The Importance of Regular Building Envelope Inspections

Regular building envelope inspections can identify potential problems early on, when they are less costly and complex to address. A thorough inspection should cover:   

• Roof condition: Check for leaks and damage.   
• Wall integrity: Inspect for cracks, water stains, and deterioration of exterior finishes.
• Window and door performance: Assess for air leaks, water infiltration, and operational issues.
• Foundation stability: Look for cracks, water seepage, and soil erosion.

The frequency of inspections depends on factors such as building age, climate, and materials. For older buildings or those in harsh environments, more frequent inspections may be necessary.

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Don’t Put off a Building Envelope Inspection! Schedule Today

Need a building envelope inspection you can rely on? We use the highest standards to determine the safety of your building. 

Every deficiency noted is analyzed to determine the root cause and severity. Most often this analysis is conducted during the inspection, and later documented.  Severity levels for deficiencies are classified as follows:

• Unsafe condition
• Requires repair/stabilization
• Ordinary maintenance

Our state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after the restoration contractor has started work – which would lead to change orders and damaged reputations. Contact us today!

How to Prevent a Burst Water Pipe This Winter

Water expands 9% when it freezes. There is no stopping it, so it can burst pipes, fittings, and valves. If you live in the southern United States or a warmer climate where below-freezing temperatures occur infrequently, your business may be at a higher risk of a burst pipe.

Many commercial property owners have experienced this issue. To avoid sharing in their misfortune, it is imperative that you take the necessary steps to prevent your own water system from freezing.

You can save your property from total loss by taking these steps in freezing conditions:

1. Shut off the main water valve: Find the main water valve for your property and turn it off to keep additional water from flowing into the affected portion of the system. If your fire protection sprinkler pipes burst, you will need to post a full-time fire watch.  
2. Turn off the electricity to the affected area: Live current near a flooded area can present shock hazards. Turn off the power at the electrical panel to prevent dangerous conditions.
3. Contact a plumber: If you see standing water but can’t tell where the frozen or burst pipe is, call a plumber to diagnose and start the repair process. Fixing the source of the leak is your top priority!

Need more help recovering from a burst pipe? Make sure you take these steps to prepare your building for winter!

For a free download of our winter preparedness checklist, please click here.

Read how you can save your property from total loss on our website.

The IEI Advantage for Structural Engineering

Innovative Engineering Inc. has been a trusted structural engineering, waterproofing engineering, and restoration engineering resource to some of the largest property owners and managers across the United States for over 25 years.

Our passion is showing real estate professionals how to self-inspect their facilities in order to reduce repair and replacement costs and know when to call in an expert. Our engineers are glad to walk your facility, let you know the condition, what and when repairs or replacement are necessary, and provide reports with construction costs and recommend quality contractors to perform the work.

Contact us today to get a quote!

What Should I Expect from a Façade Inspection?

What does a typical facade inspection entail?

The façade inspection begins with a kick-off meeting that includes the building user and maintenance personnel to obtain historical building information regarding the building envelope including re-roofing, previous repairs, additions and known deficient conditions.

Based on availability, existing documents will be collected and reviewed – plans, elevations, wall sections, specifications, and shop drawings for the original construction as well as any additions or modifications affecting the building envelope and previous inspection reports.

Plans and elevations are reproduced to aid in the inspection and reporting process. When previous façade inspection reports exist, study of them can identify areas where damage, both visible and concealed, may be likely as well assist in prioritizing inspection areas.

Read more about facade inspection on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Facade Inspection!

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

IEI’s state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment and facade inspection. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after closure of downtown streets or worse, personal injury, death, and/or property damage occurs. Contact us today!

Why Should You Care about Facade Inspection?

How important is routine façade inspection?

During hurricane, tornado, and severe thunderstorm season across the United States, we’re reminded how important it is to anticipate façade failures before they happen.

During Hurricane Irma in 2018, façade failures caused street closures in Atlanta despite the storm being downgraded to a tropical depression. Even though wind speeds were relatively low for a tropical storm (40mph or lower) and building facades are required by local ordinances to be designed for a minimum wind speed of 90mph, many buildings still suffered damage.

Am I Required to Perform a Facade Inspection?

Unlike 12 other major metropolitan areas, Atlanta has no façade ordinance law requiring periodic inspections to help ensure public safety from falling building façades. For these other cities, it unfortunately took an injury or death to encourage enactment of a façade inspection ordinance.

The lack of an ordinance, however, does not relieve building managers and owners from liability. The International Property Maintenance Code Section 304.1 requires “The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.”

Read more about facade inspection on our website! 

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Facade Inspection!

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

IEI’s state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment and facade inspection. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after closure of downtown streets or worse, personal injury, death, and/or property damage occurs. Contact us today!

