Advocates for Sewickley Ridge Homeowners

Homeowners have the right to speak.

Open Communication Should Not Be Optional

Residents should have a community message board to share information, ask questions, and discuss matters that affect daily life here. It should be a homeowner resource, not a Board-controlled platform.

Posts submitted to the HOA website Message Board have been denied and removed when they touch on topics the Board prefers not to see discussed openly, including questions about home maintenance, community practices, or matters involving the Board itself. Content that references Board actions is denied or removed because it might reflect poorly on the Board or prompt further questions. This is not open communication.

Homeowners fund the Association (including the the HOA website with the Message Board) and live with the consequences of Board decisions. A message board that only permits topics the Board finds comfortable does not serve the community.

Consistent, content-neutral moderation is reasonable. Selective removal of posts that mention the Board or raise uncomfortable topics is not. Transparency and the free exchange of homeowner experiences strengthen the community; restricting them does the opposite.

Stormwater Report 2025 - 51% of Homes Identified

128 (51%) Sewickley Ridge residences in need of repair/restoration are listed in the report.

The document link below lists the addresses of any residences that were included in the report with recommendations on repair, reseeding, grading, and swales.

Simply locate your address and region. You will then need to access Part 2 of the report. The report (both Part 1 and Part 2) can now be found on the HOA website under the Committees/Grounds and Safety sections.

LATEST BOARD RESPONSE TO NECESSARY REPAIRS: "NO REPAIRS OR RESTORATION

WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY."

"After reviewing the condition of turf throughout the community and the resources required to address it, the Executive Board has determined that the Association will not be conducting turf restoration at this time. Effective restoration would require a community-wide effort rather than isolated repairs. Because this scope of work is not included in the operating budget, it would require a special assessment to unit owners to cover the multiple costs associated with restoration (contracted services, time, and materials)."

Source: Spring Board Brief, May 8, 2026

NOTE: Per the Declaration and the Maintenance Responsibilities document created by the HOA Board:

" The HOA has the responsibility to care for and maintain all common elements and common areas..."

Stormwater Spreadsheet (xlsx)

Download

Roofs and Siding Were Never Properly Inspected

Before the Board signed off on the transition from the builder to the HOA, it had an obligation to require thorough inspections of the vinyl siding and roofs. Both are Association responsibilities. The Board accepted the community without verifying their condition. That was a failure of due diligence that left homeowners carrying the consequences.

Early Detection:
1. Inspections would have detected issues early.

2. Identifying issues promptly would have helped prevent them from escalating into more significant concerns.

3. A professional inspection would have identified hidden issues and recommended necessary repairs or replacements.

Causes of Bubbled Siding

Bubbling siding, especially vinyl siding, can be a symptom of various issues, some of which may have legal implications. Here's a breakdown of common causes:

Heat Exposure:
- Reflected Sunlight: Low-E windows can reflect and intensify sunlight onto nearby surfaces, causing vinyl siding to soften, warp, and bubble at temperatures as low as 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- External Heat Sources: Grills, fire pits, and other heat-generating appliances placed too close to the siding can cause bubbling.
- Direct Sunlight: While less common, prolonged exposure to intense, direct sunlight, particularly with darker siding colors that absorb more heat, can also contribute to bubbling over time.
Trapped Moisture:
- Improper Installation: Poorly sealed house wrap, inadequate ventilation, clogged gutters, damaged flashing, or leaky pipes can allow moisture to accumulate behind the siding. As the moisture heats up, it expands and causes bubbling.
- Substrate Issues: If the siding is installed over warped sheathing or areas with existing moisture problems, it can lead to bubbling.
Improper Installation:
- Over-Nailing: Vinyl siding needs to be hung loosely to allow for expansion and contraction with temperature changes. Nailing it too tightly restricts movement, leading to buckling and bubbling.
- Improper Alignment: Failing to use proper leveling techniques during installation can result in unevenness and potential buckling or warping.
Defective Siding Material: In some cases, the bubbling may be caused by a manufacturing defect in the siding itself, where the material is not sufficiently heat-resistant or durable, says Parker Waichman LLP.

What should have been done...

The need for proper funding for siding replacement and/or the checks on installation and materials should start at the transition phase of a community association. This will enable the repair of deficient installation and the proper funding of this replacement item. Unfortunately older communities don't have that luxury. However, starting to fund for siding replacement at any time is paramount in maintaining the integrity of these communities. When the time arrives for the siding replacement, some funding is clearly better than none at all.

If you live in a new or aging community, have your siding system checked for the material's existing condition and installation detailing. Review leak history that is associated with siding and windows. Incorporate any recommended repairs into the association's transition agreement or preventive maintenance plan. Proper and continued maintenance and repair will prolong the useful life of any system.

Find out more

Vinyl Siding Issues

1. Answers to some of the most common questions about siding distortion from solar reflection.

🏡 This website contains a Q&A about vinyl siding damage. Click on the button below to visit the website.
https://www.vinylsiding.org/vsi-resources/solar-reflection/

Questions & Answers

2. A website explaining the primary purpose of a HOA Capital Reserve Funding Analysis and siding.

💲🏡💲 Click on the button below to view the website.
www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Association/Association_Building_Siding

Reserves for Siding

3. Vinyl Siding Inspection & Repair Guide: Vinyl siding defect recognition & diagnosis.

🏡 This website, inspectapedia.com, contains very detailed, in-depth information regarding all types of vinyl siding issues and problems. Click on the button below to visit the website.
Vinyl Siding Inspection and Repair Guide: Vinyl Siding Inspection, Defects, Diagnosis, Repair Advice (inspectapedia.com)

Siding Defects & Diagnosis

4. Top Six Exterior Siding Options (HGTV)

🏡 This HGTV website describes the 6 most popular types of siding. Click on the button below to visit the website. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-remodel/top-six-exterior-siding-options

Types of Siding

WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PROACTIVE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PLAN!

