, the list goes on.

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How to Add Coating to Cracked Stucco

It's important to periodically add a weatherproof coating to your stucco building as it cracks over time. To increase the longevity and prevent moisture intrusion, it's a good idea to coat it multiple times before it needs replacement. In this video, Jens explains different types of stucco coatings and what to look for to help you know when it's time to add a new coating.

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How to Inspect Your Stucco Building - Visual Inspection Turns Invasive

The residents of this condominium found some internal signs of water damage in their garage and units, so they called a J2 inspector. Just by looking at the building, we could see signs of improper installation that could be causing the symptoms of damage the unit owners were seeing. The owners decided to move forward with an invasive investigation, so we pulled off the stucco to reveal what we suspected: the walls were saturated due to cracks in the stucco.

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Brick Building Facelift - Waterproof Coating for Masonry

Jens Johanson from J2 Building Consultants Talks About Waterproof Coating / Facelift For Brick Buildings. Contrary to popular belief: brick is NOT waterproof! When water leaks through your brick wall it can cause serious damage to your drywall, floors, and other interior elements. The J2 team coats the outside of this building with GE Momentive waterproof sealant, and there's a surprising benefit to using this type of sealant. Check it out!

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Tips for Inspecting Your Building After an Earthquake

After an earthquake, take a moment to inspect your building for gas leaks, cracks, and other things you may need to add to your maintenance plan. Stay safe out there! 1. Make sure everyone is safe, make sure the building is safe to walk around. 2. Shut off the gas if needed 3. Do a 'sniff test' for gas 4. Check for cracks in the masonry 5. Check your roof for cracking 6. Check for cracks in glass and sealants around windows. If there is significant damage, call an expert in engineering and architecture like J2.

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