 

Why Regular Structural Building Inspections Are so Important

Are you up to date on your building inspections?

When is the last time you had a thorough roof and facade inspection done by a professional company?

There are currently 12 cities in the United States with ordinances that mandate periodic inspections of building facades, most of which are located in the Midwest. However, across the country, many building owners and managers elect to partake in voluntary facade inspections for both safety and long-term financial reasons.

Drone Technology for Structural Building Inspection

Drone technology has become a great asset to structural building inspection techniques. Drones equipped with infrared cameras can quickly and efficiently document large areas of a building and capture the footage for later inspection.

Thermal imaging is best utilized after sunset. Dry insulation cools off faster, so the areas that have been penetrated by water will remain brighter when viewed through an IR camera.

Read the full article about structural building inspection on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Structural Building Inspection!

IEI’s state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after the restoration contractor has started work – which would lead to change orders and damaged reputations. Contact us today!

Why are Structural Condition Assessments Performed?

Structural building inspections are critical for any commercial or residential building. Regular assessments should be done for:

• Code compliance (Laws and ordinances)
•  Building user observations
•  Real estate Due Diligence surveys

According to International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), “the exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to public health, safety or welfare.”

There are currently 12 cities in the United States with ordinances that mandate periodic inspections of building facades, most of which are in the Midwest. However, across the country, many building owners and managers elect to partake in voluntary structural building inspections for both safety and long-term financial reasons.

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

If you have tried several repairs unsuccessfully, call in a progressive collapse expert. Specialized equipment is necessary to thoroughly investigate and take guesswork out of the equation, so make sure you call a company with the proper experience to investigate the source and cause of an issue.

Read the full article about structural building inspection on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Structural Building Inspection!

IEI’s state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after the restoration contractor has started work – which would lead to change orders and damaged reputations. Contact us today!

Waterproofing and Structural Condition Assessments

Understanding how the elements can affect a building or parking structure can dramatically decrease the likelihood that you’ll have a catastrophe at your property.

A Couple of Waterproofing Principles

• 90% of the water intrusion problems occur within 1% of the total building exterior. Usually at terminations and transitions. Most common where roof meets wall.
•  99% of water intrusion problems are attributable to human error including detailing, specifications, or installation.  Not material or system failures.
• Where installer doesn’t know what to do, use lots of sealants.
• Sealant may only last 2 years, 6-8, 8-12 years if everything is perfect.

Why are Structural Condition Assessments Performed?

• Code compliance (Laws and ordinances).
• Building user observations.
• Real estate Due Diligence surveys.
• Renovation.

According to International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), “the exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to public health, safety or welfare.”

There are currently 12 cities in the United States with ordinances that mandate periodic inspections of building façades, most of which are in the Midwest. However, across the country, many building owners and managers elect to partake in voluntary façade inspections for both safety and long-term financial reasons.

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

Read more about progressive collapse on our website.

Avoid Progressive Collapse at Your Property

Over the last few years, more catastrophic structural damage cases and progressive collapse cases have been in the news. Because of this, building owners are taking a closer look at their building and parking structures. While it could take years for the investigation to be completed, there are many clues included in previous inspection reports and photographs taken of the aftermath.

These clues point to typical causes of deterioration to any type of structural system including reinforced concrete, precast, masonry, structural steel, and wood framing.

Everyone can be involved in keeping a building in working order, including occupants, maintenance staff, managers, and owners. The best approach for keeping a building running is “if you see something, say something.”

Understanding how the elements can affect a building or parking structure can dramatically decrease the likelihood that you’ll have a catastrophe at your property. 

Read more about progressive collapse on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Building Inspection!

IEI’s state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after the restoration contractor has started work – which would lead to change orders and damaged reputations. Contact us today!

Structural Inspection of Your Roof

A roofing inspection starts below the roof itself. If you’re able to inspect your attic/plenum space, you can identify where water is entering the building. This assists in finding where leak locations are on the surface of the roof.

Roofing and flashing materials will age naturally due to age, UV exposure, and water. This can happen in just 6 to 8 years even if specified and installed properly. Staying on top of roof inspections will help prevent damage and save money in the long run.

“Ponding” is defined as water that has pooled on a surface for over 48 hours. It’s the most common factor in roofing and plaza slab failures, and is most commonly the result of improper drainage via sloping, gutters, and scuppers.

Learn more about structural building inspection on our website!

Need a structural building inspection you can rely on? We use the highest standards to determine the safety of your building. Contact us today!

Every deficiency noted is analyzed to determine the root cause and severity. Most often this analysis is conducted during the inspection, and later documented.  Severity levels for deficiencies are classified as follows:

•     Unsafe condition
•     Requires repair/stabilization
•     Ordinary maintenance