TEN (10) YEARS without a proactive and preventive maintenance plan for our community!

Professional, independent, and quality property inspections of common and limited elements cost much less than having to perform emergency repairs and then permanent repairs along with replacement of damaged homeowner property and community property.

Planning to act in a reactionary way, instead of a proactive way, is risky and irresponsible.

As time goes on, a lack of proactive, preventive maintenance will lead to an increasing number of reactive repairs. Being proactive in fixing small issues can save a lot of money. Reactive maintenance results in future costly repairs and replacements.

Maintenance is more than repairing a leak—it’s preventing the leak in the first place.

Why be reactive when proactive maintenance not only saves the HOA money, it can pay for itself in many cases?

Preventing HOA Selective Enforcement

What is HOA Selective Enforcement?

Selective enforcement occurs when the association enforces specific rules for one homeowner, or a group of homeowners, but not the rest. Some members may get a violation notice for leaving their trashcans out too late, while others do not but have broken the same rule. This can cause members to feel as though they are being targeted or singled out. Essentially, HOA selective enforcement is a kind of institutionalized favoritism.

It is the board’s job to ensure that rules and regulations are fairly and uniformly enforced. There should be consistency in how this process is carried out.

Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER NOTICE

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by homeowners that reside in the Traditions of America at Sewickley Ridge Homeowners Association and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date, truthful, and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. There shall be no special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or damages of any kind, whether in an action of contract, negligence, or any tort arising in connection with the use of this website or service.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of this website. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, this website and its owners and users take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

THIS WEBSITE IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH TRADITIONS OF AMERICA AT SEWICKLEY RIDGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OR TRADITIONS OF AMERICA, L.P. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATE OR SUBSIDIARIES AND IS MERELY INFORMATIVE AND THE OPINIONS OF THE AUTHORS OF THIS WEBSITE.

If you wish to be removed from any lists, e-mail, website notices etc. please use the contact feature on this website to have your name and e-mail address immediately removed.

A Stronger Sewickley Ridge Better Governance More Accountability

Homeowners have the right to speak.

Open Communication Should Not Be Optional

Deferred maintenance and poor budget planning are common problems in HOA-governed communities. This toxic combination quickly leads to the decline of the community and reduced property values. See example below:

Stormwater Report 2025 - 51% of Homes Identified

Roofs and Siding Were Never Properly Inspected

Causes of a Faulty Roof Installation

5 common causes of poor roof installation

Causes of Bubbled Siding

What should have been done...

KDKA Investigates:

Siding Is Melting Off Nearly 50 Homes In South Fayette, PA

Vinyl Siding Issues

1. Answers to some of the most common questions about siding distortion from solar reflection.

2. A website explaining the primary purpose of a HOA Capital Reserve Funding Analysis and siding.

3. Vinyl Siding Inspection & Repair Guide: Vinyl siding defect recognition & diagnosis.

4. Top Six Exterior Siding Options (HGTV)

WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PROACTIVE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PLAN!

TEN (10) YEARS without a proactive and preventive maintenance plan for our community!

Planning to act in a reactionary way, instead of a proactive way, is risky and irresponsible.

Maintenance is more than repairing a leak—it’s preventing the leak in the first place.

Preventing HOA Selective Enforcement

What is HOA Selective Enforcement?

Major Spending Approved Without Meetings

Letter to Haters

Homeowner Advocacy

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Disclaimer

A Stronger Sewickley Ridge Better Governance More Accountability

Homeowners have the right to speak.

Open Communication Should Not Be Optional

Deferred maintenance and poor budget planning are common problems in HOA-governed communities. This toxic combination quickly leads to the decline of the community and reduced property values. See example below:

Stormwater Report 2025 - 51% of Homes Identified

Roofs and Siding Were Never Properly Inspected

Causes of a Faulty Roof Installation

5 common causes of poor roof installation

Causes of Bubbled Siding

What should have been done...

KDKA Investigates:

Siding Is Melting Off Nearly 50 Homes In South Fayette, PA

Vinyl Siding Issues

1. Answers to some of the most common questions about siding distortion from solar reflection.

2. A website explaining the primary purpose of a HOA Capital Reserve Funding Analysis and siding.

3. Vinyl Siding Inspection & Repair Guide: Vinyl siding defect recognition & diagnosis.

4. Top Six Exterior Siding Options (HGTV)

WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PROACTIVE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PLAN!

TEN (10) YEARS without a proactive and preventive maintenance plan for our community!

Planning to act in a reactionary way, instead of a proactive way, is risky and irresponsible.

Maintenance is more than repairing a leak—it’s preventing the leak in the first place.

Preventing HOA Selective Enforcement

What is HOA Selective Enforcement?

Major Spending Approved Without Meetings

Letter to Haters

Homeowner Advocacy

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Disclaimer

Cookie Policy