Andrius Soikinas, Head of Residential Development Projects at Civinity:
Spring is not just a time for seasonal tidying in an apartment building. It is the moment when it becomes very clear how the building has ‘come through’ the winter and where its weak points are. Some issues go unnoticed during the cold period but become very apparent in spring. The earlier they are identified, the lower the likelihood of needing more serious repairs in summer.
What should be inspected first?
One of the first things to pay attention to is the roof. Over the winter, it endures the greatest strain – from the weight of snow to ice build-up and repeated freeze–thaw cycles. In spring, it is important to check whether the roofing has been damaged, whether water is pooling and whether there are any signs of damp patches in top-floor flats.
The rainwater drainage system is just as important. Gutters, downpipes, outlets and other drainage elements are often clogged, deformed or no longer functioning properly after winter. When water is not drained away from the building correctly, it begins to seep where it should not – along the façade, towards the foundations or into joints.
Spring also reveals weak points in the façade and balconies. Small cracks, flaking plaster, damaged joints or loosened balcony elements often become more visible as structures begin to dry out and moisture seeps in. Even minor damage can allow water to enter the structure, leading to hidden deterioration over time.
Another area that often reveals underlying issues in spring is the basement. If water is accumulating there, if there is a musty smell, mould or signs of damp walls, this may indicate problems with drainage, sealing or ventilation.
After the heating season, it is also worth checking the building’s engineering systems – how the heating, water supply and sewerage systems performed over winter – and whether there are any weak points, leaks, signs of corrosion or other wear and tear.
Residents can also carry out inspections themselves
The building administrator or the maintenance manager appointed by the homeowners’ association has not only a general duty to maintain the building, but also very specific obligations. If, according to the condition assessment findings, defects pose a risk to human life, health or the environment, or may cause significant material damage, the administrator or association must immediately organise the elimination of faults and defects and the containment of any incidents. If the defects are not an emergency, they must be included in the annual and long-term repair and maintenance plans.
However, some springtime issues first become visible not during technical inspections, but in residents’ everyday lives. A damp patch in a corner, slower water drainage, an unusual smell in the basement, peeling balcony edges or a newly appeared crack – all of these may not be isolated minor issues, but signs that the building should be examined more broadly.
Soikinas:
Residents play a very important role here. The administrator organises maintenance, but people see the building up close every day and are the first to notice changes. The earlier they are reported, the more often it is possible to avoid larger works and expense.
Therefore, in spring, residents should not only clean their balconies or wash their windows, but also consciously take a look at how the building itself has come through the winter. Such an inspection costs nothing, but it can help identify problems in time.
The initiative will pay off – changes are coming, starting this summer
On 1 July 2026, changes to accumulated maintenance funds will come into force. If an apartment building does not have an approved long-term repair and maintenance plan and its condition is not assessed as good, a coefficient of 2–4 times the minimum rate will be applied. In the condition assessment, greater weight will be given to signs of water ingress into structures, safety risks, and wear and tear of common systems, rather than cosmetic imperfections.
Soikinas concludes:
That is precisely why it does not pay to delay. Labour costs alone in the market, excluding equipment and materials, currently range from about EUR 7–10 per metre for rainwater drainage system repairs; EUR 6–16 per sqm for roof repairs; and around EUR 20–50 per metre for façade works. If rope access specialists, scaffolding or lifting platforms are needed, or if there is significant structural damage, the costs rise very quickly. In other words, the economics of small repairs are usually more favourable when they are addressed early.
What can residents do now? First, not to settle for a general impression that the building looks ‘fine’, but to ask the administrator or homeowners’ association to carry out or provide the latest technical condition assessment. Second, when defects are noticed, report them specifically, indicating the time, location and symptoms, and attach photos. Third, to check whether technical maintenance information about the building is being properly managed and updated. Finally, initiate or accelerate the preparation of a long-term repair and maintenance plan plan and to participate in voting rather than stay on the sidelines.