Don't Put off Routine Parking Structure Restoration Projects!

There are many factors that influence the prediction of how long a parking structure will last and at what point you will need to tear it down and rebuild.

Parking structures are unique in that the structure is directly exposed to the elements, unlike a building structure that is protected by a Building Envelope. Exposure includes moisture, freezing temperatures, deicing salts, thermal expansion and contraction, and dynamic vehicle loads.

All these elements work to degrade the structure and start doing so even before the structure is open to patrons. After that, degradation accelerates over time. The only way to extend the life of a parking structure is with maintenance, the cost of which can be minimized with proper timing and help you avoid parking structure restoration projects.

Whether your parking structure is a multi-level garage or a few below-grade levels under a high-rise building, proactive condition assessment and diligent maintenance are imperative.

Read the full article on our website! 

The IEI Structural Engineering Advantage

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention and what maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call 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!

Indications You Need Parking Structure Restoration

Parking structures are an integral part of cities all across the country, providing visitors and their vehicles with a place to park and shelter from the elements. They also often provide access to offices and housing.

The challenging part of maintaining a parking structure is the onslaught of environmental stressors like moisture, expansion and contraction, carbonation, and everyday wear-and-tear. Vehicles regularly entering parking structures cause dynamic loads, and leave oil, water, and other debris behind, not to mention the salt and de-icers in winter climates that are left behind during inclement weather.

Facility managers have a tough job when it comes to maintaining parking garages and protecting them from deterioration. How can you avoid costly repairs?

• Ponding: Standing water is a huge issue in parking structures that can cause a tremendous amount of damage over time if not addressed early. Drain installation can prevent future, larger problems.
• Expansion joint failure: Detecting expansion joint problems and reacting quickly to make repairs is very beneficial in the long run. Failed joints provide another avenue for water to reach the reinforcing steel and connector plates.
• Horizontally or vertically cracked concrete: Concrete that has spalled or is cracking represents areas of potential structural damage that needs to be addressed. Cracks let water reach the structure’s reinforcing steel causing it to erode.
• Exposed rebar: If you can see rebar, it deserves immediate attention. Introduced to water, rebar corrodes and expands up to eight times its original size. This is due to water penetration into the concrete.

Read more about protective coatings and parking structure restoration on our website!

Avoid Costly Repairs by Maintaining Your Parking Structure

Water is the number 1 cause of parking structure deterioration. Water-saturated concrete can freeze, expand, and spall. Combined with oxygen, water can also cause corrosion of the concrete reinforcing.

Exposure to deicing salts accelerates this process. As reinforcing steel expands as it rusts, this process also leads to concrete spalling. Spalled concrete provides less cover or protection of the reinforcing which leads to further (and accelerated) deterioration if not repaired in a timely manner.

The IEI Structural Engineering Advantage

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention and what maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Protective Surface Coatings for Parking Structures

A parking structure provides an essential service. Whether your parking structure is a multi-level garage or a few below-grade levels under a high-rise building, proactive condition assessment and diligent maintenance are imperative.

If problems are ignored, the harsh environment in garages, including corrosive deicing chemicals, freeze-thaw cycling, and the stress of thousands of vehicles traversing the deck, will quickly accelerate deterioration into hazardous conditions.

Did you know a protective coating in your parking structure can keep your facility performing well and save money? The right coating can reduce your maintenance over time by keeping your surfaces clean, good-looking, and intact. They can also safeguard your building’s interior and exterior from the elements and mishaps that can occur because of constant vehicle traffic.

What are the options for parking garage coatings?

You should explore a variety of coating options, including those meant for extreme environments:

1. Epoxy: Untreated concrete can wear out easily, and polished concrete lacks the traction necessary to make smooth turns in the confined spaces of a busy garage. Epoxy flooring can increase the strength of the flooring while ensuring the underlying slab is protected from damage. Epoxy can help repel oil, grease, brake fluid, and de-icing salts.
   
   
2. Slip-resistant floor coatings: From wet spots under leaky vehicles to coffee spills, garages with slick floors can be dangerous. An aluminum oxide additive to a floor coating helps prevent dangerous slip and falls.

Read more about protective coatings and parking structure restoration on our website!

The IEI Structural Engineering Advantage

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention and what maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Why Choose Innovative Engineering after Graduation?

Innovative Engineering Inc. is a trusted Structural Engineering resource of facility owners and managers of all sizes, including those with the nation’s largest real estate portfolios.

Innovative Engineering Inc. is cut from a different cloth. We treat our staff as the highly respected professionals they are. Beginning with the work environment, all of our engineers have Class A private offices and a flexible work atmosphere. Most of our staff lives within a short commute and we have a shower and lockers for those who wish to walk, run or ride their bike to work.

 

While most firms pay a 40 hour per week salary and expect 50 or more hours, our professional staff is paid for every hour they work. In addition, based on our project management abilities, we are able to limit overtime to preserve your quality of life outside of work. Our dedication to continuing education results in our engineers far exceeding the minimum number of Professional Development Hours (PDH’s).

 

 Don’t take our word for it – hear from a past successful intern:

 

“I enjoyed my time as an intern at IEI immensely. The one-on-one mentoring, accessible coworkers, focus on practicality, and technological savvy I found here all made for fantastic experiences that greatly enhanced my understanding of the structural engineering profession.” – Perry S.

 

If you’re considering engineering work in the Atlanta, GA, or Seattle, WA areas, Innovative Engineering is the right choice for you. 

 

Learn more about career opportunities here!

Looking for an Engineering Internship? Consider IEI

Are you close to the finish line for college graduation? You’ve been working hard for years, and it’s time for that work to pay off as you search for your dream job.

Getting your foot in the door at a great engineering company can be intimidating and challenging. What should you look for in an engineering company before submitting your resume? 

 

1. Relationships with the community – Does the company you’re considering have partnerships with local government officials, state and federal reviewing agencies, or local elected officials? 
2. Professionalism – Look for a firm that always treats their clients and projects with respect and professionalism. A company that strives to maintain a good standing in the community and that has a great reputation is a good place to start. 
3. Track record – Great firms promote quality in the workplace with every project, no matter the size. Projects should be completed on time and on budget. Look for a strong track record of experienced firms that have been successful in working with local contractors and have a reputation of helping their clients over a long period of time. 
4. Stability – If there’s a lot of turnover at the firm you’re interested in, that might be a red flag. Consider applying to firms that maintain their core team of engineers, architects, and surveyors. 

Read the full article on our website!

“I enjoyed my time as an intern at IEI immensely. The one-on-one mentoring, accessible coworkers, focus on practicality, and technological savvy I found here all made for fantastic experiences that greatly enhanced my understanding of the structural engineering profession.” – Perry S.

 

If you’re considering engineering work in the Atlanta, GA, or Seattle, WA areas, Innovative Engineering is the right choice for you. 

 

Learn more about career opportunities here!