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- The Building Insider: May 2026
The Building Insider: May 2026
Lance Luke
April 30, 2026
May is a time to prioritize structural health and long-term property value. This month’s newsletter focuses on awareness and technical guidance, highlighting timely articles on building component lifespans and proactive maintenance planning, two critical topics for homeowners, boards, and property managers.
We also feature Lance’s book, How Long Does It Last?, which provides practical guidance to help identify potential hazards, understand the risks they pose, and make informed decisions that protect occupants, property value, and long-term liability.
Happy Cinco de Mayo & Mother’s Day!
Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day are times to celebrate heritage, family, and the strength of the bonds that connect us. These occasions serve as a reminder that a thriving community is nurtured through appreciation for our roots and the selfless care of those who raise us.
This month’s newsletter focuses on building component lifespans and proactive maintenance, helping homeowners and associations make informed decisions that protect their properties—because a well-maintained home is the best way to ensure safety and comfort for every family.
Featured Book
How Long Does It Last? offers a comprehensive and essential guide to understanding the true lifespan of every critical building component in your property. This book provides a clear, expert roadmap for knowing how long structures, materials, and systems are supposed to last — and what critical steps must be taken to protect your investment before costly failures occur.
A must-read guide from National Building Expert Lance Luke, CCC, CCI, CCPM, filled with decades of forensic construction experience to help property owners, boards, and residents identify potential vulnerabilities, recognize early signs of deterioration, and ensure the safety and longevity of their buildings.
Download available for 30 days only.
How Long Does It Last? Decoding the Hidden Lifespan of Your Building
 | Most AOAO boards and property owners treat building maintenance like a game of "wait and see." They wait to see a leak, wait to see a crack, or wait for a resident to complain. But in the world of forensic engineering, we know that every single component of your building—from the mechanical systems to the building envelope—is on a countdown. |
The Science of Longevity: Maintenance Planning for Extended Service Life
 | There is a common misconception that "maintenance" is just another word for "repair." It’s not. Repair happens after the failure. Maintenance—true, proactive maintenance—is designed to prevent the failure from ever occurring. In fact, a well-executed maintenance plan is the only way to successfully "cheat" the clock and achieve what we call Extended Service Life (ESL). |
National Building  Introducing the | Webinars  Explore our | Expert  Enhance your building's safety with Lance Luke's |
Q&A: Ask the Building Expert
Question: Our board is trying to decide which repairs to prioritize this year. Everything seems to be reaching its "expiration date" at once. Is there a way to tell which building components are actually failing and which ones can wait?
Answer: This is a challenge every association faces, and the answer lies in understanding component lifespans versus actual condition. You cannot manage what you do not measure. Many boards rely on guesswork or wait for a total failure before acting, which is the most expensive way to run a building. By performing a professional evaluation of your building’s systems, you can identify which items are at high risk and which can be extended through strategic maintenance. Prioritizing based on technical data rather than just the age of the component allows you to allocate funds wisely, avoid emergency repairs, and ensure the long-term structural integrity of your property.
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